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Create the perfect make up bag...

12 replies

voscar · 24/02/2015 22:32

For me!!

If you could start from scratch and buy entirely new everything - what would you buy? I need a make up shake up!

I'm blonde, fair skinned, showing obvious sign of ageing (mid 30's) and would love to have a more polished every day make up. I wear make up every day, but it's always gone by lunch (getting up at 6:00am).

I currently use products I've been using for about a decade. Double Base light, brow zings, Clinique blusher, touch éclat etc...

I'm open to any brands or ideas.
Thank you in advance!

OP posts:
emsyj · 25/02/2015 10:04

I'm also blonde, fair skinned and mid-30s (see profile pic!)

At the moment I'm wearing as an every day makeup:
Estee Lauder double wear foundation (I use fingers usually but it gives a nice finish with a flat topped stippling brush if you prefer a brush)
Estee Lauder Lucidity loose powder (had this years, will probably bin it soon - it's not very fine - finest and nicest loose powder I've ever had was a Christian Dior one about 10 years ago, no doubt they'll have changed it now to make it shit - seems to always happen when I find a nice product Sad)
Bare Minerals concealer (summer bisque) - won't re-buy this when it runs out - I get spots that need major cover, will probably try the Mac Studio Finish concealer when this is all gone, have read good reviews of it
Bobbi Brown powder blush in 'Nectar' - got this for Christmas and absolutely love it - use it every day and also for evening, it's my only blush colour.
Bobbi Brown smokey nudes eye palette - I'm only using the cream and the light beige matt colours from the top tray for daytime - all the other colours are sparkly, which I don't personally like for day now that I am old and haggard. Will probably get some new matt eye colours soon, possibly from Mac. I have a couple of the Sleek palettes that you can get in Superdrug but the darker non-brown colours (I like greys and purples on my skin) always seem to have sparkle in them. I would like a couple of darker shades for the socket line and outer corners. I have a blue palette of navy and lighter blues for evening that I really like - I love a very dark smokey eye for evening but I do find that purples, greys and blues are better with my skin than browns.
Benefit BADgal waterproof eyeliner pencil in grey - really like this, have been using either eyeshadow as liner or a pencil for years and always find that they 'drop' into little flakes on my cheek. This pencil is easy to blend (there's a little blender on one end of it) and doesn't look too 'much' for daytime. It doesn't have as good sticking power as a gel but it's much quicker to apply. I will probably buy a grey gel liner soon and try to get faster at putting it on (currently takes me AGES). A friend at work uses gel liner every day and it always looks immaculate - she recommended a Mac brush that I will buy to practice with, it's the 231 shader brush. I use a gel liner for evening (I've got the L'Oreal one and the Bobbi Brown one and tbh I can't notice a difference between them other than the price tag).
Benefit Gimme Brow gel - this is like a mascara for eyebrows. It's much quicker than pencil to apply but it looks best if you have your brows coloured. I had mine done at Benefit a few weeks ago and really liked the look but am too lazy to go regularly so I'll probably do it at home in future - I did an evening course that covered lash and brow dyeing and I do my mum's so am fairly confident I won't end up with a scouse brow! I can highly recommend getting your brows done professionally as a way of looking instantly more groomed and defined - try it. Benefit were very good IMO - and I am VERY particular about my brows.
I'm currently using up a Bobbi Brown mascara that I got as part of a set for Christmas - it comes in a silver tube. I don't like it much, it seems quite fibre-y and I get flecks on my contact lenses which irritate my eyes. I won't buy it again. The best mascara I've ever found is Diorshow, although I've read tons of good reviews for Max Factor waterproof stuff.

Finally - I usually use Bobbi Brown lipstick in Ballet pink or Estee Lauder Pure Colour in Crystal Baby. Both very natural lip-shade colours. I never feel very comfortable in a bright lip colour although I would like to try one - I'm never brave enough.

Sorry that's a bit of an essay. I am a makeup addict Blush.

Judydreamsofhorses · 25/02/2015 12:15

If your makeup's disappearing, would a primer help? I use the Smashbox one, which is excellent, and the Nars eye one under eyemakeup - I get ready at about 7am and my makeup's still in place 12 hours later. I use either YSL foundation or Chanel Les Beiges as a base over primer, then a bit of cream blusher applied with a stippling brush (Bobbi Brown do good ones). I tend not to wear much eye makeup as I'm a bit crap at it, so I just do neutral eyeshadow and mascara, then bold lipstick, red or bright pink, but you might prefer nude lips and bold eyes, per the poster above. The Urban Decay Naked palettes are good for a range of eye colours, and the Naked Basics one is a good bit cheaper if you're replacing a load of stuff at once. Oh, and I agree with the poster above that the Benefit Gimme Brow is great. Happy shopping!

voscar · 25/02/2015 22:56

Thank you ladies. I'm definitely going to take a trip to the Bobby Brown counter after that advice.

I do use double wear (not base, confused myself!), so I think my primer is just rubbish. I've been using a loreal one, and have previously used smash box which I really didn't like. I might go back to Elizabeth Ardens Good Morning Skin - which used to be amazing. Have either of you tried benefits pore minimiser primer? Is it any good?

Totally agree about eye shadows - sparkle in so many of them and I find it ageing now. Will have a look at the suggested Urban Decay palates.

Thanks again - really appreciate it!

OP posts:
voscar · 25/02/2015 22:58

P.s. Have either of you tried highlighters with any success? I've been watching some videos on you tube and they look awesome but I don't know where to start!

OP posts:
Flambola · 25/02/2015 23:25

I've tried that Benefit pore stuff. It was shit - on me, anyway. I gave it away in the end.

I love my Urban Decay palette. No. 1.

Carpaccio · 26/02/2015 01:10

It all depends on your skin type and preferences, but I'd suggest:

Tinted moisturiser or light coverage foundation. I find that heavy coverage foundations can be very aging and the matte finish most certainly doesn't help that either. I like Mac Face & Body foundation, Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser (there are a few different ones for different skin types) or a BB cream (the Western ones are basically just tinted moisturisers) - I like the Estee Lauder DayWear BB cream.
The Origins Vitazing is also supposed to be very nice.
Before you buy any foundations/tinted moisturisers/BB creams, ask for a sample and try it first.

I like transparent powders like the Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder (it's a loose powder), Guerlain Meteorites and there's also a transparent one from Essence which is very good and very cheap.

For touch-ups during the day, pressed powder is great as it is easier to take with you out and easier to apply while on the go. I like Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural, Mac Select Sheer Pressed and Guerlain Meteorites Pressed Powders (the new ones with different colours). Chanel Les Beiges is also decent but I find it makes me very oily and it can be quite yellow/orange.
I apply these powders with a powder brush as I find that a sponge or powder puff tends to apply to much and make me look too powdery/cakey.

For concealer, I like Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage.

For eyeshadow, I'd suggest cream shadows that set on the skin - something like Mac Paint Pots, Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks or Chanel Illusion d'Ombre.
I like applying these products with a brush such as the Mac 217.

For eyeliner, I'd skip the gel or liquid and get a powder and a push brush (Mac 212/Laura Mercier Flat Eye Liner - other brands also have similar shaped brushes). I like using Mac Mystery - it's a dark brown powder shadow.
I also use this shadow for my brows, with an angled brush and a spoolie brush. I try to just colour the hairs with the shadow, not the skin, as I find that looks too fake and harsh on me.

I like tubing mascaras like Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara and L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Technology (it's a red and white tube with primer and mascara - the primer isn't good, but the mascara is). Other brands also do these mascaras.
Eyelash curlers are a must for me - and they should be used before applying mascara to avoid damaging the lashes.

I like matching my lipstick and blusher as I find that it ties my makeup together. I'm currently wearing these combinations a lot:
Laura Mercier lipstick in Pink Pout (a 'my lips but better' colour) and Inglot blusher in 58.
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick in 350 Vengeful Red/Mac Absolute Power/Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 250 Standout/Guerlain Rouge G in 820 Rouge Parade/Inglot lip pencil in 21 or any other blue toned red and Mac Frankly Scarlet.
Dior Rouge Dior Baume in 688 Diorette (bright pink)/Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink and Inglot blusher in 48.

For highlighter, I like Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade (powder) or Mac Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel (liquid). I often use the liquid before foundation, especially if the foundation is very matte, and the powder after I've applied blusher. I just apply on cheekbones, brow bones and sometimes down nose and on the cupid's bow. All over the face can enhance pores and imperfections so I avoid that.

If your makeup doesn't last, then maybe it's worth having a look at your skincare products and ensure that you're using the right products for your skin type.
Primer can help a bit but if your skincare products are causing the problem, then primer will not do much for you.
I'm generally not a massive fan of primers, but the mattifying ones might help you. I find that the pore minimising ones make my makeup slide off after 6-7 hours whereas without primer my makeup tends to last all day.

Goldiefawn · 26/02/2015 09:01

Just a quick tip - wait 10 mins after applying moisturiser before applying your primer and foundation. This helps my makeup last much longer. I use double wear foundation too and it lasts all day this way.

Comito · 26/02/2015 09:17

The Smashbox primer is amazing. I'd never used primer before but decided to try it on MN recommendations and I wish I'd tried it years ago. My foundation glides on really easily now and has a much nicer finish.

I also use Benefit Stay Don't Stray around my eyes to keep eyeshadow/liner in place and it's very effective.

YY to leaving moisturiser for 10-15 mins before applying primer/make-up.

My next thing to try is YSL Touche Eclat foundation. I've been using Laura Mercier for a few years but I've gone off it. I'm having to blend two colours to get a decent match which is ridiculous.

crazylady12 · 26/02/2015 09:36

I have brown hair I use benefit oxygen foundation after 10 years of searching and an unthinkable amount of money I have found my dream foundation it's great Mac powder no7 mascara in the red sparkly tube benefit lip tints sleek blush just as good as nars but much cheaper and soap and glory eyeliner

Chocolou · 26/02/2015 10:01

ems don't know if you're aware the bobbi brown ballet pink lippy got discontinued last year. Gutted it was my favourite shade too.

emsyj · 27/02/2015 18:13

I didn't know that Chocolou, I only bought it before Christmas (as part of a rather, ahem, bumper order for DH to give me for Christmas. Why does everything that's nice get discontinued? Sad

I agree that heavy foundation is ageing but unfortunately I have horrible skin and need the coverage. Sad Sad Sad

voscar · 09/03/2015 20:38

So after all that I went shopping and discovered that este Lauder is still amazing, their mascara is awesome.

Benefit pore shit is shit

Waiting 10 minutes after moisturiser - best make up advice ever!

Bobby brown counters are elusive so will have to wait until I am next at bluewater.

Great advice ladies. Thanks. Will keep coming back to some of the more detailed lists and trying out your recommendations. X

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