So you finished working that 16 hr day and you are exhausted (and look it).

Any tips for makeup that women would like to share? I remember when I had my 16 hr days with working full time and in school full time I even gave up on makeup. It never lasts, constantly have to touch up, but I want to maintain a professional appearance with my uneven skin tone (and possible blemishes!). But some either just wear off, cake off, look so fake, or just aren't very "skin" friendly for those of us with sensitive skin!!!

So any make up brands you like? Any make up tips in general?

Spill it girls!

i have sensitive skin and have been very happy with clinique's "almost makeup" line. it's an oil-free moisturizer/foundation but is light and fresh and does not feel cakey at all. they have several lines of foundation and this is the lightest coverage. it blends really well and i find that my skin still feels great at the end of a long day - it's never burned or caused an allergic reaction. i also find it refreshing in the middle of the day to splash cold water on my face - wakes me up and keeps my skin happy.:)

So you finished working that 16 hr day and you are exhausted (and look it).

Any tips for makeup that women would like to share? I remember when I had my 16 hr days with working full time and in school full time I even gave up on makeup. It never lasts, constantly have to touch up, but I want to maintain a professional appearance with my uneven skin tone (and possible blemishes!). But some either just wear off, cake off, look so fake, or just aren't very "skin" friendly for those of us with sensitive skin!!!

So any make up brands you like? Any make up tips in general?

Spill it girls!

I use Neutrogena for everything: face lotion slightly tinted, with powder over it, and a subtle tinted chapstick. My life so far (military & physics) has been suited to very, very light make-up only -- but I didn't want to wear none and look awful.

I used to wear more make-up in college, but it has gotten less and less as the years passed :laugh: Now I just wear natural color lipstick and Clinique eyebrow shaper.

and baby wipes are the best at takin it off..

I kind of like my Covergirl concealer. It's as big as a pen, so touching up is quick and easy and I wore it for almost 24 hours and didn't need to touch up.

When I get my eyebrows done (threaded - indian style) I never have to worry about eyeliner because the brows stay neat for several weeks. SO eyebrows are one things I never have to worry about.

When I get my eyebrows done (threaded - indian style) I never have to worry about eyeliner because the brows stay neat for several weeks. SO eyebrows are one things I never have to worry about.

what does eyeliner have to do with brows. i thread my own eyebrows but i still wear eyeliner :confused:

I don't wear makeup. I know guys who do though. ;)

I'm a makeup junkie. Some of my favorites:

*Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer - Great because it combines a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen and retinol. It's what I use on a daily basis because it's fuss free.
*Revlon Age defying compact makeup- This is a godsend foundation for dry skin! I use this when I want to look more made up
*Loreal True Match blushes- easy to identify your shade because their labeled according to Warm, Cool, and Neutral
*Mascara- Practically anything by Loreal or Maybelline is good.
*Eyeshadow- anything by Mac, they have the most pigment and staying power. I also like Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour eyeshadow quads.
*Brows - NYC makes a great brow kit, I think it's called "Browser" It comes with brow powder, wax, and an applicator. Cheap too.
* When it comes to lips, I like Pout Protectors by Wet n Wild. Sheer, glossy color with spf.

Also, in case you didn't know: Makeupalley.com is a helpful site.

My fave "I'm late and/or feeling lazy" look is to use a tinted moisturizer, followed by blush applied to cheeks and eyelids with a blush brush, Brown mascara on lashes and brows, and a tinted lip balm. I can do this in 5 min. flat.

HTH

I love the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer too! I've also been using the Bare Essentials mineral powder foundations while I'm on more laid back rotations (read: not having to get up really early). It seems to keep my makeup on longer. I use Sephora brand eye shadows and carry my lipgloss with me.

What is eyebrow threading?

See I use bare minerals right nwo too and I feel that its horrible makeup. It feels so icky on my face after a few hours. Maybe its just b/c my skin is oily in the t-zones ... I do like it overall though for coverage ...

I use proactiv for my acne (which has flared up the past year) and neutrogena face wash.

I'm a makeup junkie. Some of my favorites:

*Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer - Great because it combines a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen and retinol. It's what I use on a daily basis because it's fuss free.
*Revlon Age defying compact makeup- This is a godsend foundation for dry skin! I use this when I want to look more made up
*Loreal True Match blushes- easy to identify your shade because their labeled according to Warm, Cool, and Neutral
*Mascara- Practically anything by Loreal or Maybelline is good.
*Eyeshadow- anything by Mac, they have the most pigment and staying power. I also like Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour eyeshadow quads.
*Brows - NYC makes a great brow kit, I think it's called "Browser" It comes with brow powder, wax, and an applicator. Cheap too.
* When it comes to lips, I like Pout Protectors by Wet n Wild. Sheer, glossy color with spf.

Also, in case you didn't know: Makeupalley.com is a helpful site.

My fave "I'm late and/or feeling lazy" look is to use a tinted moisturizer, followed by blush applied to cheeks and eyelids with a blush brush, Brown mascara on lashes and brows, and a tinted lip balm. I can do this in 5 min. flat.

HTH
Wow, good to know.
I've always wanted to try a tinted moisterizer but I was too scared it would get too oily and not do anything to even my skin tone.

I like Mabelline Purestay powder foundation, mostly because its like a compact but more coverage.
I usually use that with a bronzer to makes me look more alive and less like a zombie, the only thing i hate about it is it's kind of a shimmery bronzer so sometimes it can look like too much.

I def need new eyeshadows, I tried to substitute colored eyeliners but they fade, smudge, and just don't last.

Also, I'm looking for a matte natural looking lip color.

edit: Omg! That site is awesome! Dr Pepper lipgloss!! AHHHHH! That brings back like 1,000 good memories which I totally forgot I had.

I love the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer too! I've also been using the Bare Essentials mineral powder foundations while I'm on more laid back rotations (read: not having to get up really early). It seems to keep my makeup on longer. I use Sephora brand eye shadows and carry my lipgloss with me.

What is eyebrow threading?

THreading is when they use a thread to shape eyebrows, it like pulls out the hair in a straight line usually and you usually have to go to a pro.

(okay, this is going to be really long-winded, sorry!)

Two words: Laura Mercier.

Most amazing make-up out there, by far, and I've tried everything. The tinted moisturizer (I use the oil-free one) may be more than enough for some people, but I use the concealer, too, and it's miraculous - it conceals anything. The line's hella expensive, but well worth it!

So my advice? Tinted moisturizer, a long-lasting, non-cakey concealer like the Laura Mercier one, and a good powder like Physician's Formula. Don't bother with Revlon or CoverGirl or the other drug store brands - they don't last as long and they're the ones that tend to turn orange throughout the day. PF is the only one that works for me, besides the obscenely expensive Laura Mercier powder.

I feel like a lot of women overdo their eye makeup...mascara and a neutral eyeshadow (think the color of your blush, or possible blush if you don't use one right now) should do fine. Brown or neutral eyeliner works well, too, but it's hard to find an eyeliner that stays put all day. Black eyeliner looks bad during the daytime unless you're really dark skinned.

I have a lot of trouble finding lip color because I'm *very* pale and everything looks too fake on me, but I really like the Burt's Bees lip colors that you can get at Bath & Body Works. They're creamy and moisturizing (with this minty tingle) but they wear off naturally, so you don't end up with lipstick lines around your lips or anything on your teeth.

Also, and this may sound crazy...if you can find 20 free minutes during the day (and I know it'll be hard), try to wash your face entirely and re-apply everything. You'll look a lot fresher and it's easier to touch up your face when your make-up's only been on your face for 6 hours instead of 12.

Finding a good skin care line is important, too. I've tried a lot of different things (I used to have horrible acne) and honestly, the only thing that ever did anything was birth control. I'm on ortho-cyclen and while I have a few blemishes in the same areas, my makeup pretty much covers everything, so no one can ever tell. I use the Burt's Bees tomato complexion soap (and the peach exfoliating scrub once every few days), the toner, the herbal blemish stick and the moisturizer. It's an investment but I it's definitely improved my skin even after I went on the pill. How is proactive working for you?

Best of luck!

Have you tried foundation primer? It prevents foundation from getting cakey and makes it last longer too. Smashbox Photofinish primer is a good one (you can get it from Sephora).

what does eyeliner have to do with brows. i thread my own eyebrows but i still wear eyeliner :confused:

When someone threads my brows, my brows are more defined, thus I don't need to add any makeup to my eyebrows. Sorry for the confusion. I was not referring to eyeliner (but I don't wear eyeliner either!)

Anyone have any good tips for the dark circles under the eyes? As previously mentioned, I don't have lots of sophisticated make-up experience, but I'm starting to notice these more as I get older. (and white hairs, too! but those I'm just going to live with)

I use concealer. There are some good ones out there that are good neutralizing colors. physicians formula or what ever was good. They have a stick of two types of concealer. I also have a pretty good makeup with Bare Minerals with concealing. I was surprised at how well just the foundation covers. :thumbup:

as for white hairs ... hair dye works ;)

Anyone have any good tips for the dark circles under the eyes? As previously mentioned, I don't have lots of sophisticated make-up experience, but I'm starting to notice these more as I get older. (and white hairs, too! but those I'm just going to live with)

Covergirl fresh complexion is awesome, it's like $5 and it's pretty liquidy so you don't have to tug much at sensitive under eye skin.

Anyone have any good tips for the dark circles under the eyes? As previously mentioned, I don't have lots of sophisticated make-up experience, but I'm starting to notice these more as I get older. (and white hairs, too! but those I'm just going to live with)

I like Maybelline Age rewind concealer. Also, if you want a good at-home remedy for dark circles, try this:
Put 1 tsp of regular unflavored gelatin (like Knox brand) in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp of boiling water and mix. Put it on with a cotton ball (make sure its not too hot), leave on for about 30 min, then rinse. Do this daily for about a week and then every once in a while for maintence. Gelatin is high in Vit K and Biotin which is apparently why this works.

My face is oily so make-up slips right off my face. So my trick is to focus on skin care and make-up becomes unnecessary. I use Oxy 10 to wash, clindomycin topical solution, and retin-a as advised by my dermatologist. Then I use toner for oily skin, apply an anti-aging syrum, eye cream, anti-puffy gel under the eye, then sunblock. Personal product line of choice is BeautiControl but I'm sure others are just as good.

Recently I've added monthly facials as part of the skin care regimen. Microderm abrasion may be added later. Also have had positive results with botox.

For dark circles, I use a green colored cover-up. The green neutralizes the darkness and does a lot better than a skin tone color cover-up. Also the color of clothing that is closest to my face makes a huge difference on how my face looks. Wear colors that enhance your natural beauty.

The last thing I do, when not wearing make-up is to curl my lashes and smile my $25,000 smile. Teeth whitener is provided by my dentist.

There are many ways to enhance natural beauty and not have to deal with make-up through out the day. Another key factor to beautiful skin is drinking lots of water, eat healthy foods, and quit smoking. Freshning up will be a thing of the past. :D

I am actually considering having my makeup permanently applied (brows and eyeliner). Because it is not applied as deep as traditional tattoos it lasts a few years (not too much commitment) but as a mom and M1-to-be it will save me valuable time. My family friend just had her brows, eyeliner, and lips just done and it looks very natural.

It does really matter who does it though. I know a woman that went to a training school and had a student do hers :eek: ...it looks horrible!

I am actually considering having my makeup permanently applied (brows and eyeliner). Because it is not applied as deep as traditional tattoos it lasts a few years (not too much commitment) but as a mom and M1-to-be it will save me valuable time. My family friend just had her brows, eyeliner, and lips just done and it looks very natural.

It does really matter who does it though. I know a woman that went to a training school and had a student do hers :eek: ...it looks horrible!

DAMN! That would suck if it was messed up.

I want to be like that lady who was on TV as the Human Barbie doll. Mostly I want her hair and car.

i hardly wear makeup (i only wear it on a special occasion), but I do put on moisturizers and eye cream daily(both w/ SPF), and I have been cleaning my face with a refining exfoliator once a week. Speaking of beauty products, I don't want to put lots of chemicals on my face...

i'm not a big fan of makeup anyway..

I love buying and trying new makeup items. My best friend happens to work at Bloomingdales so the makeup gal she is friends with also gives her a lot of free makeup which is kindly passed on to me free. In my experience with makeup I have found that I am not a fan of drugstore makeup. I have tried most department store/sephora brands and this is what I use:

After moisturizing (have been using anti-wrinkle creams with SPF since early 20's to keep the suckers from forming in the first place), I use Shiseido Pre Makeup Cream. It keeps me matte and feels very light. Over this I use Stila powder wetted with H2O and then pat a little of it dry on top to set it.

The longest lasting shadows I have used, also non cakey, were Benefit cream shadows. I currently use Stila powder shadows but if I want them to last all day and night I put a base of Benefit Lemon Aid on the lids first and then the powder shadow on top. It won't budge or cake or crease. Mac has nice shadows. Clinique cream shadows crease easily.

I use Benefit Bad Gal eye liner or Lorac with the glitter bits if I am in a sparkly mood.

I don't use mascara regularly but if I do it is Dior (regular) or Shiseido (waterproof). I always curl my lashes and hold the curler in place at least 10 seconds.

To keep lipstick on I first apply Benefit Lip Plump and let it dry for a minute. Then I line it and fill in completely. I like Stila or Benefit lip liners. I think Mac comes off too easily. Then I put either/or both lipstick on top or a lip gloss or a lip plumper. I use Stila Lip Glaze, and Stila and Benefit lipsticks. Clinique lipsticks come off too easy. Lauder is ok. Mac is no good. I like Sovage's lip plumper.

It sounds complicated but it takes 5-10 minutes to do and lasts a long time. It is also very natural looking depending on the colors you select. You can have a makeup counter gal help you with that.

I never looked like I had just been on call during morning reports thanks to my makeup regimen. Oh, and sleeping with hair in a bun, when the bun is released in the AM instead of post call bed head I'd have waves adding to the refreshed look.

Isn't there a generic makeup brand (sally something or other) that has a spray for your face that's supposed to keep your makeup on? It sounds like it'd be bad for your skin, but maybe it works.

I don't think anyone's mentioned it, but Dr. Feelgood is pretty amazing. It's available at sephora in a silver tin and it's a balm that you put either under or on top of your face makeup (whatever brand you use). I feel like it keeps my makeup on forever and doesn't make my skin feel gross.

See I use bare minerals right nwo too and I feel that its horrible makeup. It feels so icky on my face after a few hours. Maybe its just b/c my skin is oily in the t-zones ... I do like it overall though for coverage ...

I use proactiv for my acne (which has flared up the past year) and neutrogena face wash.

Really? I use Bare Minerals and I L-O-V-E it! :love:
Great coverage, long lasting, and I can't even feel it on my face. Best of all, it looks very natural. Using the mineral veil over the foundation helps me w/ oiliness.

I also use proactive, but since I started using Bare Minerals, my breakouts have dramatically decreased. I’ve found that with proactive, a good moisturizer is a must. I use MD Formulations moisture defense antioxidant lotion. It’s pricy, but worth it in my opinion.

Orgions brand makeup lasts all day long, including the eye makeup.:thumbup: Cover girl pressed powder works well too.

I love buying and trying new makeup items. My best friend happens to work at Bloomingdales so the makeup gal she is friends with also gives her a lot of free makeup which is kindly passed on to me free. In my experience with makeup I have found that I am not a fan of drugstore makeup. I have tried most department store/sephora brands and this is what I use:

After moisturizing (have been using anti-wrinkle creams with SPF since early 20's to keep the suckers from forming in the first place), I use Shiseido Pre Makeup Cream. It keeps me matte and feels very light. Over this I use Stila powder wetted with H2O and then pat a little of it dry on top to set it.

The longest lasting shadows I have used, also non cakey, were Benefit cream shadows. I currently use Stila powder shadows but if I want them to last all day and night I put a base of Benefit Lemon Aid on the lids first and then the powder shadow on top. It won't budge or cake or crease. Mac has nice shadows. Clinique cream shadows crease easily.

I use Benefit Bad Gal eye liner or Lorac with the glitter bits if I am in a sparkly mood.

I don't use mascara regularly but if I do it is Dior (regular) or Shiseido (waterproof). I always curl my lashes and hold the curler in place at least 10 seconds.

To keep lipstick on I first apply Benefit Lip Plump and let it dry for a minute. Then I line it and fill in completely. I like Stila or Benefit lip liners. I think Mac comes off too easily. Then I put either/or both lipstick on top or a lip gloss or a lip plumper. I use Stila Lip Glaze, and Stila and Benefit lipsticks. Clinique lipsticks come off too easy. Lauder is ok. Mac is no good. I like Sovage's lip plumper.

It sounds complicated but it takes 5-10 minutes to do and lasts a long time. It is also very natural looking depending on the colors you select. You can have a makeup counter gal help you with that.

I never looked like I had just been on call during morning reports thanks to my makeup regimen. Oh, and sleeping with hair in a bun, when the bun is released in the AM instead of post call bed head I'd have waves adding to the refreshed look.

Wow, great detailed post. Thanks!

I just found a great product for french manicures at home. Sephora has this combo bottle with the bed color on one end and the clear "whitening" polish on the other end - with brushes into both. Think bottle - handle - bottle. Coupled it with the French tips manicure pen (a pen with white nail polish in it) - it did a really nice looking, quick french manicure. It took me about 25 minutes to do fingers and toes! It seemed to be easier to control the nail polish with the double ended thing - it makes a longer handle to hold.
Have fun!

I have a pretty complex make-up/skin care regimen, but I'm sure it'll be simplified when I start med school. For now, I wash my face 2x daily with the Shiseido face wash in the white bottle, and I use a softener and a morning and nighttime moisturizer by Shiseido. Then I put the MAC fast response eye cream on my eye lids and under my eyes. Apparently, it's supposed to get rid of dark circles and lines, but I don't really notice a difference. The good thing is, if some eye shadow falls below my eye, it's really easy to wipe up.

Then I put on the MAC Paints in Bare Canvas as a primer for eye shadow. This is the key to keeping eye shador/liner on during the day. When I don't use it, all of my eye make-up ends up creased in the center of my eye lid, but when I do use it, my make-up stays perfect even after I've forgotten to take it off at night! I use MAC eye shadows and the black eye shadow with an angled brow brush for eyeliner. I use cheap waterproof mascara from target.

For face, I used to wear Laura Mercier foundation, which was really lightweight and smooth, but I felt like it didn't give me enough coverage, so I switched to the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I also use some MAC concealer. To set the make-up and help combat shine, I use the MAC select sheer loose powder. It makes my skin look almost airbrushed and really does help the make-up last longer. Then I add a little bronzer and some chapstick.

In case you can't tell, I really like MAC make-up. It's expensive, but I think it's worth it. I haven't found any other eye shadows that last as long and are as potent as MAC's. You don't have to keep rubbing/patting it on to get color on your entire eye lid.

My make-up routine may seem a bit complicated, but it does last a lot longer than other ways. Oh, and for blemishes, I like to use Kiehl's blue herbal on-the-spot treatment (I think that's what it's called), although anything with a good amount of salicylic acid would probably work just as well. Birth control is definitely the solution for acne. As soon as I stopped taking it, the zits returned! :(

Then I put on the MAC Paints in Bare Canvas as a primer for eye shadow. This is the key to keeping eye shador/liner on during the day.

No lie! That stuff is AMAZING. When you're in a real hurry, it works by itself too (at least for me - super pale) -- it covers up the pinkish discoloration and little vessels on the eyelids that make you look tired and old. And for going out, if you're doing a smoky eye or a lot of colored shadow, the colors go on brighter, blend easier, and stay forever.

I am a product whore and a skincare fanatic. Other people have cigarettes and alcohol, but I have products.

Start with great skin care and you'll wear less makeup, as people have already said. Philosophy's Makeup Optional line is so fantastic. I get so many comments on my skin now that I use it religiously. It consists of their Purity face wash, a 2-step microdermabrasion kit that is spectacular, a firming serum, Hope in a Jar moisturizer which is also fantastic, and a clear primer that smooths lines. Seriously. It's not that expensive, especially compared to a lot of the other lines.

Anyway, I wear little to no foundation at work but use Chantecaille when I do -- very sheer. Stila Convertible Color blush or a Tarte cheek stain. Anastasia brow powder. The MAC Bare Paints on the lids, with Nars' All About Eve shadow duo, then Benefit Bad Gal mascara -- no smudges, and it's not even waterproof. I don't do lipstick or gloss, I think it's a bit much for the hospital. Just lip balm.

Now I want to go to Sephora................ :D

I must admit I have gone to the extremes. I do not have time for that. One reason I like very short hair is to eliminate time wasted in shampooing & drying. I figure 20 mins of doing that 3x a week that is 48 hrs. a year just for freakin showers. I have 3 mins showers & up I am gone. Its been too long I don't own a hairbrush.I floss my teeth on stoplights. I have underwears that can last a lifetime coz this is all I change everyday.The rest I recycle or if I really,really like it , I stop by the laundrymat. A friend of mine who is a public defender atty. this one is worst than anyone I know. She literally change once a week & she sleeps most of the time wearing the ssame clothes. But let me tell you , she is the best lawyer I came across in this planet.

I must admit I have gone to the extremes. I do not have time for that. One reason I like very short hair is to eliminate time wasted in shampooing & drying. I figure 20 mins of doing that 3x a week that is 48 hrs. a year just for freakin showers. I have 3 mins showers & up I am gone. Its been too long I don't own a hairbrush.I floss my teeth on stoplights. I have underwears that can last a lifetime coz this is all I change everyday.The rest I recycle or if I really,really like it , I stop by the laundrymat. A friend of mine who is a public defender atty. this one is worst than anyone I know. She literally change once a week & she sleeps most of the time wearing the ssame clothes. But let me tell you , she is the best lawyer I came across in this planet.

Dude. SRSLY. :eek:

La Bella Donna Mineral Makeup. Difficult to find. There is a website. They will send you free samples if you email for the phone number in nyc. It is much better than Bare Minerals for my sensative skin. Looks flawless and covers beautifully. The key to application is in the brushes: one for application and a cover up brush. I use the loose minerals with the recommended application brush and use the same stuff to cover up blemishes and under eyes discoloration iwth the cover up brush. All can be done in approx 1 minute. No makeup lines. No breakouts. SPF naturally.

I then use eyebrow gel. Groomed eyebrows can make a female or male face look so much cleaner. approx 10 sec.

Quick mineral color on cheeks approx 10 sec and done in less than 2 minutes.

If I want to make a better impression...I do a little more eye makup. approx 5-10minutes for mascara + eyeliner.

It can all be done quick!!!

I must admit I have gone to the extremes. I do not have time for that. One reason I like very short hair is to eliminate time wasted in shampooing & drying. I figure 20 mins of doing that 3x a week that is 48 hrs. a year just for freakin showers. I have 3 mins showers & up I am gone. Its been too long I don't own a hairbrush.I floss my teeth on stoplights. I have underwears that can last a lifetime coz this is all I change everyday.The rest I recycle or if I really,really like it , I stop by the laundrymat. A friend of mine who is a public defender atty. this one is worst than anyone I know. She literally change once a week & she sleeps most of the time wearing the ssame clothes. But let me tell you , she is the best lawyer I came across in this planet.
Lemme get this straight. Do you buy undies, wear once and throw away?
When you floss, do you just suck all that junk down? You know, all the little pieces of old food on the floss? EEWWW!!
What do you mean when you say "recycle" underwear?
Does your friend not change her underwear or outer clothes or both?
Although I'm not quite clear on all the above yet, it still sounds pretty NASTY!!!!!!
You cannot seriously be that busy. :rolleyes:

Does anyone have any recommendations for white eyebrow hairs?

I am naturally blonde so FOR NOW, the white hairs aren't that noticeable from a distance. However, I was just home and I noticed something weird about my mother...turns out she has, for years, been plucking out all the white hairs. So she has like 5 hairs now and looks a little harsh (and crazy).

I do not want to do that but am wondering about the inevitable day when the majority of the hairs are white. The hair is so coarse that I would think dye wouldn't work well...or would it? Is there any liquid mascara type stuff that would be light enough to match or coordinate with my head hair? Seems like a pencil would rub off but I have used the clear eyebrow grooming gel to good effect. It would be nice to have a similar, but colored product.

I am a fair bit of a cosmetics freak but cannot recall ever seeing something like this in a light enough color (I have seen brown and black).

Not makeup but skin care related -- I'm going to give a big thumbs up for Paula's Choice beta hydroxy lotion. I've been using it for about two months now (and on still on my first bottle!), and it's made my skin tone more even and I think more radiant. It's also good for controlling redness. I've started with 1% but think I'll get 2% on my next order. You have to order her stuff online at www.paulaschioce.com. You can get samples for practically nothing, and you get 3 free samples of other products with every order you place. If you check out her site, you can see that her products are pretty affordable, too, and I think she really knows her stuff when talking about skin care.

For sunscreen, I'm also going to give props for Neutrogena's Age-Defying line. It doesn't make your skin look oily, which is a real problem with lots of sunscreens, and supposedly it's UVA formulation is a more stable one.

And I recently bought a foundation that I like. It's the active foundation from Revlon. It's cheap, light and seems to hold up for most of the day.

Does anyone have any recommendations for white eyebrow hairs?

I am naturally blonde so FOR NOW, the white hairs aren't that noticeable from a distance. However, I was just home and I noticed something weird about my mother...turns out she has, for years, been plucking out all the white hairs. So she has like 5 hairs now and looks a little harsh (and crazy).

I do not want to do that but am wondering about the inevitable day when the majority of the hairs are white. The hair is so coarse that I would think dye wouldn't work well...or would it? Is there any liquid mascara type stuff that would be light enough to match or coordinate with my head hair? Seems like a pencil would rub off but I have used the clear eyebrow grooming gel to good effect. It would be nice to have a similar, but colored product.

I am a fair bit of a cosmetics freak but cannot recall ever seeing something like this in a light enough color (I have seen brown and black).

Many salons where I live do eyebrow tinting - usually to lighten very dark, harsh looking brows, but I bet they could cover the white as well. You may want to check a few salons where you live.

Many salons where I live do eyebrow tinting - usually to lighten very dark, harsh looking brows, but I bet they could cover the white as well. You may want to check a few salons where you live.

I could try that...my mother had me convinced that the hair was so coarse (the white hairs being coarser than the usual coarse eyebrow hairs) that dye wouldn't "take"...I guess she tried it with one of her home hair color thingys. I'd rather a professional do it, being so close to my eyes. I wonder how long it would last 'cause eyebrow hairs seem to grow fast.

Thanks...

Hello!

I am just now discovering this forum and love it already - we women need our own spot to talk girly. :love:

I swear by MAC. I don't have a complicated routine - MAC concealer stick for under eye shadows and then MAC studiofix pressed powder - I take the compact with me and use it for touchups. Usually I wash my face along with the turkish bath :meanie: and redo makeup postcall. I also use MAC eyeliner and a bit of lipliner - both stay put very well and I only need update the powder once.

To Lakambini19: :scared:

I have super sensitive skin, no matter what I use, I get break-outs, and rashes. Also, if I use any of that Oxy/clearosil stuff, I get really dry skin, and then rebound oily skin, and pimples. All I use daily is Nuetrogenia SPF oil-free lotion, and Covergirl loose powder and Revlon black eyeliner. So, of course by lunch, my face is shiny, and my eyeliner is smudgy. Does anyone have any suggestions about what i can do about this? Maybe a better powder? Or reapply in the afternoon? I just want to look fresh and professional, without paying for it with pimples.

I swear by Proactive- the commercials are real, girls! It really transformed my skin. But it does have a small side effect on me: it dries up my skin a bit. So I use it once a day: just at night righ before I go to bed. But Shiseido has a line especially for break-out prone skin....it's called Pureness line. I use the cleansing water to remove makeup at night, and in the morning to wipe up some excess oil. The I put on the Matyfying, oil-free moisturizer (it's very light, non-greay and absorbs instantly!) I just bought this line of makeup called Raw minerals...it's a bit pricey, but it just looks gorgeous! It's the same idea as the bare minerals line. My make up routine takes about 5-10 minutes, but it does last all day :)

PS netrogena has a great face wash/mask product that I use just for the mask about 1-2/week, and it keeps my face looking very fresh!

I have super sensitive skin, no matter what I use, I get break-outs, and rashes. Also, if I use any of that Oxy/clearosil stuff, I get really dry skin, and then rebound oily skin, and pimples. All I use daily is Nuetrogenia SPF oil-free lotion, and Covergirl loose powder and Revlon black eyeliner. So, of course by lunch, my face is shiny, and my eyeliner is smudgy. Does anyone have any suggestions about what i can do about this? Maybe a better powder? Or reapply in the afternoon? I just want to look fresh and professional, without paying for it with pimples.

I would suggest you buy makeup that is not available in the drugstore. These foundations and powders often have chemicals in it that irritate the skin. Try something hypoallergenic like MAC powder. Applying the powder to your eyelids before applying eyeliner will help the eyeliner last longer. Also, it is easier to carry pressed powder around for touch-ups. Try proactive or cetaphil for oily skin to try and keep the oil production and pimples at bay. Hope that helps. :)

I would suggest you buy makeup that is not available in the drugstore.

Actually, a lot of the drugstore brands are owned by companies that also sell department store brands. For instance, Lancome and L'oreal are owned by the same company so they both sell very similar products under different names. :)

I have super sensitive skin, no matter what I use, I get break-outs, and rashes. Also, if I use any of that Oxy/clearosil stuff, I get really dry skin, and then rebound oily skin, and pimples. All I use daily is Nuetrogenia SPF oil-free lotion, and Covergirl loose powder and Revlon black eyeliner. So, of course by lunch, my face is shiny, and my eyeliner is smudgy. Does anyone have any suggestions about what i can do about this? Maybe a better powder? Or reapply in the afternoon? I just want to look fresh and professional, without paying for it with pimples.

Please read this (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/art.asp?ID=138). It saved my skin!

I know this thread's been dead a while, and I have only worn make-up twice in the past year, but I've got a question:

My skin is INSANELY dry. I mean, even washing it daily makes it crack, flake, and peel.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good, yet fairly inexpensive moisturizer that won't make me feel oily? I was using Johnson and Johnson's Clean and Clear, though it was a) semi-glittery and b) smelled weird. Right now I'm using Vaseline, but that's a little too heavy...and it's technically a hand lotion anyway.

I'm looking for a face lotion and something for the rest of my body that isn't very greasy. Like I said, I would also appreciate something relatively inexpensive, as I'm living on a student budget.

Any suggestions/help would be much appreciated.

I use Cetaphil, which you can get without a prescription. Burts Bees banana hand cream is also great, but is a bit greasy.

Any chance you have a thyroid hormone deficiency? That can cause super dry and flaky skin.

I know this thread's been dead a while, and I have only worn make-up twice in the past year, but I've got a question:

My skin is INSANELY dry. I mean, even washing it daily makes it crack, flake, and peel.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good, yet fairly inexpensive moisturizer that won't make me feel oily? I was using Johnson and Johnson's Clean and Clear, though it was a) semi-glittery and b) smelled weird. Right now I'm using Vaseline, but that's a little too heavy...and it's technically a hand lotion anyway.

I'm looking for a face lotion and something for the rest of my body that isn't very greasy. Like I said, I would also appreciate something relatively inexpensive, as I'm living on a student budget.

Any suggestions/help would be much appreciated.


Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This is probably the only product that I can't live without. It doesn't feel like lotion, just hydrates the skin there is no oilness to it. It's about $20 a bottle, but for me usually lasts about 2 years and I use it at least twice daily.

On that note, I also heard that Cetaphil is a good one if you want lotion for the rest of the body. My sister uses it and she loves it because it's not oily. Also relatively inexpensive.

I use Cetaphil, which you can get without a prescription. Burts Bees banana hand cream is also great, but is a bit greasy.

Any chance you have a thyroid hormone deficiency? That can cause super dry and flaky skin.

It's possible. I was tested for a whole bunch of things last year (including thyroid hormones) and everything came back negative.

Dry skin just runs in my family...the best way I've come up with to cope for the time being is to chug water like some people chug beer.

I have a really Irish complexion: pale skin but ruddy/reddish skin on my nose and the apples of my cheeks. I usually have to wear concealer to cover the red that doesn't match the rest of my face.

I also have pores that you could drive a Mac truck into... I used Biore pore reducing blahbitty blah but it didn't work. I have to literally smear makeup over my pores until they're full of makeup and then put makeup over that or you can see the pores like dozens of holes in my face. SO GROSS.

Help! :(

Chalk me up to another Bare Minerals and MAC lover.

In the winter, when my skin is dry, I moisturize with Lubriderm Sensitive Skin Therapy (lanolin allergy) and wear Prescriptives Foundation (only one that's light enough for my skin of traditional foundations) and Prescriptives Magic Powder. In the summer I'll wear Bare Minerals Fairly Light since I generally have a bit more color to my skin and it's oilier and I like the powder foundation.

I wear MAC blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow (yay for the professional palate), which seem to last fairly long. (I only wear MAC eyeliner for evening.) For mascara, I LOVE Lancome, plus my mom gives it to me from her free bags, so I don't have to buy it. I use Estee Lauder eyebrow cake...I don't think they make it anymore. My mom had used up all the light brown in her old one, so I got the dark brown side of it! I heard, when I worked at Macy's last summer, that Fashion Fair has cake now, but other than that it is hard to find these days. (Most places have pencils.)

This is a fun thread! :D

I know this thread's been dead a while, and I have only worn make-up twice in the past year, but I've got a question:

My skin is INSANELY dry. I mean, even washing it daily makes it crack, flake, and peel.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good, yet fairly inexpensive moisturizer that won't make me feel oily? I was using Johnson and Johnson's Clean and Clear, though it was a) semi-glittery and b) smelled weird. Right now I'm using Vaseline, but that's a little too heavy...and it's technically a hand lotion anyway.

I'm looking for a face lotion and something for the rest of my body that isn't very greasy. Like I said, I would also appreciate something relatively inexpensive, as I'm living on a student budget.

Any suggestions/help would be much appreciated.

So I used to use the old Dermalab, which came in the ugliest brown container, but it was great, since I have dry skin, too, especially in the winter. My skin has oiled up with age, though. I use Lubriderm Sensitive Skin Therapy, as I said in my last post. It's pretty light in texture, no fragrance, and doesn't have lanolin, which breaks me out.

Here's the link to the new Dermalab. I haven't used it since they made the package change, though.

http://www.dermalab.com/moisturize-it%C3%82%E2%84%A2-p-4.html (http://www.dermalab.com/moisturize-it%C3%82%E2%84%A2-p-4.html)

You may also want to consider that it's something in your detergent, soap, lotion etc that's causing your dry skin. My skin gets dry, red, and flaky from staying in a hotel overnight with scented sheets. I use Tide Free and Basis soap. (Both of which you can get a Wal-Mart.)

I have a really Irish complexion: pale skin but ruddy/reddish skin on my nose and the apples of my cheeks. I usually have to wear concealer to cover the red that doesn't match the rest of my face.

Help! :(

Ha! That sounds familiar! I once had a doctor tell me I had rosacea and I could "fix that". I wanted to say "No, that's called being Irish. Would you like to "fix" a black person's color, too?" We don't all have to be Newscaster beige!

Other people think it's cute, and I do too, sometimes, but does anyone have any suggestions for shrinking pores? It's heinous.

I use Estee Lauder eyebrow cake...I don't think they make it anymore. My mom had used up all the light brown in her old one, so I got the dark brown side of it! I heard, when I worked at Macy's last summer, that Fashion Fair has cake now, but other than that it is hard to find these days.

have you tried smashbox? they have this great powder/wax combo that's FABULOUS! def check it out. i think you'll like it.

I have decided to do a case study experiment.

I will treat the right side of my face with all available pore-reducing products and compare it to the left side of my face after a month.

Treatments will include:

Biore pore-cleanings strips every other day
Daily use of Biore Pore Refining Cleanser
Biore Pore Reducing lotion, daily
got2b in your face "groovy peelin" peel masque every other day

Wish me and my pores luck!

"Maddie"

I have decided to do a case study experiment.

I will treat the right side of my face with all available pore-reducing products and compare it to the left side of my face after a month.

Treatments will include:

Biore pore-cleanings strips every other day
Daily use of Biore Pore Refining Cleanser
Biore Pore Reducing lotion, daily
got2b in your face "groovy peelin" peel masque every other day

Wish me and my pores luck!

"Maddie"

Good luck!

You need to trade up from Clean N Clear.
Neutrogena makes great products. Try neutrogena healthy skin. It's a great moisturizer.

I was tired of my makeup being gone at the end of the day, because I never have time to touch up.

Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra is a foundation that lasts 14 hours...it solved my problem.

Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra is a foundation that lasts 14 hours...it solved my problem.

MAC's studiofix fluid is WONDERFUL for this as well, imo. stays on forever, doesn't look thick, and great coverage without looking makeup-y.

A few guidelines to looking great when you can't get anough sleep, lol. Have your teeth bleached. That way, your smile looks great just with a little burt's bees gloss (I really don't think lipstick is necessary in day time). I had my eyeliner tattooed on years ago. Perfect smile and ready eyeliner, coupled with good skin care means I wake up ready to go (except for hair)! I swear by MaryKay's anti aging skin care line, the microdermabrasion kit would be worth every penny at 5 times the cost! For make up, I like Jane Iredale foundation, Dior Show mascara (no other brand is any good at all) Chanel lipstick (every woman should have Chanel lipstick), with bare minerals loose powder. In my experience, it doesn't matter much what eye or cheek color brands you use if the color is right. Get an expert to help you find the right color and change it as the seasons change. What looks right on pale winter skin will look silly on a summer tan, and vice versa.

And get a good haircut. Ponytails are for children, not professionals. My pet peeve, lol.

I never used to use foundation b/c I have a really hard-to-match complextion. I'm brown, but with very olive/yellowish undertones. The tan shades in most lines are way too dark. Most brands I've tried, from the cheapie to the crazy-expensive, made me look orange. I recently found Everyday Minerals, and they have a TON of different shades, with a really good range of undertones. They also have different finishes for their mineral foundation, from the original (kinda shimmery) to a completely matte finish. No, I don't own stock in the company. I typically use brown/bronze eyeshadow shades w/ purple eyeliner and purple in the crease.

Now my problem: I can't find a good shade of lipstick! I usually tend to pick brownish-pink shades, but I would love to find a good red lipstick for when I'm feeling sexy. Raisin/wine shades make my thin lips disappear. Most shades I've tried either look orange on me or makes it look like I'm a vampire. Any other women of color have suggestions for a good shade of red?

l

k

I've tried the Smashbox primer before and I really like it. My daughter keeps "borrowing" mine, though. Heard good things about the NARS primer. I think that one's next on my list.

For skincare, I actually like to mix it up myself. There's a company called Skin Actives Scientific on the internet that sells the individual active ingredients plus different base lotions or creams. You pick the problem you want to address and the active ingredient for it, and mix it up. Saves money, but more importantly, it's fun to make your own potions! My goal is to one day make my own perfume, but I haven't had the time to really research the process.

wow - we've got SERIOUS makeup discussion here all of a sudden - I LOVE IT! dont' forget bobbi brown gel liner too - that stuff stays on all day AND night. i just love it.

nars, I went to the Sephora website to check out the lipsticks you recommended. I actually really like the Manhunt shade (what a name, huh?) I like the fact that it's sheer so I can ease into red without feeling like I'm non-verbally screaming "look at my lips, yo!" I think I'm going to have to drive down to the Sephora here and try it.

l

For everyday I use vaguely tinted lip gloss, tinted moisturizer, and a little pressed powder one shade lighter than my skin tone. There are antibacterial pressed powders, I recommend those.

For important stuff like meetings where I want to look extra nice, I use a little mineral blush and brown mascara too.

I very rarely wear more makeup than that.

For those of a darker complexion, I have found that Valana Minerals (http://www.valanaminerals.com/) actually has mineral makeup that doesn't look chalky. It also comes in my shade, which is very hard to find off of the shelf. Their sample foundation set is pretty reasonably priced, too.

is valana matte? i really want to try mineral foundations, but they often come out so glittery...eek! i'll look into everyday minerals as someone mentioned as well, but never heard of valana, so i'm curious!

i love the "turn" this thread took - with no haters!!! no one says we can't be pretty and polished women in medicine! the world needs more of us! ;)

is valana matte? i really want to try mineral foundations, but they often come out so glittery...eek! i'll look into everyday minerals as someone mentioned as well, but never heard of valana, so i'm curious!

i love the "turn" this thread took - with no haters!!! no one says we can't be pretty and polished women in medicine! the world needs more of us! ;)

What I'm kinda concerned about is dressing in pretty, fashionable clothes without looking overly sexy or like I'm not to be taken too seriously. It's been awhile since I've had to wear "work" clothes, and lately when I go shopping the clothes look too trendy and not professional--maybe I'm going to the wrong stores, though. I don't want to look like a woman wearing men's clothes, though. Anyone have any suggestions? There was a thread on women's interview wear in pre-allo, but everyone seemed to advocate the cookie-cutter look. I don't care what anyone says, I'm going to wear colorful clothes that are cut for women.

no one says we can't be pretty and polished women in medicine! the world needs more of us! ;)

Well... one might wonder why women can't be pretty and polished *without* plastering their faces with unnecessary chemicals that settle in all the pores and creases.

A face has to be pretty bad before painting it over is any kind of improvement. Especially at close range.

But hey, it's not my face. Carry on, girls. Estee Lauder needs your money!
:thumbup:

Well... one might wonder why women can't be pretty and polished *without* plastering their faces with unnecessary chemicals that settle in all the pores and creases.

A face has to be pretty bad before painting it over is any kind of improvement. Especially at close range.

But hey, it's not my face. Carry on, girls. Estee Lauder needs your money!
:thumbup:

I agree with you for the most part. I like my antibacterial powder to help absorb the oil my face produces during the day though.

I agree with you for the most part. I like my antibacterial powder to help absorb the oil my face produces during the day though.

I totally agree. I take very good care of my skin using organic, all natural, chemical-free products (in recycled packaging!!) I use Lush's Queen of hearts cleanser, tea tree water toner, and celestial moisturizer. My skin is perfect and has a wonderful glow. I never feel the need to wear makeup. A bit of sunscreen and some Burts Bees pomegranate chap stick and I'm good to go. I think you can still look glowing and professional without slopping gunk on your face. Take care of your skin and you will look great!

Sometimes I use a little mascara because I like how it brightens my eyes, but I either wind up smudging the non waterproof kind or i can't get the waterproof kind off!!

When I do wear even a little makeup, it's more for myself than to really look different, anyway. Usually I only wear it if I have something important, and it helps me feel like I did everything to prepare.

For classes and stuff I'm lucky if I even get time to shower.

For the record, I think more males should learn the value of a good moisturizer and a little matte powder as well. And especially a minimal pedicure for hygiene at least. Yeesh, is all I can say to the way guys take care of their skin and nails.

I've definitely noticed that women who wear less makeup tend to have better skin. Of course there's no way to know for sure which is cause and which is effect, but it seems logical that spackling your skin would make you more prone to break out.

Skin just isn't meant to be smothered with crap. I don't care how many times the manufacturers slap terms like 'natural!' 'mineral!' 'organic!' on their labels. If pressed powder were good for your skin you would have evolved your own a long time ago.

Skin is a flexible organ finely tuned by thousands of years of evolution. It secretes its own natural oils, which lubricate and protect it.

So women deplete those oils with toners or astringents, then replace them with an artificial moisturizer that does a suboptimal job, then cover the whole surface with an airtight layer of foundation and powder, and then they wonder why their pores get plugged up and infected. Uh-oh, better go buy some more products to fix that problem!

Well I evolved my own eczema, so it must be good for my skin ;)

is valana matte? i really want to try mineral foundations, but they often come out so glittery...eek! i'll look into everyday minerals as someone mentioned as well, but never heard of valana, so i'm curious!

i love the "turn" this thread took - with no haters!!! no one says we can't be pretty and polished women in medicine! the world needs more of us! ;)

This type of makeup is not glittery at all. It blends in very well. It kind of melts into the skin, so you don't notice it's on after a while. I know it covers well, because I've had compliments on how nice my skin is, though I know I have dark splotches due to acne scarring. I've noticed that my skin isn't breaking out, though it could be for other reasons than the makeup.

I have to warn you that the eye shadow is the full pigment and a little goes a long way. ;) I actually use one of the foundation samples for eye shadow, because of this.

It's a small business, and they like to use organic or vegan ingredients, as well.

No, I'm not related to/working for these people, but the stuff is doing its job for me. I like to share.

I really like Revlon, it lasts longer and has no after effects on my skin.

I've definitely noticed that women who wear less makeup tend to have better skin. Of course there's no way to know for sure which is cause and which is effect, but it seems logical that spackling your skin would make you more prone to break out.

Skin just isn't meant to be smothered with crap. I don't care how many times the manufacturers slap terms like 'natural!' 'mineral!' 'organic!' on their labels. If pressed powder were good for your skin you would have evolved your own a long time ago.

Skin is a flexible organ finely tuned by thousands of years of evolution. It secretes its own natural oils, which lubricate and protect it.

So women deplete those oils with toners or astringents, then replace them with an artificial moisturizer that does a suboptimal job, then cover the whole surface with an airtight layer of foundation and powder, and then they wonder why their pores get plugged up and infected. Uh-oh, better go buy some more products to fix that problem!

Are you a man? Or do you live under a rock? You obviously have no idea about skincare. Toners are not always these burning, oil removing things. Moisturizers are for those of us who would otherwise have dry, cracked, skin. If I stop using moisturizer my eczema flares, is that a better alternative? Not every woman wears makeup either.....I don't even own any! Please don't respond to a post if you are going to say such ridiculous things.

Beautiful skin does not just happen. You need to eat properly and take proper care of it. People naturally have drier/oilier skin and need to take care of it accordingly. I don't believe in putting chemicals on me or in me. (and I'm sure I'm the the only person out there) Because of what I eat and what I use my skin is prefect. Skin care is as necessary as teeth care. Since we didn't evolve teeth that brush themselves should we stop?

Beautiful skin does not just happen... Because of what I eat and what I use my skin is perfect.

I get compliments on my skin all the time, and all I do is rinse it off in the shower. No products, no nothing. (I've also gotten complimented on "eye makeup" that I wasn't wearing.)

Sure if there's a pre-existing problem that is present without a product and clears up with the product, then great, use the product. Fine.

But I suspect most women who use lots of products on their skin haven't ever tried to see what would happen if they didn't.

I get compliments on my skin all the time, and all I do is rinse it off in the shower. No products, no nothing. (I've also gotten complimented on "eye makeup" that I wasn't wearing.)

Lucky you. Not all of are homozygous for the Awesome gene.

Lucky you. Not all of are homozygous for the Awesome gene.

OK, whatever. My point is I think it's more about not clogging one's pores with makeup than the Awesome Gene. I have a good friend who had a lovely complexion until she started wearing makeup on a regular basis. Then all of a sudden she had 'problem skin.' I don't think her genetics were the issue.

I think it depends on where you spend most of your time.

I spend quite a bit of time outside and in barns, so makeup doesn't matter much. However, when it's cold or hot outside, I have to take my skin under consideration. If you are in a situation where makeup is not going to be noticed or won't be staying on long anyway, (Say, when you're arm deep in a cow, she farts and you have to do an eye wash.;)) it is fine to not wear any at all. My skin is naturally combination, so I do use products to help clear it up. When I do wear makeup, I like it to blend with my skin tone and not be too obvious.

There is also the protective barrier against smells that leech into the skin and hair. (Like, I don't know... the morgue, or... a swine farm:rolleyes:) When I'm going somewhere gross, I add a layer of protection like a liquid foundation, so that I can wash off the smell, later.

I'm sure you guys have different environments to think about, as well.

is it just me, or is the new l'oreal "tubes" mascara amazing? it looks like I have fake lashes on.

.

I totally agree. I take very good care of my skin using organic, all natural, chemical-free products (in recycled packaging!!) I use Lush's Queen of hearts cleanser, tea tree water toner, and celestial moisturizer. My skin is perfect and has a wonderful glow. I never feel the need to wear makeup. A bit of sunscreen and some Burts Bees pomegranate chap stick and I'm good to go. I think you can still look glowing and professional without slopping gunk on your face. Take care of your skin and you will look great!

Sometimes I use a little mascara because I like how it brightens my eyes, but I either wind up smudging the non waterproof kind or i can't get the waterproof kind off!!

Everyone has different skin and some of us don't look awesome even with a great skin regimen. I use Lush products and while I love what they have done to my skin they certainly haven't elevated it to "no need for makeup" land. Without a primer over my moisturizer my skin gets crazy oily, I'm also super pale so any blotchyness or acne stands out like crazy (and I still get hormonal acne even with a great skin regimen). Not to mention the purple under my eyes. Or the part of my eybrows that is thinner than the rest on both sides. Or the fact that without eyeliner my eyes just don't pop. I don't glop it on but a little bit really goes a long long way for me. I wear a primer, some concealer on problem spots, some powder and blush, eyeliner and eyebrow powder. My skin is no better without makeup and I know this because I didn't wear for much of my first two years of medschool.

As for brands:
Recently fell in love with benefit's primer called "that gal" (still need to try smashbox's for comparison, but better than Bare Escentuals primer)
Also currently crushing on benefit's coralista blush (also love classics like Nars and Dior)
Lip gloss is hands down philosophy's kiss me (diorgloss for dress up, too many sparkles for work)
Sephora's brand of powder foundation and eyeliner are great and cheap
Clinique concealer is the best I found so far.
Anastasia brow powder has the color that matches me best

I totally recommend going to a sephora if you have one nearby because you can play with multiple brands and find the colors that are best for you. Department stores with the different counters make this much harder to do.

OMG... i don't even wanna get into this. TONS of questions :( so, i'll just leave it at MAC :D bit pricy... but, worth EVERY cent ;) i'm surprised this thread's NOT a sticky :shrug: