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Makeup/skin care help for the clueless
I read through Sarah's responses when she asked for help and was hoping to get some ideas from the more knowledgeable as well.
Where do you start when you're literally clueless about products and how they work? I have no idea about makeup/skin care. I put on concealer to cover the under eye circles and then mascara because my lashes get coated with the concealer. That's my daily facial routine.
I have lots of redness on my cheeks (may be rosacea, but I'm not sure really). Either way, it's getting to be embarrassing and I'd love to fix it/cover it.
I'm afraid of going into a Sephora and having a huge "sucker" sign on my head. Is there a place you can research this stuff? I don't want to pay a ton if I don't need to, but I also don't want to buy something cheap just to have to rebuy something else of a better quality.
Re: Makeup/skin care help for the clueless
Maybe a make-up counter at a department store? That's how I got started- at the Clinique counter years ago. For years I bought my "safe" staples ( mascara, body butter, lipstick) during bonus time so I could get the extra's( blushes, concealers, eyeshadows) and play around with them.
I'd start with them before Sephora IMO b/c the prices will be a little cheaper and the are usually free or require a smaller purchase price. Sephora is $50.
Even to this day, when I'm interested in a new product, I usually start with the ELF line ( $ 1-3) and play around before investing in more quality pieces. Sometimes you can tell the difference and sometimes you can't.
Also there are tons of How To Videos on You Tube. Makeup by Tiffany D is a favorite, although she does use slightly more expensive products. Also Veronika from MM has pretty simple videos that explain things. She's at Veronika's Blushing.
For me it's been mostly trial and error. I had a good foundation/lesson and I've built from there. MAC is great for lessons as well but I stick to the foundation there because their makeovers can tend to get wilder than I prefer for an everyday look.
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I would go on a mission to a Sephora/Ulta and say that you want a good moisturizer and a foundation to help with redness first off, and maybe even get a concealer. That's a good base to start with and you won't get overwhelmed and feel pushed into buying more.
From my understanding, Sephora employees do not work on commission, unlike makeup counter girls. I find if you go to them and are completely honest about your needs and how much you want to spend, they will set you in the right direction. I like that they have multiple brands to choose from, versus if you invest a lot of time at a makeup counter, you only leave with their brands.
I have problematic skin, and I LOVE Philosophy products for skin care. If you do have rosacea, I think Purity Made Simple would be a good start for your skin since it will calm the redness. You can read extensive reviews on philosophy products on qvc.com-- it's actually well priced there, so you may consider going that route.
The Clinique 3-step facial cleansing system is a good start for someone just trying out a new routine-- it's a cleansing bar, a toner, and a moisturizer. I think that moisturizer rocks. I completely agree with sunshine that you should try to snag it during Bonus Time so you can try out some makeup with it.
As far as covering redness, I like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse. It's easy to apply, light-feeling, and provides awesome coverage. It's not a huge investment so it's worth a try.
Also, it's not a solution that everyone would use, but they do have a new prescription pill for rosacea you can get from a derm called Oracea, it's supposed to be very helpful.
The other thing I wanted to quickly mention-- you may want to focus on your skin care routine first and use those products for a week or two before starting new makeup. That way, if you have a bad reaction to something, you know what it was.
diagnosed roseacea, signing in.
1) try to find a dermatologist covered by your insurance. They can prescribe creams that may help. There are also oral medications. Personally, the oral medications messed with my stomach too much. I've had one or two creams I've used, but I don't use them often...usually because they are irritating. They do help wtih those little bumps/pimples/cysts on my cheeks from the roseacea though.
ETA: I read an article yesterday that roseacea is usually indicative of a digestive issue, so the pills are meant to kill bacterial lingering in your intestine. That was why it messed with my stomach. One of the things suggested was to try probiotic supplements. Of course one of the first things they suggested was yogurt, but I gave up heavy milk products like that a long time ago to help with my roseacea. I may try a pill supplement here soon and we shall see how that goes. Just an idea.
2) Clinique redness solutions is your best friend. Incredibly moisturizing and calming. Even the stuff at walmart that is meant to be calming (like Aveeno) would make my skin feel like it was on fire. For cleansing, I just use the purpose bar soap and my clarisonic. Speaking of, a clarisonic wtih the delicate brushheads is awesome, it helps moisturizer and cream soak in more so at least your face can build up a protective barrier.
3) Try mineral makeup. Sephora is clearancing theirs out right now (or they were recently) and last I saw it was $3 per tub. That is CHEAP. Try that, and try some of their brushes or the bare essentials brushes. Works well.
4) Speaking of sephora, they have a makeup primer called pores no more. Its a tinted primer and it works fantastically for me. Its like a double shot against the redness. One thing I love about sephora is that, if something is new, they will give you samples to take home...that's how I got hooked on the pores no more and how I got comfortable spending over $40 a tube for the item. Just ask, those ladies are usually so happy to help.
Good luck!!!
I went to mall. Alex managed to rearrange every tube display and stack every jar she could reach in Ulta. So that was fun. Note to self, don't bring the kid when trying to figure things out.
I started looking at the Philosophy stuff, but the associate brought me to another line, Murad. I hadn't read anything about that one, and it was quite pricey to take a gamble on.
I ended up at Macy's and picked up a gift set of Origins Dr Weil stuff for redness. For the price it was worth a shot. I wish I had read Dehko's post before though. Oh well, hopefully this will work. The reviews are good. Thank you for the suggestions. Dehko, I have those bumpy things too. I guess I should find a doctor to check things out and see if it can get cleared up for real.