Post pictures of your makeup! Options

[hi-C]

In between uses I use MAC Brush Cleanser. I take a piece of tissue and put a few drops of the brush cleanser on it, then swirl the bristles into it. When I'm out of brush cleanser though, sometimes I just use water-based eye makeup remover.

Every month or so I'll wash them with a little bit of shampoo. Just make sure that when you rinse them, don't do it with the brush ferrule pointing up or else the water can trickle down the bristles and mess up the glue.

What if my eye makeup remover is glycerin-based? (I think it's glycerin-based.) Is that safe to use?

[Gigi]

I have no idea, but I think it'd be fine. A lot of mixing mediums that you can use with brushes are glycerin-based, so it certainly wouldn't do anything harmful to them.

[hi-C]

Ah okay. Thanks, Gigi Such an expert.

Also, any recommendations as far as foundations go? The one I'm currently using is Clinique Perfectly Real but it makes my skin REALLLLY greasy and after a few hours it starts to look like I'm wearing a mask.

[Gigi]

Foundation is a pretty personal thing though, so I'm not really sure what I could recommend you, except to always look for a formula that's oil-free, or even one that's especially for oily skin. Look for words like "matte" and "oil-control" as opposed to "dewy" and "glowing". On the Clinique site, you can even browse foundations by your skin type.

Without recommending you a foundation though, there are a few things you can do. These have worked for me:

- Use a primer before foundation but after moisturizer. Something with silicone, dimethicone, any "-cones" will instantly mattify the skin and help keep oil in check. I'm thinking Smashbox Photofinish Primer right now, but amazingly enough, Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel works the same way. You're probably like, shit Gigi, you want me to put that on my face?! I promise you that it's fine XD. And it's relatively cheap! I don't use it too often though in case it DOES do something weird, like clog my pores or w/e.

- Might seem obvious, but cleanse and moisturize before putting on foundation. If you don't moisturize, your skin could overcompensate for your dry skin by producing more oil.

- Set any cream or liquid foundation with a light dusting of powder.

- Apply as little product as possible. I find that if I use too much foundation, it gets seriously nasty. Try using a sponge to apply it so it goes on more sheer.

- Oil blotting papers, or even brown Starbucks napkins in a pinch to blot the mess away :D

Here's a great thread on Specktra with tons of suggestions:
http://specktra.net/f188/perfect-foundatio...ily-skin-89507/

[love-issosweet]

Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel works the same way. You're probably like, shit Gigi, you want me to put that on my face?! I promise you that it's fine XD. And it's relatively cheap! I don't use it too often though in case it DOES do something weird, like clog my pores or w/e.

Only use Monistat if you don't have oily/acne prone skin. Monistat creates some sort of "barrier" on your skin; this is what allows your skin to be matte because it's trapping the oils in your skin. However, this doesn't allow your skin to breathe. Many people have experienced break outs from Monistat. So be careful!

Otherwise, it's a pretty good (and cheap! ) alternative to the high brand primers.

Btw, I love how you do your makeup Gigi.

[hi-C]

- Use a primer before foundation but after moisturizer. Something with silicone, dimethicone, any "-cones" will instantly mattify the skin and help keep oil in check. I'm thinking Smashbox Photofinish Primer right now, but amazingly enough, Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel works the same way. You're probably like, shit Gigi, you want me to put that on my face?! I promise you that it's fine XD. And it's relatively cheap! I don't use it too often though in case it DOES do something weird, like clog my pores or w/e.

- Might seem obvious, but cleanse and moisturize before putting on foundation. If you don't moisturize, your skin could overcompensate for your dry skin by producing more oil.

- Set any cream or liquid foundation with a light dusting of powder.

- Apply as little product as possible. I find that if I use too much foundation, it gets seriously nasty. Try using a sponge to apply it so it goes on more sheer.

- Oil blotting papers, or even brown Starbucks napkins in a pinch to blot the mess away :D

Here's a great thread on Specktra with tons of suggestions:
http://specktra.net/f188/perfect-foundatio...ily-skin-89507/

I've done most of what you've suggested before minus the primer thing. Today when I put my makeup on, I lightly patted on some talcum powder and that definitely helped. And thanks for the link, I'll definitely check that out.

Has anyone ever used that crazy aerosol foundation?

[espressive]

^ lol, damn. i dont have makeup remover and the makeup didn't come off when i washed my face, so i tried using handsoap... and it magically came off after one swipe.

lotion!

Every month or so I'll wash them with a little bit of shampoo. Just make sure that when you rinse them, don't do it with the brush ferrule pointing up or else the water can trickle down the bristles and mess up the glue.

me too! except i use conditioner cause i think it'll make them softer lol.

Also, any recommendations as far as foundations go? The one I'm currently using is Clinique Perfectly Real but it makes my skin REALLLLY greasy and after a few hours it starts to look like I'm wearing a mask.

i've never used clinique foundation. but you can try putting MAC's blot powder over your foundation, which will absorb the oil in your face so your skin isnt shiny looking.

Use a primer before foundation but after moisturizer. Something with silicone, dimethicone, any "-cones" will instantly mattify the skin and help keep oil in check. I'm thinking Smashbox Photofinish Primer right now, but amazingly enough, Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel works the same way.

do you think that stuff can be used as an eyelid primer? to prevent creasing and stuff?


aimee: very classy! i love it! and ahh your hair definitely completes the pinup look!

[hi-C]

do you think that stuff can be used as an eyelid primer? to prevent creasing and stuff?

Thanks for the suggestion. And you don't really need a fancy eyelid primer; I've heard of people using concealer to do the same job.

[Gigi]

Only use Monistat if you don't have oily/acne prone skin. Monistat creates some sort of "barrier" on your skin; this is what allows your skin to be matte because it's trapping the oils in your skin. However, this doesn't allow your skin to breathe. Many people have experienced break outs from Monistat. So be careful!

Otherwise, it's a pretty good (and cheap! ) alternative to the high brand primers.

Btw, I love how you do your makeup Gigi.

Yeah that's why I said not to use it all the time, but if you ever need your makeup to last longer for an occasion or whatnot, it's the way to go :). Personally I've never experienced breakouts but it could be because I use it so rarely. And thanks!

do you think that stuff can be used as an eyelid primer? to prevent creasing and stuff?

I've never heard of anyone using it, but it would definitely help with creasing. But like I said, Urban Decay Primer Potion is the best shizz out there. I have super oily lids and this prevents ALL creasing, and also makes eyeshadows more vibrant. This is the only thing that has ever worked for me.

Carrie suggested concealer, but only use that if you have dry lids because that can crease really easily.

[batman]

I LOVE the urban decay primer potion <3

I got it as a free gift from Sephora a year or so ago and have been buying it since.

[gojira]

lol i hate paying for makeup

[sixfive]

lol i hate paying for makeup

Rofl I bet you go places and get tons of samples then leave. I do that too, with the applicator pads. Whenever I end up in a make-up store, :D, those things are so soft ^_^

[gojira]

LOL wat. watasillyboi. naw you know how sandyeezy does tings around hurr. 5fingerdiscount

[espressive]

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

i wish i could pull that off, but i'm afraid if i tried to do any of that, i'd look like a blind tranny :( plus my face just can't handle too much makeup

tutorials and more images are available at http://vanessagarcia.vox.com/

[Gigi]

I LOVE HER! I read her blog every day. Along with Temptalia. But I could never wear eyeshadow like that, ever. Maybe only to post an FOTD in Specktra, or for Halloween.

http://nessasarymakeup.blogspot.com/
http://www.temptalia.com/

[stephinika]

Damn should have posted my Halloween makeup...it wasn't too crazy, but I loved it.


Oh and my new favourite make-up thing - MAC shadestick in shimmersand. Fan-freakin'-tastic.

[misoshiru]

haha I LOVE temptalia. her blog is the pretty much the only makeup blog i read.

[Harp]

damn...you guys are so good with make-up.
i'm terrible with it...so i usually don't wear it.

[espressive]

I also like PURSEBUZZ I think you might like her too, Gigi (she's a devoted MAC fan) :-p But pursebuzz is ALL tutorials (makeup or hair) and products evaluation.

my new favorite must-have is the L'Oreal Colour Juice Stick Sheer Light Lucious. it has the color of a lipstick, but the moisture of a lip balm. say goodbye to chapped lips and hair-stuck-to-your-face-lipgloss cause this is amazing. there's an array of gorgeous colors to pick from with silly names. or if you just want a slight tint, i got the shade "Chai Love You", which offers just the faintest touch of color :D TRY THIS, LADIES! you can find it at Target, Jewel, Walgreen's, and pretty much any drug store. they're about $8 i think? i got mine on sale for $4 at Walgreen's

[Gigi]

I love Pursebuzz too, especially since she's Asian and I can learn some good tricks from her! I actually read a LOT of makeup blogs so if you're interested, I can tell you all of them. btw the Colour Juice Stick looks really pretty! Reminds me of the MAC Slimshines that I never got. I'll definitely look into it.

Steph - I heard the Shadesticks were awesome, I wanna get one in Beige-ing. :D

damn...you guys are so good with make-up.
i'm terrible with it...so i usually don't wear it.

I used to be COMPLETELY CLUELESS, but it was the summer of 11th grade, and I did not want to pay anyone to do my makeup for grad the following year. So I just tried to learn it by myself. There are shitloads of makeup tutorials on YouTube, as well as a lot of awesome makeup blogs, that really helped me. So really I've only gotten into it for a little over a year now, so I'm not by any means great. Just try anything out and post it here. :) Plus we'll definitely be able to help you with any questions.

[stephinika]

I watch Pursebuzz too! haha I actually discovered the MAC Shadestick through a makeup tutorial..someone else, but yeh.

[*cakedout*]

so is juna gonna post his makeup or what?

[gojira]

blending is extremely nice but the rainbow shit reminds me of a baby prostitute

[misoshiru]

I thought that shadesticks were getting d/c'ed

[Gigi]

I think only some of them are. Not sure if that's true, but I know that Sharkskin got dc'd recently and everyone shit their pantZ.