I'm glad my rambling helps! The C vs NC thing is confusing but this is how I see it (based off this info
here):
C: Golden/Olive aka true cool Gold aka sallow Golden Tan
NC: Golden-beige aka Caramel skin aka Yellow Brown
There are some people who really can jump between NCs and Cs or okay that it doesn't match perfectly, but as far as I'm concerned, I literally sit in a window and apply my foundation everyday so I know 100% when a foundation doesn't match me. And I will take a pic with a flash too. I just cannot sit with wrong color on my face. A few years ago, I let a MAC mua match me to NW43 in SFF and one day I looked in a mirror outside on a sunny day and my face was so pink! And I'd been wearing that foundation everywhere; I was so hurt. I vowed never again, lol. So that's what motivated me to do the info digging. Yeah I am obsessed (skin care and foundation). But it has paid off because I always get compliments on my skin when before I never got any.
Anyways...as far as color selection goes, I can totally relate about having a bunch of products but not paying attention to undertones until later. MUAs can be helpful but you really have to know what you are looking for and be specific in order them to be a good resource. I personally never am the person to say, "what do you think I should try?". I know what it's like to look in the mirror and cry afterwards
Hot messity.
I do have a blog
here. It's not updated, though. I tend to slack on that front lol. Maybe you will find it helpful, but here are the books that I refer too often.
*Make-up Masterclass (Jemma Kidd) - Breaks down color choices and look ideas by skin tone
*Makeup Makeovers (Robert Jones) - Gorgeous "glamorous girl next door" looks using neutrals
I also regularly google makeup tips for people with olive or indian skin. Here are some links I actually saved to my OneNote (I refer to the Frida Pinto one often)
http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2011/02/your-best-makeup-colors-freida-pinto/
http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2008/12/makeup-for-olive-tone-skin/
http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2009/08/from-the-vault-foundation-101-2/
http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2011/01/your-best-makeup-colors-kerry-washington/
http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2011/01/your-best-makeup-colors-queen-latifah/
If you compare Frida, Kerry, and Latifah's skin tones, you can tell the differences a bit and it can give you a better idea of whether you should lean more warm or more cool. I prefer Frida's as a guide because it's more neutral and more fool-proof.
Oh, I forgot--you asked about my favorites. I have a LOT (in the past my goal was to have 2 separate but complete MAC and Nars stashes LOL!) but here are some off the dome:
Eyeshadows:
Lid Colors: Bronzes (like MAC Romp [RIP]), olive greens, purples (MAC Sketch, Nars Nouveau Monde), warm browns (Saddle, Soft Brown), teals/aquas
Highlights: Creme de Miel, Chamomile (so pale yellows and soft golds...I used to love Shoom but since I found CdM, it's been retired)
Blush: Peachy-pinks and corals (Nars Amour, Gilda, Torrid, Lovejoy, Dolce Vita; MAC Pinch Me, Melba, Gingerly, Coppertone)
Lipsticks: Roses, peachy bronzes, pinky-plums. If I do a bright pink it's dark...so Nars Beautiful Liar, Pigalle, Falbala (the lipstick version of Nars Lovejoy blush), Transeurope Express, Fire Down Below, Mindgame, Funny Face; MAC Creme in Your Coffee, Fast Play, Retro, Plumful, Girl About Town
Glosses: Nars Risky Business, Stolen Kisses, Sandpiper, Dolce Vita; MAC Pinkarat, StarNova
I think I should stop here lol...
Let me know if you have any other questions, I'll share if I can