Theme Makeup with a Purpose

[MissTT]

Okay, good, Medgal. I was trying to picture your luggage and got googly eyes.
Today I wore MUFE #83 which is a turquoise eye shadow. To work. Me! I was terrified. LOL. I don't really love it, but I don't think I look bad. Since I did throw in purple I can give a quick rundown of my look:

EYES
Groundwork p/p
Spiked (brows)
MUFE #126? - highlight - beige w/ light shimmer
MUFE #83 - lids - turquoise shimmer (totally faded despite packing it on; so unimpressed)
UD Hustle - crease and outer lid - plum brown satin
UD Darkhorse - crease and outer V - bronzed patina
UD Perversion eyeliner - black
Armani Eyes to Kill mascara

FACE
Laura Gellar Spackle primer
MUFE HD 173 (trying to get rid of this before summer b/c the formula separates on me; will not repurchase)
Mineralize Concealer NC42
Ben Nye Banana Powder under eyes
NARS Light Reflecting Powder full face
NARS Lovejoy blush

LIPS
Prep + Prime lip
NYX Purple Rain l/l
Heroine l/s
All My Purple Life l/g

I think my eye look was kind of tacky b/c I was wearing teal, but whatever. I'm trying here. Proud of myself for trying something new again. Since I prefer purple to plum I was really liking AMPL l/g with Heroine. Today I used at least 4 items that I don't reach for so that's progress. Since the MUFE foundation is fading off my face as usual I'm thinking of pitching it now. Does that count as using up a product as challenged? It's at least 2/3 gone. I also want to finish up UD Naked foundation b/c I think the color and formula may not work in the Summer. It's going to be funny if CoverGirl Queen turns out to be my HG foundation. Within the last year+ I have tried: MUFE HD (2 shades), MUFE Pro Finish, Estee Lauder Invisble (2 shades), UD Naked Skin (2 shades), Armani Maestro (2 shades), MAC Matchmaster, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Miracle Skin Transformer, Dr. Jart+ BB, MAC MSFN (2 shades and still need to go lighter) and 2 shades of CoverGirl Queen.

 

[sagehen]

Okay, good, Medgal. I was trying to picture your luggage and got googly eyes.
Today I wore MUFE #83 which is a turquoise eye shadow. To work. Me! I was terrified. LOL. I don't really love it, but I don't think I look bad. Since I did throw in purple I can give a quick rundown of my look:

EYES
Groundwork p/p
Spiked (brows)
MUFE #126? - highlight - beige w/ light shimmer
MUFE #83 - lids - turquoise shimmer (totally faded despite packing it on; so unimpressed)
UD Hustle - crease and outer lid - plum brown satin
UD Darkhorse - crease and outer V - bronzed patina
UD Perversion eyeliner - black
Armani Eyes to Kill mascara

FACE
Laura Gellar Spackle primer
MUFE HD 173 (trying to get rid of this before summer b/c the formula separates on me; will not repurchase)
Mineralize Concealer NC42
Ben Nye Banana Powder under eyes
NARS Light Reflecting Powder full face
NARS Lovejoy blush

LIPS
Prep + Prime lip
NYX Purple Rain l/l
Heroine l/s
All My Purple Life l/g

I think my eye look was kind of tacky b/c I was wearing teal, but whatever. I'm trying here. Proud of myself for trying something new again. Since I prefer purple to plum I was really liking AMPL l/g with Heroine. Today I used at least 4 items that I don't reach for so that's progress. Since the MUFE foundation is fading off my face as usual I'm thinking of pitching it now. Does that count as using up a product as challenged? It's at least 2/3 gone. I also want to finish up UD Naked foundation b/c I think the color and formula may not work in the Summer. It's going to be funny if CoverGirl Queen turns out to be my HG foundation. Within the last year+ I have tried: MUFE HD (2 shades), MUFE Pro Finish, Estee Lauder Invisble (2 shades), UD Naked Skin (2 shades), Armani Maestro (2 shades), MAC Matchmaster, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Miracle Skin Transformer, Dr. Jart+ BB, MAC MSFN (2 shades and still need to go lighter) and 2 shades of CoverGirl Queen.

This look sounds great - very Spring

 

[MissTT]

Thank you! My guy said he thought it looked nice; subtle. He's also a guy who's not good with detail. I suppose I may try it again since it doesn't look awful.

 

[Medgal07]

Okay, good, Medgal. I was trying to picture your luggage and got googly eyes.
Today I wore MUFE #83 which is a turquoise eye shadow. To work. Me! I was terrified. LOL. I don't really love it, but I don't think I look bad. Since I did throw in purple I can give a quick rundown of my look:

EYES
Groundwork p/p
Spiked (brows)
MUFE #126? - highlight - beige w/ light shimmer
MUFE #83 - lids - turquoise shimmer (totally faded despite packing it on; so unimpressed)
UD Hustle - crease and outer lid - plum brown satin
UD Darkhorse - crease and outer V - bronzed patina
UD Perversion eyeliner - black
Armani Eyes to Kill mascara

FACE
Laura Gellar Spackle primer
MUFE HD 173 (trying to get rid of this before summer b/c the formula separates on me; will not repurchase)
Mineralize Concealer NC42
Ben Nye Banana Powder under eyes
NARS Light Reflecting Powder full face
NARS Lovejoy blush

LIPS
Prep + Prime lip
NYX Purple Rain l/l
Heroine l/s
All My Purple Life l/g

I think my eye look was kind of tacky b/c I was wearing teal, but whatever. I'm trying here. Proud of myself for trying something new again. Since I prefer purple to plum I was really liking AMPL l/g with Heroine. Today I used at least 4 items that I don't reach for so that's progress. Since the MUFE foundation is fading off my face as usual I'm thinking of pitching it now. Does that count as using up a product as challenged? It's at least 2/3 gone. I also want to finish up UD Naked foundation b/c I think the color and formula may not work in the Summer. It's going to be funny if CoverGirl Queen turns out to be my HG foundation. Within the last year+ I have tried: MUFE HD (2 shades), MUFE Pro Finish, Estee Lauder Invisble (2 shades), UD Naked Skin (2 shades), Armani Maestro (2 shades), MAC Matchmaster, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, Miracle Skin Transformer, Dr. Jart+ BB, MAC MSFN (2 shades and still need to go lighter) and 2 shades of CoverGirl Queen.

Awesome---you're definitely going beyond your comfort zone, and the look sounds really nice. It seem you just needed a little time to adjust to it.
That's quite an array of foundation--totally relatable in a quest to find the right one. I'm at the very end of a bottle of MAC Matchmaster. This month I've finished a Studio Select coverup, a Blacktrack fluid line, a travel sized Fix + and a MAC Pro Sculpting cream. I've only been able to do this by using these products everyday. I refuse to buy any new foundation /concealer until I exhaust what I have in my stash.

 

[MissTT]

Wow, great job! I need to commit to a product next month. Or maybe even just for next week. Nothing of mine even has a dip. Well, some shades in my Naked palette. My UD eye pencils seem to go quickly b/c they are so soft. I'm using two nubs right now even though I have replacements. Getting my money's worth.
I will note that for my foundation list about half were samples. But yes, on the quest for the perfect shade AND formula that holds up to oily skin.

 

[aradhana]

Pretty looks, ladies! Also medgal those palettes look so vast! I've ended up with a very large number of palettes myself, and I'm not done depotting! I think I already have 8 blush palettes and 8 eyeshadow...things are getting out of control! But no end in sight! LOl! Anyway, yesterday did an inappropriately dark purple eye...not so spring, but definitely vampy! I springed it up with night blooming mattene. And a dash of Blazing Haute! I LOVE that blush. I wish I could pick up another one of the EDB's, but hopefully mac will come out with these again sometime! I'm wondering - I want to try the CG Queen products like foundation, but I never see that line of products here...you'd think we don't have any WOC...! I might order something online. Do you guys know what shade might correspond to NC43?

 

[aradhana]

Wow Medgal! You are doing really well at the finishing products challenge! It takes me ages to finish stuff - I think I have to do a similar thing with concealer, however my problem is that I use face products quite sparingly, so even when I use them regularly they just don't finish. And then I get bored!

 

[Medgal07]

Wow, great job! I need to commit to a product next month. Or maybe even just for next week. Nothing of mine even has a dip. Well, some shades in my Naked palette. My UD eye pencils seem to go quickly b/c they are so soft. I'm using two nubs right now even though I have replacements. Getting my money's worth.
I will note that for my foundation list about half were samples. But yes, on the quest for the perfect shade AND formula that holds up to oily skin.

This will be hard, but starting next week, I will 'make an effort' to use the same blush for the entire week. So, on Sunday night I will select a blush and commit to using it the entire week. I've been using Estee Lauder's Modern Mercury highlighter everyday because I'm trying to finish it---good news right? WRONG---it's my all-time favorite---even more so than my Chanel & MAC highlighters, and I purchased a backup for which I need the space. The formula is like silk and rivals all others. If I don't use it on my cheek bones I put it on my brow bones---regardless of how little, as long as I use it.

 

[Medgal07]

By no means was your dark purple eye look inappropriate. That's what I'm going for today and I will rock it proudly!! I thought about it last night and I'm just in the mood for it. I love Blazing Haute too---that's good stuff!

I've not tried CG in years and wasn't aware of the 'Queen' collection---had to Google it----http://www.covergirl.com/collections/queen-makeup-for-dark-skin
I think it's something you'll have to test in store. Just looking at the swatches, It appears you would likely need the lightest one. I think it's interesting, and holds promise that they're concealer, foundation & powder in one. If you try it I'd love to hear what you think.

Wow Medgal! You are doing really well at the finishing products challenge! It takes me ages to finish stuff - I think I have to do a similar thing with concealer, however my problem is that I use face products quite sparingly, so even when I use them regularly they just don't finish. And then I get bored!

 

[Prettypackages]

Great looks, Ladies!

Medgal thanks for the skin care info. Just got some goodies from my derm, so we'll see how they work.

I stil haven't worn makeup to work. I was going to add what I wore this weekend, but I don't really rememeber. LOL One of these days I'll get back into the swing of things.

 

[MissTT]

This will be hard, but starting next week, I will 'make an effort' to use the same blush for the entire week. So, on Sunday night I will select a blush and commit to using it the entire week. I've been using Estee Lauder's Modern Mercury highlighter everyday because I'm trying to finish it---good news right? WRONG---it's my all-time favorite---even more so than my Chanel & MAC highlighters, and I purchased a backup for which I need the space. The formula is like silk and rivals all others. If I don't use it on my cheek bones I put it on my brow bones---regardless of how little, as long as I use it.

I was thinking along the same lines. Choosing a product and committing to it for a week. For swiftness I've considered choosing an eye look to wear for the entire week. I'm assuming doing it daily well make me much faster. I spend a lot of time staring in my closet and that has transferred to makeup drawers as well since I've vastly increased my products in the last year. Ain't nobody got time for that!

 

[VampyCouture]

Sorry I have been out of the loop. I haven't done a makeup look in a while. I've been wearing makeup, but nothing special since I've been really busy lately. The weather's been a lot nicer, so I'm excited to wear my brights now like Scarlet Ibis, Ablaze (although I don't love it like I initially did-glad I didn't BU), Ruby Woo and GAT

 

[Medgal07]

Medgal thanks for the skin care info. Just got some goodies from my derm, so we'll see how they work.
I stil haven't worn makeup to work. I was going to add what I wore this weekend, but I don't really rememeber. LOL One of these days I'll get back into the swing of things.

Hang in there Prettypackages

You've endured a lot--take a minute to regroup, as you seem to be doing--we'll be here when you're ready to wear makeup and share what you've worn.

 

[Medgal07]

Sorry I have been out of the loop. I haven't done a makeup look in a while. I've been wearing makeup, but nothing special since I've been really busy lately. The weather's been a lot nicer, so I'm excited to wear my brights now like Scarlet Ibis, Ablaze (although I don't love it like I initially did-glad I didn't BU), Ruby Woo and GAT

VC. What happened with you and Ablaze? I've not yet worn mine so please enlighten me.

 

[Medgal07]

Oh I'd love to see you in Blazing Haute. I'm sure you looked fab.

For CG it is quite possible the colors are out of your range if the undertones don't work for you. You would need one of the two lightest colors; Sand or Amber Glow. I wear Amber Glow and I suspect it could be a touch too dark for you. This girl wears Sand and says she's NC42: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPzw0J-44vc I think that would be your best bet. I agree with her that it doesn't cover like a concealer. They're reaching.
Here's a thread: http://www.specktra.net/t/183062/covergirl-queen-collection-all-day-flawless-foundation
It's currently pretty cheap at Drugstore.com and they have free returns if the color doesn't match. CG also makes a similar formula that's more widely available since it leaves brown girls out. It's called Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. You may find a shade there.

I was thinking along the same lines. Choosing a product and committing to it for a week. For swiftness I've considered choosing an eye look to wear for the entire week. I'm assuming doing it daily well make me much faster. I spend a lot of time staring in my closet and that has transferred to makeup drawers as well since I've vastly increased my products in the last year. Ain't nobody got time for that!

That's a good idea MissTT. I've done that with a basic neutral eye look and just changed the transition color for interest & blended it well. So for example, I would add Rule for a bit of color interest, and then wore an orange cheek & lip; or I added Paradisco and then wore coral or pink blush & lippie. That small change kept me from getting bored with the same eye look.

 

[MissTT]

That's a good tip.

PP, I missed that you were having skin issues. I know how frustrating that is. I'm so pleased that I worked on mine a few years back. Great for confidence although the problems have been slowly trying to creep back into my life. They at least feel manageable now and easy to ignore. Strangely, I wear more makeup now that my skin is better. I wanted my skin to be better so I didn't have to wear makeup.

 

[VampyCouture]

VC. What happened with you and Ablaze? I've not yet worn mine so please enlighten me.

Hey Medgal! I have really pigmented lips, so sometimes I have to be more aware that some brights will look brighter on me and Ablaze falls into that NEON bright pink lips category. No matter what I pair this with, it still feels off to me and I don't want to go through that much trouble for a lipstick. I LOVE Ablaze l/l and l/g though.

 

[aradhana]

That's a good tip.

PP, I missed that you were having skin issues. I know how frustrating that is. I'm so pleased that I worked on mine a few years back. Great for confidence although the problems have been slowly trying to creep back into my life. They at least feel manageable now and easy to ignore. Strangely, I wear more makeup now that my skin is better. I wanted my skin to be better so I didn't have to wear makeup.

i was looking at my photos from a few years back when my skin looked good enough to be able to not wear foundation. really wishing i could get my skin back to that state!

 

[MissTT]

thanks ladies for the CG info. i think based on the video of sand, i'm probably a little darker. but i think i'm lighter than the next one, which looked to be amber glow. so once again between shades. maybe next time i'm in the states i'll try to check out some testers. $10 is a good deal if you find a match, but i'm not sure i want to spend $20 to have two shades i have to mix together! drugstore.com doesn't ship to canada...and the stores i've seen don't carry anything remotely 'dark'...forget about brown! it seems from looking at the cg website the queen collection isn't in canada at all! no wonder i haven't seen it!

bah.

the search for perfect foundation continues.

I think you should consider Sand. I thought it was too dark for the girl in the video which would put it at about NC43. Plus you may get some sun in the coming months. I know what you mean about mixing though. Who has time for that? I thought I had it bad here, but I suppose Canada is worse trying to provide for WOC.

 

[aradhana]

I think you should consider Sand. I thought it was too dark for the girl in the video which would put it at about NC43. Plus you may get some sun in the coming months. I know what you mean about mixing though. Who has time for that? I thought I had it bad here, but I suppose Canada is worse trying to provide for WOC.

ok i will try it out. it's not just the woc stuff...we tend to not get a lot of the 'special' drugstore collections.
but hopefully we have something that is hard to find elsewhere? just don't know what that would be. sigh.