Im a makeup Virgin...I need help with colors!!!

[marreyes38]

I'm a

to the whole makeup world i dont really like wearing a lot of make up because i like looking natural. What i need to know is what the heck are foundatioins, concealers, and primers for.

I have a few acne scars that i wish to cover up and i need help finding the right cosmetics and the right shades for my skin. below are some links with my pic...maybe it helps...THANX!



http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...Picture021.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...Picture022.jpg

 

[kimmy]

primers are put on before anything else. they moisturize and protect the skin while building a base for foundation and concealor to go on smoothly and blend easily. foundation is for the entire face, to even out the skintone (which from you photos, it doesn't look like you need, lucky girl!) and concealor is for little trouble spots, stubborn redness and undereye circles.

what type of skin do you have, oily? dry? combination?

as far as choosing a shade, i suggest taking a trip to the nearest high end makeup counter you can find and testing some colours out there, that way you can get an exact match.

 

[meiming]

i can't help you much because i'm also new to the whole makeup thing but i just wanted to say you are gorgeous! wow, such a natural beauty and I love your eyes! You don't look like you need any foundation, but definitely go to a counter and get someone to match you in person. if you want to learn about several cosmetic lines at once, sephora is a great place to start (sorry if this is obvious info). Good luck!

 

[woolyowl]

I agree, I don't think you need anything! And I think your hunch to stick with natural/neutral colors is right on. If you did want to check out a more dramatic eye shadow (I know you didn't ask, I'm just sayin'...), you make me think of M.A.C's Mystery.

But if you do want some foundation, you really should go to a counter and play with the different finishes and formulas. sorry to repeat what's been said already but it's true! Many times I've heard great things about products, thought they'd be great, checked them out and discovered that they're obviously all wrong for my skin!

 

[marreyes38]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmy primers are put on before anything else. they moisturize and protect the skin while building a base for foundation and concealor to go on smoothly and blend easily. foundation is for the entire face, to even out the skintone (which from you photos, it doesn't look like you need, lucky girl!) and concealor is for little trouble spots, stubborn redness and undereye circles. what type of skin do you have, oily? dry? combination? as far as choosing a shade, i suggest taking a trip to the nearest high end makeup counter you can find and testing some colours out there, that way you can get an exact match.

i have regular skin not too oily or dry..does that matter when choosing a concealer or foundation???

 

[Kiseki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marreyes38 i have regular skin not too oily or dry..does that matter when choosing a concealer or foundation???

Today's foundations are formulated with different finishes (matte, glowy/dewy) and to cater to different skin types (like providing oil control or continuous moisturizing), so you have to be careful when selecting foundation, you don't want to choose one that dries out your skin or that moisturizes it so much, it'll make you look greasy.

Here are a few tips when selecting foundation:

What's your skintype - Normal, according to what you said

What type of finish do you want - Do you want a more flat matte foundation that doesn't reflect light or do you want something with a dew-like finish that gives you a soft focus look?

What type of coverage do you need - Do you just want to even out your complexion tone? Or do you like the sophisticated look that more coverage can give you, remember that more coverage will make it more obvious that you're wearing foundation, which if applied correctly doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. A more polished foundation look is appropriate for evening wear per example where the light is more forgiving and you can get away with it.

Per example wearing a highly moisturizing foundation that isn't oil-free on oily skin will make the skin produce more oil and therefore make you look oilier and probably clog your pores and result in break outs.

On the other hand if the product has components that inhibit oil production and you have sensitive skin, it might end up drying your skin and creating flaky dry patches.

Whenever selecting concealer remember that concealers that are meant for the under-eye area are no-nos for blemishes and pimples due to their moisturizing properties. The opposite is also true, oil-free non-moisturizing concealers that are good for blemishes are too drying for your under-eye area and will enhance any fine lines you have and damage the delicate skin around your eyes. What areas do you need the concealer for? If you're going to apply it to dark circles, always wear it on top of moisturizer.

Hope this helped.

 

[marreyes38]

What's your skintype - Normal, according to what you said

What type of finish do you want - Do you want a more flat matte foundation that doesn't reflect light or do you want something with a dew-like finish that gives you a soft focus look?

What type of coverage do you need -

i have normal skin, the only time its dry is when i use proactive which dies out my skin after i used it a few weeks but other than that i shouldnt need anything special like products for oily or dry or even combination skin.

I need a natural looking foudation. i dont want to look like im wearing a lot of make up because i really like the natural look.

 

[marreyes38]

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolyowl I agree, I don't think you need anything! And I think your hunch to stick with natural/neutral colors is right on. If you did want to check out a more dramatic eye shadow (I know you didn't ask, I'm just sayin'...), you make me think of M.A.C's Mystery.

Can you show me what "mac's mystery" looks like i tried looking for it and i couldnt find it anywhere...THANX!

 

[Kiseki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiseki i have normal skin, the only time its dry is when i use proactive which dies out my skin after i used it a few weeks but other than that i shouldnt need anything special like products for oily or dry or even combination skin. I need a natural looking foudation. i dont want to look like im wearing a lot of make up because i really like the natural look.

For a natural looking face, I would suggest something along the lines of a tinted moisturizer. Although my favorite is Laura Mercier's which I've raved about countless times here on Specktra, you can always try MAC's Select Tint, which helps evening out your complexion and doesn't gives a lot of coverage, keeping you natural and "unmade up". For a bit of added coverage, you can dust your face with a bit of loose or pressed powder.

Concealer wise, I'm not a big fan of MAC's concealers, but you can use Select Moisturecover for your undereye area. Again, if you want to step out of MAC, there's always Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer (for undereye area) or Secret Camouflage (this one is an all purpose concealer with great coverage and staying power, if you want to use it on your under eye area, mix it with with some ice-cream).

Bottom line, natural makeup or otherwise, a decent foundation and concealer are necessary, essential for a good makeup look.

 

[woolyowl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marreyes38 Can you show me what "mac's mystery" looks like i tried looking for it and i couldnt find it anywhere...THANX!

It is a deep muted grey-brown with with a little bit of plum. I find it really good for dramatic shading without screaming "color!!!!"...here it is on www.maccosmetics.com:

http://www.maccosmetics.com/template...adow&x=0&y= 0

(note that it is not the pink stock image, it's the little one below that!)

 

[marreyes38]

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolyowl It is a deep muted grey-brown with with a little bit of plum. I find it really good for dramatic shading without screaming "color!!!!"...here it is on www.maccosmetics.com: http://www.maccosmetics.com/template...adow&x=0&y= 0 (note that it is not the pink stock image, it's the little one below that!)

WOW THANX!!! I really like the shade i think i'll get it today. Im hittin the mac counter today after work so ill definitely look for it...