Very good questions! For reference – I’m 50-years-old.
Here is what I use -
Skincare: Philosophy – “When hope is not enough serum/hope and a prayer a.m. powder, “eye believe” eye cream, age defense SPF 20 day moisturizer
Primer - Laura Geller Spackle Under Makeup Primer – only reason I’m using this is because I ordered it a year ago and it’s taking me this long to use it up.
Foundation – NW45
Studio Fix Fluid SP15 – NW45 (my normal everyday foundation)
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural – Dark {Because of the high humidity in the South, I use it as a foundation when I’m outside a lot during the day. I also use as a finishing powder}
Studio Tech – NW45 (Full coverage foundation – used when I have issues w/my skin)
Studio Finish Matte – NW50 (Bought it at a CCO in Sept)
I tried the Studio Mist Foundation in dark – don’t like it at all. Too light for me, leaves me ashy and not enough coverage. Did not live up to the hype. Very mundane IMO.
Undereye and spot Concealer: Select Cover-up – NW40. Studio Finish SPF 35 – NW45. Studio Touch Up Stick – NW45.
Loose Blot Powder – Dark
Powder Blushes – Format, Sweet as Cocoa, Dollymix, Frankly Scarlet, Lovecrush
Cream Blushes - Virgin Isle and Premeditated CCBs, Hunger Red blushcreme.
I tried the Studio Mist Blush in mystical bronze – don’t like it at all.
Off of recommendation of other dark-skinned beauties, I’m ordering these blushes: NARS’ Taj Mahal and Exhibit A and MUFE tangerine.
Read this thread for eye color suggestions and combinations -
http://www.specktra.net/showthread.php?t=49142. I bought a lot of eye shadows based off of this poll.
Also, don’t limit yourself to “safe” eye liners. My favorite eye liners are the fluidlines - blue peep, waveline, shade, royal wink, non-conformist, iris eyes, Delphic, new weed, and haunting. I can’t wait for the sparkle pencils to come out. I missed out on “peacocked” earlier this year. I tried it at a MAC counter, liked it, but passed on it thinking I could get it later on. Didn’t know about “LE” and much to my horror, it was gone the next time I called the store.
Sorry about the novel - HTH, though.