MAC Essentials (newbie)

[Dreamergirl3]

Hey everyone! I've been an admirer of this forum, and just recently registered. After seeing all of the beautiful looks that can be created by MAC products, I've finally decided to lose my drugstore cosmetics and put my faith in MAC. My question to everyone is, what should be my bare essentials seeing as I'm a novice? I wear (in order of importance) Foundation, Concealer, Blush, Lipstick/Gloss, Shadow, Liner, Mascara
The last 3 aren't as important to me as the first 4

Thanks in advance for everyones help, and I hope to contribute some beautiful looks in the future!

 

[mac_obsession]

Moved to the proper forum where you should get the help you need

 

[Hawkeye]

wow um, what do you look like?

Here are my suggestions for anyone trying mac out:

I wear (in order of importance)
Foundation-this is hit or miss with many. Right now I'm loving Studio Tech.
Concealer-Not sure.
Blush- Style, Margin, Fleur Power, Peaches, coygirl are all must haves.
Lipstick/Gloss-Depends on what lip look you like. I personally love Underworld but thats dark-I also love Viva Glam V a pinky color lipstick (and gloss!) and Pink Apertif-I really also love the lustre finishes (like Syrup)
The Glosses I'm in love with are Viva Glam V, Nymphette, LoveChild, Prrrr and Sprout which is a green color but on your lips it caramelizes to a beautiful nude color

Shadow-You must get a paint for a base. SO many choices, with eyeshadow again its personal preference.
Liner-Fluidliners. Then Powerpoints. Personal Preference.
Mascara-I hate their mascaras. they make my eyes turn red and makes them burn like hell.

 

[Shanneran]

heres some of what i wear.. just to give you an idea...

Foundation - Hyper Real SPF 15 (great if you love liquid.. if not i second youbeabitch's studio tech..its a great creamy makeup) HR has a great shimmery gleam to it if your looking for a healthy glow..
Concealer - i use the one in the pot.. haha i cant remember what its called.. (so not helpful, i know)
Blush- I use the mineralized skin finishes as blush, if they have them at your counter.. you should pick some up, they are super fabby!
Lipstick-Sandy B, Sandy B, Sandy B (its HOT)
Lipgloss- Nymphette, Prrr, Enchantress, Love Nectar, Pinking Shear, Pink Clash
Shadows- i love love love all of the shadows it all depends on what look your trying to create
Liner- Fluidliners, hands down kick all asses!
Mascara- Never tried a mac mascara

 

[Incus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbeabitch Shadow-You must get a paint for a base. .

Can I ask why?

Like is it used as primer for the eye area or do they actually have colour in it so it can be used alone?

You can sooooo tell that I'm novice to eye makeup! haha!

 

[MACattack]

Paint IS essentially. It dries flawlessly to prevent creasing and provides a base for your colors to stick to! Love it! Probably my fave MAC product, I suggest Stilfe for a shimmery neutral.

Shroom is always a great neutral shadow, as well as Woodwinked and Arena.
Pro Longlash mascara if you have small lashes, fibre rich if you have long ones.
I really like Well-Dressed blush (a bright, soft pink)
Also give Rich Ground fluidline a try, not only can you use it to line, but it also makes a great base (almost as good as the paints!) HTH!

 

[Juneplum]

paints make the shadow last longer when u use it as a base.. they CAN be used on their own as a shadow, or underneath a shadow to rev up the color, increase staying power and halt creasing... u can use a neutral like bare canvas under all your shadows, or use a colored paint under the matching shadow to kick it up i. e using flammable paint under reds/pinks/purples, or using blueboy (d/c) under blues, canton candy under pinks and so on and so forth...hth.. fluidlines also make great bases!!

 

[Incus]

Ahh, brilliant- thanks for that info. I just thought they were just another form of eye shadow! lol. I might have a look at some then.

 

[tania_nia]

Foundation: I love StudioFix liquid and powder.
Concealer: I like moisture cover to cover breakouts and discoloration. I hear Studiolights are really good too but I don't know for sure.
Blush: I like Margin, Gingerly, and Coppetone. I also recommend any Beauty Powders you can get your hands on. Those are really good to wear over blush or stains.
Eyeshadow: Expensive Pink, Satelite Dreams, and Clair de lune. Clair de lune is a nude with a bit of pink it looks awesome but I think it's LE. Most people are fans of Sushi Flower. Oh and everyone wears some type of primer underneath their shadow then a base (either a paint or a shadestick) and then their eyeshadow. I personally like Urban Decay primer, then shadestick, then eyeshadow. It's alot of stuff but it helps to stick.
Pigments are popular but I don't like loose powder...to messy.

Liner: Fluidline or Liquidlast

All in all the biggest advice I can tell you is to go to a counter and ask for help. The best thing about MAC is you can try it on and if you don't like it you don't have to buy it. Also, if you keep the box it came in and the receipt then you can return it.
You can also schedule a makeover and that will get you lots of help too. Most of the time there are fees associated with these so make sure you ask if they cost anything. Usually you can use the fee to buy product.

Sorry so long but I hope what I've posted helps!