+1 on @blackeyedsusan’s suggestion of Revlon Colorburst lip Butter in Pink Truffle. It’s a “my lips, but better” color for my fair skin, is not at all glittery or goopy, and is comfortable to wear.
@psychmom yes, the L’oreal tubing mascara has the two ends, but the case is red and white…not the blue and white one. And if you read the pkg closely, you’ll see the beauty tube word.
Yes, it does work. And when you purposely wash it off, it does come off in tubes.
I bought it on my lunch hour- will try it out tomorrow! I almost never wear mascara, but also got a sample size of one called Perversion by Urban Decay recently. It’s pretty nice, and apparently they can hardly keep it in stock at my local Sephora.
I got a sample of the UD mascara from Ulta. It flaked and ended up under my eyes. Not a good look. It was unfortunate, because it went on nicely and looked good at the outset.
I have a number of Tarte lip chubby lip pencils. Easy to put on and a huge color range.
My current foundation is also Tarte. They call it a gel, but it’s more than that. In a jar, not liquid. A little goes a long way. It took a lot of testing in the store, but I ended up with a color that is right, doesn’t fall off my face or turn pink by the end of the day. I get all the good coupons from Ulta and saved 20% on it 2 weeks ago.
I just bought the IT cc cream at Ulta a couple days ago. I went in for a sample but was told that they didn’t give samples but that I could return it if I didn’t care for it. Interestingly, I use the medium bye bye under eye product but was told that I should buy the light cc cream. Hope it’s the right color…
Re: lip color, have two different shades of IT lipstick and love them both. I don’t have them with me now so I can’t check the names I like subtle so one is the color of my lips and the other almost looks white in the tube but becomes a blush-y sort of lip color when on. They go on nicely and feel nice too. Definitely not drying.
I started contouring this winter, but only in the evenings…and just on my cheeks and very little. I usually forget. It does define my cheekbones more and I make sure you don’t notice it. But it just takes a teeny tiny bit.
In ulta yesterday and found out they don’t sell the official “beauty blender”, they sell a knockoff, I didn’t buy, bought the IT application brush,and learned the swirl, circular application technique.
But, all the staff use and love that original " beauty blender"
@Roshke I’m with you on the Retin A recommendation. I’m reading this thread to get inspired to wear some makeup again. If I wear anything it is a bb cream, concealer and mascara. I filled a Retin A prescription about 3 months ago and the improvement in my skin has been remarkable. I have seen a huge difference in the fading of a couple of age spots and it is minimized my lines. This has been my best purchase ever.
Retin A is amazing! I used it for 4 years. Unfortunately I had to stop as I think it was the reason for my hair shedding so badly. If you start seeing more hair in the shower than you are used to, I advise you to stop for a few months to see if that is it.
I also use prescription retin a, but for acne. The combination of oily skin and retin a means I don’t have a lot of lines on my face at all, which is a nice upside of constantly having to blot your skin. I’ve used it for about a decade and I’ve never noticed any hair loss. It may be something else @conmama , like hormonal changes, that cause hair shedding, because I’ve never heard of retin a causing that.
Is Retin A prescription only? We have an HMO. Dermatologist only? I wonder if my PCP would write a Rx.
There are over the counter versions, but they’re pretty weak. Your doc will write you an rx for it, but insurance does not cover Retin A for wrinkles or age spots. They will cover it for acne, but you have to prove it to the insurance company (Cigna requires a letter from my derm stating it’s for acne). It is not cheap-a tube of Ziana is $500 if it’s not covered by insurance.
Retin A cannot be legally sold without prescription. The counter versions likely contain other retinoids that your body can convert into Retin A, but those compounds are very air-sensitive, so the creams cannot be exposed to air and light for too long without complete loss of activity. Also, much higher concentrations are needed.
This stuff works!!
http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/trish-mcevoy-instant-solutions-triangle-of-light-eye-mask/3986389
It is not a permanent solution (nothing really is!), but it is an amazing temporary fix for droopy skin and dark circles under the eyes. I got snookered into buying it at Nordstrom because it came with a free tube of brightener which I was initially looking for. I just tried it - the reviewers are spot on. The SA told me that the cloth triangles can be placed back into the pouch and reused one or two times (zip the pouch into a ziplock to prevent drying). We shall see. 
Several days in, and I’m liking the Clinique Lash Power in Dark Chocolate.
I’m able to put it on without a lot of frustrating clumping, and it has a natural look if used with a light touch.
Comes off easily with the Pond’s Cleansing Towelettes (make-up remover wipes), which are my new favorite thing ever! Obviously, I don’t get out much.
The Nivea Care & Color for lips, recommended upthread, is available at Amazon in a four pack of different colors, if anyone is interested. I’ll divvy up the colors with D.
I couldn’t find the Cover Girl Professional Waterproof Washable mascara but I found the Smudge proof version. While it doesn’t thicken my lashes like some of the other formulas it does wash off completely with Cetaphil cleanser. I’ve also tried adding my CG thickening mascara as a top coat. It stays on nicely, doesn’t seem to smudge as much as the thickening formula used by itself, makes my lashes look much fuller and still washes off with Cetaphil.
Really happy with this approach.
I tried the L’Oreal tubing mascara and it is amazing! The first time I actually saw my lashes getting longer as I applied mascara. And like everyone said upthread, it didn’t flake off. It feels weird to “pull” my eyelashes to get the tubes off at night but that’s much better than the raccoon eyes and wiping with a dry tissue I usually ended up doing.
I am quite happy with this thread!
Something must be wrong with me because I don’t use any of the cosmetics mentioned. No concealer or foundation.
I just use cetaphil cleanser and some vitamin e moisturizing cream. I do wear liquid liner. I have lipsticks and blush and only wear them when I have to otherwise I can do without it. I like my skin to breathe and do use sunscreen. I love to use Paul Mitchell tea tree lavender mint shampoo. It smells really good. The scent stays in my hair for some time.
Nothing is wrong with you! I don’t use makeup regularly either. It’s just my preference and has been for many years. I do appreciate this thread because when I want to wear makeup I feel like I’m flailing in the dark and it’s very helpful to have some tips.
@raclut You’re not alone. In fact, by wearing liner and blush, you wear more make up than me 
but I am reading this thread for tips and ideas. I need ask the help I can get.