Is expensive makeup worth the $$? I spend a fortune on facial creams I forget to use, but have watched several “blind tests” things on tv and what have you that seem to suggest even the makeup artists cant tell the difference between top shelf and well brands (bad analogy but you get my drift). I tend to buy less expensive products. Am I making a big mistake?
I am generally not a fan of drugstore brands. That’s just my preference. I prefer the smell, consistency and packaging of the higher priced brands. I have used some very expensive brands of creams before (such as La Prairie) and have, ultimately, settled on what I would consider higher mid-range such as Origins, Clinique and Rodan + Fields. Many of the claims made by cosmetics and skin care can not be proven, but it certainly IS true that skin benefits from moisturizing and I think the new serums do a lot of good. Everyone’s skin is different and needs are different, but we’ve had skin care threads before…
My mother really liked green eye shadow and rouge (what we now call blush) and that was sort of normal for her generation. She was lovely. It’s not my style, but I do still like muted eye shadow. I’ve never been able to do eye liner, though, because I’m just not good at it. I can’t stand cakey looking makeup, but do like color (pretty blush and lips).
@jym626 I use a wide range of makeup from various different brands, some higher end and some “lower end” makeup. I believe it boils down to personal preference and the individual product. I have found an eyebrow wax/powder that I love that is less than $3 at Target. It lasts forever, and I like the look. Could I likely find an equal product by Anastasia/Benefit for triple the price? Yes, but what I have now is working just fine so I don’t see the need to buy something due to brand name.
One of the only necessities I have had to splurge on is foundation due to my skin type, which people I know are often willing to do because the foundation is what you are using to create the base look and you typically want it to last all day/not crease/not oxidize, etc.
So no, you are not making a big mistake in my opinion if you are happy with the look you have. There is no way that anyone could differentiate between Urban Decay Naked eye shadow on my lids vs. a Maybelline or NYX eye shadow. It can also be easy to find “drugstore dupes” for a higher end product with a quick google search as well.
I use a lot of Bare Minerals products now, too. I consider that mid-range.
Jym, it depends! Generally, I trust name brands like L’Oreal that have labs full of formulation chemists (who seem to know what they are doing) with huge expertise in mixing GRAS chemicals. When it comes to certain products, like eyeliner, I just have to buy what consistently worked for me. Like MOfWC, I used to hate eyeliner, but I discovered that a certain Chanel liner was easy to apply at the waterline, and it also eliminated the need for mascara (which I don’t enjoy). I would be careful with lipstick - you end up eating the stuff. Unfortunately, this is a grey area where brands can make a ton of unsubstantiated claims (natural! organic! does not harm!) without running into any regulatory troubles. I use so little of my makeup that it was a shame to throw away products used only once 6 months after opening them, so I devised a way of keeping it longer. I try to store it in the dark in a tight container and do not double-dip.
I could use some food recommendations for a foundation. I have fair skin. Suggestions?
Jym, what is your skin type? Are you oily, dry, combination, etc?
Dry. Very dry.
Ok, I am oily/combination - so I personally haven’t tried these foundations but have heard good things for those with dry skin.
Higher end (honestly way more than I could afford currently): Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. Even though this is really expensive, I have heard people with dry skin rave about it.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/giorgio-armani-luminous-silk-foundation/2853110
Much more budget friendly option = Loreal True Match Lumi
http://www.target.com/p/l-oreal-paris-true-match-lumi-healthy-luminous-makeup/-/A-14052336
I really like the True Match line because you can sort your foundation by skin tone (Warm, Cool, or Neutral) for a better match.
Thank you!!!
My brain is actually different depending on what I am wearing. I need visual and contextual cues, apparently!
I feel much more energized and extroverted, when I look polished & business like.
I am much more relaxed but to the point of depression if I would wear old comfy clothes and not brush my hair.
When I wear athletic or other gear meant to move in, I feel stronger and ready to go.
We do judge others by what they look like, especially when we dont know anything else about them.
The level of grooming you need to keep up with, is generally up to you, but if you never get your hair professionally done and dont wear make up, and you work with people who do, unless you look like Cindy Crawford you will stick out & not in a good way.
Which again is fine, if you can live with limiting yourself in that manner.
@Nrdsb4 - Sorry… late to the thread, but I just saw this.
I am a redhead, and have relatively fair skin that goes along with that. My dermatologist had to look real close to see if he would identify my skin as having rosacea, but he did say I likely had a very mild case. That being said, I do have some sun damage. Last fall I found a new aesthetician and she identified my skin as ‘reactive’, meaning, any time you put a lotion/cream/cleanser on it, my skin will turn red and last for a bit before it calms back down. I mentioned this to my dermatologist, and he recommended a treatment called Sciton BBL. He said it works wonders for people with all kinds of skin issues - sun damage/rosacea/brown spots, etc. His office provides it, but he said some upscale medical spas offer BBL… so sure enough, I checked back with my aesthetician, and she offers it. So I had three treatments done last fall, and I have to say my skin looks MUCH better. The thing I was most impressed with was the zapping of the tiny little capillaries that I had around my mouth, chin and nose. My skin tone has evened out very nicely. If you do a google search for rosacea and BBL, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the comments.
It’s really not a painful procedure - at most, it feels like someone is popping a rubber band on your face. When I walked out, I was fine… no burning, itching, anything. Since having the procedure, I’ve worn foundation powder very, very few times, and it used to be something I wore a lot. It has allowed me, for the most part, to just stick to mascara and eyeliner. My eyelashes/eyebrows are blonde (maybe a hint of red), so any mascara helps my eyes stand out just a little bit more.
@teriwtt, thanks. I have an appt. in March with my dermatologist and I will ask about it. My rosacea is considered "mild’ as well. If I don’t use my medications, I get what seems like acne, but the doc calls it something else. And I do have some newish broken capillaries on my cheeks, so I would consider that treatment.
As long as I keep up with my cleanser and anti inflammatory, it’s pretty much under control and a light application of foundation smooths it out.
I wear eyeshadow in shades of golden tan or earthy browns to enhance my dark brown eyes. I do wear some eyeliner as well, but no mascara.
I wear very neutral shades of lipstick, but I do wear lipstick most of the time.
@bunsenburner, it’s not true that makeup brings up such negative thoughts for me, or that “sweatpants” automatically equals dirty or ripped sweatpants. I just sensed what seemed to be a lot of defensiveness over makeup in this thread regarding the comments by acollegestudent.
I do like makeup for special occasions and a little bit for work but I like even more not feeling like I need it every time I go out the door. To me, it’s akin to giving up caffeine and then wondering what all the fuss is about and why everyone needs their coffee. It’s nice to not need it!
This conversation has been very interesting, thanks!
I personally wore more makeup when I wore contacts. It was easier to put on because I could see while applying it! I also used to pick glasses that faded into the background, but now I wear strong black frames and consider that “makeup” for my eyes. Sometimes I wear lipstick if it is a special occasion but normally these days wear nothing but moisturizer and sunscreen.
I have NEVER had luck finding a foundation to match my skin. I have tried more than I want to count. I am very pale with some freckles and a tendency to ruddiness (I flush very easily). Nothing looks right on me in my opinion.
All this talk of makeup/no makeup and going back to the OP about Crawford, does anyone here watch How To Get Away With Murder on ABC? Much has been made of Viola Davis’ “bravery” in filming scenes where she is not wearing her hair or makeup. She says it was her idea to go there and show her character as “vulnerable” in scenes where she is barefaced. These scenes have been with her husband, her mother, and when she is alone, not in front of co-workers.
Now, having seen her character stripped down, when she shows up in court all done up, it is like she has her armor on, ready for battle. I wonder what her students and peers would think if she showed up without it one day?
Jym, I use Lancôme Teint I dole Ultra 24hr makeup as foundation. I use Shishedo ultimune concentrate prior to anything. When figuring out brands, I go to Sephora. Once I liked the Lancôme foundation, I look for what local department store has a gift bag to go with it. My sister wears no makeup, but when she visits, we always go to sephora so she can try out dozen or more nail polishes. She is particular.
In the irony division, I was with other CC members, having lunch, when I met a friend from gym. Her words were that how different I looked in clothes. I noticed she had some makeup on, as well as street clothes. I’m sure her reaction to me was similar.
@bearpanther, I haven’t seen that show but I know that when the BBC filmed Pride and Prejudice, the version with Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett, the director wouldn’t allow any of the women to wear make up as it wouldn’t have been done at the time. They were still all so beautiful!
Well, mostly. I wonder if Lady Charlotte (was that the rich Aunt?) and her sickly daughter had makeup on to make them look worse.
Anyone have Cindy Crawford’s cell number? I want to call her and have her weigh in on this thread of hers and where it has gone!!! 
The reality is that people tend to interact more favorably to attractive people. It is pragmatic to enhance your attractiveness.
" I can remember being a teenager and feeling very uncomfortable about the thought of going out and running into someone without having done my hair or my makeup. I didn’t wear a lot, but I got so used to it that I felt naked and uncomfortable without mascara. How could I have gone on a camping trip with other teenagers? It would have worried me."
Greenwitch, sorry that I misinterpreted the quoted as painful memories. I guess I have no good reference point because I have not experienced such pressure as you describe above even though I grew up surrounded with people who were heavily into makeup.
You also mentioned sweats AND lack of makeup as your definition of a “schleppy look.” IMO, there is no “and” - it is just the former. It really does not matter if sweatpants are clean and have no holes - if they came from a loungewear department, they do not qualify as street clothes.
(There are some trendy pants that resemble sweats, but they are usually made of higher quality fabrics, like silk ot wool blends. Paired with the right top and footwear, they can work for a trip to the store. But because I am not into trendy stuff, I would not wear those either. And they are too pricy to be worn around the house! )