need makeup update - recommendations

[Anonymous]

I am in a makeup rut - i like the natural look but also am struggling with breakouts so I need some more makeup. I also look deathly pale. Don't want too much glitter - work in an office that is pretty conservative. If you have recommendations for your favorite products or good sales people to go to....please pass them along! thanks

[Anonymous]

Love Amy @ Laura Mercier Counter at Saks in Tysons' 2. Overall, I really love the "flawless face" that Laura Mercier is known for. Very natural and lots of great products for oily/sensitive skin. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Jodi at the Lancome Counter at Neiman's in Chevy Chase. She is the best. Understated, classy, and very smart. She is older (late 50's?) so isn't one of these 20 year olds that keeps applying bronzer.

Call her and make an appointment....

[Anonymous]

I love Bobbi Brown. I tried Lancome but have very sensitive skn. My skin could not tolerate the perfumes in their products.

Nordstrom @ Tysons is the no. 1 ranked BB counter in the area. I have found them to be very helpful and nice.

[Anonymous]

I like Nars for blush. For foundation and general skin care, Chanel is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Mac. I am pale and oily skin. U can def stay with neutrals. Love studio fix liquid base. Look at tutorials on utube my fav past time while on maternity leave. Also invest in good brush set. My prob with mercier and bobby is that I look like I have no make up on when I wear them not bec natural looking but bec they wash me out. Try to at least add a little color in appropriate ways.

[Anonymous]

I am hearing that your breakouts are inspiring the use of more makeup - if that is correct. First of all, more makeup will make you look older and also increase your breakouts. Your makeup only looks as good as your skin.

I would work towards a long-term solution by seeing a dermatologist first who will get you on a good skincare regime.

Then, I would hire an independent makeup artist. The ones at stores, no matter how good, are required to work towards a sales goal - the more expensive the line, the higher the goal. Not unusual for the goal to be in the $500 range. (I'm a former store makeup artist.)

Rarely does one makeup line have all the solutions. An independent artist uses a number of lines and will guide you to the best products and also tell you where to save and where to splurge. She'll give you a technique lesson where you apply the product while she watches.

You will save a ton of money and also be better trained in application. I would seek out someone who specializes in everyday makeup and not special events. Some of the more qualified ones can be found at www.aici.org.

[Anonymous]

i wear sunscreen neutrogena 70, primer from revlon, then foundation exactly like skin tone, some blush creamy because im older, some soft eyeliner in gray not black,lots of mascara in brown black, skin tone eyeshadow fron laura mercier, glow from borghesse gives me lke a face of health, some lip gloss and i look great but remember healthy food, 8 hours of sleep, are better than any makeup!!

[Anonymous]

Don't forget--see a derm! Once you get your breakups cleared up, you won't need to spend as much $$$ on make-up.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Lancome is not good for sensitive skin. Same with Clarins. Clinque works well for me, although it is not as hip as MAC or Laura Mercer.

[Anonymous]

Proactiv ended my breakouts, after a lifetime of zits. I am considering going to Victoria Station in Vienna, they do a make up class for women as they get a little more mature....

[Anonymous]

Pardon my ignorance, but I'd love to go for some make-up advice but don't quite know how it works. Can you just go for a make-over, say at Nordstrom or Laura Mercier Counter (I live in Vienna)? Or do you make an appointment? And do you have to necessary buy some of the products?

[Anonymous]

I'm a former makeup artist who worked for a major cosmetics line. If you want to go the one-brand route, I'd suggest calling ahead.

Please understand that there are two levels of makeup artists behind a counter. The regular salesperson, who may or may not be trained and the regional artist who roams from store to store. Sometimes, a national makeup artist. The latter two are who you really want.

There is also no guarantee that they will show you how to apply the makeup. And although most makeovers are "free", they are assuming you will buy - and not just one product. There will be a good amount of sales pressure. All makeup lines have quotas of how much they need to sell. The more expensive the line, the higher the quota. A goal of $500 or more is not unusual.

You should consider the independent makeup artist who is generally more skilled and can work with any line out there. She'll teach you how to apply and custom-tailor a program for you in your own home. A real makeup artist will not sell products so there will be no sales pitch. You will generally end up with more info, more technique info and spend less.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for these tips (not OP, btw - just interested). So can anyone recommend an independent makeup artist?

[Anonymous]

Make up artist here:

I can recommend a few really good products to try:

Bare Minerals ID Bare Vitamins lotion for under make up skin conditioning. It is awesome! keeps skin clear of breakouts, as it contains small amount of alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid, and vitamins, it is lightweight and makes your skin youthful and glowy.

Nars blush in Orgasm: works almost for every complexion. It is the bomb.

Make up forever High Definition foundation and concealer, lightweight formula, lasts all day on my skin (mixed), claimed not visible or "caky" looking. I agree.

Touch Eclat by YSL concealer, this is a real savior for highlighting under eyes, around nose and lips areas, very very recommended product. your eyes will look fresher and not tired after you apply it in the AM.

For more mature skin I recommend either loose powder (like MAC or Bare Minerals) or baked (like Chanel or Bourjois) eye shadows, as they are not setting as much in the creases and wrinkles as softer texture shadows (Lancome). Also for mature skin matte shadows work better, with just a tiny dab of highlighting shimmer on the middle of the lid.

Lancome lipsticks for their creamy luxurious texture, Chanel lip glosses for long wear and shimmer.

Shiseido in general, great mascaras and lip glosses (lightweight).

MAC mascara (cheap and good)

I could go on and on......

If you want to set an appointment with an independent make up artist, you can always do it at Sephora, though make it at a less busy time of a day (I worked there for 3 years) and make sure the MUA understands what you like (intensity) so you don't end up looking like a Russian doll