another ticky-box on the girl qualification exam

[serinde]

Since I won't be getting all sweaty every lunchtime for the next several weeks, it occurred to me that this would be a useful time to get a handle on my inability to apply makeup. Not that I have any intent of making this a daily part of my life, but I'd like to be able to do it with confidence and dispatch if I want to.

So I bought a book--I had a couple that were given me previously, but as I phrased it to sweh, I needed the kindergarten level and those started somewhere around middle school--and got crackin'. I came into work with makeup on both Friday and today. It is subtle, sufficiently so that audiovile didn't notice I was wearing any until I pointed it out. This is to the good, as I hold that makeup is like stage lighting: the viewer shouldn't be consciously aware of it unless you're deliberately doing something dramatic; they should merely notice that things are looking uncommonly well and they don't know why.

My current foundation is oil-free, which is mostly fine, but I think I need something else for my nose, which is awfully dry. I do moisturize it beforehand, but it would seem that bigger mojo is in order. The book advocates a sea sponge (!) for applying foundation, too, but using a regular wedge sponge seems to answer. Certainly it's vastly better than what I had been doing--I no longer feel like I've got glop on my face. In fact I keep forgetting it's there and rubbing my face. Oops.

I also keep forgetting mascara. This does not matter too much, as my lashes are naturally dark, but it should be a conscious decision not to wear it, not Hello I Am A Ditz.

I need more daytime eyeshadow (I have lots of gold and acid greens, but not much of natural shades) and lipstick (I only have one not-dark), just so's I don't get bored.

Also, GIP.

Comments

[xlerb.livejournal.com]

As opposed to stage makeup, which ISTR is applied with a metaphorical trowel but somehow looks normal when combined with the stage lighting and a bit of distance.

[auntiemisha.livejournal.com]

I have trouble with eye makeup and have not bothered to look in a book, but maybe you'll have the answer. I apply eye makeup that I just want on my eyelids and not underneath my browline. Unfortunately what happens is even though I've blended it in, after a few hours of blinking half of it has transfered to the top part of my upper eyelid crease, making me look like I've applied eyeliner to the top part of my eyelid (unseen until I blink or close my eyes or "stare down my nose")

I have been wearing some eye makeup and colorful lipstick for a week or so at work and have noticed more people smiling at me in general. But maybe it is because I have been paying more attention to whether people are noticing me. :-)

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

Are you putting foundation & powder on your eyelids? One of the revelations in my reading is that eyeshadow is generally formulated with the intent to be applied over that, not on bare skin. And if you put it on bare skin, wackiness may ensue.

more ideas

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

"...makeup is like stage lighting: the viewer shouldn't be consciously aware of it unless you're deliberately doing something dramatic; they should merely notice that things are looking uncommonly well and they don't know why."

Beautifully said. And you were looking uncommonly well on Sat. by the way.

And I think you might enjoy a few trips to Macy's or Sacks where you can choose a brand-name (maybe Clinique or L'Oreal, etc.) and get a complete makeover for free! Then, if there's any product that you particularly liked you can buy it. They will pressure you to buy, but you don't have to. This would be more efficient and more enjoyable if you brought a girl buddy or two (hint... volunteering here) for more opinions. And you could even go to a different counter every day for a week, if you wanted to! (giggle) Oh, Aveda also does makeovers but by appointment.

Ah, and for less expensive make-up, I believe that CVS will let you buy make-up, try it and return it with a receipt if you don't like it. At least they used to. Can you believe it?

Also, oddly, there are fashions that come and go regarding make-up styles and colors. You might pick up a magazine like Glamour(tee hee). The advertisements are as informative as the articles in this regard.

Re: more ideas

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

I actually did go to Bloomie's a few years ago and got a makeover at the Bobbi Brown counter (though they don't do that any more, alas). And I did buy an awful lot. *oook* Though that is in fact most of what I use.

[otherwise-nyc.livejournal.com]

I have found the folks at the MAC counter to be very helpful, as Nancy says, about doing makeovers and suggesting techniques and products, but pretty chill about my saying, "Hey, I can't afford to buy all of this at once, so I want to get a couple of high-return/high-impact things."

Although when I got married, and was completely clueless about makeup, I went there with swatches of fabric and my wooly headdress and played and played, and then bought *crazy* amounts of makeup. That was super fun.

I'm also game for a makeup-buying expotition. Group girly outing, maybe?

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

I would be down with that, very much! Though I need a chance for the ole finances to recover. Maybe in a month or two.

We've often gone to Sephora for this sort of thing, because you can try stuff to heart's content.

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

Sephora has a different attraction -- YOU can try everything and mix brands. At department stores, they are showing you how you might use various products.

And I agree w/ Missionista -- Sheido rocks.

[missionista.livejournal.com]

I recommend the Shiseido counter. They are really good about giving you a free facial massage. You should make an appointment, and they will do skincare only (massage, moisturizers, masques, etc.) or skincare and makeup.