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Makeup replacement

Renee P

I finally ditched the drug store make up and went to the department store stuff. I needed a better quality make up for a more professional look for when I look for medical office type jobs after I finish my last licensing exam.

I went with Clinique. My skin is pretty sensitive and I heard that their make up is the most allergy friendly. I went to Macy's with no make up and had one of the make up artist counter ladies help me pick stuff out.

It was pricey, but I see it as an investment to make sure I look good for interviews and don't look like a slouch.

What make up do you wear?

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

MsMary

Veteran

I got my makeup done at the salon last year and took copious notes, then went out and bought most of the products they used on me. I still use my Revlon Colorstay foundation and Oleda blush, but I upgraded to Stila eyeshadow and Lancôme Definicils mascara, which have been real game-changers. And I got myself a good set of brushes, which have made a big difference as well.

em

You need to be careful with "sensitive," "allergic," and Clinique. The fact is, a person can be allergic to anything. Or sensitive to anything. There is something in Clinique's eye makeup remover that makes my eyeballs feel like they are going to bust out.

Many brands...many many many brands...make makeup that are suitable for nearly everyone. And application technique is far more important than brands. If you want to learn how not look like a slouch, get thee to Lisa Eldridge's youtube channel and settle in.

But, in answer to your question, I wear all over the map. I swear by Becca's shimmering skin perfectors, think Urban Decay's naked concealer is the bees knees, am satisfied with Sephora's eyebrow pencil, blown away by Kat Von D's liquid brow pen, etc etc.

Lucy

Veteran

I have quite sensitive skin, and I have had very few problems with Clinique. I hate the toners - I don't get them at all! But I have found the foundations are great, and I haven't had any rashes from the numerous ones I have had over the years. That said, everyone is different, and it is a bit hit and miss sometimes!
I swing between Clinique and Lancome, which doesn't advertise as low allergy and certainly has perfume, but which seems to work fine on me. Good luck!

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Just like with fashion, there are great options in all price points. The professional look is all in the application, not the spend, and if you're willing to do the research, there are a lot of great blogs to help you wade through the miasma of choices. I love Revlon Colorstay foundation like Mary, Milani eyeliner pens (cheap), Maybelline FIT concealer, Urban Decay shadows, Almay gel and Nars powder blush, Mac lipstick and gloss, benefit 'They're Real' mascara and Sigma brushes. Almost all from reading blogs!

Gigi

Veteran

I hope you enjoy the Clinique! I struggle with sensitive skin as well. The only way to know what works is to try it. I always try to buy my makeup from a place that will accept returns if it doesn't work out.

I wear a few different brands of makeup, and they are lines that try to be as natural as possible. I wear a lot of Jane Iredale, RMS Beauty, and ZuZu Luxe. I am very happy that I decided to switch from drugstore brands...I find that the quality is much better.

retailgirl

Veteran

I like Clinique. ( and although it's more expensive than drugstore brands, it's reasonably priced for a prestige brand. When they have a gift with purchase is a good time to buy!) I use cetaphil cleanser and neutrogena toner, but a Clinique serum and eye cream, Repairwear, and their new Dramatically Different moisturizer. I like Lancôme foundation, Teint Miracle, but back to Clinique for Quickliner for eyes, mascara, and my favorite Angel Red lipstick.

Anonymous

I hear you on sensitive and agree with Gigi's comment about natural. I'm having a huge struggle with dimethicone as an ingredient right now--it's in everything, even the supposedly natural Jane Iredale I've been using for 7 or 8 years. Their very helpful customer service person didn't answer my question on when they added it and say it's 'derived' from silica, but not the same thing...hmmm.

I've had luck with Gabriel's mascara and eye shadow (same people as make the Zuzu that Gigi uses). I was going to try their mineral powder but just discovered that Rebecca's Apothecary (Boulder, CO) makes a tapioca starch powder that's inexpensively brilliant as face powder with zero wrinkle settling. Their baby powder has 3 ingredients: tapioca starch, chamomile and calendula. I'm going to try that for winter and see If it helps my skin. It may not work for summer when I need sun protection, though, so I'm watching others' suggestions with interest.

Anonymous

I love makeup and couldn't resist chiming in here I use a lot of different brands , but remain loyal to Bobbi Brown, some Clinique (agree that their foundations are really good), MAC, Chanel and Clarins. I don't think I have any drugstore stuff currently in rotation, but that's got a lot to do with not being able to adequately test and try it out and lot of it first.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I'm not true to any one brand of makeup. Currently using -

two different foundations:
Estes Lauder powder Double Wear or
Add Cover FX Custom Color drops to my moisturizer (has sunscreen in it of course)

Blush:
powder I use Hourglass Ambient blushes
cream, I use Bobbi Brown, Chanel and Makeup Forever (MUF)

Lipstick and glosses:
Chanel
Bite
Elizabeth Arden
Burberry
Fresh

Eyebrow pencil:
Tarte Amazonian Clay pencil

Mascara:
MUF Smokey Extravagant- I buy the small tube size as I change it out after 3 months

Eyeshadow:
MAC powder shadows
MUF powder shadows
Burberry cream shadows

Eyeliner:
Trish McEvoy gel liners
Burberry Kohl liners

Concealer:
Dior Star

BTW, I use Argan oil to remove my eye makeup. Just put a drop on a finger tip and gently massage onto eyelid and lashes. It's gentle and really does a good job.

gryffin

Veteran

I am a bare escentuals fan in general - shadow (love the "truth" palate for a nude look), mascara (flawless definition), radiant powders(flawless radiance). BTW the Locked and Loaded waterproof lash topcoat is amazing and non irritating. No more smudgy circles. Yeah!! But I agree suggestions from magazines and blogs have been very helpful. I bought the Cle de peau concealer after reading multiple articles and blogs and although very costly it's fabulous!! Since I line the inner canthus of my eyes, I buy my eye pencils from Three Custom Colors, where they make products just for that purpose and have no irritation. Love benefit speed brow. I wear my Neutrogena 60 pure and free baby everyday under my makeup. Titanium and zinc make an awesome base and very gentle. Good luck but
once you find products and brands you love it's a breeze!!

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Clinique gal too. Love their foundations and cityblock moisturizer for those days outdoors. Their water resistant mascara works well when working out too. And I'm a sucker for their lipsticks too and luckily they don't change the colors too often. Good luck.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm a Laura Mercier fan, but use YSL Babydoll mascara and Essentials eyebrow pencil.

Peri

Veteran

I'm all over the map with makeup too, but need to chime in on the Clinique hypoallergenic message. No such thing! They put out that image with the name and the white lab coats, but it is nothing more than an image, their brand persona. With my recent allergy testing and the "okay" list I was given, Laura Mercier was much more represented than Clinique. But...that is me. The two ingredients I test allergic to. Anyone can be allergic to anything. There is nothing completely okay for everyone and no such thing as a blanket statement on what is good to use vs not.

em

Several of Clinique's toners have alcohol as the major ingredient. This really sours me on the respectability of the brand in general. That's the worst thing you can put on your skin. They should know better.

viva

Veteran

I am insanely loyal to Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, Bobbi Brown cream eyeshadows, Kevyn Aucoin mascara, and Nars blush and lipstick. I tend to try different concealers and eye pencils -- still searching for the perfect ones.

old chic

Oh, I love this thread. I've been a makeup junkie for 50 years, so there's been a lot of trial and error. But I am pretty happy with what I am wearing these days. Here are my current enthusiasms:

Hourglass Veil Primer. Milky white magic liquid that just glides on and instantly mattifies over moisturizer and sunscreen. Makes foundation last a long time. Seriously, at least if you have pale skin like mine, this will change your life.

Giorgio Arman Luminous Silk foundation. In the summer, prefer GA Face Fabric.

Dior Rosy Glow "awakening" blush. Once this is on, I almost look alive.

Lancome Daylight matte eyeshadow, Cils Booster lash primer, Definicils mascara.

L'Oreal gel liner in navy, Brow Sylist in dark brunette.

Clinique bottom lash mascara. So cute, and it doesn't give you racoon eyes.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage to cover broken capillaries.

Sheseido Perfect Rouge. Finally, highly pigmented red and fuschia shades that don't get all over my teeth. I don't know how they did this, but they really are my HG lippies. Urban Decay lipsticks have great color impact, too, but they do transfer to the teeth.

I know, it looks like a lot, but I'm a veteran and can practically apply my makeup in my sleep.

Anonymous

I tried several Clinique products in the past, but my face broke out in a rash. It seems to be the only line I'm allergic to, strangely. I like to mix it up and try new products. Right now, it's Chanel foundation, concealer, blush, and eyeliner, which I like a lot. Anastasia for my brows and highlighting, Maybelline mascara, Paula's Choice eyeshadow, and DHC CoQ10 powder. I find that using good brushes really influences how much I like the products.

K. Period.

Veteran

I use a gazillion brands. Seriously. It is insane. I just think there are so many great brands out there, I could never be loyal to a single brand!!! Also, I find different lines are better for different looks. Naturally beautiful makeup? Clinique, but also Bobbie Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier and (oddly) Marc Jacobs. Dramatic? Chanel, MAC, Make Up For Ever (but their HD foundations are by far the most natural that I've ever seen), Urban Decay. So many fun choices!

Are you interested in exploring other brands? Is there something you are looking for? (I love makeup matchmaking!!!)

Anonymous

I have had a love affair with makeup since I was 13!

I wear Diorskin Flawless Finish foundation (a tiny bit goes a long way) and currently found Lancome Effacernes concealer (they no longer make the one from Dermablend that I absolutely loved). Laura Mercier Radiance primer, but mostly for everyday I use Neutrogena primer that has spf. Clinique powder blush in Aglow (this is one fantastically soft and lightly shimmering killer blush for evening and even daytime if you just want a hint of color) or Bobby Brown cream blush.

For lipcolors I love Clinique almost lipstick in black honey, or their Buttershine Lipstick in Apple Brandy or Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne.

Eyebrows, Anastasia brow wiz and/or dipbrow. Eye liner Bobbi Brown gel liner, Clinique mascara.

Where I have the greatest problem is finding eyeshadows that I love that are not too shimmery or metallic. I end up using NYX eyeshadows when I find colors that I like and unfortunately their one 3 shadow pallette that I adore is no more! (sobbing quietly)

And when I am done I finish with a spritz of NYX setting spray either in mat or dewy finish depending on the time or year. That is easier to find than the Ben Nye Banana Powder that I love.

Marley

Veteran

Huge make-up fan - and I tend to do high-low kind of combination (just like with my clothes!)

Here's what I'm currently using:

Smashbox foundation primer
Lancome foundation (also really like Chanel foundation and Hourglass foundation)
MAC blush. Lancome blush. Maybelline gel blush.
Maybelline concealer
Lancome under-eye concealer
Becca contour and highlighter
Lancome eyelash primer
Loreal and Lancome mascara
Lancome eyeshadow base
Bobbi Brown eyeliner
Anastasia eyebrow pencil and wax
MAC eyebrow pencil
Maybelline blush highlighter
Urban Decay and MAC eyeshadows
I'm all over the place with lipsticks and lip-liner - Lets just put it this way - IHAVEWAAAAAYTOOMANY

Cococat

Veteran

I don't wear much on my skin, just a Natio BB cream over sunscreen at the moment. I use a Calvin Klein blush, and Garnier roll on concealer.

I have used Chanel and Clarins foundations with success in the past but I'm happier if I can get away with next to nothing on my skin.

I love eye makeup and use a Revlon browns palette for day and either Nars, MAC or Sephora colours for special occasions. I have mink lashes so no need for mascara.

I have lots of lipsticks, currently most used are YSL, Chanel, MAC, Maybelline and a supermarket bought moisture gloss with a touch of colour.

Renee P

K. Period: Oh yeah. I'm always up for trying new things out. =)

darla

Definite Clinique fan--for many years. I love their High Impact mascara--it washes off easily but never smudges. Their eyeshadow base and eyeshadows are very nice and what a beautiful assortment of shades! The Lipsticks are wonderful-- Twilight Nude is a beautiful everyday lipstick color that isn't too showy but gives some definition and color. The Quickliner Intense eyeliner colors are gorgeous and stay put all day! I also have done well with their foundations as well as powder.

I could go on and one--I have tried other brands, but always return to Clinique. You can't beat their free gift giveaways with purchase either.

rachylou

Veteran

It's the perfumes that bother me. I always used either Clinique or Shiseido to avoid the perfumes. But now I use the organic stuff... But you have to be careful there too. Jane Iredale, for example, is not for those with chocolate allergies.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Like rachylou, perfumes really bother me so I use a lot of Clinique products. I wish more lines would go fragrance free. That said, I also use a little bit of MAC (I like their matte eyeshadows and matte is hard to find) and Elizabeth Arden lipstick.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love make up. I also have very sensitive skin. Clinique products don't tend to work well for me. I like fragrance free lines but there were other things about Clinque that bothered my skin.
I don't wear foundation but do occasionally wear a tinted moisturizer. I like Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer but the best I used was by Smashbox. Unfortunately they stopped making it.
I am a big fan of MAC. I wear MAC eyeshadow. MAC blush. MAC bronzer.
For eyeliner I wear Laura Mercier. My marcara is Lancome Hypnose.
Lipstick is NARS or Smashbox. I wear MAC lipgloss.
Highlighter is Smashbox.
My brushes are MAC, Laura Mercier and Smashbox.