Newbie to makeup seeking advice

Clark

I'm just learning how to do makeup, I've been watching a lot of tutorials and have bought basic primer, foundation, concealer, a cheap contour kit, and some eyeshadows and eyebrow pencil. As far as I know I'm following what they say in the videos I'm watching but somehow my look doesn't have the same effect. I apply my foundation and concealer with a damp beauty blender but it often comes out looking cakey and the lines under my eyes look more pronounced.

Here's a pic: http://imgur.com/a/UfgYo

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice or pointers to improve what I'm doing. No matter what I can't seem to hide my bags and I think my eyes always look quite puffy. I'd like my skin to look more hydrated and dewy, rather than cakey, I'm not sure what products I should use for that.

Any suggestions, help, or pointers would be greatly appreciated!

9 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Jeanie

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

The only personal experience I have that might be relevant to you is that I've learned from Bobbi Brown makeup artist Hannah Martin (I think her youtube and instagram handles are BBProHannahMartin) is that the most important step is to hydrate well before applying makeup. I apply eye cream and moisturizer as soon as I'm out of the shower and give it a good while to sink it before adding anything else.
One of my daughters tends toward "cakey" instead of "dewey" and as I tell her, I think it's because she's putting too much product on her face. You look lovely to me in both photos and I think you could lighten up on the foundation and concealer and contour products and still look lovely. Have you tried just using less makeup?

9 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

You look beautiful ! The whole make up thing really is so complicated. UGH. It could be that you are not moisturizing enough before putting it on. It could be that this consistency is not the right one for your skin. It could be so many things.

I think that the single best thing that you could do is to go to a sephora or an Ulta and book a 1 hour makeover. Or anyone in your area that does make up. At Sephora, you have to make a $50 purchase for the make over. But they do the skin ID and you get some great tips and recommendations for colors. I suggest looking for someone whose make up you admire at the store and ask that consultant to help you.

Good luck.

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I agree with Isabel that makeup can be kind of complicated. When I started wearing makeup, I went to a nearby spa that sold natural lines of makeup (I have chemical sensitivities), and I had a session with the makeup artist there. For a $75 purchase, I got the lesson free, and boy, was it worth it. She picked out all the basics for me in colors that worked. I still use a lot of what she picked out for me, and it has been several years since I went there.

As for your current problem, I can think of a few things that might be an issue. As Isabel said, it might be that the foundation is not working with your skin type. It may also work better to apply the foundation with your fingers rather than a beauty blender. Also, I don't know much about sponge makeup applicators, but I have heard that some knockoffs of the original Beauty Blender are not very good; maybe that is also a problem. If you are having a problem hiding your undereye circles, you might want to try a color-correcting concealer rather than simply a light-colored one (for instance, I use a greenish-peach concealer, which corrects the color of my undereye circles).

You could also try spritzing your face with a little water (a very fine mist) if the foundation looks cakey.

9 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think you look lovely and the make-up that you've applied looks great! I LOVE the original Beauty Blender. I also like my current foundation, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, which is great for achieving a no "make-up-make-up" look. I set the make-up with NYX Dewy Finish setting spray. I work from the middle of the face out and don't use much at all under the eyes--if I do, it tends to crease and wrinkle and that's opposite the look I'm going for. I like to play with make-up, but one rule I always come back to is Less is More. That's my two cents, anyway--everyone's skin is different, so YMMV.

ETA: By less is more, I mean, using a light hand with less product.

9 years ago

SW Ann

Veteran

I have not looked at your pic but my first thought upon reading "where's the moisturizer?". I always start with a moisturizer, and let it settle in for about 5 min before proceeding.... I also find that foundation primer doesn't work for me; the moisturizer does the job. I think perhaps simplifying --moisturizer, foundation, blush, some eye makeup and lips--and feeling comfortable with each of these before going to more advanced application like contouring might work for you. Good luck, and have fun with it!

9 years ago

deb

Veteran

Personally, I would start with Lisa Eldridge's YouTube site. She has a variety of looks and gives great pointers and suggestion.

https://www.youtube.com/user/l...../playlists

9 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

You look fresh and beautiful in the photo, so.... my thoughts BEFORE seeing your photo were : I've never had good results with primers, and have tried many. Same with 'blenders'. Contouring IS pretty advanced, personally I would hold off on that. It helps to identify your skin type (oily, dry, combination.....) before shopping foundations. You may or may not need a moisturizer, depending on your skin type. Mascara can be transformative, also curling your eyelashes. Eyeliner is transformative for me, but it's not for everyone. Make sure your makeup colors are not too harsh for your coloring.

A consultation with a makeup pro would help immensely, if you are starting from square one.

You look naturally beautiful in your photo, so you must be on the right track? Practice practice practice!

9 years ago

Veteran

You look beautiful but moisture and a dewy look are important to me too. Do you live near a sephora? The products you use are important. If you could go to a Sephora -- they could really help. You could bring some of what you have already purchased. If not, head to the mall don't be shy to ask to try moisturizers from different brands -- they'll all feel different so just go around and try them.

I would also suggest a tinted moisturizer. On some days you might just be okay with this level of coverage (without using foundation). Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer almost has a cult following but you could research others.

I highly recommend make-up Lisa Eldridge for demos and product suggestions across price points. http://www.lisaeldridge.com

This make-up artist turned me on to Becca products which are now my absolutely must have products.

For What It's Worth - this is what I use:
Nars for concealer (under eyes, redness and blemishes), Becca Backlight Priming and BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in color Pearl (for high on the cheekbones, bow of just above lips (under nose) -- highlight areas. Trish McEvoy 'Lash Curling' Waterproof Mascara (it has a cult following.) Blushes, eye make-up, lipsticks -- I usually use Nars but there are good products at every price point. I just would never give up my Nars concealer or the Becca products.

Also look into BB creams, BBB tinted creams. These products do a lot of things all in one.

9 years ago

Laurie

Active Member

Check out Wayne Goss on Youtube. My favorite tip he has is adding a drop of oil to your foundation. Makes a world of difference.

9 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great recommendations here already. You have a lovely complexion and a little makeup goes a long way on you. For a dewy look I use a tip Angie shared a while back to "pat" in a little moisturizer on your face AFTER you finish with your makeup. I do this regularly now and love the effect. I rub the moisturizer in my hands and then just gently press a little onto my cheeks mostly. I use Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer right now as it's very light.

9 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

I've been watching tutorials for the last year and have been experimenting with a lot of makeup. I think you look great in your pic but I know what you mean because I don't like that flat look on me either. I like a bit more dewey glow. I have been mixing Benefit High Beam Highlighter in with my foundation to add more dewey glow. Or sometimes I use a bit of a liquid bronzer with shimmer in with the foundation. I have the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder on my wish list to try. Maybe people mistake it for a highlighter but it's actually a all over face powder that you can use to set your makeup and add that glow. Also make sure you are using the right foundation for your skin. A lot of the matte foundations will make the lines under your eyes more pronounced. If you have dry or combination skin you can go with a more moisturizing foundation. Or try adding a drop of oil to the foundation like texstyle mentioned. Lisa Eldridge has good tips on picking foundation.

On the days that I have puffy eyes I use Clinique All About Eyes. If you want to go cheap I hear the models swear by using Preparation H on their puffy eyes!!!! If you feel you have dark circles that aren't being covered try a little heavier concealor like Estee Lauder Double wear.

9 years ago

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