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chrystallineFor some reason, people keep coming up to me at work and asking me what makeup I use. This is too complicated to answer in the context of the customer/customer-service relationship, because it would take too long to detail everything, and because it has nothing to do with what we sell at work. Usually I just say that I use a lot of things, or mention the foundation, if that's what they seem to be focusing on. Since I do use quite a few different products, I figured I'd add this - maybe I can refer folks over here when they ask, as they seem to keep doing.
It may also bear mentioning that:
1 - I have good genes, as my mother also looked younger than her actual age for a long time
2 - I do not go out in the sun any more than I must, which protects my skin from UV aging
3 - I did study Makeup for the Stage and Screen at college, while I was majoring in Cinema and Video Production
The advertising companies would hate me, because I refuse to stick to just one brand for everything:
~ For foundation, I use Max Factor Lasting Performance Stay Put Makeup (3 - Light Champagne), because it's the only brand I've found that goes light enough for me, and I'm fascinated by the thought that there are actually two more shades lighter than me!
~ With concealer, I've lately settled on Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick (Light). I had been using Almay liquid concealer, in the lightest shade available, but it's been getting harder to find the right one. I tried LOreal AirWear in Fair/Pale, which works okay, too, but the Physician's Formula is easier to find at Walmart on a regular basis.
~ Then things get interesting, because I use a variety of powders. I've been using Clean & Clear Invisible Shine Control Formula, which is pale with a slight bluish tint, to cover red areas and highlight, before using a generic pale, light or "colorless" (their idea of colorless does not match mine - often the "colorless" powder is still more tan than I am) powder over my whole face. The C&C has been impossible to get at Walmart lately, though, so I broke down and tried Physician's Formula Green MultiColored Corrector Pressed Powder. That works pretty well at covering the reddish areas, but it's not exactly what I wanted for the highlighting. I'm going to have to see if I can find the C&C powder online.
~ Blush is easy, as I get the Cover Girl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush in Sophisticated Sable.
~ For basic eyeshadow, I use a brown eyeshadow from a multi-kit so old, I can't even read the sticker label on the bottom anymore. It may run out in the next few years, if I don't break it, but for now it's working out fine. Funny thing about eyeshadow - a little goes a long way, so a compact with the right color could last a very long time. Varies, though, depending how often you wear makeup; I had this stuck in the bottom of my makeup kit for a few years while I was rarely bothering with makeup.
~ Eyeliner looks better when it's more subtle, so I use Cover Girl Professional Eye Enhancer in Charcoal Frost. That's from the eyeshadow display, not the liquid eyeliners or pencils. The liquids and pencils make too hard a line, which stands out as glaringly artificial.
~ Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Brownish Black makes it look like I have lashes. Nice to have, when my natural lashes are all but invisible, due to my hair color.
~ Lipstick is an interesting subject. Long ago, I was like everyone else who wore the stuff put out by Cover Girl and Revlon and Maybelline and LOreal and...you get the idea. Then when I was in college, I encountered Jane. Jane puts out lipstick that not only comes in great colors, it doesn't taste like you just kissed the bottom of a public swimming pool. My favorite since 1997/1998 has been Vanilla Bean Megabites Lipstick, not only because I'm into all things Vanilla, but also because it was a great color for me. Alas, they are in the process of discontinuing it, and I will have to either get a local retailer to help me stock up before it's all gone, or find another flavor/color I can tolerate. No chance of going back to the other folks, though. That stuff tastes nasty. In the meantime, I'm making the tubes I have last longer by using a brush to dig out lipstick too deep to simply swipe on.
So there you have it, the range of products I use to paint my face before I go to work each day. Aren't you glad you asked?
It may also bear mentioning that:
1 - I have good genes, as my mother also looked younger than her actual age for a long time
2 - I do not go out in the sun any more than I must, which protects my skin from UV aging
3 - I did study Makeup for the Stage and Screen at college, while I was majoring in Cinema and Video Production
The advertising companies would hate me, because I refuse to stick to just one brand for everything:
~ For foundation, I use Max Factor Lasting Performance Stay Put Makeup (3 - Light Champagne), because it's the only brand I've found that goes light enough for me, and I'm fascinated by the thought that there are actually two more shades lighter than me!
~ With concealer, I've lately settled on Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick (Light). I had been using Almay liquid concealer, in the lightest shade available, but it's been getting harder to find the right one. I tried LOreal AirWear in Fair/Pale, which works okay, too, but the Physician's Formula is easier to find at Walmart on a regular basis.
~ Then things get interesting, because I use a variety of powders. I've been using Clean & Clear Invisible Shine Control Formula, which is pale with a slight bluish tint, to cover red areas and highlight, before using a generic pale, light or "colorless" (their idea of colorless does not match mine - often the "colorless" powder is still more tan than I am) powder over my whole face. The C&C has been impossible to get at Walmart lately, though, so I broke down and tried Physician's Formula Green MultiColored Corrector Pressed Powder. That works pretty well at covering the reddish areas, but it's not exactly what I wanted for the highlighting. I'm going to have to see if I can find the C&C powder online.
~ Blush is easy, as I get the Cover Girl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush in Sophisticated Sable.
~ For basic eyeshadow, I use a brown eyeshadow from a multi-kit so old, I can't even read the sticker label on the bottom anymore. It may run out in the next few years, if I don't break it, but for now it's working out fine. Funny thing about eyeshadow - a little goes a long way, so a compact with the right color could last a very long time. Varies, though, depending how often you wear makeup; I had this stuck in the bottom of my makeup kit for a few years while I was rarely bothering with makeup.
~ Eyeliner looks better when it's more subtle, so I use Cover Girl Professional Eye Enhancer in Charcoal Frost. That's from the eyeshadow display, not the liquid eyeliners or pencils. The liquids and pencils make too hard a line, which stands out as glaringly artificial.
~ Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Brownish Black makes it look like I have lashes. Nice to have, when my natural lashes are all but invisible, due to my hair color.
~ Lipstick is an interesting subject. Long ago, I was like everyone else who wore the stuff put out by Cover Girl and Revlon and Maybelline and LOreal and...you get the idea. Then when I was in college, I encountered Jane. Jane puts out lipstick that not only comes in great colors, it doesn't taste like you just kissed the bottom of a public swimming pool. My favorite since 1997/1998 has been Vanilla Bean Megabites Lipstick, not only because I'm into all things Vanilla, but also because it was a great color for me. Alas, they are in the process of discontinuing it, and I will have to either get a local retailer to help me stock up before it's all gone, or find another flavor/color I can tolerate. No chance of going back to the other folks, though. That stuff tastes nasty. In the meantime, I'm making the tubes I have last longer by using a brush to dig out lipstick too deep to simply swipe on.
So there you have it, the range of products I use to paint my face before I go to work each day. Aren't you glad you asked?