Falling for drugstore makeup

Although these aren't drugstore items, definitely get yourselves to a Sally Beauty Supply and check out the Sally Girl eyeshadows that will set you back a whopping 99 cents. I'd heard some good things about them, but never imagined until I tried them that the quality would be so fantastic. And, the little cases hitch together. So the more you buy, the less likely you are to lose 'em.

One of the great things about these shadows is that they come in some wacky bright colors as well as neutrals. I learned an excellent little trick from a makeup artist for using such bright colors, and now I'll share it with y'all: first, line your upper lids with a neutral pencil (I have golden brown eyes, so I typically use brown or black). Next, with a little brush, smudge that bright shadow right atop the pencil. This adds some interest to a regular dose of eye makeup, and also keeps the pencil from budging.

In my case, I typically use a brown pencil with this bright turquoise Sally Girl shadow smudged into it. It really opens my eyes and makes me look less tired, and who doesn't love that?

(No affiliation w/ Sally here - heck, I had to drive 20 miles out of my way to get to one!)

I don't know where guide got the idea that I don't wear makeup in the summer--that's not what I meant AT ALL. I constantly adapt my skincare and makeup to deal with humidity, hormones, and the lack thereof, and pretty much never leave the house without at LEAST some SPF 15 and lipstick on. And sunglasses. (And a big black rectangle over my eyes, because why should the "Glamour Don't" people have to do all the work?)

I do use powdered mineral foundation, sometimes, and I mix it with SPF moisturizer instead of fluffing it on with those brushes they sell. Applying dry poweder might work for younger women, but it gives me a curiously embalmed look. So I mix a bit of Jane Iredale mineral foundation with the moisturizer du jour, apply, and go.

Now, Ree, about eyebrows. If you're like me, and you don't need to draw in separate eyebrow hairs, an eyeshadow brush and a pan of eyeshadow two shades lighter than your eyebrows works great. (You need to use a lighter shade because the shadow of your eyebrow hairs darkens the apparent shade and you'll end up looking like Groucho Marx.)

For drawing in individual hairs, I hear the classic pencil is still best--pick a shade close to your natural color, sharpen your pencil to a very fine point, and start drawing. Good luck with it, and please, anyone out there who has more info, feel free to comment!

--Poppy

The Opiate of the Masses www.poppisima.blogspot.com ( http://www.poppisima.blogspot.com )

I don't really have a "summer" or a "winter" look.  I have a "leaving the house" and "staying home" look--but have never found a good eyeliner and suspected all along I should spend more than $10 to achieve said goal.  Thank you for the tip.

You are so right! Have you tried mineral makeup in your moisturizer? At our studio we have created a product that is a sheer tinted moisturizer made with minerals and a SPF20. It's has all of the benefits of both mineral makeup and a moistuirzer with an SPF all wrapped into one product. Wow!

Since I have to draw them on nowdays- what's your choice for the best at making fake eyebrows?

Love the eyeliner.  I have to check and see if they make a navy.  As a Mom the BB eyeliner was a time stuck too.   I refuse to buy expensive mascara, Maybelline is amazing.  The only blush that doesn't break me out is by Rimmel, who knew drugstore makeup was this good.  

Wearing make up is year round not just seasonal. Ask any dermatologist.

 Because cancer, aging and pollution do tremendous damage to our skin daily indoors and out. And while men may look more appealing with a few craggy smile lines or spots, dames do not.

 We only get one face and one chance to make an attractive first impression, make it your best. No excuse not to protect your face, lips, hands, hair etc daily. You never want to see makeup but you can see when someone hasn't prepped before going public. 

 One would never consider only brushing your teeth, grooming your brows, legs, or hair seasonally. Makeup and presentation is year round, whether you are a business leader or a neighborhood volunteer. 

 Bare Escentuals cosmetics line is SO good you really can sleep in it. You need a foundation DAILY and YEAR ROUND to protect, even out imperfections and basically look BETTER. Best of all they have expiration dates, because as I am sure you know, cosmetics should be discarded after a few months. Thats actually something you should address, as most babes keep all that they buy, specially if its a PRICEY item.

 Once you know how to protect your face, you will never look like you have any make up on at all, like European women do.  But will appear smooth, unflawed and fresh. I'd find quality products with natural ingredients, because you are what you eat and your skin absorbs what you apply.

In fact check out some of the "how to" videos on hair and make up on You Tube.

BE includes an easy peasy instruction CD, really helpful and watch "what Not To Wears" make up hints and Carmendys "Five Minute Face" So helpful it could change your life and forever how you see yourself.

Its all about quick, easy to apply and looking invisible, enhancing your natural attributes. I have found the BE line does this better than any imitators. I even got my mother in law to start and let me tell you that REALLY made a change. She finally has eyebrows, and lashes and dreamy skin, not to mention how well she photographs! Everyone noticed.

Finally make up should never be worn to match apparel or seasonal trends. It should match your skin tone and change to compliment activities from day to evening.

I completely agree with CarolC above.... I also have found the L'Oreal mascara in the gold tube to be fantastic. I think it's called Telescopic. I recently bought it on a whim, and it took a few tries to get used to the brush (it's a rubber one with three very small combs on it) but it really does the job well with no clumping and no flaking. Big fan.

... but this one is the easiest yet. And it's not even all that hard to fix boo boos.

I swear!

Do you super pinky swear a blind person can put that eyeliner on?  I'll give it a shot. 

I love the idea of mixing a bit of foundation with tinted moisturizer to keep up with my (general lack of) summer tan, and I haven't tried the Maybelline one yet -- thanks for the tip!

I'm no stranger to drug store makeup. After years of spending big bucks on the high end stuff, I realized that almost ALL of it was contributing to my eczema. I do well with most of the Almay products.

Your eyeliner review is what I find intriguing. I used liquid eyeliner a million years ago and have been stuck in a rut with a twist-up pencil with a blending tip for about 15 years now. I think the felt tip Almay eyeliner might be something for me to try. That will be my Fall change. :)

  Another good eye shadow quad is made by Revlon.  I have several of them. The staying power is great and the color shades are all useable.  (unlike some of them that have a wild orange or turquoise.  No offense meant, but my Bozo the clown days are over.  Plus my lunch girlfriends would commit me if I showed up with orange eyeshadow.

  Drugstore find for me this summer:  L'Oreal mascara, the one in the gold container.  Sorry, forgot the exact name.  I love this mascara now,  they have gone to that nylon type brush which does not clump at all.  Today I got a buy one get one free deal at Walgreens, so both mascaras cost me approximately  $7.00.

  And since it is hot hot hot way past Labor Day here in the southwest, I will be wearing summer type clothing in September.  Probably most of the U.S. would faint reading this, but there is no way that typical fall clothing can be worn here when it is in the 90s.

 Also, check out the Sally Hansen line of nailpolishes at the drugstore,  they have great colors and last as long as my OPI polishes.

  Waving hello to all,

CarolC

 I'll try them-I live in fear of looking like Amy Winehouse. I'm old enough to have been there and done that with the eyeliner-the Cleopatra movie had a lot to answer for!

Lee

www.mostemailednews.com 

With nearsightedness, astigmatism, and now presbyopia! But I find it fairly easy to use the very thin felt tip applicator in the Palladio liner. I just run it along the base of my lashes, so I'm mostly working with the way it feels. I wing it up just slightly at the outside corner, but I don't do anything Amy Winehouse-ish--just bring it up a bit to lift the corner of my eyes and avoid the droopy basset hound look.

I use a little hand mirror resting on my bathroom window instead of
leaning across the sink and trying to use the bathroom mirror--that
would be impossible! I'm OK when I'm planning to wear my glasses, but I find that I can't see to put my eye makeup on when I'm wearing my contacts, so I put my eye makeup on, then carefully insert the lenses.

BTW these Palladio liners are what I'm using instead of those expensive Bobbi Brown cream liners. I loved them, but between dealing with brush bristles (trust me, the felt tip pen is MUCH easier to use) and having to get just the right amount on the brush, and then having to clean the brush when I was done--it's too much of a pain, and I found I rarely used them.

--Poppy

The Opiate of the Masses www.poppisima.blogspot.com ( http://www.poppisima.blogspot.com )

Might have to try the Palladino eyeliner, though I've never seen it in my neighborhood drugstore. I've got a product to add to your list, though... actually a whole line of products. Physicians Formula. I use the loose powder and the 20 SPF light bronzer, plus there's a really great shimmery eyeshadow set that I just apply with my finger when I want a little color on my lids. Love everything from them!!!

I love the idea of the bronze and green eyeliner, as I have hazel eyes. But, I really can't see well enough without my glasses to get the liner in the right place. Any ideas?

Thanks

Lee

www.mostemailednews.com ( http://www.mostemailednews.com )

Loving the idea of the Palladio eyeliner. My eyelashes are nearly invisible, and something subtle would be faster and more defining than just mascara. I just can't bring myself to spend $40 at a department store on something that's essentially the same.

I'm impressed! And I'm here to vouch for the fact that you have great makeup skillz, so if you say drugstore, I'm hitting the drugstore!