Makeup, skin, and hair -- the good, the bad, the ugly

[buystoys]

I've been inspired by the what are you doing thread to start wearing makeup again and trying to look better.  I figured I'd start a thread on it as there has been a lot of conversation on that thread about Ulta and other finds. 

I've hit up Ulta hard this past month.  New eye shadow palettes, lip stick, foundation, eye liner, skin cream, etc.  Andi and Drama got me curious about Urban Decay.  I'm now the proud owner of two palettes.  I was disappointed that I got no brush with the Naked Reloaded palette.  Other than that, I'm hooked.  After I use up some of what I now own, I'll be buying more. 

I also got a couple of Juvia palettes:  the Violets and the Berries eye shadows.  I'm very disappointed in them.  It takes a lot of layering to get the color close to what is on the palette.  I'm very fair skinned so I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone with a darker complexion.

The 5 for $10 promotion got me too.  I got some of those under eye luggage masks.  I haven't tried them yet, so can't report on how good they are.

Any one else want to jump in? 

[oped]

I don't have much to say right now, but some of the stuff I used during Andi's tutorial was daughter's so I did pick up those things for myself but just from a Target order... I wonder if Ulta does curbside pick up? 

[buystoys]

They do at the Ulta near me, oped.  I think they will tell you which stores do that on their web site.

[andi9899]

Dec 27, 2020 9:45:19 GMT -5 oped said:

I don't have much to say right now, but some of the stuff I used during Andi's tutorial was daughter's so I did pick up those things for myself but just from a Target order... I wonder if Ulta does curbside pick up? 

They do.

[andi9899]

My fave foundations are Too Faced Born This Way. The original, not the new matte one. Maybelline Fit Me is good. Colourpop has good ones too. I especially like their stick foundation. I bought the Fenty hydrating foundation yesterday at Sephora. I've been wanting to try it forever. I've heard really good things.

[andi9899]

My #1 drugstore makeup.

Foundation- NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop
Concealer- Colourpop No Filter
Setting powder- No 7 Triple Action Finishing Powder
Eyebrow Pencil- Elf Ultra Precise
Brow Gel- Elf Brow Wow
Bronzer- NYX matte bronzer
Blush- Makeup Revolution X Roxi pallete
Highlighter- Physician's Formula Butter Highlighter
Eyeshadow- anything Colourpop
Liquid Eyeliner- Essence Super Precise Eyeliner
Gel Eyeliner- Colourpop Creme Gel Liner
Mascara- Essence Lash Princess
Lip Liner- Colourpop Lippie Sticks
Lipstick- anything Colourpop
Lip Gloss- NYX Butter Gloss
Setting Spray- Colourpop Hyaluronic Acid Setting Mist

I'll put together a high end list too.

[oped]

I use Lancôme light liquid foundation because its all I found that feels like I'm not wearing foundation... how does that compare do you know? 

[Opti]

I use Gabriel foundation, because I prefer safer ingredients on my face when I can afford it. Revlon lip gloss is my go to lip gloss because $$. My friend in college liked Lancome, but felt they and Estee Lauder & Clinique were in the same tier. I tend to favor Estee Lauder out of the three.

[Lizard Queen]

I've got difficult skin. Bare minerals, Physicians Formula, or ulta brand mineral foundation in the summer, or winter, too, depending on how dry my skin is. Garnier BB cream in winter, and also sometimes summer if I need a sunscreen.

If my skin feels really dry, I'll use the It cc cream, but it highlights any tiny wrinkle, so I don't love it. The matte is probably better.

For eyes, I like to use a brow powder, because I don't want to take forever to draw in a bunch of hairs with a pencil. I loved an avon one I had forever ago, but discontinued, so I found a different one that isn't as good. Any felt tip marker type of eyeliner. Pencils tug too much, are hard to get close to the lash line without getting really thick, and are too fussy in general. The paintbrush type are also too fussy for my unsteady hands.

I skip mascara, usually, though I should wear it (sparse lashes). It often gets messy, and causes me to start over--F that. Sometimes I'll get an eyelash tint or gel. My eyes get teary a lot. Makes all eye makeup a little more difficult. I concentrate on my upper eyelid for that reason.

Laura gellar baked eyeshadow trio. I usually have trouble with eyeshadows going on well with brushes, vs foam applicators. This stuff is fantastic with a brush. So quick and forgiving.

It lip balm in rose, my absolute fave. I really go for a natural look 99% of the time. This stuff is just perfect. I got the honey color for Christmas, and it's just not as good for my pale skin.

That's my 5 minute makeup routine.

[andi9899]

Dec 27, 2020 9:35:20 GMT -5 buystoys said:

I've been inspired by the what are you doing thread to start wearing makeup again and trying to look better.  I figured I'd start a thread on it as there has been a lot of conversation on that thread about Ulta and other finds. 

I've hit up Ulta hard this past month.  New eye shadow palettes, lip stick, foundation, eye liner, skin cream, etc.  Andi and Drama got me curious about Urban Decay.  I'm now the proud owner of two palettes.  I was disappointed that I got no brush with the Naked Reloaded palette.  Other than that, I'm hooked.  After I use up some of what I now own, I'll be buying more. 

I also got a couple of Juvia palettes:  the Violets and the Berries eye shadows.  I'm very disappointed in them.  It takes a lot of layering to get the color close to what is on the palette.  I'm very fair skinned so I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone with a darker complexion.

The 5 for $10 promotion got me too.  I got some of those under eye luggage masks.  I haven't tried them yet, so can't report on how good they are.

Any one else want to jump in? 

If you got the Juvia's Place palettes from Ulta, you can return them if you don't like them. It's ok if you used them.

[buystoys]

Dec 27, 2020 10:58:35 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Dec 27, 2020 9:35:20 GMT -5 buystoys said:

I've been inspired by the what are you doing thread to start wearing makeup again and trying to look better.  I figured I'd start a thread on it as there has been a lot of conversation on that thread about Ulta and other finds. 

I've hit up Ulta hard this past month.  New eye shadow palettes, lip stick, foundation, eye liner, skin cream, etc.  Andi and Drama got me curious about Urban Decay.  I'm now the proud owner of two palettes.  I was disappointed that I got no brush with the Naked Reloaded palette.  Other than that, I'm hooked.  After I use up some of what I now own, I'll be buying more. 

I also got a couple of Juvia palettes:  the Violets and the Berries eye shadows.  I'm very disappointed in them.  It takes a lot of layering to get the color close to what is on the palette.  I'm very fair skinned so I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone with a darker complexion.

The 5 for $10 promotion got me too.  I got some of those under eye luggage masks.  I haven't tried them yet, so can't report on how good they are.

Any one else want to jump in? 

If you got the Juvia's Place palettes from Ulta, you can return them if you don't like them. It's ok if you used them.

I didn't realize that.  Thank you!

[andi9899]

Dec 27, 2020 10:24:51 GMT -5 oped said:

I use Lancôme light liquid foundation because its all I found that feels like I'm not wearing foundation... how does that compare do you know? 

I've never tried that. I'm sorry. I've been meaning to. I did get the Clinique Beyond Perfecting foundation yesterday. I've wanted to try it forever.

[andi9899]

If you guys have not discovered Colourpop, you need to. They sell it at Ulta. That way you can return it if you don't like it. I know I love everything from them, so I place orders online too. I may or may not have ordered from them yesterday.

[andi9899]

Also, Peter Thomas Roth makes the best skincare. It's expensive at Ulta or Sephora, so I order from Walmart. Just make sure you narrow down the retailer to Walmart only since they let others sell on their site.

[wvugurl26]

Yeah the return policy at Ulta is nice. I took shampoo back one time. My scalp was not happy with it.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Dec 27, 2020 10:28:09 GMT -5 Opti said:

I use Gabriel foundation, because I prefer safer ingredients on my face when I can afford it. Revlon lip gloss is my go to lip gloss because $$. My friend in college liked Lancome, but felt they and Estee Lauder & Clinique were in the same tier. I tend to favor Estee Lauder out of the three.

I use Gabriel as well. A local natural store Carrie's it. While it is not cheap it is the first foundation I don't react to. All other brands it's either been immediate or I build a response over time.

Bare Minerals was one of the worst. I won't touch any of their products.


Burt's bee's wins the prize though. I used their royal jelly lotion and holy crap it took over a week for that rash to go away. Was very glad I work in labs nobody cares what you look like.

[busymom]

I'm dealing with really dry skin & hair this Winter.  I've begun using WOW shampoo & conditioner, and so far like the results.  I'm still trying different skin moisturizers, as I've got very thin, sensitive skin.  But, as I've begun to see the beginnings of dark spots & wrinkles, I want to fight it NOW, and not wait until I think I oughta talk to a plastic surgeon.  Any successes with specific products would be appreciated.  Also, my neck skin is beginning to show it's age, too, darn it!  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Dec 27, 2020 11:40:38 GMT -5 busymom said:

I'm dealing with really dry skin & hair this Winter.  I've begun using WOW shampoo & conditioner, and so far like the results.  I'm still trying different skin moisturizers, as I've got very thin, sensitive skin.  But, as I've begun to see the beginnings of dark spots & wrinkles, I want to fight it NOW, and not wait until I think I oughta talk to a plastic surgeon.  Any successes with specific products would be appreciated.  Also, my neck skin is beginning to show it's age, too, darn it!  

I've gone back to using Clinique. They got a cartridge set right now. It's a bottle of their dramatically different oil free gel and then you can choose from various cartridges to mix in for your needs.

I got the acne cartridge to deal with my mask issues. I believe they have various anti aging ones.

I got mine at Ulta. Department stores usually have a Clinique booth and so does Sephora. They are also online but when dropping money I like to try to talk to a person first.

[busymom]

Dec 27, 2020 11:51:13 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Dec 27, 2020 11:40:38 GMT -5 busymom said:

I'm dealing with really dry skin & hair this Winter.  I've begun using WOW shampoo & conditioner, and so far like the results.  I'm still trying different skin moisturizers, as I've got very thin, sensitive skin.  But, as I've begun to see the beginnings of dark spots & wrinkles, I want to fight it NOW, and not wait until I think I oughta talk to a plastic surgeon.  Any successes with specific products would be appreciated.  Also, my neck skin is beginning to show it's age, too, darn it!  

I've gone back to using Clinique. They got a cartridge set right now. It's a bottle of their dramatically different oil free gel and then you can choose from various cartridges to mix in for your needs.

I got the acne cartridge to deal with my mask issues. I believe they have various anti aging ones.

I got mine at Ulta. Department stores usually have a Clinique booth and so does Sephora. They are also online but when dropping money I like to try to talk to a person first.

    Thank you for the recommendation of Clinique.  Unfortunately, I've tried their brand, and my skin reacted badly.  The curse of having sensitive skin.  But, I am open to all recommendations.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Origins makes a good overnight mask. It's called Drink.Up intensive. I buy the tiny travel tube since a little goes a long way. It helps with really dry winter skin.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

The local Ulta is pretty disappointing.  They opened it about 3 years ago, and it was nice not to have to do the 50+ mile road trip to the next closest one.

However, it is a fraction of the size of others I have been in, lacking in products and the sales staff is not knowledgeable at all.  Last time I went in there with a 20% off coupon, I would have normally walked out with a $200+ bill.  My bill was $80, and I still couldn’t get my moisturizer and face wash in quantities I would normally buy until I got another coupon.

I have pretty much given up on mascara.  Everything is annoying my eyes these days.  My solution has been Latisse, dyeing and lifting my lashes.  I haven’t gone since before covid hit.  

[Lizard Queen]

Dec 27, 2020 12:00:46 GMT -5 busymom said:

Dec 27, 2020 11:51:13 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I've gone back to using Clinique. They got a cartridge set right now. It's a bottle of their dramatically different oil free gel and then you can choose from various cartridges to mix in for your needs.

I got the acne cartridge to deal with my mask issues. I believe they have various anti aging ones.

I got mine at Ulta. Department stores usually have a Clinique booth and so does Sephora. They are also online but when dropping money I like to try to talk to a person first.

    Thank you for the recommendation of Clinique.  Unfortunately, I've tried their brand, and my skin reacted badly.  The curse of having sensitive skin.  But, I am open to all recommendations.  

I tried everything,  and  I  finally got treated for rosacea. The gel i use for it is moisturizing enough for me.  Philosophy  purity cleanser is working pretty well.  Like I said, that was after trying everything,  and I  couldn't use something really rich because that would turn around and cause me acne.

I don't know about dark spots yet. I've got a red light I'm going to try, and see how that works.


Also, more water, less caffeine/alcohol, and turn up the humidity.  

[justme]

A couple years ago I went into ulta looking for a good basic foundation. I had been using tarte but it wasn't the best coverage and didn't like to stay in place. The lady recommended IT CC and thus set off IT being one of my favorite brands. They use mineral sunblock which I love because my face often reacts bad to the chemical ones.

I now use the CC cream, use their blush, have some eye shadow, some other foundation/powder from them too, moisturizer, face wash, and brushes. My face can be sensitive and I haven't had a problem with any of their stuff.

I do like urban decay eyeshadow more, but the IT stuff is decent.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 27, 2020 12:00:46 GMT -5 busymom said:

Dec 27, 2020 11:51:13 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I've gone back to using Clinique. They got a cartridge set right now. It's a bottle of their dramatically different oil free gel and then you can choose from various cartridges to mix in for your needs.

I got the acne cartridge to deal with my mask issues. I believe they have various anti aging ones.

I got mine at Ulta. Department stores usually have a Clinique booth and so does Sephora. They are also online but when dropping money I like to try to talk to a person first.

    Thank you for the recommendation of Clinique.  Unfortunately, I've tried their brand, and my skin reacted badly.  The curse of having sensitive skin.  But, I am open to all recommendations.  

I’ve used Clinique as well, and it didn’t end well.  As a result, I found what works and stick to it.  I was using Neutrogena until it stopped doing what I needed.  I made a brief stop at Clinique, then moved to Murad and Mario Badescu.  Both have doubled in price since I started using them, but not going to shift unless there is a reason.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I'm very into Clinique right now. What's funny is even within the same product of night cream, an oily version makes my face itch but the very dry version is great. I also use their foundation and I just got a face wash for night time. Like@oped, I don't like to "feel" the foundation on my face. The clinique one I have works well for that. I have the anti-redness one because my chin is bright red. 
However, I do like bare essentials for face powder and tinted moisturizer. 

I use Aveda daily face lotion and exfoliant. 
I just started using actual eye cream at night too--Mario Badescu. I probably should not have waited until my forties to do that. 

[Deleted]

This year I've switched back to Paul Mitchell extra-body shampoo and conditioner and love it.  I haven't had a haircut since February so I need the conditioner.  

After a couple of years of Origins cleanser, moisturizer, etc. I've gone back to Olay Regenerist and I see a big difference in my skin health and appearance.  I don't use foundation, but like Garnier's tinted moisturizer and Tarte blush.  My last concealer was IT's Bye Bye Under Eye, but it's really dry, tough to blend and settles in my old lady wrinkles.

I have eyeshadow palettes from Urban Decay and Too Faced that I like, although I prefer the texture of Urban Decay.  I would like to find a really good eyeliner, something that would glide easily over my bumpy skin and survive high temps and humidity. 

Desperately seeking a good mascara.  I've tried all the drugstore brands and some of the high-end ones at Ulta.  I like some qualities of each - no clumping with this, no flaking with that, doesn't transfer to my saggy eyelids, etc. but I'm still looking for the unicorn that combines them all.  I would LOVE some recommendations from my YM friends.  

[oped]

I like brown mascara so that always tends to limit me, but black is just too dark. 

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2020 11:36:38 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Dec 27, 2020 10:28:09 GMT -5 Opti said:

I use Gabriel foundation, because I prefer safer ingredients on my face when I can afford it. Revlon lip gloss is my go to lip gloss because $$. My friend in college liked Lancome, but felt they and Estee Lauder & Clinique were in the same tier. I tend to favor Estee Lauder out of the three.

I use Gabriel as well. A local natural store Carrie's it. While it is not cheap it is the first foundation I don't react to. All other brands it's either been immediate or I build a response over time.

Bare Minerals was one of the worst. I won't touch any of their products.


Burt's bee's wins the prize though. I used their royal jelly lotion and holy crap it took over a week for that rash to go away. Was very glad I work in labs nobody cares what you look like.

Burt’s Bees lip balm had my lips covered in tiny bumps. That was not cute at all. I refuse to try anything else they make. 

[oped]

I thought they used to be just beeswax? But apparently everything by them has coconut in them... I know coconuts like the thing now but hello... some people are allergic or react to coconut.

Off topic but my previously fav almond flour choc chip cookie mix was upsetting my stomach last week and yeah coconut sugar... I am almost positive that didn’t used to be in there. Grrr

[oped]

I tried to do a full face ‘quick’ for practice and it’s ok I think. Daughter said my application was ok but my lipstick doesn’t go with my eyeshadow...? Is that a thing?