120 replies to this topic

[scoobydoobydoo]

pigment trick? what is that? how do you do it?
im curios! have hazel eyes, want to try the bronze eye shadow

[rush25]

Eye shadow as pigment trick? Explain!!

[sephora28]

^mix some gold eyeshadow in your foundation for a night of clubbing and watch how you glow

[Jai]

Eye shadow as pigment trick? Explain!!

dip a slanted eyeshadow brush or a liner brush in some water then dip that into a dark shadow and use it as eyeliner. let it dry and then smudge it and blend it into the other shadows you're wearing. it gives a nice effect.

as for the hazel eyes, plums also work really well b/c it provides a really nice contrast and makes your eyes pop. i use plum eye shadow as my shadow liner (see above) and then blend it into a lighter, lavender shadow that i used on my lid and my brow bone. i use the plum that i used as the liner (make sure it's not wet) on the crease of my eyes. it makes the coloring of your eye really stand out. finish it off with some intense black mascara and BLAMO. i've tried so many things to make my eyes stand out and the purples and bronze shades tend to be the most complimentary. let me know how it works.

[rush25]

I suppose I'm missing the whole pigment thing. Sounds like you're just saying to use eye shadow as liner.

[sephora28]

I have a tip for all y'all ppp's that blush looks way too bold/fake on ya. I use a pink based ivory pressed powder as blush. It is a slight color, but still enough to look like "blush" and it doesn't look clown bright against my (literal) white skin

[prettylady213]

Rush,

Ok, sorry, but I just found this site/thread, so maybe you've already answered this...but I have to ask.

What do you use for foundation/concealer? StudioFix? I started using Studio Fix ten years ago, it's the only powder/foundation I've loved consistently. I just can't ever get used to liquid foundations...used Hyper Real for a while. But, I started using Bare Minerals because I thought it might clear up my skin (made no difference). And I went back to Studio Fix. But, I just feel like the color I have right now is too orange (NW25) and I'm applying it with a brush --- a Sephora brush --- because the girl said I said I shouldn't use the pad, which I did for years, but now it looks to cakey and heavy. So should I try that brush you mentioned? Or will that not make much of a difference?

Also, I've been matched to so many different colors..everything from C2, C4 to NW25 and that's just what I have in my drawer now. What's up with that? Could my skin really change that much? I definitely know NW25 is not my color...it's way too obvious.

Are there any other MAC products you recommend for oily/acne-prone skin?

And you put BP and moisturizer on before you put your foundation on? Doesn't that feel like you are just putting so much stuff on your skin? What BP do you use? Neutrogena or Dan's?

And what moisturizer do you use? I just bought the mattifying one for my oily skin...not sure about it though.

And then after BP, moisturizer, you use blot powder on you T-Zone, right? And then foundation, (concealer?), and then Blot Powder again?

And, one more question, my makeup is alway so GONE by the end of the day. I swear, I might as well have not worn any. Any tips for making it stay and for any tips for touching up and controlling oil during the day?

Ok, that's all, thanks in advance for your help. I just love MAC and makeup, but hate oily skin/acne and you seem like you really know a lot about how to handle both and still look pretty!!

Thanks!

[rush25]

What do you use for foundation/concealer? StudioFix? I started using Studio Fix ten years ago, it's the only powder/foundation I've loved consistently. I just can't ever get used to liquid foundations...used Hyper Real for a while. But, I started using Bare Minerals because I thought it might clear up my skin (made no difference). And I went back to Studio Fix. But, I just feel like the color I have right now is too orange (NW25) and I'm applying it with a brush --- a Sephora brush --- because the girl said I said I shouldn't use the pad, which I did for years, but now it looks to cakey and heavy. So should I try that brush you mentioned? Or will that not make much of a difference?

I use Studio Fix when I go to work or when I want more coverage. I use Clinique Clarifying Clear Skin Formula foundation when I'm not wearing Studio Fix....like when it's hot and humid here and when I'm going to class. Lately I've been wearing Clinique Clarifying five days a week and only Studio Fix when I go to work. I use MAC Studio Finish concealer with the 191 brush. If you like using sponges, use sponges. Just go buy some disposable sponges. Or use the MAC 187.

Also, I've been matched to so many different colors..everything from C2, C4 to NW25 and that's just what I have in my drawer now. What's up with that? Could my skin really change that much? I definitely know NW25 is not my color...it's way too obvious.

Your skin can change a lot from season to season. Right now I have three Studio Fixes in NW25, NW30, and NW35.

Are there any other MAC products you recommend for oily/acne-prone skin?

MAC Blot Powder.

And you put BP and moisturizer on before you put your foundation on? Doesn't that feel like you are just putting so much stuff on your skin? What BP do you use? Neutrogena or Dan's?

I use Dan's BP. And it doesn't really feel like I have much on my skin...not anymore than before I started the regimen. I put the BP on about 30 minutes before my moisturizer. I don't mean to wait that long, it just ends up that way.

And what moisturizer do you use? I just bought the mattifying one for my oily skin...not sure about it though.

I'm using Complex 15 right now because it's so humid outside and I get oily so fast. When it's not summer, I use Lac Hydrin 5.

And then after BP, moisturizer, you use blot powder on you T-Zone, right? And then foundation, (concealer?), and then Blot Powder again?

Yep. BP, Complex 15, Blot Powder on my t-zone, foundation, concealer if needed, Blot Powder again, bronzer, Fix+ spray.

And, one more question, my makeup is alway so GONE by the end of the day. I swear, I might as well have not worn any. Any tips for making it stay and for any tips for touching up and controlling oil during the day?

Using Blot Powder before your foundation helps a lot. And touching up with it throughout the day with Blot Powder controls oil during the day.

Ok, that's all, thanks in advance for your help. I just love MAC and makeup, but hate oily skin/acne and you seem like you really know a lot about how to handle both and still look pretty!!

Thanks!

[prettylady213]

Thanks Rush25,

That's really helpful. Ok, one more question, I promise: Is the brush for Studio Fix that you suggested worth it?

I mean, does it really make a big difference. Because I'm using a Sephora brush right now and it looks cakey.

[rush25]

The MAC 187 brush makes a huge difference for me. I love it. I don't know if it will make a difference for you. Because I don't know what brush you are using and I don't know how you apply it. You may be using too much product.

[prettylady213]

Do you use the Clinique Clarifying Powder or the actual cream foundation?

And Blot Powder Pressed or Loose? What's the benefit/purpose of either?

[cupcake31]

rush you are amazing!!! i swear i'm totally printing all your posts!! gosh ) tahnk you so much!!

[rush25]

Do you use the Clinique Clarifying Powder or the actual cream foundation?

And Blot Powder Pressed or Loose? What's the benefit/purpose of either?

I use the Clinique Clarifying Clear Skin Formula foundation (in the green tube). MAC Blot Powder is just used to blot away oil and shine. Think of it as blot paper in powder form...so it doesn't actually remove any of your current makeup (even though those stupid blotting papers claim not to remove makeup). I use it for touch ups during the day whenever I see a little shine.

[sephora28]

Another tip: I find that different foundations need to be applied in different ways. Powder foundations go on best, IMO, with a dry sponge or foundation brush. Thin, watery foundations go on best with a brush. Thick, ultra matte foundations go on best with a sponge in a dabbing* motion. That is just what I have experienced in my many years of MU application.

*yes, dabbing. Smear the foundation on your face and then dab it gently in with a damp sponge. A dry sponge will soak it all up and using stroking motions will too. I find that dabbing in the way I said soaks up only slightly more than a brush does. I just don't like brush for thicker foundations, lol.

[taylorbrooke.phil121]

From what I'm reading, you guys really know your stuff!...

I could use some help.



I'm ninteen years old. I live in Colorado Springs (very dry and bad for skin).
I definitely had my acne days, but *THANK GOD!* am pulling out of it now.
For years I never wore make up - I refused. Don't ask me why.

So I'm still a baby - and I mean premie - at this, and was hoping for some constructive criticism...

Here's what I currently do:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF15 morning and night
Cover Girl "clean makeup" lightweight coverage (120)
Cover Girl "clean" pressed powder (225)
Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quad (Designer Chocolates) using the chocolate brown as liner
Maybelline Volum' Express mascara
and chapstick

so now that i've embarassed myself, please let me explain.
As much as I would LOVE to stock up on some MAC or... anything not from WalMart, I am a student in an intense leadership academy and consequently have NO time for making money - and my parents are not in a financial position to be spending fifteen dollars on one thing of eyeshadow.

...SO... if anyone sees a MAJOR ABSOLUTE NEVER-DO in my ways (either something you see me doing - I have attatched a few photos of typical "me" makeup - or in product selection), please show me, and if there are still-cheap but better quality products to replace mine or just tips for me, I would forever be indebted to you for filling me in! or if there are a few MUST-HAVES that you HIGHLY recomend, I might be able to scrounge up somethin' and get it.

*be honest (brutally if necessary)*


THANK YOU in advance!

You guys are AWESOME!!!

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[sephora28]

oh! And people! You're neck is part of your face! IT is so bad to have a perfectly made up face and then have a blemished, splotchy neck under it. Necks need attention too!

From what I'm reading, you guys really know your stuff!...

I could use some help.



I'm ninteen years old. I live in Colorado Springs (very dry and bad for skin).
I definitely had my acne days, but *THANK GOD!* am pulling out of it now.
For years I never wore make up - I refused. Don't ask me why.

So I'm still a baby - and I mean premie - at this, and was hoping for some constructive criticism...

Here's what I currently do:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF15 morning and night
Cover Girl "clean makeup" lightweight coverage (120)
Cover Girl "clean" pressed powder (225)
Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quad (Designer Chocolates) using the chocolate brown as liner
Maybelline Volum' Express mascara
and chapstick

so now that i've embarassed myself, please let me explain.
As much as I would LOVE to stock up on some MAC or... anything not from WalMart, I am a student in an intense leadership academy and consequently have NO time for making money - and my parents are not in a financial position to be spending fifteen dollars on one thing of eyeshadow.

...SO... if anyone sees a MAJOR ABSOLUTE NEVER-DO in my ways (either something you see me doing - I have attatched a few photos of typical "me" makeup - or in product selection), please show me, and if there are still-cheap but better quality products to replace mine or just tips for me, I would forever be indebted to you for filling me in! or if there are a few MUST-HAVES that you HIGHLY recomend, I might be able to scrounge up somethin' and get it.

*be honest (brutally if necessary)*


THANK YOU in advance!

You guys are AWESOME!!!

u look okay, but I would invest in another foundation than clean. Clean is kinda known for breaking people out, *hum, gave me cysts*

[User15978]

From what I'm reading, you guys really know your stuff!...

I could use some help.



I'm ninteen years old. I live in Colorado Springs (very dry and bad for skin).
I definitely had my acne days, but *THANK GOD!* am pulling out of it now.
For years I never wore make up - I refused. Don't ask me why.

So I'm still a baby - and I mean premie - at this, and was hoping for some constructive criticism...

Here's what I currently do:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF15 morning and night
Cover Girl "clean makeup" lightweight coverage (120)
Cover Girl "clean" pressed powder (225)
Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quad (Designer Chocolates) using the chocolate brown as liner
Maybelline Volum' Express mascara
and chapstick

so now that i've embarassed myself, please let me explain.
As much as I would LOVE to stock up on some MAC or... anything not from WalMart, I am a student in an intense leadership academy and consequently have NO time for making money - and my parents are not in a financial position to be spending fifteen dollars on one thing of eyeshadow.

...SO... if anyone sees a MAJOR ABSOLUTE NEVER-DO in my ways (either something you see me doing - I have attatched a few photos of typical "me" makeup - or in product selection), please show me, and if there are still-cheap but better quality products to replace mine or just tips for me, I would forever be indebted to you for filling me in! or if there are a few MUST-HAVES that you HIGHLY recomend, I might be able to scrounge up somethin' and get it.

*be honest (brutally if necessary)*


THANK YOU in advance!

You guys are AWESOME!!!

WOW your really pretty and your skin is glowing!!! Your the girl with the blue eyes right?
Your makeup job looks really good and very natural! I would stick to it.

But maybe a slight change though? I agree with Sephora. The CG foundation you use now, i have heard it breaks people out. Maybe you would like to try mineral makeup (lol Sephora wont agree ) I use Everyday Minerals makeup ( www.everydayminerals.com ) Which is pure natural minerals in powder form and only contains 4 ingredients.

Also other mineral brands include Meow minerals, Aubrey Nicole minerals, Basics minerals, and Signature minerals, which most people here use on the board and love. Also Revlon Colourstay is a great liquid foundation. The Active one would be good for you, since you have a really nice skin and dont need to cover up much

[BabsDancer]

Rush, you are my favorite! haha, all of this stuff is so helpful. I hope you make good money at your job because you deserve it!

[Lexy604]

Good tips im so glad i get 50 percent off at MAC or i would be broke haha

[LauraLee]

Slow day at work today...so my co-workers and I compiled a list of makeup tips. All product names mentioned are obviously all MAC...and even more obviously you don't have to use MAC products for these tips but you can check out maccosmetics.com for reference of the product colors we're talking about. And I elaborated a little on MAC skincare products most people don't know about. I always love hearing makeup tips from other people (you can never have enough tips, right?), so hopefully someone finds something here useful.


The best way to wear bright eye shadows is to use a neutral brow highlight (like Shroom), a mid-tone brown in the crease (like Kid), and the bright eye shadow only on your lid. Very subtle!

Having trouble blending your eye shadow? Apply your crease color first, and then work from there. This will soften the harsh lines of the crease color.

Still having trouble blending eye shadows? Dip your blending brush is a little loose translucent powder before blending.

Use colored eyeliner (navy, dark purple, bronze) to line your top and bottom lash lines, then use jet black eye kohl to line the "outer V" of your lash line.

Bright pink blush (like Dollymix) is flattering on everyone! Just apply it very lightly.

A bronze smoky eye is 100 times sexier than a traditional black and gray smoky eye. Best bronze smoky eye products: Vanilla eye shadow (highlight), Honesty eye shadow (crease), Bronze eye shadow (lid), Naked Lunch (tear duct), Smolder Eye Kohl eyeliner, and two coats of mascara.

Use Shadesticks and Cream Color Bases under eye shadows and Pigments to modify the color.

Use iridescent powder to highlight cheekbones, brow bone, and tear duct. Instantly wakes up your face!

Apply bronzing powder underneath your chin and jaw to make your face appear thinner.

Use Paints and Fluidlines as eye shadow bases.

Using a contrasting color to line your lower lash line always make your eyes stand out!

A subtle wash of color is sometimes prettier than constantly wearing dark shadows. Try wearing Vex eye shadow on your lid, Beautiful Iris eye shadow in the crease, and Vanilla eye shadow to highlight.

Liquid eyeliner is ultra glam- but sometimes tricky. To fix any mistakes, use a Q-tip dipped in a non-greasy eye makeup remover and then use another Q-tip to fix any holes in your eye shadow.

Your brows are sisters, not twins! They don't have to be identical, just similar.

Use a brow powder and an angled brush to fill in brows. Looks more natural than brow pencils.

Be weary of using eye shadow to fill in your brows. Eye shadows commonly contain more oil than brow powders, so it is more likely to smudge and smear.

Mulch eye shadow + Blue Herizon Liquidlast Liner = HOT. Trust me.

Easy contouring: apply bronzing powder to the hollows of your cheeks, then blush to the apples of your cheeks, and an iridescent powder to your cheekbones.

If you want to add a little sparkle to your eyes but are weary of using shadows to line your eyes (or in my case, you believe that Softsparkle Pencils are gritty glittery sticks of evil), apply your regular non-waterproof eye liner, and then use an angle brush to apply a dark shimmery shadow (like Black Tied)...it will stick to the liner and give you a much more subtle shimmering eyeliner without being globs of glitter.

Never neglect your brows!! Always make sure your brows are well-groomed. Clean up, shape, fill in any holes with brow powder/pencil, and keep in place with brow wax. A nicely groomed brow really emphasizes your eyes and frames your face.

Cremestick Liners are so overlooked! These are cream-based (not wax-based!) highly pigmented and moisturizing lip liners. Apply a Cremestick Liner all over lips before applying a Lipglass.

In a hurry? Essential steps not to ignore: define brows, highlighter/iridescent powder beneath brow bone and tear duct, concealer, bronzing powder, and mascara.

Avoid the overuse of shimmery and frost-finish eye shadows. Use at least one matte or satin eye shadow in your everyday look.

Use Fix+ to set makeup.
(MAC Fix+ is a water based spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, and cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup)

After picking up eye shadow with a brush, spritz some Fix+ onto the brush before you apply the shadow. Really intensifies the eye shadow color!

Lip Conditioner can be used on dry spots on your eyelid and eyebrow. This really works!

Mix Strobe Cream with Blushcremes to make your cheeks glow.
(MAC Strobe Cream is a lightly moisturizing lotion packed with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. It enhances the effects of light on all skin and in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight. Use Strobe Cream on top of your moisturizer; it really shouldn't replace your face lotion.)

Mix Strobe Cream with your foundation.

Use Gilded White Eye Kohl on your eyelid and place eye shadow on top to intensify your eye shadow.

Also another use for Lip Conditioner (clear) is to use it on your brows to groom them and make them appear a little darker rather than filling them in.

Use clear packing tape to remove any oil spots you may get on your Studio Fix compact foundation or other compact face powders. Just place the tape over the spots, rub over gently and lift away

To help ensure your lipstick doesn't bleed, after you apply your lipstick, dip a Q-tip in loose powder and trace the outline of your lips

Use a highlighter above your cupid's bow (the spot above the center of your upper lip) for a plumper lip look.

Instead of contouring, trying just highlighting, as it looks more natural. Add a slight line of shimmer down the bridge to make it appear thinner.

Iridescent blue, pink, lavender, silver, or gold powder in the inner corner (tear duct) of the eye = well-rested eyes, no matter what else you're wearing with it.

When setting your foundation with powder, swirl your brush in the powder, tap off excess, and blot on face softly, don't "brush" it on... it really makes a difference.

For blending in the crease, use a circular motion. When you just drag the brush across the crease, you end up with a big racing stripe...not so cute. So start with running it across, but on the outer edge, use small circular motion to blend, blend, blend.

Sprinkle some Vanilla pigment in Fix+ spray. Makes your face look so supple!

Mix metallic eye shadows. Use a charcoal silver eye shadow (like Silver Ring) in the crease with shimmering gold eye shadow on the lid (like Retrospect). Absolutely gorgeous and so sexy.

Use Cleanse-Off Oil before using your facial cleanser. It removes all makeup without drying skin. It's oil-based but does not contain mineral oil, so it would clog pores or irritate skin!

Thanks for all of the wonderful tips! I am addicted to MAC! For a while, MAC products had a bad rap--people said that they caused breakouts. At the suggestion of a friend, I purchased Studio Fix, a concealor stick, and bronzer from MAC. It hasn't broken me out. I still have mild hormonal acne but that certainly can't be blamed on MAC.