Need Advice on makeup purchases!

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

Hi all! I'm planning on purchasing these items, none of which I've ever bought before so I need advice on which brands are good. Please help!

gel moisturizer (as opposed to a creamy one)
waterproof foundation
stippling brush
eyelid primer
false lashes

Thanks in advance!

[Sally888]

MAC MAC AND MAC lol

[Sally888]

Go to a MAC let them pretty you up, try it out go from there.

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

How much would you estimate would all 5 items cost? An arm? A leg? My firstborn? lol

[mimi-]

i recommend Garnier's Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream. it's got a lovely watery texture and absorbs very well. there's also a $2 off on their fb. for eye primer, i'd go with urban decay's primer potion. it's pricey but it's makes the eyeshadow last very long and appear more vibrant. false lashes can be bought on ebay for $1 shipped for a box for 10 pairs if you are looking for mediocre quality. make you get a good glue like ardell. i don't use much foundation and brushes so i don't have a recommendation. but i agree with sally, you can't go wrong with mac except maybe the price lol. hard candy is a lower end brand worth looking into. it can be found at walmart but they used to be sold at sephora. their products are pretty high quality but they don't have a lot of shades

[mle]

I can't really recommend many of those as I feel I haven't yet tried enough products to really give you a good recommendation. But, you can browse websites like http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Both websites list prices, allow you to pruchase online, and have reviews by customers for you to read. As for costs, from looking up the products:

Gel moisturizer- from looking it up, higher end products can be around $30.
Waterproof foundation - Around $40
Stippling brush - Higher end professional one around $30; cheaper E.L.F. (http://www.eyeslipsface.com) brush is $3
Eyelid primer - I've heard a lot of good things about Urban Decay's primer potion which costs around $20
False lashes - Mac's lashes are around $15

Total cost will probably be around $100-150 if you choose all or mostly high end products. Just look for good sales! And you can visit stores in person of course to test products if there happen to be better sales online or something. If you go the drugstore product route you definitely can get the costs under $100. This is just from looking them up, but I'm sure some makeup savvy ladies on here can help you out on the right products & cost tips!

[kanda]

MAC MAC AND MAC lol

Totally agree. I've used almost every brand of cosmetics in existance from cheap cheap to high end and I always come back to MAC.

[stabmyhead]

I'm opposed to MAC because it's the only foundation I've bought that's made me break out and I have tried a lot of different brands. Also, I find their makeup very heavy and it FEELS like you're wearing makeup.

For gel moisturizer cream, I second Mimi's recommendation for Garnier's Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream. It's very light weight and feels cool on your skin - great for the summer time. Also seconding her recommendation for Urban Decay Primer Potion. Works great, nice and creamy.

I don't wear fake lashes and have never had a lot of luck putting them on. I would opt instead for semi permanent ones that last for 1-2 months.

If you have sensitive skin, I recommend Clinique's Superfit Foundation. It's breathable, very fluid and oil-free. All Clinique's line are fragrance free, allergy tested/hypoallergenic, etc. I don't know what you're planning on doing, I have never swam in it before though.

Other ones I like are: Makeup Forever - Matte Velvet and Stila - One Step.

[Sally888]

It depends on your skin though, I have super sensitive skin and clinique bothers me and not mac...

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

Thanks everyone for all the great info! This is for a bachelorette party. I have combination skin that's why I want the gel moisturizer so my skin won't feel greasy and then the waterproof foundation + eyelid primer so the makeup won't melt off my face after all night partying. As for the false lashes, that's just for fun I think I'll go to a SDM with a Beauty Boutique for this weekend's 18500 pts wub $75, and then whatever they don't have I'll go to the MAC counter at The Bay. Wish me luck!

[RunwayRed]

Hey!! So if your goal is to have your makeup last longer i suggest 2 products that you dont mention that have been woring for me all summer, and even by the end of the workday my makeup still looks pristine!!
1) So i first use a serum (genefique by lancome) but this is wehre you can easily substitute for you gel moisturizer.
2) Then i put a face primer all over the dried serum. This basically evens out your skin, fills in pores and any lines you may have so not only does the foundation go on more evenly, but it also stays out much longer. Im using Benefit POREfessional (Sephoa/ some SDM's) , but a really good cheaper version is GOSH (at SDM)
3) Then its on to foundation- i dont like the "cakey" look, so I use a tinted moisturizer, and i use a beauty blender sponge instead of a brush, this provides a very even and perfect finish (almost like air-brushed).
4) then i use a bit of bronzer/ highlighter, and blush
5) THIS IS KEY!! once all mymakeup is on, i use Urban Decay "ALL NIGHTER", this is a setting spray which you mist all over your face (about 3-4 sprays)- it dries very quickly. I was hesitant about this at first, because i though it would feel too sticky or i couldnt move my face or something, but i dont feel it at all!! And normally in the summer months by 4pm my makeup looks like its melting off my face! But this is the most amazing solution!!

I hope this helps!

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

Thanks for your input! A couple questions:

1) So i first use a serum (genefique by lancome) but this is wehre you can easily substitute for you gel moisturizer.
2) Then i put a face primer all over the dried serum. This basically evens out your skin, fills in pores and any lines you may have so not only does the foundation go on more evenly, but it also stays out much longer. Im using Benefit POREfessional (Sephoa/ some SDM's) , but a really good cheaper version is GOSH (at SDM)

I have La Base Pro primer by Lancome and I'll look into the Génifique serum. How much is that?

5) THIS IS KEY!! once all mymakeup is on, i use Urban Decay "ALL NIGHTER", this is a setting spray which you mist all over your face (about 3-4 sprays)- it dries very quickly. I was hesitant about this at first, because i though it would feel too sticky or i couldnt move my face or something, but i dont feel it at all!! And normally in the summer months by 4pm my makeup looks like its melting off my face! But this is the most amazing solution!!

Is this similar to Mac Fix +?

[annedougherty]

Thanks everyone for all the great info! This is for a bachelorette party. I have combination skin that's why I want the gel moisturizer so my skin won't feel greasy and then the waterproof foundation + eyelid primer so the makeup won't melt off my face after all night partying. As for the false lashes, that's just for fun I think I'll go to a SDM with a Beauty Boutique for this weekend's 18500 pts wub $75, and then whatever they don't have I'll go to the MAC counter at The Bay. Wish me luck!

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer. They should sell it at every SDM, not just the Beauty Boutiques. I normally buy the Urban Decay Primer Potion, but I was redeeming so I thought I'd try the Benefit. Eyeshadow and liner stays in tact straight through to the next day.

[anisa]

well one very important thing to remember is that not all expensive products are the best, and not all of the best products are the most expensive.

also, the bigger companies out there own multiple brands.


i break out with everything. i have the most finnicky skin.
i remember trying some gel moisturizer many years back that was $35, not overly impressed by the product. i used loreal's as well, not overly impressed.

the one i have been using for about 5 years is awesome!!!! i never ever break out, it's never greasy, it's perfectly moisturizing.
http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/...l/moisturizers

for pores, i exfoliate and that has made oodles of difference in my skin.
http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/...aha-exfoliants
and
http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/...aha-exfoliants
(for the body but i use it on my face when needed, no problems whatsoever.

i find once my skin is looking good with no breakouts and smooth feel i use a sheer foundation with spf
http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/...-20/Complexion

for eyelid primer i use a really good stay-put concealer. it doesn't shift or crease, and my eyeshadow stays put and looks better.


honestly these are products i have used for a few years and no complaints, i am not ever tempted to look at dept store or drug store products anymore.

i also use antioxidants.

this is a link to a really good source of product info and reviews.

http://www.beautypedia.com/AdvancedSearch.aspx

also lists of the best products

http://www.beautypedia.com/BestProducts.aspx

[blizz_27]

I was looking for a stippling brush as well ... from all the reviews I read, most people highly recommend the MAC one (comes in 2 sizes, i prefer the smaller one... cant remember the #). the Quo version isn't bad, but in some of the reviews I read, people complained about it shedding and the colour bleeding. As well, the brush is a bit bigger ... so it has been suggested that you tie an elastic band around the bristles so its more dense.