Foundation, concealer?!?!

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

So lately i've been feeling UGLY! Not because I think i'm ugly but because of my make up. . . I hate that I only look great the first hour, and I just look sick and skinny afterwards. I hate!! I want to look natural and Dewey all day.

Anyone have good suggestions for makeup? Concealer that will vanish my under eye circles, and a foundation that will cover and last long?

[Guest Nova Maria]

If you have oily or combination skin or you live somewhere humid, you can't be dewy all day. Sorry. I, personally, think that a dewy finish is totally overrated.

I would recommend a good matte liquid. My favorite is Revlon ColorStay for Combination/Oily skin. I buy it at the grocery store for about $7 a bottle. With a dusting of translucent powder on top, I stay matte for about five hours before I need to touch up.

It generally doesn't work well to use a normal redness concealer for under eye circles. Why? Because normal concealers have a lot of blue pigments to counteract redness. Under eye circles are generally cool-colored, so a cool-colored concealer won't do anything! Look for orange or yellow-looking concealers to block the blues.

I think it's always a good idea to chat with the girls at Ulta or Sephora. They're trained to be sensitive to all clients, so they're generally more trans-friendly than the counter girl at Dillards or something. They're also paid commission.

But the key to looking beautiful is FEELING beautiful!!! Telling yourself that you're pretty just as important as any cosmetic.

[Guest shadowghost21]

And this coming from a woman who lives the great state of Colorado

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I still love my Covergirl+Olay foundation. As far as concealer goes, I used to use CoverGirl. That under my foundation worked pretty well.

[Guest ~DeeDee~]

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2226374&productId=xlsImpprod2910019&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80020&CAWELAID=745794076

I don't use it, bu it does work.

This is what I use

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2218555&productId=xlsImpprod2210053&navAction=push&navCount=1

I live in the Southern most State Capitol in the U.S., no NOLA, but it gets warm more often than cool by a long shot.

[Guest ~DeeDee~]

I meant to add this to my previous post but. . . . . . . .

So lately i've been feeling UGLY! Not because I think i'm ugly but because of my make up. . . I hate that I only look great the first hour, and I just look sick and skinny afterwards. I hate!! I want to look natural and Dewey all day. Anyone have good suggestions for makeup? Concealer that will vanish my under eye circles, and a foundation that will cover and last long?

If you want to keep that first hour look.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Foundation and concealer is EVERYTHING! Perhaps get a makeover - and ask how to get your makeup to perform like you want it.

Personally? MAX - and it's expensive, and it is fabulous! I use a mineral base because it allows the pores to breath. Dab it on with a proper makeup brush, never brush it on.

Also, if you are not yet on HRT, male hormones make your skin greasier - not oilier, just greasy!

Lizzy

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Nova: Actually I think you were right I bought a new concealer made especially for undereye! Ill try it tommarow! I think that might be the problem! ALSO I was at Macys the other day and I say this spray at Urban Decay that's especially made to make you Dewey, I wanna save up for it!

Lizzie: I was useing covergirl concealer a while back, but I had the same problem it would not cover me at all

Elizabeth: I've heard about that, do they only sell it online? I don't know were, but o heard they only sell it in Europe! its really funny actually i've been on hormones for 3 years, and I feel I looked 100x better in the beginning. When I started HRT I would only use mascara, subtle eyeliner, and concealer. . No anything else! Now I use foundation, mineral powder, concealer, heavy eyeshadows, and I can't manage to look like I once did >.< lol

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Aly:

Hey, I'm on board with Lizzy. Using a high-quality, mineral-based foundation/concealer is wise and effective. Mind you, I've not had the first minute of electrolysis or laser treatment, and I pass very well ... using Clarins (Teint Lumiere Effet Naturel) (this is made in Paris, France) / SPF 10 Natural Radiance Foundation / 110 (Honey) Skin Illusion Mineral & Plant Extracts. This is quite pricey but very well worth it.

It is in lightly-viscous liquid form. I apply it with my fingertips using VERY LITTLE of the foundation itself, because a little goes a very long way. I first wet the two fingers I use to apply the foundation. Then, I put a tiny dab of the foundation on each fingertip and work it in semi-circles on a quadrant of my face roughly spreading it. Then, I wet my fingertips and smooth the foundation by tapping and then stroking lightly with my fingertips until I'm satisfied. Doing it this way (which I discovered by thinking and experimental going against all advice from makeup professionals) works splendidly well and totally eliminates "the pasty look" that results from the traditional ways of applying the foundation.

Mind you, I have a heavy beard. Naturally, I shave closely TWICE before apply the foundation. At nearly 2.5 years on HRT now, my skin is very soft and delicate, so after two go-arounds of close shaving, applying the foundation tends to sting significantly; however, no biggie. You get used to it. Using very-high-quality foundation (and this stuff really is) actually replenishes and rejuvenates my severely-shaven skin in a short time.

When I had my professional makeover (nearly a year ago), I was immensely dissatisfied with the results. Then and there, I decided to adopt the more-is-less philosophy and go for a natural look. I do not do anything with my eyebrows other than keep them nicely trimmed. Don't do eye pencil. Don't do diddly with my forehead. No need.

With your youth and your beauty, I believe the more natural look would way rock for you too; however, it's your choice! Hopefully, this has been of some help to you!

Finally, I go with very-high-quality blush and lipstick too ... you'd be amazed at what a difference it makes ... a difference you can both see and feel. Do what works for you, girl!

Peace & Joy Lacey Lynne

[MackenzieB]

I believe that a high quality foundation is essential. I currently use Studio Gear but prior to that I was a stalwart MAC customer for years. In the purse I carry Trucco (Sephora). I think that on the eye shadows and such I can do drug store cosmetics but for me it pays off to buy the better foundation products. They just last longer.

[VickySGV]

For foundation, I use Derma Blend (its a L'Oreal product that stands alone) in both the Cream and or the Smooth Indulgence liguid. The cream type is good for a full 18 hours for me the other is about 12 max, but can be retouched. Takes out my old age wrinkles and lower face bristle blemishes nicely. During the summer when I get sweaty, I will use their setting powder to hold things together.

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Kenzie and Vicky have got that right!

Sephora is a GREAT place to buy cosmetics!!! Yeah, they're pricey, but they're worth it ... many fold!!! Moreover, the parent company is French, the associates are tremendously-well trained, and, best of all, this company is VERY transgender-friendly! Sephora rocks!

Many of you are young and cannot throw around a lot of money on cosmetics. We old-timers DO understand this! We were young once too (... but nobody believes us! ...) and remember having limited resources. Some of the inexpensive cosmetics ARE very good! Do your research on Google. One good way is to search for ratings/opinions on a product you are considering.

Having a "clean and classy" look of refinement and taste speaks volumes to the general public whenever they see us. This look very much helps eliminate the caricature people have of us from shows like Jerry Springer and the like. This is why I dress to the nines in a style I call Understated Elegance and do my makeup that way too. I believe in the less-is-more philosophy of makeup use. Works well for me. Others do well with heavy makeup. It's your call all the way. Do what suits you; however, you can't go wrong having a "clean and classy" look. Just my opinion.

So, whenever you can afford to do so, spend the money on first-rate cosmetic products and most especially foundation/concealer! Personally, I don't do anything with eyebrows and do far less with eyes that nearly everybody on here. That's just me though. You'll never catch me in a dress either. I'd look like heck in one, and I know so. Thus, I stick with jeans, crops and shorts. Shorts really work for me! Find what really works for you! Then: WORK IT!!! Whoowee, baby!!! Strut your stuff!!!

Peace & Joy Lacey Lynne

Okay, okay, okay! So, I'm shameless! Hey, I agree!

[Guest NatashaJade]

I use Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder...it combines concealer and foundation. It goes on very easy and doesn't make me look like I'm wearing an extra coat of paint...it does a very nice job under my eyes as well. I swear by the stuff.

xoxo

[~Nova~]

I don't wear any of that stuff, just a very light touch of powder to smooth the skin. I throw it in my purse with a small brush and just touch up mid day. I found all that heavy make up made me look to made up.

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

Soooooo I finally bought new makeup today!

I don't mean to offend anyone when I say this. . but all my Sephora experiences havents been super. I mean I have no complaints with the products. . Its just the people that work there. They never seem interested in what they're doing. So I was going to buy a Sephora powdered foundation. I didn't like it looked yellow and I left :/. So I went to my personal favorite. . The Macys cosmetic counter (;. So I bought the powdered foundation from Clinique. I also bought my primer :3

I kind of gave up on the Dewey look >.>. . Its to hard to achieve.

[Guest JennX]

Sephora... I have had similar experiences. The people who work there could care less about being helpful. I think they get awards and raises based on how rude and snooty they can act towards customers. I've been to several different stores, in several different states, but this atmosphere of blowing off the customer seems to prevail. They are also totally clue-less about the products they sell.

Back on topic...

MAC Studio Fix

MUFE HD

Both are great.

[Carolyn Marie]

I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with the Sephora staff. Guess I just lucked out. My only complaint is that when they run out of something, it seems to take forever for them to get more.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest AlyTheGreatAngel]

I've used MAC studio fix, I liked it, but I feel it ruined my skin just a bit. Maybe it wasn't right for my skin. I liked that it was thick and simple to use. I like makeup that has great coverage, and that's SIMPLE.

Also I want the Orgasm blush now >.> lol