two makeup questions

[Alyssa M.]

So I've been experimenting with makeup a little, which is, well, hard, and I have two slightly dumb questions:

First, what do you use to take off makeup? I mean, it's nice that foundation or eye makeup or whatever stays on -- but what works well to remove it at the end of the day?

Second, should I go to my local Sephora store? I ask because my sister recommended them, saying that they have good customer service, and give tips, match colors, teach you how to use all the products, etc. Has anyone had experienced there?

Thanks all,

~Alyssa

[TamTam]

Makeup remover. 🙂 There's generally separate kinds for eye makeup and for rest-of-the-face makeup, since the eyes are more sensitive.  There's all different kinds.. there's liquids, there's creams, there's pre-moistened pads and wipes.. for eye makeup remover I like something with aloe, just so it won't irritate as much.

Sephora is nice and pretty and has a wide selection, but is also relatively expensive overall if you actually buy anything.

[tekla]

Question one.... Neutrogena Make-up Remover

Number two - they are good, but very expensive.  But good.

[joannatsf]

I like Neutragena, too.  Baby wipes work amazingly well.

I've been very happy with the service at Nordstrom's Lancome counter and MAC has good service, too.  Letting you try things on is very valuable.  Drug store brands get much more expensive when you count the things you've bought that didn't quite work out, especially lipsticks.

http://www.makeupalley.com 🔗 has product reviews of just about anything you can think of.

[tekla]

The self-standing MAC store I go to (on Fillmore) is awesome.

[Just Mandy]

Baby wipes work great and smell really good too 🙂 I love the Mac foundations but I
don't think that any of the premium brands of eye shadow/mascara/liner/blush work any
better than the drugstore brands. If you stick with Covergirl eye shadows and Great
Lash mascara you won't spend a fortune and you can try out different colors and looks.
But I highly recommend that you splurge on the foundation, the quality makes a huge
difference. Mac has two products that work well to cover, Studio Fix and Full Coverage.
Both are thick if you need to cover beard areas and both look natural. And be sure to finish
with loose translucent powder(any brand). There are a million things to learn but you'll have
the time of your life experimenting.

Mac stores or any of the premium mall stores will help you out with color choices etc. If you can
go during the day they will be a lot less crowded than nights or weekends and you will get
better service.

A good forum for lots of help and tips is makeuptalk.com.

Amanda

[joannatsf]

Baby wipes work great and smell really good too 🙂 I love the Mac foundations but I
don't think that any of the premium brands of eye shadow/mascara/liner/blush work any
better than the drugstore brands. If you stick with Covergirl eye shadows and Great
Lash mascara you won't spend a fortune and you can try out different colors and looks.
But I highly recommend that you splurge on the foundation, the quality makes a huge
difference. Mac has two products that work well to cover, Studio Fix and Full Coverage.
Both are thick if you need to cover beard areas and both look natural. And be sure to finish
with loose translucent powder(any brand). There are a million things to learn but you'll have
the time of your life experimenting.

Mac stores or any of the premium mall stores will help you out with color choices etc. If you can
go during the day they will be a lot less crowded than nights or weekends and you will get
better service.

A good forum for lots of help and tips is makeuptalk.com.

Amanda

I've gotten away from foundation lately.  I use a little powder on my t-zone for daily wear.  If I'm going out in full war paint I use Kryolan Ultra.  It will stay on unril you take it off.  Mascara is very personal, that's why there are so many different kinds.  It's really all about the brush.  I got a sample of Lancome Defencils and was hooked.

[Just Mandy]

I've gotten away from foundation lately.  I use a little powder on my t-zone for daily wear.  If I'm going out in full war paint I use Kryolan Ultra.  It will stay on unril you take it off.  Mascara is very personal, that's why there are so many different kinds.  It's really all about the brush.  I got a sample of Lancome Defencils and was hooked.

You must have really great skin Claire 🙂 I may try the Lancome Defencils sometime, thanks for the tip 🙂

Once I get used to a certain brush it just works... I've bought nice Mac brushes for powder, etc and they are OK
but it's hard to justify the cost. Makeup is one of the worst items sold to women.... over-marketed and over-priced.

But we sure do look good

Amanda

[Janet_Girl]

Question One:  Noxzema or Baby Oil.  I will have to try the baby wipes.

Question Two: I am a Revlon girl.  Foundation is Color Stay.  Stays put and covers well.  My beard is no longer a problem to hide.  But I do even out my tone.  Blush and eye shadow is also Revlon.  Mascara is Lash Out by Lereal.  I need help with my lashes, they are not as full as I would like.  My eyes are my best feature.

[Constance]

Question One:  Noxzema or Baby Oil.  I will have to try the baby wipes.

Question Two: I am a Revlon girl.  Foundation is Color Stay.  Stays put and covers well.  My beard is no longer a problem to hide.  But I do even out my tone.  Blush and eye shadow is also Revlon.  Mascara is Lash Out by Lereal.  I need help with my lashes, they are not as full as I would like.  My eyes are my best feature.

When choosing a foundation to cover your beard shadow, do you choose a color that's about the same as your skin tone, lighter, or darker?

[Janet_Girl]

It match my skin tone.  And I dont have much of a beard any more thanks to laser.  And I use a foundation brush, not a sponge.

If you have a heavier shadow, go lighter first and then match your skin tone.  If it is really dark or blueish, use a reddish lipstick for cover.  Yes lipstick, the color will offset the blueish color.

[joannatsf]

I've gotten away from foundation lately.  I use a little powder on my t-zone for daily wear.  If I'm going out in full war paint I use Kryolan Ultra.  It will stay on unril you take it off.  Mascara is very personal, that's why there are so many different kinds.  It's really all about the brush.  I got a sample of Lancome Defencils and was hooked.

You must have really great skin Claire 🙂 I may try the Lancome Defencils sometime, thanks for the tip 🙂

Once I get used to a certain brush it just works... I've bought nice Mac brushes for powder, etc and they are OK
but it's hard to justify the cost. Makeup is one of the worst items sold to women.... over-marketed and over-priced.

But we sure do look good

Amanda

Most of the cost of make-up is in those double page ads in women's and fashion magazines!  Kryolan is a real bargain but it's hard to find.  Their North American HQ is in SF so I'm lucky on that one.  I don't think my skin is that great but I do work at it.  A pro make up artist once told me the best foundation is good skin.  I have a facial routine of cleanser, peel, exfoliant and moisturizers and sun block (whew).    I don't use it all everyday thank goodness.  I like Body Shop products which are quite reasonable given the quality.

Heavy make up draws attention and my passing strategy is to blend in as much as possible.  I'm just another girl on the bus! 

BTW, I consider good quality brushes a necessity.  MAC's liner brush is awesome!

[luv2Bfem]

 Sephora is great! Though, I have found that it mostly depends on the girl working at any make-up counter. Some stores are helpful and nice while others won't even acknowledge I'm there.
Personally I use Estee Lauder. They can be found at any higher end store and they have been really good to me. I have been invited to sit down while they find the right foundation tone for me. They have also done my eyes in several different colors and applied just as many lip stick shades and then the girls wrote down what looked best on me and gave me the card for future reference.

I tend to be brand loyal so I use Estee face wash, make remover and so on. I also have products from Lancome, MAC and Sephora. I just kept trying different stores and cosmetic counters until I found the one's that acted like they wanted my business. They get paid on comission, so once I'm treated like a real women I go back and reward them. I now have a couple different sales ladies who call me at home and tell me of specials and new products and invite me to stop by and try them out. I love dressing up and sitting in Macy's while beautiful women do my make-up!!!

[Gracie Faise]

I just scrub my face with water and soap in the shower.

[gina]

Baby wipes work great and smell really good too 🙂

Amanda

I agree with you with the baby wipes,    they remove just about all of the makeup, you might just need a touch up with some baby oil for some of the more difficult areas. I use the brand (Wet Ones Moist Wipes with Vitamin E & Aloe) its very cheap and easy to locate  in larger stores like Walmart ect. 

gina

[StephanieC]

I'm a person that just uses cheap cold cream to remove makeup...although I do have some liquid eye makeup remover too. I'm still experimenting with cosmetic companies and have tried Lancome, Revlon mostly

[barbie]

I use foam cleansers, which are popular among women in my country. Also, foam cleansers for men are increasingly popular. There are numerous brands, and the price ranges is wide (US $3 to $30 per bottle), but I think the effect is nearly the same.

I usually apply sun creams and infrequently wear foundation. A problem is that I can not clean my face when I am drunken at night. I clean my face next morning. So far, no problem in my face, but sun cream companies advise that we should use a special removing cream. Everyday I massage my face with ice. The effect is great! Strange and special removing cream became unnecessary for me.

Barbie~~

[Hypatia]

For removal I depend on Garnier detoxifying wet towelettes 🔗 [Link: garniernutritioniste.com/en/]. They're inexpensive, they make the job simple and neat, my skin likes them, and they smell nice. I can't stand the smell of baby wipes. At Target they usually package a freebie of some other Garnier skin care product along with the towelettes.

[Suzy]

I started out with Cover Girl and that worked pretty well.  And the price was right.  Recently, the owner of the salon where I sometimes go turned me on to Bio Fond foundation.  This stuff is amazing and it is really good for the face.  It does not feel heavy, but it covers like nothing else I have worn.  Around here, it is the same stuff as the news anchors use.  You need no concealer at all with it.  You can find it at beauty supply places and a few online stores.  It is expensive, but last a very long time because you will rarely need more than one layer. 

At the risk of repeating other posts, you need to make sure you start with a close shave.  First, exfoliate your skin.  Then use a good razor.  I like to use one with five blades.  And I use Noxzema shave gel, the Hair Minimizing kind. 

As far as removal, I like baby wipes, too, followed by the pads  The ones by Almay work well at getting eye liner off, at least for me.

Hope this helps!

Kristi

[Ellieka]

I absolutely love Sephora! I'll never go anyplace else as long as I can afford it. They have this excellent facial cleanser called Purity. Its not too terribly expensive and it only takes a small dime sized amount to remove all makeup. Its nice and gentle around the eyes as well.