Susan's Place Transgender Resources

General Discussions => Help and howto's => Topic started by: TheBattler on October 05, 2006, 06:09:33 PM

Title: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: TheBattler on October 05, 2006, 06:09:33 PM
Hi all,

A quick question. Is it worth investing in good (expensive) foundation?

I am worried that for the ball this weekend my current foundation will not last the night. It is cheap foundation that I brought from priceline. Should I look at something that will last on my face a lot longer (hopfully the whole night).

Alice
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: stephanie_craxford on October 05, 2006, 07:49:08 PM
Quote from: Alice on October 05, 2006, 06:09:33 PM
Hi all,

A quick question. Is it worth investing in good (expensive) foundation?

I am worried that for the ball this weekend my current foundation will not last the night. It is cheap foundation that I brought from priceline. Should I look at something that will last on my face a lot longer (hopfully the whole night).

Alice

Most definitely Alice.  in cosmetics you generally get what you pay for and to get better quality you will probably need to spend more money.  For myself I use Clinique cosmetics and while they are expensive they do last me the entire day, and in the evening I would normally re-apply as evening light is obviously different from day light so I need more highlights.

Having said that when it comes to cosmetics it basically comes down to what looks and works for the individual, so you're going to have to experiment.  Now the best way to do that is to go to the cosmetic counters in the larger department stores where they do free make overs and consultations.  Where I go they only require that you purchase something afterwards, even if it's a small thing.  It sure beats spending a small fortune on products that don't work for you.

Steph
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: Buffy on October 05, 2006, 09:08:09 PM
Quote from: Alice on October 05, 2006, 06:09:33 PM
Hi all,

A quick question. Is it worth investing in good (expensive) foundation?

I am worried that for the ball this weekend my current foundation will not last the night. It is cheap foundation that I brought from priceline. Should I look at something that will last on my face a lot longer (hopfully the whole night).

Alice

Absolutely Alice.

I use tinted moisturiser on a daily basis, but have invested in some expensive foundation for social events and business meetings.

I have some Clinique foundation and concealer which is easy to apply and long lasting, as Steph said you pay for what you get.

I first clean my face with a good cleanser, then with a clarifying lotion. Moisturise (with a good moisturiser) and then use a small sponge to apply the foundation, working from the centre of the face out towards the hair. Apply concealer to any blemishes with a small brush and blend in, especially under the eyes. Then add any blusher to the cheeks etc.

Good make up is essential for better coverage.

Buffy
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: Claire on October 06, 2006, 01:26:23 AM
I will also add a very resounding Yes to the chorus. :)

In my monthly TG support group not too long ago, I met someone who came in after a long day's work. Her makeup was running quite badly due to the heat, to the point of distinctly uncovering some beard shadow. I really really felt for her. :( Fast forward a few weeks after that, I was driving up to meet my gatekeeper psychiatrist in another city (it's a 3-4 hour drive each way) and it was a scorching hot day - about two hours in, I realized that I was starting to sweat rather profusely. Visions of having my makeup running all over the place flashed through my mind. Fortunately, through good quality cosmetics and judicious aiming of the air-conditioning vents, I managed to keep everything together for the entire day without touch-ups or reapplications. So, long story short, yes, it's worth it! :)

I use MAC cosmetics but I am looking for cheaper alternatives for everyday use. Like Buffy, first I clean my face - among other things, this prevents the sponges and cosmetics from getting contaminated by bacteria from the face. Then I apply either an oil-free moisturizer or a moisturizing non-comedogenic sunscreen, followed by foundation, concealer, blush and powder. I usually apply as little as possible, ensuring that I blend the foundation into the jawline to prevent the mask-line appearance.

Oh, having the shade of the foundation accurately match your skintone is important too. Unfortunately, this definitely requires the help of someone from the cosmetics counter.

Hope that helps, and have fun at the ball!

Claire
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: TheBattler on October 06, 2006, 03:58:51 AM
Well I brought some nice fondation for the weekend. I guess I will slowly increase my makeup selection.

Alice
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: Kate on October 06, 2006, 06:50:58 AM
If you need to cover up beard shadow, DermaBlend is probably the best stuff around. It's not exactly a "cosmetic" makeup though - it's meant to cover up scars and such. Still, when used correctly (warm it up a bit first, pat it on with fingers, be *sure* to powder afterwards), it works well and stays on forEVER.

With any foundation though, powder seems to be they key to making it last.

Applying a yellowish tint coverup stick first can also reduce the blue-ish tint of a beard.
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: Kendall on October 06, 2006, 07:51:49 AM
I agree that for nice events or important things yes picking up some pricier foundation  is a good idea, as long as you either get help or know exactly what would work the very best for you.

If you skin changes shade any (go from light skin in winter to tan in summer) it will move around some. So something you buy one month might be different another.

If your just experimenting which I like to do a lot, I have some very cheap foundations (around 15 different ones).

My favorite foundation I use most is in a tube that adjusts like a lipstick.
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: Melissa on October 06, 2006, 08:31:09 AM
First of all, good Foundation can really make a difference.  Like Steph, I also use Clinique.

Quote from: Steph on October 05, 2006, 07:49:08 PM
Now the best way to do that is to go to the cosmetic counters in the larger department stores where they do free make overs and consultations.  Where I go they only require that you purchase something afterwards, even if it's a small thing.  It sure beats spending a small fortune on products that don't work for you.

If your willing to take a risk, you could get this done earlier in the day before your event.  If you want to minimize the risk, get it done earlier in the day and if it looks bad, then you can always redo it yourself.

Melissa
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: ssindysmith on October 06, 2006, 03:24:24 PM
Clinique is probally the best solution for a full day without any touch-up or reapliactions, good advice given here clean your skin mosturize your skin, DO NOT GET INTO A RUSH take your time and do it right, when I first started using makeup it took well over an hour for me to get the just right look, now for a quick outing maybe 30 minutes but an all nighter still takes me almost an hour. If you are fair skinned as I am a very very important step is removal at the end of the day, don't just crash for the night with a face full of makeup you might end up with a face full of blemishes the next day.
Title: Re: Is it worth investing in good fiundation?
Post by: LostInTime on October 10, 2006, 02:42:31 PM
I do all day makeup on the cheap.

I use Covergirl cosmetics.  Foundation is the AquaSmooth in Ivory.  I also use their waterproof mascara.  CG Blush and Maybelline eyeshadow.  The powder I use is a no name brand from a long time ago but it does fine.  I have to use a makeup remover to get all of it off.  One days I want to leave my lips alone I also use the Covergirl Outlast lipcolour.  I have had this makeup stand up to my being in a 104 degree + hot tub without it running at all (also did not dunk my head under <G>).  I have seen what happens to those who keep their cheap makeup on when using a hot tub, not a pretty site at all.