MetaChat - Team Vag:

I like Aveda. Wish it were cheaper.

posted by Miko 07 April | 09:32

I particularly like to hear about lip gloss, because I'm totally obsessed- I carry about 10 in my purse at all times.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 09:32

Cool, thanks for the recommendation - I've been shopping for a new powder. I'm using L'Oreal AirWear, which is fine for winter, but I want something a little lighter and less opaque for spring.

Also crazy about Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Nutmeg and Max Factor Lash Enhancer (nice, natural look and doesn't flake).

After years of searching, I finally found the perfect oil-free moisturizer: Origins Have a Nice Day.

posted by go dog go 07 April | 09:33

Heh, I was coming here to say that I like aveda lip gloss, thus combining the two previous comments.

posted by gaspode 07 April | 09:33

I like Bare Escentuals - again a mineral powder. I use the 'Light' mixed with a tiny bit of 'Warmth' with the 'Mineral Veil' over it and it's the only makeup where people have commented on how good my skin looks.

And, TPS, although guys say they prefer women who don't wear makeup, what they really mean is that they prefer women who look as if they don't wear makeup.

posted by essexjan 07 April | 09:34

Oooh, what a nice girly thread. Let's have a pillow fight, paint our toenails and crank-call jonmc.

posted by go dog go 07 April | 09:34

(or not quite)

Ummm smashbox photo finish, for when you're going all out with makeup. I think you can put it under your foundation or wear it alone and it is really good and de-shinifying (you know what I mean).

posted by gaspode 07 April | 09:35

And, TPS, although guys say they prefer women who don't wear makeup, what they really mean is that they prefer women who look as if they don't wear makeup.

EXACTLY essexjan- I try to tell them that, and they always insist it's not so, but us ladies know it is!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 09:38

BE is what I wear too, essexjan.

I picked up this teeny tiny little gloss set at Target. It's the size of a credit card, has 3 different colors and a mini eyeliner. I don't like to carry a purse, so it's awesome.

Men have no idea how much makeup it takes to look like you're not wearing makeup.

posted by jrossi4r 07 April | 09:43

I never wear makeup, but I'm up for the pillow fight and the crank calling.

posted by JanetLand 07 April | 09:44

Well, let's see... Here's a trick that may be well known (or not?), but I figured it out on my own: you know how liquid eyeliner is all hard-looking and gloppy to apply, and pencil liner looks good for about two minutes before it starts to travel and ends up giving you dark circles under your eyes even if you don't have any to begin with (and even darker ones if you do)? As an alternative to either, I wet an eyeliner brush with water and use regular brown cake eyeshadow (swirl the brush around on the surface) instead, and it goes on much softer than liquid, and stays put much better than pencil. I actually don't even use a normal tiny, thin eyeliner brush - I use a regular sable paintbrush that's a little bit thicker.

Also, about nongreasy moisturizer: I burned my leg fairly badly with hot espresso once (the handle just fell off the pot - eeeegads!), and the pharmacist recommended using a certain very mild, light creme on it as it was healing... It did a really good job of taking care of that, and I started using it for my face and hands as well. I can't find it on the web, but the ingredients are dexpanthenol ("applied topically to the skin to stimulate healing of various dermatologic lesions such as burns, infected wounds, eczema, diaper rash, etc.") and vitamin B5. I love it because I find most moisturizers way too heavy/greasy, scented, and/or expensive, etc.

posted by taz 07 April | 10:05

Oooo, good advice taz!

I am totally addicted to body moisturizer- right now I'm Suave Skin Firming lotion, but after that I have a huge bottle of some sort of cheap "Age Defying" lotion that I snagged from Target in FL ("cheap" lotion is much cheaper in FL!), that has a light sunblock and all sorts of acids that are supposed to keep my skin young and fresh. ::sigh:: I love body products.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 10:15

When I was in Toronto last summer I bought a Factor 45 Sunblock (I burn like crazy) that I use as a facial moisturiser and it's really amazing stuff. It feels as if it should go on like lard, but it absorbs into the skin and provides a great makeup base. It's Shopper's Drug Mart's own brand.

I'm fortunate that I've never smoked or sunbathed, so am doing pretty well on the wrinkle front.

posted by essexjan 07 April | 10:42

I don't wear a lot of makeup, but I love Avon stuff.

I'm a lip gloss addict too. My favorite things are Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and the Tutti Dolci gloss you can get at Bath & Body Works.

posted by sisterhavana 07 April | 10:46

It's not so. I only wear lip gloss and am universally acclaimed. I could however use some advice for a nice face wash that will neither give you zits nor dry spots.

posted by dame 07 April | 10:54

Hmmm I'm rather locked into what I use, which is Mac blush for my eyeshadow (I used to use Makeupforever as they use such pure pigments the colors are great but it's harder to find) and I use this Loreal Matte lipstick you used to could get at the drugstore but then the BASTARDS discontinued it, and now i scrounge it up in bulk on ebay...when that supply runs out i have no idea!

and while i think powder and foundation looks nice, I HATE wearing it...

and lip gloss addicts : my addicted friend swears by the new cheapy rimmel and prefers it over the ones she has by chanel and other pricey ones

posted by Mrs.Pants 07 April | 10:59

Have you tried the Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle/Anti-Blemish stuff, dame? It's not bad. And I know people who swear by Cetaphil, but I don't like it.

posted by jrossi4r 07 April | 11:00

Know what's really underrated? Fake eyelashes.

I started wearing them when I performed; they're a must for full-on performance makeup, but then started wearing them for dress-up on Saturday nights. They're fun, easy (once you get the hang of it), and make your eyes look so pretty!

On preview: Sure, dame, but you're a lady of beautiful color. Us white chicks can look sallow and spotty and washed out pretty easily.

posted by Specklet 07 April | 11:01

Before I run off to school:

I am going to love this thread, oy.

As far as body products go, have any of you tried the Philosophy 3-in-1s? (Body wash, bubble bath, shampoo?) I got a little sample bottle of their cinnamon buns and it lathers up so rich and deliciously. I love it, but they're expensive. :\ My "trial" bottle cost $6!

I love lip gloss, too... except on windy days. I decided to give MAC lipglass a try, and can I just say, my lips were nothing like glass? It was sticky and tacky and bleh. The color is alright (damzel), and it's tiny and convenient, but just not smooth how I'd like. I, too, prefer the Tutti Dolci lip glosses from B&BW. Around fall they had a special edition gloss called Apple Torta and I love the red tone -- not harsh at all.

And dame, I'm with you. I'd like the scoop on some good face wash.

posted by viachicago 07 April | 11:04

Sars at tomatonation.com got asked in her advice column for lip gloss recommendations. Here's her reply (at the bottom of the page). The recommendations her readers sent in are here.

posted by gaspode 07 April | 11:05

Us white chicks can look sallow and spotty and washed out pretty easily.

For real! I've just started to use self tanner, cause I'm sick of being pale. Jergens face body self tanner every other day or so.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 11:27

dame, try the Cetaphil liquid cleanser or, better yet, the bar. Gentle cleaning, no zits, no dry spots.

I've got rosacea and adult acne (lucky me!) and find that most liquid makeup doesn't go on evenly without lashings of moisturizer, which then makes me look greasy. I get decent coverage and colour from a minerals foundation (Jane Iredale) in a slightly warm tone to counteract the redness and blend in with the warm tones on my neck.

posted by maudlin 07 April | 12:28

I just want to say that Kiss Me mascara by Blinc is the greatest ever.

I usually just wear that and a little Lancome powder.

posted by krix 07 April | 12:37

Has anyone ever tried any Olay face products? I'm getting to an age where I wonder if they do anything I'd appreciate.

Self-tanner: I had considered experimenting with that this year. Never have before, but my Irish complexion can always use the help.

posted by Miko 07 April | 12:41

I think that gradual tanner/moisturizer stuff is working, but it's hard to tell.

SPF 15 and Vitamin C every day, and straight mineral oil around the eyes and on the lips at night. Cheap.

posted by rainbaby 07 April | 12:50

I love carmex (I use a fancy Chanel lip pencil to get some color and then smear it in with carmex). It comes in a charming little jar that says “for-cold-sores” in big letters on it. Miko I’ve used the Olay sunscreen in the past and liked it.

posted by sophieblue 07 April | 12:57

And, TPS, although guys say they prefer women who don't wear makeup, what they really mean is that they prefer women who look as if they don't wear makeup.

Hey ladies: speaking as a photographer, if you think that a good candid photo is changed one iota by whether your pores are visible, whether your cheeks are blotchy, whether your forehead is too shiny, or whether your lips look too dull and lifeless, you're dead wrong. And ultimately, there isn't a whole lot of difference between looking good for just one moment for a camera versus looking good for an entire evening with your friends. But I also know that many women feel horribly flawed and self-conscious without their makeup on, and really, one is only as attractive as one feels. So please, by all means wear the makeup if it's what feels right for you.

Having said that, most of us men really do prefer women who don't wear any makeup. But what we prefer even more are women who act and feel at their very best and sexiest -- and since for many (most?) women it means using makeup to get into their "character", this easily trumps the no-makeup preference of most men. Therefore, whatever works best for you is what works best for us.

Just don't forget that there's nothing sexier than a woman who feels right at home in her own skin without any makeup on. Honestly. And you have no idea how much more honest and revealing (and yes, beautiful) a photo of someone sans makeup looks compared to a photo of their "normal" made-up self. As they say, the camera doesn't lie.

</soapbox>

posted by DaShiv 07 April | 13:17

Thanks, DaShiv.

I second the Cetaphil liquid cleanser.

posted by Specklet 07 April | 13:38

*sigh*

I wish I knew how to be more girlie and was better at picking out the right make up. Right now I use minimal stuff: crayon-type eyeliner (the writing is worn off, maybe Maybelline), Full n'Soft mascara (Maybelline), Forever Lipcolor (Maybelline). It's all in soft, neutral colours. I don't like looking "made-up" and keep it natural.

My biggest problem is finding lipstick that works for me. I used a very light coat of my current one, making it more of a stain than a real coating. I don't like to feel it on my lips and don't want anyone to think, "aghghgh, she's wearing lipstick!!"

And I'm going to be forty this year and I still have acne! Acne and lots of silver hair. There's just something wrong with that. I get dry spots as well; my skin never seems to be happy.

I know you can go to the counters at department stores and they'll help you, but I'm too shy to do that. I also don't have a lot of money to play around with. *sigh*

It's a coincidence, sort-of, that it's all Maybelline products. I need cheap stuff and they carry what I want.

posted by deborah 07 April | 13:38

Having said that, most of us men really do prefer women who don't wear any makeup.

Grr, I really don't believe that, DaShiv! I look less tired with makeup than without- wouldn't you prefer the most attractive version of me, if my wearing makeup isn't obvious to you?

deborah, I hear you about cosmetic counters. I would feel more comfortable going to them if the sales people weren't so damn PUSHY- last time I went to the Trish McEvoy counter just for mascara, I got bullied into buying this ULTRA expensive eye shadow that I never even freakin' wear, grrrrr.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 14:05

I hardly ever wear makeup, but I like carrying it around in my purse. I have this nifty MAC compact of I don't know what the hell it is, light foundation? that I carry around but just about never use. Go figure. There's a drawer in the bathroom full of cool eyeshadow & all that stuff - I wear it on Halloween or maybe for a big party; otherwise, nothing but lipstick or gloss. I have about 4 MAC lipsticks I love but then I decided that they make me look old, so I'm using the Burts Bees nutmeg lip gloss mostly.

Whoever mentioned the Have a Nice Day moisturizer with sunscreen from Origins upthread is right on the money! I love that stuff, use it every day, have for several years. It is the best and it smells so nice. I've also been using Neutrogena anti wrinkle cream with retinol at night but I don't know if it's actually doing anything. I have dry skin, so the more moisturizer the better. Except for once a month, when I get at least one enormous gigandor red zit on my chin.

posted by mygothlaundry 07 April | 14:07

i wear the most obvious makeup ever! it's not to be girly or "look better" it's because i think it's fun, and i like that very few folks know what i look like without makeup, so i can rinse up and be superspy!

i also like telling people that this isn't makeup and i have a severe skin disease.

posted by Mrs.Pants 07 April | 14:17

I tried wet black brush eyeliner for the first time when I was fifteen and it never left my makeup bag since. Wet eyeliner RULEZ!

...oh and so do false eyelashes. :)

Taz' advice about wetting a brush works good for a lot of loose glittery eyeshadows in lighter colors as well. You know how it can be hard to get those colors to "pop"? Wet'em and they do!

Another good trick is Estee Lauders "idealist" refinishing eye serum. Removes fine lines and has this odd sideeffect of making eyesahdows "pop". Yeay!

posted by dabitch 07 April | 14:37

I disagree with DaShiv too, since many's the time I've had a man say I didn't look like I was wearing makeup, when I was. If the colors are subtle and the application is light, it's awfully hard to tell what you're seeing. Of course, there's a big difference between a brush of blush or a light beige eyeshadow, and a pancakelike layer of concealer.

That being said, plenty of women look marvelous without makeup. I basically don't wear any unless I'm going out out, and even then it's usually super subtle, unless it's not.

posted by Miko 07 April | 15:38

I wear lipstick or lip gloss sometimes because I have gorgeous lips and want to accent them, and occasionally a little powder to even things out or reduce shine. I don't put anything on my eyes because I'm blind in one eye and can't see what I'm doing with my right eye closed. I do jazz it up a little bit if I'm going to a party, but I consider that drag.

Deborah, I'll join you in the silver-hair-and-acne club.

posted by matildaben 07 April | 15:43

I disagree with DaShiv too, since many's the time I've had a man say I didn't look like I was wearing makeup, when I was.

Exactly! I was once doing this acting exercise (with the hottest guy OMG) and we were a foot apart "repeating truths" to each other (or something else retarded) and he said, "You are not wearing any makeup" and I totally was and I melted into a big pool of butter.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 07 April | 19:38

Most men aren't exactly experts when it comes to makeup, so we don't always notice when you're wearing it. But for many of us, the first reaction when we actually do notice makeup isn't necessary "she looks better" but "she has colored gunk on her face". So the best makeup, IMO, is that which flies under our untrained detection threshold. :)

If I may wildly overgeneralize, the makeup thing for guys is akin to the study that came out describing how men actually prefer women several sizes larger than what women believe men prefer. Likewise, we're nowhere as critical about facial blemishes as women themselves may believe. However, women believe themselves to be and act hotter when when they're wearing makeup, and behavior is a far bigger factor to attractiveness than what the cosmetic industry will tell you. So IMO what works is wearing whatever makes you feel good about how you look. I personally prefer it when women feel good while wearing nothing on their faces, in any case.

...and the real reason why makeup isn't that huge of a deal to us is: we're all too busy staring at your boobies anyway.

posted by DaShiv 07 April | 21:16

and make up on the boobies?
where are we with that?

posted by ethylene 07 April | 21:20

Late to the ball, as always, but:

I used Olay's Defence SPF 30 on my face for 2 weeks in Belize and my Scottish complexion returned almost as pale as it left, plus once you put it on you couldn't feel it. For makeup, I'm a huge fan of MAC and below-the-radar application. As an ex said about their lipstick, "It's all a guy can do to suck it off." However, they can put a man on the moon but they can't seem to make a mascara that doesn't end up half-way down my face within the first hour. Not to reveal secrets to the world here, but lash tinting is the bomb.

As for make-up on boobies, it just messes up my bras.

posted by elizard 07 April | 22:22

i find men just have a problem with the wearing and eating of make up that isn't theirs
and sparkly transference.

as for boob make up, i think if it make more boob publicly available, they'd be all for it.

i use liquid liner when i bother and it takes me all of two seconds.
it's decidely unnatural looking but the kids like it as i look like 50's barbie.

posted by ethylene 07 April | 22:32

07 April 2006