Make-up 411

[Abbylovi]

When it comes to make-up, I'm a slight step above clueless. In everyday life, I just wear mascara. I have a special occassion coming up and I thought I might try to clean up a bit, so I was thinking I'd go to a department store make up counter to get some ideas...is there a brand/person that is good at giving a non-porn star look?

 

TIA!

[Cathy]

I really like Bare Escentuals mineral makeup - it's light and looks very natural. They have a boutique at 3rd Ave. and 66th (and I believe there's now one near Macy's too) with salespeople who are good at helping you find the right products and showing you how to apply them. Sephora carries the stuff too but the sales folk are clueless.

[Carolyn Tillie]

I could have sworn I posted about Bare Escentials a year or so ago, but I can't find the post...

 

I was talked into buying it from a 30-something friend of mine who loves it -- as does a make-up artist friend of mine...

 

I DO love how it looks when it is first applied but I found that eight hours later, it accentuated my wrinkles and really made me look older. I've conducted some experiments where I put liquid make-up on one side of my face and Bare Escentials on the other side and while the Bare Essentials side always looks better immediately, the liquid make-up side looks much better hours and hours later.

 

I spent somewhere around $80 for the Bare Essentials "kit" so now I only use it right before I go out in the evening, when it will be worn and seen for a shorter period of time.

[yvonne johnson]

I've never been in but passed it many times. Make Up For Ever, East 12 st, corner of 5th Ave.

 

Looks like they do consultations.

 

Yelp Reviews, FWTW.

 

 

 

[foodie52]

I like their eye stuff, but don't use foundation. I've used Prescriptives in the past. Why don't you just make an appt. to have your makeup done somewhere before the event and not bother to buy the stuff? Just a suggestion....

[Lippy]

You are young enough and your skin is even enough so that you do not really need a foundation. A tinted moisturizer will do you just fine, if you want a bit more polish than usual. Oil of Olay makes an excellent one called "Definity" that includes sunscreen. (Wearing sunscreen on your face all the time is the best thing you can do for your skin, with an eye to the future, btw.)

 

For the rest, set aside some time to take a walk in the make-up departments of Bergdorf's and Bloomingdale's. Observe the makeup on the sales associates. It usually reflects the style of the makeup they are selling. Bobbie Brown produces a very nice line that includes good neutral shades for your coloring.

 

Have someone show you the right way to apply whatever you buy, but don't feel at all compelled to spring for everything they say you need. In addition to the tinted moisturizer, you'll probably want eyeliner, blusher, and either lipstick or gloss. You may want some eyeshadow, too. Bobbie Brown's liquid eyeliner is fabulous, but if you buy it rather than a pencil, you'll need to buy the flat brush and take a lesson with the salesperson. I would suggest starting with something simpler to apply. I'm using a Maybelline Define-A-Line retractable and self-sharpening pencil (drugstore, cheap) that I like as well as any other I've ever used. You want something that doesn't tug at the eyelid when you apply it.

 

The Prescriptives line has been discontinued.

[fantasty]

Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier at Bergdorf's should serve you well. Laura Mercier was my entry to make-up. You might also try FACE Stockholm.

 

 

[splinky]

bergdorf, bendel or saks all have pretty good makeup artists. the new thing is that they have real makeup people who are not store sales people. i really like julie the makeup artist at the chanel counter in saks. she acually listens when you tell you her that you don't want to look like a $10 hooker with an unlimited make up budget.

[prasantrin]

When it comes to make-up, I'm a slight step above clueless. In everyday life, I just wear mascara. I have a special occassion coming up and I thought I might try to clean up a bit, so I was thinking I'd go to a department store make up counter to get some ideas...is there a brand/person that is good at giving a non-porn star look?

 

TIA!

 

Well, you're one up on me. I usually just wear chapstick, but sometimes go all out and wear tinted lip gloss.

 

When I do want to get all dolled up, I get my hair and make-up done at a Shiseido Salon (it's a full salon, not just a make-up counter, though). I'm sure the make up counter people could do a good job, too. Shiseido (at least in Japan) tends to be a little more refined than some of the other brands. Definitely stay away from MAC unless you want to look like a hooker.

[Abbylovi]

Thanks all, this is very, very helpful. These department store people are on comission so there's no need to tip, right?

[foodie52]

Prescriptives is gone??? Shows how long it's been since I bought any makeup!!!!

 

I've never tipped department store makeup gals. Should I have??

[bigbear]

Thanks all, this is very, very helpful. These department store people are on comission so there's no need to tip, right?

They are not supposed to accept tips if they are store employees. They get varying amounts of commission depending on their position and status.

 

If they are working for the makeup company, I believe they can accept tips. Any commission goes to the store employees, but they are getting paid more than store employees.

 

My wife is a makeup artist and has done both, but she never accepts tips in a store. That's just her. She hands the happy customer her business card and, if they are especially thankful, she asks that they let the store know about it.

[Lippy]

I've never heard of tipping at a store. If I allow someone to make me up (very, very rarely) I'll buy something. I think that is customary. It's perfectly ok to try a lipstick or eyeshadow (and have it applied by the salesperson) and not buy it. You can say you need to walk around a bit and see how it looks in daylight, or something like that. He or she will probably give you a business card and that's that.

[Daisy]

I never wear foundation. As Lippy pointed out there are tinted moisturizers with SPF in them available. Clarins makes a wonderful one. It's light, not greasy and goes on very evenly. It's also not terribly expensive.

 

For eye and lip color help, the Chanel counters at both Saks and Bergdorf Goodman have some helpful people working them. Chanel lipsticks and lip glosses are fabulous.

[Cathy]

This discussion just sent me to Sephora, where I learned that I prefer Laura Mercier's (new-to-me) mineral makeup to Bare Escentuals, and spent $135. Thanks a lot, ladies.