The Makeup Thread

Auspice

Suggestions for "3-free" nail polish that's also indie would be appreciated.

www.ilnp.com
There's tons of etsy sellers. But I can't always speak to quality.
Lucky13Laquer is my number 1 favorite (single owner, well-made, and geeky stuff to boot!). She's super sweet.
LiveLovePolish also has a lot of the bigger indie brands.

I personally buy from lucky13, LiveLovePolish, and ilnp

Derp

Ok. So.

I need help.

I'm a guy. Yes, I sometimes date other guys, but I am not what one would consider 'feminine' at all.

As I get older, I find myself wishing that I knew how to make myself just look better in general. And while Youtube has fifty thousand tutorials on 'natural' makeup, they have like, two major problems:

1). They tend to be geared toward a very specific type of facial structure that I do not possess.

2). The overwhelming majority of them are a bunch of shiny white dudes, and I cannot see what they're doing or what it's supposed to do. Problem somewhat solved if I watch it on POC, but then they're using very different things that will not match up to me at all (somewhat pale olive-skinned dark hair dark eyes spanish with a rounder face). ETA: OR what they're using is so outlandish and obvious it is very clearly never going to be what I'm going for. I'm not looking for drag makeup writ large, ok?

Is there an 'absolute basics' tutorial out there somewhere that shows you:

a) What these different things do in a way that's actually somewhat visible, and
b) gives you the general principles behind the thing so that you can learn to construct some manner of routine for yourself?

Thanks!

Auspice

@Derp

I'm not sure if MakeupGeek has any videos that might help. Back when I was watching her, she was very helpful and though she herself has an Italian complexion, she did a lot of neutral looks. I wouldn't be surprised if she's expanded into providing details for men.

Beyond that, all I could suggest personally is to maybe check forums (like MakeUpGeek's) and ask around or find a beauty vlogger you like (this is the hard part: 95% of them these days are only 'nice' so far as it gets people to give them money) and send a message asking their advice.

Rinel

@Derp

It sounds like a lot of your problem is color matching, which is hard for newbies but trivial for people with some experience. If you have a Sephora or an Ulta near you, you can honestly walk right in and ask for help--Sephora in particular is especially good at helping you find matching foundation and concealer.

Aria

@Derp I would also recommend starting with something that is more sheer rather than opaque, as it will be more forgiving in regards to things like color-matching or not-great technique.

Generally speaking, tinted moisturizer is the absolute "lightest" product you can get in terms of coverage. One step up from that is beauty balms, often just labelled "BB creams". One step from that is "CC creams", which is not an alphabetical measurement like bra cups or something, but short for "color correcting" cream.

From there is true foundations, which offer better coverage of skin problems but also tend to be less forgiving in terms of color matching or application. Ever seen someone whose face looked a bit orange compared to the rest of their skin, or looked a bit like there was a heavy layer of something sitting atop their face? That's a foundation problem.

I'd say start with a BB cream. It'll even out your skin tone a bit, make blemishes or spots very slightly less visible, and you can even apply a thin layer with just your fingers the same way you'd put on a moisturizer. There's several inexpensive ones on the market like E.L.F. or Nyx, which is what I use, so you also won't break the bank if you buy a few and try them to see what you like best.

They're even part of what's considered just a pretty standard daily grooming routine for men from all levels of society in Korea, which is where some of the best skin care products are developed. So you don't need to worry that you'll walk around looking like you're wearing makeup, if you have that concern. You'll just look like you, but a little bit better.

Auspice

I do love BB Creams. I need a new one.

I don't actually enjoy wearing foundation. Mineral foundation is all right, but no good during certain times of year.

Aria

Oh! Double post, but:

You might also consider a clear mascara. I know that sounds weird, but... it basically does the same thing regular mascara does (make your eye lashes look longer and more defined) without adding any color or clumpiness to them. If you have nice eyes, it's a good way to highlight that feature, again without looking like you put make up on.

Bonus? You can also use it as eyebrow gel, which is exactly what it sounds like. You use it to brush your eyebrows into place and keep them in that shape. Got one with those two weird hairs thar always stick up? Gel 'em down. Or like me, use it to comb and gel some hairs over the chicken pox scar that left a little bald spot in one of them.

Bam. Easy.

Auspice

@Aria said in The Makeup Thread:

Or like me, use it to comb and gel some hairs over the chicken pox scar that left a little bald spot in one of them.

I mean, you could just shave a 'cut' in that brow like all the cool kids are doing.

Trix

@Derp
Try this video start? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUXF_W21Rc

This fellow has several videos shown at different lighting levels, so the brightness may not be an issue, but I like really light makeup so he'd be one person I'd gravitate toward to cherry pick tips. If you are looking for skincare in particular, Wishtrend on youtube is great. Watch Casper talk there in particular and she explains the whys of serums and ceramides, stuff like that.

I like tinted moisturizers too! Find a warm bronzer and blush or you might look washed out. Supergoop also has an SPF setting spray. It makes your face matte and refreshes your sunscreen without mussing your makeup. They also have a very light SPF oil spray (50) for the body.

Auspice

This is hair-related but w/e it counts:

Does anyone have a go-to product for frizz? Something light-weight, easy to use, etc.?

I am sort of tired of straightening my hair in the morning and having it poof out into frizz an hour later.

surreality

I am not sure how it would handle straightening, but I have had good luck with the biolage 'styling glaze' over many years. It used to be salon-only, but I've found it at Target and similar in recent years. It's not super cheap, but it's not omfg high end, either, and a little goes a very long way.

It tamed 'I watched the Costner Robin Hood too many times, clearly' bad immediately post-80s perm in hellish summer humidity, so I can definitely say that stuff is fucking magic. It's surprisingly thin and light, too, so it doesn't feel like you're wearing a ton of product in your hair. (I despite that feeling so, so much.)