Make-up shopping

[Dina Lerret]

Thanks to the folks for offering alternative make-up suggestions!

One of the biggest pains is finding the right color in make-up, and
hopefully, one that doesn't cost your entire day's wages.

I've been mostly a 'drugstore' shopper using such products as
Maybelline EverFresh foundation (the lightest color), which is 'ever'
but not 'fresh'**, and Almay Clear Complexion (translucent).  Combined
they work for me because they don't shift color into orange territory
as quickly as others and I don't have to smear it all over my face. 
This is in addition to using Clean&Clear oil blotting sheets.

**Takes me 2-3 washes with bar soap to remove the stuff off my face,
but when you're uber oily and Florida heat makes you sweat like a dog,
you want make-up that refuses to budge--though, I *know* it's probably
clogging pores 'liek whoa'… which may be a good thing for me because I
went through 'rough teen years' and my nose and surrounding cheek area
("T-zone") have noticeable pores without the aid of make-up. ;-)

Not to knock department store brands because I love Estee Lauder
lipstick--in fact, I'm wearing EL now.  Its capability to last makes
me a little less leery of paying $15-20+ for them but it's more 'trial
& error' when it comes to foundations and powders.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=MAKEUP&ID=35

I hadn't discovered this link until later last year but the
ultra-matte's work best for me and I've been using EverFresh for
years, even before Maybelline changed its product name to that.  Not
the ideal foundation but those that advertised a 'barely there feel',
even department store brands, all turned out to be an over-priced
product that didn't provide the coverage and staying power I was
seeking.  Though, from what I'm hearing, it looks like Maybelline is
phasing out EverFresh for their 'water-based' line. {rolls eyes}  So,
I'll probably be looking for a new foundation soon too.  Yeah, the
'industrial strength' foundations feel icky by day's end but they do
their job!  And now, Maybelline is releasing some 'watered down'
stuff.

I'm thinking about trying MAC's Blot powder (lightest shade) and it's
priced at $18.50… err, ouch!  Especially after paying $9-11 for
Almay's powder and I go through those in 2-3 weeks and this Blot
powder is supposedly in a smaller quantity, but in comparison to
other, that's… "cheap"?:

http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15108&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1430

http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=572/mac_blot_powder/MAC/Pressed_Powders/

Though, some have said they had breakouts from using the product. 
I've had a web account with Clinique for a bit, so may check them as
well.


RE: make-up counters

Scary place because of those magnifying mirrors and sales folk.
{shudders then chuckles}

Dina