Question for people who know what women's make-up looks best on . . .

[bertha katzenengel]

. . . what types.

I'm back. Fashion clod, chapstick lesbian, looking for advice.

Here is a photo of me - it is definitely not my favorite, but it clearly shows my usual skin tone.



I'm on the left.

My hair is a little lighter blonde now (thank you, L'Oreal)

I want ONLY to wear lipstick, and a light one at that. I'm hoping for something barely noticeable but that will add color to my face. Just for interviews.

Is this possible? Or should I just grow a black and white streaked beehive right now?

[NewWaveChick1981]

1. Your hair has reddish tones, so we need to work with that.

I would think a light clear salmon color would look great on you. Also, a sheer copper would look beautiful! :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

2. Thank you, NWChick

:hi:

[miss_american_pie]

3. Yes

you can get a sheer lipstick or lip gloss (they make some that aren't really gooey). I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but my best advice is to find the nearest MAC counter.

[bertha katzenengel]

12. I appreciate your advice, Miss Pie

Thank you! :bounce:

[auntAgonist]

4. I would suggest

L'Oreal Butterscotch Drop sheer lip gloss.

Net Wt 0.5 fl oz (15ml)
Butterscotch Drop 850

Sheer Juicy Lip Gloss

Succulent lips...with juicy shine! Colour Juice delivers a pop of sheer glossy colour that adds a shiny finish while moisturizing your lips. Just squeeze and apply! Or use as a top coat over your favorite lipstick.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=150440&catid=9579&cmbProdBrandFilter=42836&trx=CAT-0-PCOLOR&trxp1=9579&trxp2=150440&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-CAT-0-PCOLOR

[bertha katzenengel]

11. TY, Kesha

You'd think I'd go to bed, having to be there at 7 tomorrow. Sheesh.

[1monster]

5. There is a book out there called COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL.

by Carole Jackson. Using your hair color, skin tone, and eye color, this system determines whether you are a Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter and tells you the colors, shades, and tints to wear in your make up and clothing.

http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345345882

I got this book in the eighties and found that with dark brown hair with red highlights, green eyes with a yellow fringe, and skin tones (on the inside of the wrist) more yellow than pink, I was an autumn. And I have found that the advice given for make-up and clothing colors is spot on. I always look better in the colors suggested for me in the book than I do in other colors.

(You even get advice on what hair colors will look best on you.)

[bertha katzenengel]

10. I remember that book. Thanks for the tip!

:hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

6. not into foundation? You have ruddy skin like mine

Clinique makes a tinted moistureizer with spf15 sunscreen that does not feel like foundation and evens out ones skintone marvelously.

When I am dressing up I like to diffuse my red areas with this wonderful product.

Lasts a long time when you use it like I do..occasionally.

Your lip color will enhance your eyes, smile, everything when it is THE color; it is an amazing thing.

[L A Woman]

7. Lipstick lesbian here!

:hi:

And I am a huge fan of Clinique products. Whiz by their counter at Macy's (if you have one) and they will help you find the right color! My advice - get slightly darker than you think you want and dab it down a little onto a napkin. Going too light is not good for a fair skin tone. :-)

[bertha katzenengel]

9. Thank you, LA Woman.

I appreciate this. Maybe I'll break down and go to a makeup counter. I already decided to get my nails done (clear polish) and my eyebrows waxed. :eyes: gawd . . . some dyke I am.

;)

[yellowdogintexas]

21. bertha, when you get the nails done, you CAN just get

them buffed, instead of polished. A good professional buffing is fabulous looking
especially if your nails are healthy. You don't have to use polish remover on a buff, either and if you like the look, it is something easy to do for yourself at home. I quit the fingernail polish when my nails suffered from the drying out, but I do love getting a manicure to keep them looking good. I'm blessed with strong nails so when I have a new buff it looks like a french manicure.

My toenails OTOH are ALWAYS polished. I have a weird strange discoloration on one my my big toenails and the polish just looks great. Treat yourself to a pedicure! It is not just for cosmetic looks...it is therapy!!! Especially if you find a good shop that gives a decent foot/leg massage as part of the process..your feet will be wonderful, and you will feel refreshed and relaxed after.

AVOID nail shops that reek of acetone, find one that is well ventilated.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. Sounds interesting. Thing is . . .

I am used to wiping my face down to clear sweat frequently. I sweat a lot. I fear I'd forget I was wearing foundation.

OTOH, since interviewing is a stressful process, and I am given to uncontrollable blushing, it might be worth learning not to wipe my face for sweat. I guess I can learn to dab, like a civilized lady. :rofl:

Thank you for the advice. I think I'll try it! You rock. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. If you can find it, Burt's Bees makes a chapstick type gloss that

is good for your skin and has a slight tint to it. It is what I use because I hate lipstick. :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. Yes, I have seen it. I bought one of those recently, and scraped it

off as soon as I saw it on me. I just didn't like the look of myself in lipstick.

The last time I wore makeup was for a performance in 1995. My good friend made me up. The show sucked, but I had a BLAST. And the makeup came off in the car on the way to the restaurant! With a paper towel and Mom's Cleanser. ;)

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. I use the barely there pink one.

I cannot stand lip color. I usually can't be bothered with makeup these days, unless I'm working. :hi:

[vixengrl]

16. Some people just aren't comfortable in make-up--I know I'm not.

I haven't worn foundation regularly since I was a spotty high-schooler, and only as a spot-coverage since then, as needed, since in my humble opinion, it's not the skin problems, but the cover-ups, that people hate to see. (My politics and my makeup tendencies are oddly in synch, here.) I'm a ruddy/pale red/blonde with blue eyes--I think, from your picture, our color scheme is similar--and where make-up is concerned, when in doubt, don't. Here's the bare minimum that will make you look "finished" but not feel "overdone", sweaty, and not at all comfortable.

Face: Cornsilk finishing powder. That's it. I don't necessarily even say it has to be Cornsilk, only that I know it's neutral and is very light and has worked for me in the past. Otherwise, Covergirl powder, in natural ivory, is probably right. From the picture, and to the best of my ability. Apply with a wide foundation brush, not the foam applicator sponge, to cover, but avoid caking. Caking is the odd situtation where you have the right amount of makeup, but it all sits unnaturally and clumpy on your face. Avoid it if you can--especially because it highlights flaws. If you have not-spotty skin (no zits, few freckles) then yay--you may even go without. Especially in this 90+ F heat.

Lips: I think lips really should always have a little something. I use Burt's Bees in Merlot, for eample, as a lipstain and moisturizer. Lipstick is so personal, really. I think if you have great skin and naturally pink/dark red lips, maybe you can just chapstick up and be okay, but that's usually not the case--just go for a tint. Here's an old teen magazine test--hold a piece of absolutely white copy paper right under your skin. If there is a blue or pink reflection, you are to pick "cool" (pink, purple, mauve) colors, and if there's yellow,you pick more tan or bronze.

I say, subtle may be better if you are in doubt, a raspberry or dark pink does for most types. Just to have a little color. For eye make-up, most beauticians insist on a little mascara--but it can be difficult to apply. I go instead for a little liner to the outside of the eye, and just lightly, if at all, brush the outside lashes with Maybelline Great Lash (this is the only product with which I will brand-whore. Seriously, it is good.) So long as lips are a little colored and lashes are a little dark, you look super and better than anybody who is crusting the white eyeshadow on, with the club sparkly blusher, and so embarrassing so on.

Usually, if you are uncomfortable in makeup, I think you end up just wearing the discomfort anyway. Keep it minimal, and let your natural confidence through.

[Flaxbee]

17. ok, I know you said lipstick only, BUT...

there are some excellent tinted moisturizers that also act as SPF protection, something someone as fair as you should probably wear (perhaps you already do). Tinted moisturizers have VERY LITTLE COLOR but can even out skin tone.

Burt's Bees has some nice colors, but you might want to go to a makeup counter and have someone work with you so you buy only what you need, it doesn't clash with the skin tone on your neck (I hate it when I see someone wearing heavy makeup with a line of demarcation with foundation at the jawline).

You're fairskinned, and since you've lived in SoCal you've been exposed to the sun and have a little ruddiness to your skintone. I do too. Tinted moisturizer (the only kind of 'foundation' I'll wear) can be your friend.

If you still aren't interested, you could consider a sheer powder just to give your skin a more matte look, reduce any sheen from light perspiration in the summer and/or reduce any shine if you have an oily T-zone (as I do).

[XemaSab]

18. Get thee to the makeup counter

And tell them who you are and what you'll be wearing.

If they're too pushy, get thee to a different makeup counter and get a second opinion.

You might be able to pull off a surprising amount of VERY subtle makeup, but if you try to overdo it it will be obvious.

[REP]

19. More Stuff

If you don't want to wear foundation (I never do - it's disgusting) but want to even out your skin tone, there are several tinted day creams for reddish skin. Eucerin makes one with a green tint; when applied, it makes reddish areas look less red. It's not foundation; it's a moisturizer/sunblock and doesn't feel like wearing a layer of spackle. There are also some non-talc face powders that help even skin tone and can reapplied easily if wiped/sweated off (talc-containing powders aren't always flattering, even in neutral shades). Again, these are light enough to not feel revolting but add a finished look.

I'd also suggest eyebrow pencil in Dark Blonde and a lipstick that is at most only a shade darker than your natural lipcolor for interviews.

If you have rosacea, I've found that Aveno's stuff for rosacea (the day and night cream) really does help keep it from looking like I've just been slapped really hard repeatedly. I can't tell from you're photo if you have it, too; were just really hot or embarassed so I thought I'd pass that along just in case! I'm a Blistex Hetero; I wash my face and put moisturizer/sunblock on it, but wear makeup maybe once or twice a year, if that. Plenty of Blistex, though. When I do wear, it though, I do know what to do with it - early training, I suppose.

[Control-Z]

20. If you are going to the make-up counter

Shisado has the nicest lip gloss I have ever used. They have a lovely light coral/peach color that would look beautiful on you. It is sheer and feels like the softest silk - seriously - not sticky or chalky in any way. Another thought is Benetint at the Benefit counter. It is actually a lip tint - it stains the lips and lasts most of the day so you don't need to reapply.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

22. Professional make--up artists onboard!

From your picture, I think you need to stick with "warm" colors that enhance your skin/hair tone. Fair people with ruddy complexions need to stay away color that "cools" their complexion and draw the life out it out. I would also recommend sticking with lighter/pastel versions of the warm colors -- really strong colors can be harsh for someone with pale skin and light hair.

Some colors to consider: peach, rose, soft pink (NOT frosted! Bleck!)

Some colors to avoid: plum, red, orange

Your lips are thin (just like me), so I recommend using a lip gloss/sheen product over whatever color you end up using. I also recommend using a lip pencil that is the same color as the lipstick -- don't just outline your lips, but put it all over -- this defines your lips and also acts as a nice color base for your lipstick. It also helps keep your lip color going if your lipstick starts to wear off. When you are filling in your lips, follow the natural line of your lips -- never try to visually enlarge them by going outside your natural lip line.

You also have ruddy skin tone -- I might try to find a nice product to even out your skin tone. Something that simple can make a HUGE difference and leave your face polished looking with very little make-up. I might look into Bare Escentuals -- it is a very light powder that smooths your skin tone without feeling like you are wearing base. If you choose to wear a touch of blush, pick one that is in the same color family as your lipstick -- don't wear peach blush with rose lipstick.

When I did make-up, I specialized in make-up that looked like the actor wasn't wearing a lot of make-up -- it is very subtle but can make an amazing difference in a person's appearance.

BTW, if you ever find yourself in the SF Bay Area -- come by for a make-up consulation! Helping people look their best is one of my favorite things to do. :)

Good luck!