So I'm out Wednesday night doing being out things.. I walk into the ladies room to tinkle and find this youngin chick reapplying her makeup. I was laughing about it because it was almost midnight and the bar I was at was super dark.. So I posted a status update about it that said, "Damn girl, your makeup must suck if you reapplying it in the bathroom at this point. Need to get that long wear shit bitch!" This wasn't even just a little touch up though. She was actually caking more of the stuff on. There is no reason for that. There is actually never any reason for that. Caked on makeup makes chicks look cheap and is a sign of immaturity. Less is more ladies. Less is more.
Anyway, my friend Nani commented on my status and pointed out that you don't always know someone's situation and some ladies that are on super tight budget can't necessarily afford better makeup. I'm in that boat and I can tell you for sure that you don't need to spend a fortune at the mall makeup counters just to look good. So that, along with a trip to Target last Sunday to load up on new makeup stuffs, inspired me to go in on the low down on the good beauty buys I've found that range from super cheap to relatively inexpensive.
The reality is there are a lot of little companies which have emerged in recent years that put out Clinique quality makeup at Wet n Wild prices. These companies like Rimmel London, NYC New York Color, and e.l.f. Cosmetics seem like the cheapy sections you should pass over while you look for the more recognizable the more recognizable brands like Cover Girl and Maybelline... But maybe you should 86 that shit and get the London look instead.
So... Let's get started.. Here is everything you need to make your face look super dope...
SKIN CARE ESSENTIALS:
Skin care is sooooo important. The better you take care of your face the less makeup you need to cover it up. I see all these chicks in all these makeup tutorial videos and they spend half their time trying to show you how to cover up bad skin. Wouldn't it be more prudent to spend time on how to actually fix your skin instead? I'm going into this because I'm shocked how many women don't focus on this.
Yesterday, one of my coworkers even told me that she didn't know what toner was. I had to clutch my pearls and about fell out of my chair. She explained though that as a teenager she was lucky enough to be blessed with clear skin so she didnt have to worry about following strict skin care routines to combat the dreaded acne plight from which so many others suffered. It's only now in her late 20's and early 30's that stuff is starting to catch up with her and she isn't quite sure of what to do about it. I have a sneaking suspicion she is not even close to being alone in that.
Your daily skin care regimen should ALWAYS have these 4 crucial basics:
- Cleanser - Cause you need to wash shit off your face every day even if you didn't wear makeup. It's called bacteria. You don't need all that morning burst fruit shit either. Go for something basic.
- Toner - Cause cleanser doesn't get all that shit off your face. You need something that gets deep down into your pores and removes what the cleanser didn't plus any cleanser buildup. It's like clarifying your face.
- Moisturizer - Again you don't need all that fruit shit. Something mild, oil free, and preferably with sunscreen.
- Exfoliating Face Scrub - Nothing harsh.. and stay away from that Saint Ives shit cause it will break you out. You can actually make your own with stuff from your kitchen pantry items. Here is a great DIY recipe for a Brown Sugar Facial Scrub With Honey. You don't really need to add that essential oil stuff. It's just for scent to make it fancy so don't worry about it. Get a little tupperware container or one of those empty airplane travel shampoo bottles to put it in so you can keep it in the shower.
The cleanser, toner, and moisturizer should be used twice daily in the morning and at night. The exfoliating scrub should be used 1-2 times a week before you wash your face. But, do not... I repeat.. DO NOT use the scrub if your face is freshly broken out because it will aggravate your zits and take them longer to heal.
First off, you need to know your skin type. The basic skin care types are: Normal (which like NOBODY has.. but if you do then fuck you you lucky bitch), Dry, Combination Dry, Oily, Combination Oily, and Sensitive.. I'm really not sure why Sensitive skin gets its own type though because you can have Combination Oily Sensitive skin like me or Dry Sensitive, Oily Sensitive... You get the point.
To find this out you can do one of 2 things... Take $22 and hit up the Clinique counter at Macy's or Lord & Taylor during Bonus Time (cause I'm all about free gifts with purchase) and have one of the nice ladies there tell you your skin type. You can actually get them to tell you for free.. But if you're going to the counter and making them spend time on you then you should probably buy something because I'm pretty sure they still work on commission. This is actually what I did several years ago and my face cleared right up after I starting using the right stuff for my skin type.. which is Combination Oily Sensitive.
You can also take a quiz to find out. I found a somewhat accurate one on the Total Beauty Website called the Total Beauty Skin Analysis Quiz.
It asks you 10 questions about your skin and then gives you your results with your skin type and advice on what kind of products you should and should not use.
Once you know your skin type, you need to do some research on good products suited to your needs and also any concerns such as dark spots, blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles, etc. If you're really not sure though then there are a few brands you generally can't go wrong with like Neutrogena, Simple, and also Garnier.
Unless you're a teenager, I'd stay away from stuff like Clean & Clear and products with salicylic acid because if you're an acne prone adult that shit will over dry your skin and make it break out more. The keywords you're looking for here are "dermatologist tested", "non-comedegenic" and "hypoallergenic".
It really is the #1 dermatologist recommended brand and it seems to work for a lot of people. Their products are reasonably priced and you can Shop By Solution to find a list of products for your skin type and individual skin concerns. Personally, I don't like their toners because they don't seem to get enough of the oil out of my skin. The Deep Clean Scrub was also too harsh and broke out my face.
I actually switched from Neutrogena to Simple Skin Care because it's designed specifically for people with sensitive skin and it's all oil free. I love this brand and they actually have a Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Daily Face Care Regimen 3 Piece Kit for sale at Target for $14.99 that includes a full size cleanser, moisturizer, and a pack of 25 face wipes. All you need is some toner and a scrub and you are good to go.
I love their Facial Cleansing Wipes and use them every night because when I'm tired all that makeup removal and face washing and toning just seems so daunting. These wipes have all 3 steps in one. Then I just put on some dark spot corrector, night cream, and eye cream (Yeah you need all that shit once you hit your late 20's ladies for the rest of your damn life) and I'm good to go. I would advise against just strictly using facial cleansing wipes though because you really do need to wash your face with cleanser and water at least once a day.
Garnier has been great for me. I've found several products that I absolutely freaking LOVE. Their website has a Garnier Virtual Skin Checkup where you can answer a few questions and plug in your skin type to see a list of products suited for you.
Now for the extras because I'm guessing ya'll aren't teenagers anymore either. Like I said, once you hit your late 20's your skin starts saying "Fuck you!" All that shit you did in your teens and early 20's like forgetting your sunscreen comes back to bite you in the ass. Those acne marks stop going away on their own and you're left with red spots every time you get a zit. Plus you also want to get on that anti-aging stuff or you'll be regretting it by your late 30's. For me, almost all my extras are Garnier.
Get it. It works. I put the green jar all over my face and the red jar deep wrinkle stuff on my worry line. The Deep Wrinkle is a little too thick to put all over my face. They're like $13-15 depending on where you go. Also, make sure you're putting some on your neck and chest as well.. This will help you avoid a wrinkly line down the center of your décolletage so when you're sporting a bit of cleavage in low cut tops it will stay looking sexy.
Put it around your eyes twice a day so you don't get crows feet and shit. It's also like $13-15 depending on where you go.
For dark spots like those acne marks that won't go away:
LOVE this shit.. I do not understand why it only gets 3.5 stars on the Garnier website. It works so well and fast. Put it on for daytime and do it every day for a week. You will become a believer. It's lIke $15-17.
This you put on at night before the night cream. It also works well and is like $15-17. Sometimes you can find the day and night in a kit for like $30. But that kit will last you like 6 months and it's well worth it.
For those occasional zits though...
This is one thing Clean and Clear and salicylic acid are actually good for.. It's prescription strength and gets rid of zits quickly. It's like $5.
Just a quick FYI, for those of you with bad allergies who are prone to breaking out in hives like me, make sure you know the difference between a zit and a hive bump because they can sometimes look exactly the same. You can kinda tell because zits you can generally feel coming on under the skin whereas hive bumps just kinda appear out of nowhere. Keep some cortisone on hand and put it on those hive bumps. They will magically disappear about as quickly as they came on.
Just a quick FYI, for those of you with bad allergies who are prone to breaking out in hives like me, make sure you know the difference between a zit and a hive bump because they can sometimes look exactly the same. You can kinda tell because zits you can generally feel coming on under the skin whereas hive bumps just kinda appear out of nowhere. Keep some cortisone on hand and put it on those hive bumps. They will magically disappear about as quickly as they came on.
Last, but not least though is eye makeup remover.
I just got this Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover the other day and it's so great. It gets all the crap off my eyes without any greasy, oily residue left over. It's only $4 and I highly recommend it over the Clinique stuff I was using for years and even the Neutrogena.
MAKEUP MUST HAVES:
NOW comes the makeup...
First, if you want to look like your camera ready all the time then you need good tools. Makeup brushes are important for achieving that flawless airbrushed look. Trust me, those little foam tipped joints that come with your eyeshadow ain't gonna do it. I have 3 different makeup brush sets because I am a firm believer that one can never have too many foundation brushes and fluffy eye shadow brushes.
This e.l.f. Professional Complete Set of 12 Brushes is a great starter kit. It is only $12 and includes: Concealer Brush Blush/Bronzer Brush, Foundation Brush, Blending Eye Brush, Smudge Eye Sponge, Eye Liner Brush, Total Face Brush, Defining Eye Brush, Eyelash & Brow Wand, Lip Defining Brush, Brow Comb & Brush, and an Eye Shadow Brush. You really can't beat that even if you tried.
You also need a makeup brush cleaner. I just got the e.l.f. Cosmetics Daily Brush Cleaner the other day to try out. You spray, rinse, blot them on a paper towel and let them dry. It's pretty convenient and only $3. They also have brush shampoo which is probably better for thorough cleaning and it's also $3. I cannot stress enough though that you need to clean your brushes. If you don't, then they will get bacteria which will break your face out.
Next.. Face Primer...
Cardinal Makeup Commandment #1: Thou shalt always Prime thy face whenever thy bitch ass wears any foundation.
I got turned onto Primer last year when I began exploring the world of contouring makeup.. which we'll get into a bit later. This one from Rimmel London got great reviews so I tried it. It's dope. That little tube will last you like 6 months and it runs around $6-7. Just remember a little dab will do you and you need to let it set for like 5 minutes before you put anything else on over it.
BB Cream
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I freaking love BB Cream. For those who don't know, BB Cream is fucking magical. It is a tinted moisturizer, sunscreen, face primer, and face perfector all rolled into one. I actually use BB Cream more than I do foundation. For this I also go for Garnier. It comes in 4 shades: Fair to Light, Light to Medium, Medium to Deep, and Deep. They even have it for different skin types and in anti-aging. You just need to be in your skin tone range and it will blend properly. BB Cream is light coverage though, which makes it great for Spring and Summer.. But it's not so great at covering up bad skin.. which is why I can't stress enough how important all that skin care stuff truly is.
Contouring makeup...
You want to look modelesque then you need to use contouring makeup. It's really not that complicated. You just need to take a bronzer that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone and shade in the outside of your face and from the inner ends of your eyebrows down to the outside of your nose. Then do a highlighter on your T-zone, upper eyelids, below your eyes, and above your upper lip.
Here is a helpful guide:
To Shadow or Contour...
http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2012/01/nyc-new-york-color-cosmetics-sun-n-bronze-nyc-new-york-color-cosmetics-smooth-skin-perfecting-primer-for-spring-2012.html
To contour I use NYC New York Color Sun 'n' Bronze Bronzing Powder in Montauk Bronze. Wet your fingers or a sponge to apply for better coverage. Then for just regular every day bronzing I use the Fire Island Tan. I'm like light to medium skin tone so browse through the shades and adjust accordingly. My friend Manda is more medium and I used the Montauk Bronze on her for regular bronzing if that helps give you an idea. They are $5.
To Highlight...
L'Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer
It runs around $13 but that little bottle has lasted me for months and I'm still not out yet so I'm going to say that's worth it. It's also a universal highlighter so everyone can use it. It just gives you a brighter glow and hint of shimmer.
They have contouring kits but I haven't found one yet for cheap. The second I do I'll be sure to let you know.
Foundation...
Here is the problem with buying foundation at any place that isn't a makeup or department store.. How do you pick the right one to match your skin tone? Go to Target and use the tester bottles. If they don't have one, make one. Have no fucking shame. Stand in that aisle all fucking day if you have to and put each one on the back of your hands. When you find ones that match closely with your skin tone then try a little on your face. Bring some tissues with you. Again, have no fucking shame.
I have 2 I like...
L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
Comes in an array of different shades for ladies of every tone and color. If you get relatively close, even if it's off slightly, it will still somehow magically blend to match. It's weird but true. It runs around $13 and lasts for awhile. It's not a long last but it will get you through the day.
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup
This one is great. It says it lasts for 12 hours... but it really lasts from the time you put it on until the time you wash it off. It runs around $16. The drawback to this one is it only comes in 8 shades and the darkest they have is Warm Beige. I'm a Nude and Warm Beige is only 4 shades darker than me. So if you're a woman of color I'd write Neutrogena and tell them that's pretty fucked up. They should have shades of this shit for every lady. Call them racists and I guarantee they'll expand that line in a hurry.
Eyes...
Thou shalt always Prime thy face... This includes thine eyes. Eye primer will extend your eyeshadow wear and keep it from running and creasing.
NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Eye Primer
This eye primer is a long wear that lasts from the time you put it on until you wash it off and extends the wear of your eyeshadow an additional 4 hours. It's $3 and comes in a bunch of colors. This one is Universal which means it's for everybody. Maybe Neutrogena should take that hint.
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Shadow Stick
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It's a long wear and can be used alone or as a primer. Personally I like the Bulletproof Beige. Each stick is $5.
NYC HD Color Trio Eye Shadow
This eye shadow is the jam. It comes in a variety of different color combos. They're long wear and don't crease. My personal fave is Bronzed in Brooklyn and I wear that shit all the time. It's a great neutral combo that looks good on probably just about everybody. They've got some dope ones in Springy colors too and they're only $3 a pop.
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Gel Eye Liner
They have contouring kits but I haven't found one yet for cheap. The second I do I'll be sure to let you know.
Foundation...
Here is the problem with buying foundation at any place that isn't a makeup or department store.. How do you pick the right one to match your skin tone? Go to Target and use the tester bottles. If they don't have one, make one. Have no fucking shame. Stand in that aisle all fucking day if you have to and put each one on the back of your hands. When you find ones that match closely with your skin tone then try a little on your face. Bring some tissues with you. Again, have no fucking shame.
I have 2 I like...
L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
Comes in an array of different shades for ladies of every tone and color. If you get relatively close, even if it's off slightly, it will still somehow magically blend to match. It's weird but true. It runs around $13 and lasts for awhile. It's not a long last but it will get you through the day.
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup
This one is great. It says it lasts for 12 hours... but it really lasts from the time you put it on until the time you wash it off. It runs around $16. The drawback to this one is it only comes in 8 shades and the darkest they have is Warm Beige. I'm a Nude and Warm Beige is only 4 shades darker than me. So if you're a woman of color I'd write Neutrogena and tell them that's pretty fucked up. They should have shades of this shit for every lady. Call them racists and I guarantee they'll expand that line in a hurry.
Eyes...
Thou shalt always Prime thy face... This includes thine eyes. Eye primer will extend your eyeshadow wear and keep it from running and creasing.
NYC New York Color City Proof 24 HR Eye Primer
This eye primer is a long wear that lasts from the time you put it on until you wash it off and extends the wear of your eyeshadow an additional 4 hours. It's $3 and comes in a bunch of colors. This one is Universal which means it's for everybody. Maybe Neutrogena should take that hint.
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Shadow Stick
NYC HD Color Trio Eye Shadow
If you don't know about the gel eyeliner then you need to find out. This one from Rimmel London is fan fucking tastic. It's about $5.50 and is a super long wear that stays for 24 hours. It also comes with that nice eyeliner brush. Now if you've never used an eyeliner brush to apply eyeliner then I suggest practicing applying it on a night when you're bored. It's great for doing smoky eyes and classic pinup style makeup looks.
This is also a great eyeliner. It's runs about $8.50 and is a 16 hour wear. It comes in a a few different shades but my fave is the Carbon Black. This one is also retractable and has a little built in sharpener and smudger.
Wet 'n' Wild Kohl Kajal Brow and Eyeliner Pencil
These Wet 'n' Wild eye pencils should be a staple of every woman's makeup kit. They are like $1.. Yeah, one dollar. They wear well and come in a gazillion different colors. I about shit myself the other day when I ran across one in Rose Buff because I hadn't seen it in years. It matches my skin tone perfectly and is a great every day eyeliner for daytime looks.
This is my absolute favorite mascara. I pretty much refuse to use anything else. It makes my top lashes look almost like fake ones and the applicator brush is fine enough to do my bottom lashes without making them look clumpy. It's a waterproof long wear that runs around $9.
This eyebrow kit is the jam and it's only $3. You take the stiff angle brush and apply the gel, then a little fluffy brush to on the powder, then use your spooley (the mascara wand looking joint) to blend it in. It comes in like 4 different shade duo combos to match any eyebrows. Get it cause it makes a difference. I used to a pencil and look....
Before the eyebrow kit... Looks like I have no eyebrows.
With the eyebrow kit... See now I look like I have eyebrows.
Before the eyebrow kit... Looks like I have no eyebrows.
With the eyebrow kit... See now I look like I have eyebrows.
Cheeks...
For those of you who dig on cream blushes, this one is a long wear and lasts up to 24 hours. It comes in 5 shades and runs around $3.
For those of you that dig on powder blushes, this NYC one is great too. It comes in 4 shades and also runs for about $3.
Lips...
Thou shalt always Prime thy lips too ladies...
Lips...
Thou shalt always Prime thy lips too ladies...
This one is another long wear that lasts 24 hours and is also only $3. It comes in different shades including Universal. Personally I like the nude one because it matches my lip color.
Sticking with the NYC, this lip color is great too. It comes in a rack of shades and also is only $3.
Finish it off...
Finally, you've gone to all this trouble to apply all this makeup and get your face looking right. Now you need to seal that shit in for however long you'll be out and about with a face powder. This one from NYC is my fave. It's translucent so it goes on clear which means everyone can wear it no matter your skin tone. Face powder sets your makeup so you won't have to reapply it like bathroom bitch so this shit is an absolute necessity... And guess what? That shit is only $3.
BOOM! Now you've been schooled by Miss Slik on what's good for your face. Go out this weekend and get your shop on. Bear in mind that you can also Google for coupons for a lot of this stuff to get it even cheaper and if you go to Target you can get 5% off with your Red Card too... And I repeat, have no fucking shame!
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