![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 31. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
I thought I needed a little color so I bought nail polish. Could not decide on color. Red seemed safe. But it looks so shocking. Maybe I'm just not used to it. Now does my lipstick have to match? It's too red for lipstick. I just couldn't bring myself to use pink nail polish. It seems so Barbie.
So tell me, do only make-up challenged women buy red nail polish? Is there some other color that's 'in'? Or is it OK to pick any color?
My nails feel funny-- like they can't breathe. Is this normal? That's how I always feel when I wear makeup. Lipstick burns my lips, I swear. Mascara gets in my eyes. I don't get how people wear this stuff every day. And don't even get me started on shoes. Those tiny straps and tottery heels-- foot torture devices.
Maybe I should stick with jewelry. I'm just trying to cheer myself up, and not look like a plain brown bird.
Posted by shar on May 22, 2004, at 19:21:35
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
OK, I am totally make-up and hairstyling challenged.
I definitely relate to mascara burning eyes, lipstick not working, etc. etc.
However, the one thing I DO know is that rosy red (it has blue undertones) nail polish on TOEnails is exceedingly attractive. I don't paint my fingernails nowadays, just try to keep them fairly neatly shaped with the cuticles not too obvious...but when I did, I usually went with a 'clear' polish that was *tinted* pink or sometimes mauve. Nail polish is so obvious.
One can hide one's feet (simply by wearing shoes) so chipped color doesn't show. Fingernails are a whole different business; so I always tried to get something that was attractive but rather understated.
I wear almost no make-up whatsoever. Lipstick is about it. But...I think you're younger than me, and it is definitely fun to play make-up from time-to-time.
Have fun, whatever you do!
Shar
Posted by pegasus on May 22, 2004, at 20:19:01
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
I think you're fine with red polish, in terms of being fashionable anyway. Although, I'm sorry that it makes you uncomfortable. Really, almost anything goes these days with nail polish. Lots of young folks wear white or green or black (I sound like an old fogey). But any pink or red is always ok, if you like it. I think the trick is just not to use a color that's going to clash with the clothes you end up wearing. So, for example, with the red polish, you'd probably want to avoid certain shades of red that clash. Although red polish goes with most anything other than other reds, IMHO.
I don't wear nail polish much, but I used to. I always chose a color that I liked a lot, because I'm going to be seeing it more than anyone. I tended toward understated pinks as well. Nothing barbie-ish. But that's just me. You are welcome (according to the fashion police) to wear whatever turns you on, and if anyone judges you for it, well, then they have some problems to work on IMHO.
pegasus
Posted by deirdrehbrt on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:23
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » tabitha, posted by shar on May 22, 2004, at 19:21:35
I don't wear makeup everyday. I guess that I'm still learning too; partly because I haven't done it much, and partly because what you need for makeup, along with clothes and hair, change as you get older. At 44 you can't get away with what you could at 24.
Dee.
Posted by shadows721 on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:52
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
This is my favorite subject! I love makeup. I am an admitted makeup addict. Okay, enough about me. LOL
Since you don't usually wear the stuff, I wouldn't go for the bold colors like red or fushia. No way, that's just too much. I would suggest shear or a hint of color for you. It would feel more natural and bring out your natural beauty. In addition, shear, pastel or hint of color is for the summer time too. Why not go to the drug store and try looking at nail polish that is shear coral or light pink tones? If you like to wear gold jewelry, go for the coral. If you like to wear silver, go for the light pink shades. Shear shimmery shades are in, but I didn't know if would feel comfortable in glittery shades. Those glittery shades don't show as much glitter as one may think. They just show a few glitters with a clear coat. Metals are summer too. So, if you can't pick a color, try silver or gold shimmer. But, keep in mind, shimmer nail polish tends to flake faster. A good nail polish job is a base coat, color, and top coat. If you don't have time, just put the color and a top to seal it.
Lipstick shouldn't burn or peel. That sounds like an allergy too me. Also, go for the hypoallergenic makeup. Many people have allergies to makeup. Makeup shouldn't itch either. Try almay. I would not stick red lipstick on someone that doesn't usually wear it. Nope. I would go for something more muted tones. You can always go for the lip pencil with lip gloss look. It's a summer thing too.
Mascara comes in waterproof and not. Waterproof is great, but it's a bit more work taking it off. If you cry a lot or swim, I would wear the water proof and get a eye makeup remover that is specifically for removing waterproof eye makeup. I wear the non waterproof Mascara 2000 by Maybelline with the curved brush in brown/black.
If makeup is a painful, something is going wrong. Oh, on the shoe issue. I wear high ones, but the heel goes straight across. I can't handle those sling back shoes. They are murder on my back. I don't believe being beautiful has to be painful. Oh, you don't have to buy the expensive lines of makeup either to get a beautiful look. Oh, I wish that I could go with you. I love to do this type of stuff. I love it!
Posted by shadows721 on May 22, 2004, at 21:57:51
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by shadows721 on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:52
I forgot to mention a few things. Frosts don't stay on that long. They tend to chip and flake really fast. I rarely ever buy frosted nail polish. I tend to buy a bright color, a mute color, and a glitter one. Nail polish with actual glitter stay on really well. I keep my nails short with a very pale pink tone polish and depending on the occassion I will brush on the glitter on on top. Sometimes, I just wear the glitter nail polish with a clear top. I tend to wear the brighter colors on the toes for flip flop shoes. For example, I have a bright pink on my toes with a shiny clear coat and a pale pink on my fingers with a shiny clear coat. I like to keep nail polish on my nails, because it keeps my nails from splitting. I think of it as a protectant.
Also, when I do a manicure, I tend to do my execises and watch a few books or tv. I put on the base coat. It dries really fast and I put on two coats of color and then the top shiny coat. I give each one about 25 min to dry. I usually do this about once a week on my fingernails. You can extend a manicure by applying a clear top coat every few days. The toe nails last about a month. I will add a clear coat to the toe nail about once a week to keep them looking nice. I don't like to wear deep reds too much, because they tend to stain your nail even with a good base coat. You have to buff off that stain really well. Also, I buff the heals and put on a really good moisturizer on the heals. As a medical professional, I see that people really tend to neglect their feet.
Also, about the lip liner with the gloss, I would get a neutral color lip pencil for your skin tone. I would fill in the lip totally with the lip liner then apply the lip gloss color. The dry lip liner grabs the lip gloss and makes it stay a bit longer. Of course, if you don't want to apply lip color often, you will have to go with a matte colored lipstick.
In regard to makeup, they really don't tell you this, but you will see it in every magazine. There is a focus. If they sell the eye shadow. The eyes will always have dramatic false eyelashes with the colors to stand out. (By the way, I have never seen an ad for mascara without the model wearing false eyelashes.) The lips and cheeks with a totally neutral colors. If they are selling lipstick, the eye color with be totally neutral. This really is how makeup should be applied. You pick your focus. A person with eyes with dark blue eyeshadow and red lipstick is a very dramatic look. So, if you want to wear that red lipstick, don't wear dramatic eye makeup shadows like purple, blue or turquoise. The lips are to be the focus. A good rule for makeup is to see the person coming and not the color. A person can have the most beautiful eye color; but if they are wearing bright turquoise on most of their eyelid, the turquoise will be the focus. These are some rules of thumb.
Posted by jay on May 22, 2004, at 23:14:17
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
A little advice Tabitha. Honestly...don’t worry about it. Take the money you would spend on the nail-polish and buy yourself a book or something. See my line above..”I rest my case...at least my vanity..dressed up in the mask of comedy. If laughter is the straw...for a drowning (in your case) woman.” So, buy a REALLY funny book..or go see a really funny movie..:-)
Jay
Posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:04:34
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » tabitha, posted by shar on May 22, 2004, at 19:21:35
see Shar, you're way ahead of me already. Blue undertones? What the heck is that? How can I tell if my red has blue undertones?
I took your advice about the subtle fingernail color. Removed the red and got a pearlized pink, and only applied one coat. The plus side of the light color is I don't put it on so well, but you can't tell since it blends with my natural colors. Looks good I must admit. My toenails are still red.
Then I got a pink shimmery lipgloss. The kind that comes with a little sponge applicator on a stick. I've never had one of those before. It looks more stylish and flattering to my skin tone than my existing matte brownish-red lipsticks. Doesn't show the lip wrinkles so much.
I'm girly from head to toe!
Posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:05:54
In reply to I rest my case...atleast my vanity... » tabitha, posted by jay on May 22, 2004, at 23:14:17
Posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:08:57
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by deirdrehbrt on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:23
At 44 you can't get away with what you could at 24.
>Or even 34. :-(
Posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:15:13
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by shadows721 on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:52
Thanks for the tips. Yup, I finally wised up and went with the pinks. I periodically shop for makeup and always go for the reds or browns, then end up not wearing it. I don't like pink as a color, but it does look better with my skin.
My other stumbling point is eyeshadow. Frosty or matte? Powder or creme? I read once that frosts highlight wrinkles, so I don't buy it. I have a little matte white powder, but somehow it isn't quite right. I just use a dab sort of like liner.
Posted by sb417 on May 23, 2004, at 1:59:30
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
Hi Tabitha,
I can't help much regarding the colors, but I can highly recommend a book on buying makeup. It is "DON'T GO TO THE COSMETICS COUNTER WITHOUT ME" by Paula Begoun. I believe it's in its 6 or 7th edition already. Begoun writes a new one each year to keep up with all the new products. She's written several other beauty books, too. You can probably find them on Amazon, but the one I mentioned above is the best.
Posted by sb417 on May 23, 2004, at 2:06:24
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » tabitha, posted by sb417 on May 23, 2004, at 1:59:30
Paula Begoun, author of the book I mentioned in the above post, also has a website. I think it is www.cosmeticscop.com. You can write to her if you have questions about make-up, hair care products, etc.
Posted by jay on May 23, 2004, at 5:24:44
In reply to Re: what case? are you judging? why? (nm) » jay, posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:05:54
Tabitha, it's a line from a poem called 'Ceiling Unlimited'..I'll print out the entire thing..
I highlighted the particular text...Ceiling Unlimited
It's not the heat
It's the inhumanity
Plugged into the sweat of a summer street
Machine gun images pass
Like malice through a looking glassThe slackjaw gaze
Of true profanity
Feels more like surrender than defeat
If culture is the curse of the thinking class
If culture is the curse of the thinking classCeiling unlimited
World so wide
Turn and turn againFeeling unlimited
Still unsatisfied
Changes never endThe vacant laugh
Of true insanity
Dressed up in the mask of Tragedy
Programmed for the guts and glands
Of idle minds and idle hands**I rest my case -
Or at least my vanity
Dressed up in the mask of Comedy
If laughter is a straw for a drowning man
If laughter is a straw for a drowning man**Ceiling unlimited
Windows open wide
Look and look againFeeling unlimited
Eyes on the prize
Changes never endWinding like an ancient river
The time is now againHope is like an ancient river
The time is now again
Posted by shadows721 on May 23, 2004, at 8:09:37
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » shar, posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:04:34
I like the muted lite pink, because it goes with everything in my wardrobe too. It's a natural color. Even when I get a chip, it doesn't show like that red does either. Fingernail polish on the fingers just doesn't last as it is.
Oh, by the way, I have read Paula Begoun's books. She is good, but I have disagreed with a few items of hers. For example, her foundation brand for combination skin is the worst makeup I have ever tried. That's my opinion. I hated it! I shook it up 50 times and it still look separated and looked orange on my face. Another item, I love Bifacil eye makeup remover by lancome. She isn't crazy for it. I am not crazy for the mascaras that she recommends in lancome line. I loved a lipstick in Avon and she didn't. It was the best matte lipsticks that I have ever tried and I got compliments on it. She didn't like it. She rates all of her own makeup line as great. I didn't like almost all of it. I think I could write my own book.
I stick with matte eyeshadows in the day. I can add shimmer to the brow bone area to highlight, but that's it for a day time look. I prefer to use powder eyeshadows too. The muted tones are the best in eyeshadow. You can get a quick free eyeshadow application education from a makeup lady at a mall. Now, not all the ladies are going to make you up the same. You may not like it at all. You tell them what kind of look you are looking for - natural, dramatic, etc. You can pick out the colors. You don't have to buy anything. You can go back to a drug store and buy a similiar color. Not all browns looks good on everyone. I look sick with rust browns. I tend to look better with a charcoal brown. So, you have to go with colors that look right on you. I find that many makeup ladies will put on me what looks good on them. So, if you find you have a similiar coloring to one of them, that may be your ticket. Don't put on the same color as the eye to bring it out. For example, plum really brings out green in eyes. I don't ever put on eyeshadow with those little applicators. I have a set of brushes. They give a softer more natural look.
Blush is another item where I throw out those applicators. I have a blush brush. Those brushes in the compact to me are useless.
P.S. I think that I put maybelline mascara 2000. It's max factor 2000 mascara that I like.
Posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 16:24:15
In reply to Oh boy...no...'tis from a poem » tabitha, posted by jay on May 23, 2004, at 5:24:44
OK, I'm a little oversensitive lately, but why are you talking about the evils of vanity in my makeup thread? Guess I don't understand. I've got a bajillion books already. I've been grungy boho girl. It's time to find a flattering lipstick color. It's a positive thing-- gaining competence as a grown-up woman. And grown-up women generally wear a bit of makeup. Give me a little support in my effort, OK? Or don't, if you just can't support the search for good makeup, but hearing about 'vanity' makes me think you're criticizing my effort, so it's kinda hurtful when I already feel less than compentent on this topic. Like I said I'm oversensitive lately so I apologize if I'm misreading and seeing criticism where it isn't intended.
Posted by jay on May 23, 2004, at 16:59:29
In reply to Re: Oh boy...no...'tis from a poem » jay, posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 16:24:15
Tabitha..I hear you, and am sorry as I swear I didn't mean to make any accusations. In fact, I completely understand, as I have found when I get REALLY bummed and depressed, I don't shave for a few days. Now, I hate shaving (I think this was in a thread before..:-), but once all done, I feel nice and baby-skin-fresh clean.
Plus, I am one of those guys who goes out and buys the highest priced colognes. I *love* (I mean that!) it when a gal compliments me on how nice I smell.
Just to mention...I take that line to mean that sometimes I act like a bit of a silly idiot (aka comedic..to some..heh) to break the 'tension'. Now....I think it's time I go shave...:-)
Peace,
Jay
Posted by shadows721 on May 23, 2004, at 17:36:40
In reply to Re: Oh boy...no...'tis from a poem » tabitha, posted by jay on May 23, 2004, at 16:59:29
I have been so depressed that I couldn't even use a fork and spoon to eat let alone brush my hair. I just gave up. Some how, I fought back and I started grooming again as I use to do. It really does something for me to smell nice, have fresh clean hair, nails done, clean clothes on and makeup. It makes me feel like a human again. Even though my brain isn't working just right, I look like I am okay. It effects my husband too. He doesn't say anything when I don't bath from depression. However, when I get dressed, he brags and brags, so I know he loves it.
I love to wear colognes that smell like candy and vanilla. I've been told that I smell like a sugar cookie or ice cream.
Posted by shar on May 23, 2004, at 20:06:09
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » shar, posted by tabitha on May 23, 2004, at 0:04:34
Blue undertones are what makes rosy red different from orangy red. Rosy red is generally good for most people (I think), and orangy red only looks good on a few people. Think of a deep red rose; probably that has blue undertones. And, under flourescent lights (like in most women's restrooms and dressing rooms) blue undertones make scars/blemishes/etc. stand out! That's why anything you see under those lights you should not believe!
I agree totally with the more natural color nails, and then the 'application' of the polish doesn't matter quite so much.
I am too old for pinkish lipstick; staying with my brownish red ones. However, Connie Chung reportedly said that you should choose your lipstick to be a color close to the color of your tongue, and presumably that would be a good one for you. I'm not sure about that in terms of overall fashion advice, because she talks a lot so a big difference in tongue/lip color might matter more to her.
That about exhausts my 'girlie' knowledge...I'm glad your toes are still red! Any shade will do!
Shar
Posted by Fallen4MyT on May 23, 2004, at 22:30:45
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
I LOVE make up and nail polish and READ all the fashion mags so please know, red is in BUT ...PINK IS the HOT color this year as is peach on nails...lips DO NOT have to match nails in fact gloss and or natural colors look good on lips if you make your eyes the focus..Buy and wear the GOOD stuff its usually hypo-allergetic and you can wear it longer cause no itchy stuff ..sounds like your allergic to some of what you wear. Lancome, Chanel and the better brands heck even Clinique offer free kits with extra colors and stuff with purchase and you can get a free make over and see what colors look best on you...
Posted by Ilene on May 24, 2004, at 13:27:14
In reply to Re: make-up challenged » tabitha, posted by Fallen4MyT on May 23, 2004, at 22:30:45
Well, I finally had to jump in. I am semi-makeup-challenged. I don't wear too much of it, and now that I am older (50--ouch) it doesn't look the same.
If there's a Sephora in your city you can go there and play with their testers all day. They have hundreds of lipstick colors, and provide makeup remover and alcohol so you won't pick up strep throat or whatever from the previous customer.
I wear shades of orange in lipstick and nail polish (when I wear nail polish). I am very, very fair with hazel green eyes. My hair is brownish now (going gray), but it was dark auburn when I was younger. (BTW, plum eye shadow looks terrible on me. I layer green eye shadow and orangy blush. Sounds strange, but I can't find a green shadow that's not too green, and the orange drabs it down.)
I use the liquid/powder stuff instead of regular foundation. Most of the time I don't wear any. Sometimes I just use loose powder. My skin is extremely oily and I need to wear sunscreen all the time, so my goal is to get rid of the oil. I like the little booklets of powdered papers.
I found "Color Me Beautiful" to have the best color advice for both wardrobe and makeup.
I.
Posted by shadows721 on May 24, 2004, at 16:44:02
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by Ilene on May 24, 2004, at 13:27:14
Hi Ilene,
Are you a spring or an autumn in the color me beautiful? A cool plum wouldn't work for this coloring at all as you mentioned. A plum would need a gold, brown, or green with it for the warm complexion type. It's just like pink's there are warm and cool pinks, so their are warm and cool plum colors too.
Is it that the green is too intense or dark for you coloring? Is that why you go over it with a wash of blush? I don't know if you do this already, but I would start with wash of a neutral color like a hint of beige or taupe all over your eyelid first before applying any color. Meringue in Perscriptives is a good wash color. Since you like your face to look very warm, I would then add a color of gold on your eye lid by Guerlain No.44 single eyeshadow. Then I would apply the green that you are using. The gold could be used as a wash too either before or after the color of green, but I would always start with a eyeshadow base neutral color. How does apricot and bronze colors look on your eyes? Have you tried the olive color in Prescriptives? Since you like the Color me Beautiful, you may find Prescriptives nice too. It is broken down into color families.
Posted by Ilene on May 24, 2004, at 17:23:17
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by shadows721 on May 24, 2004, at 16:44:02
> Hi Ilene,
>
> Are you a spring or an autumn in the color me beautiful? A cool plum wouldn't work for this coloring at all as you mentioned. A plum would need a gold, brown, or green with it for the warm complexion type. It's just like pink's there are warm and cool pinks, so their are warm and cool plum colors too.
>I'm an autumn. Probably as autumn as a person can get.
I'm having a hard time imagining a warm plum.
> Is it that the green is too intense or dark for you coloring? Is that why you go over it with a wash of blush? I don't know if you do this already, but I would start with wash of a neutral color like a hint of beige or taupe all over your eyelid first before applying any color. Meringue in Perscriptives is a good wash color. Since you like your face to look very warm, I would then add a color of gold on your eye lid by Guerlain No.44 single eyeshadow. Then I would apply the green that you are using. The gold could be used as a wash too either before or after the color of green, but I would always start with a eyeshadow base neutral color. How does apricot and bronze colors look on your eyes? Have you tried the olive color in Prescriptives? Since you like the Color me Beautiful, you may find Prescriptives nice too. It is broken down into color families.
>The green I have is just too green. I like the way it looks with the blush. It's more of a warm olive.
I'm sure your recommendations are excellent, but I just don't wear that much make-up. For one thing, I'm not working and I hardly ever "dress". For another thing, at my advanced age, my eyelids are too crepey to wear that much shadow. I apply it just near the lashes.
I'll take a look at Prescriptives next time I'm in a dept. store. I don't shop much these days, either, partly because it's too much trouble to get to a store I like. It'll be easier once I move back to civilization (San Francisco).
I.
Posted by Noa on May 24, 2004, at 19:13:13
In reply to make-up challenged, posted by tabitha on May 22, 2004, at 18:26:49
1. my fingernails hate the feeling of polish.
2. the polish chips within hours of the manicure, sometimes even before I get home.
3. it hardly seems worth it to me anyway because it wears off so fast, it would be very costly to keep me well-manicured.
4. I can tolerate a pedicure much better--it lasts longer (there are, after all a LOT of things that we typically do with our fingers and NOT with our toes!)
5. I find it very hard to wear mascara or eye make up.
6. I feel wierd in lipstick most of the time, so I don't use it except on really special dress up occasions.
7. I've finally found an every day makeup I can live with but it's limited to foudnation and blush. I'd be happier without it but my skin looks a bit splotchy, especially under those awful lights at work. (It's funny--a co-worker of mine always says I look like I'm feeling better on days that I have the make up on!! I don't think she realizes the connection).
8. My feet are very very very unahppy in heels or anything but comfy shoes and I usually try to keep my feet happy. It's those fancy dress up obligations that are the challenge.
Posted by Noa on May 24, 2004, at 19:15:37
In reply to Re: make-up challenged, posted by shadows721 on May 22, 2004, at 20:27:52
Acc. to the stylist on the Today show, PINK is in this spring!! (how's that from a usually fashion/make-up challenged person?)
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