NEED makeup recommendations!

Aug 22, 2016

Violet P.

Post will be long to explain, sorry!

What are some good drug store brushes? I need one for my foundation, highlighter, & bronzer & concealer.

What do you recommend for foundation (drug store brands only)? I have my occasional oiliness in my T zone, but most of my face is dry due to eczema.

What are some good drug store concealers? I want to cover my under eye circles completely and cover pimples/imperfections.

I'm an amateur at this but would like to get better at putting on makeup.

Aug 22, 2016

Paige K.

Go on Amazon there's a amazing brush set its the BS mall kit and it has what you need

Aug 22, 2016

Darcy F.

Hi!

Re: brushes - I really like EcoTools. They have a fairly big selection & soft synthetic bristles that don't shed (in my experience). I use them for everything!

Re: concealing under eye circles - this isn't a concealer suggestion, but I actually like to use a little brightening powder vs. just concealer. And I have major under-eye circles. :) For drugstore options, ELF has a tiny pot of eye brightening powder that works quite well. On me, I totally hate when my concealer creases, looks patchy, or doesn't match perfectly. VERY lightly tapping a powder like this on top of a sheered-out concealer, or even just a favorite eye cream or gel, helps avoid those problems for me.

Good luck in your search!

Aug 22, 2016

Violet P.

@Paige, I'm not looking to order online, only in store! Thanks tho!
@Darcy, I'll have to check out those brushes and powder!

Aug 22, 2016

Darcy F.

:) :) I hope you find great matches for your needs!

Aug 22, 2016

Elaines P.

The target brand has a nice set of brushes that are amazing for bronzer, highlighter and concealer. Also, elf brushes are great quality and very affordable (can also be found in target)

I don't have dry skin so I can't really help with a foundation, but the maybelline concealers are great, my favorite is the fit me concealer

Aug 22, 2016

Violet P.

@Elaines I'll check out target for their brushes because I have an elf brush I use for my foundation & maybe I'm not using it right but I hate it! lol
Thanks so much patty!

Aug 22, 2016

Erin D.

Alright. Brushes? Go with the wet n wild contour brush for bronzer, if you're looking for a tiny concealer brush get the wet n wild one also. Highlighter-elf tapered brush or real techniques fan brush. Foundation: rt face buffing brush I believe it's called. I just use the real techniques miracle complexion sponge for concealer and foundation. The cheapest you can get face brushes in store is pretty much $6 for concealer and foundation brushes ($3 each) and the sponge is way easier to use and only $7 ish. Foundation: maybelline fit me dewy and smooth, or loreal true match lumi or normal. Under eye circle concealer: nyx hd or hard candy glamoflauge (super heavy coverage and kinda Cakey if not used correctly)
Pimples: use a different shade for pimples and undereye. I like the maybelline green concealer stick under my foundation on top of pimples to correct redness, followed by my skin tone in the nyx hd concealer. I get 1-3 shades lighter for my undereyes since I like to have that highlight effect. For getting better at makeup I suggest watching a bunch of makeup tutorials and reading articles on Pinterest about "makeup hacks" or "things you're doing wrong with your makeup" or just stuff like that. That's what really helped me and also watching YouTube videos on makeup tips, etc.

Aug 22, 2016

Taylor D.

I use the Rimmel London stay matte foundation powder and it is REALLY amazing. I would 100% recommend but it's best if you use a setting spray because it doesn't stay on long.

Aug 23, 2016

Leuca S.

I really like ELF/Real Techniques for concealer and foundation. The type of foundation you use can determine what brush is most appropriate, but if I use foundation tends to be liquid, and I really like my stippling brushes. I also use a few dense buffing brushes, but I think I prefer my duofiber/stippling style brushes for how easy they are to whisk product across the skin. They're also really easy to clean/dry.

LA Girl has a great concealer. I also like my Maybelline concealers; the Fit Me and the Better Skin. I find they have a great texture for using almost anywhere on the face.

My favorite drugstore highlighter brush is the Real Techniques Setting Brush. I never use bronzer, so I can't recommend anything from personal self use, sorry. :/

Aug 23, 2016

Riley O.

A good brush will help for the coverage considerably. I had trouble getting full coverage for my acne but when I bought my elf flawless concealer brush Is started using a lot less product and it worked wonderfully. I use Covergirl concealer. I don't know the line but it looks like a lipstick tubez.

Aug 23, 2016

Olivia M.

I TOTALLY recommend maybelline "fit me matte and porless" foundation. I use this everyday. you can get some "fit me" powder too and put it on your t-zone to reduse the oiliness.

Aug 23, 2016

Roz X.

Were you diagnosed with Eczema by a Physician? You probably know this, but it's not so easy to avoid triggers. Certain foods, weather, nerves, allergens...these all have an impact on Eczema. Even very soft, high quality brushes can bring on irritation for those of us who have skin disorders in the same way a pure cashmere scarf can; it's about much more than product materials or softness.

I truly sympathize with your Eczema issues. Many people work on trying to cover it up and unintentionally irritate it with products in both skin care and make up. Brushes actively increase spreading through irritation and bring on micro-exfoliation (flaking) and redness.
I cannot recommend a brush for the complexion itself knowing the risks.

With Eczema, I always prefer to start at the skin and work my way to make up.
I don't know if you are on medication or seeing a Dermatologist, but it's certainly could help make a world of difference. Very low-dose steroids are often prescribed, but over time can thin skin. Rarely are they a long-term solution and so you need to find other ways to reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation in any way possible. Green Tea is fantastic for this; both drinking and making a soothing rinse. For drinking, I recommend Teavana as the leaves are harvested in Japan. For a rinse, any green tea will do. You would steep a bag or 2 in a cup of water and when it cools, splash your face. This will kill surface bacteria and help skin take a deep breath from stress. You also need to find a way for your skin to retain moisture. That barrier is crucial to keeping Eczema not only under control, but reducing flare ups.

I'd wash my face with cooler water and use only soft, all-cotton washcloths...patting gently rather than rubbing, to dry. For washing, your best bet is detergent, fragrance, irritant-free CeraVe, which is available at most drugstores and chain stores. There's a $2 coupon on their website. They have one that is foaming, but I would recommend the hydrating wash without any foaming in this situation.

For eye make up removal, Organic, Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, Jojoba, Avocado, Sweet Almond, Apricot..any of these oils (NOW brand, for example) they sell at Walmart. You can use these with all cotton puffs or clean fingertips. You certainly don't want to rub too much. Any residue after washing with CeraVe can be removed with a gentle, wet washcloth. Micellar water that's free of fragrance is a nice follow up for the eyes and face as a whole. (I like Bioderma Sensibio H20.)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bioderma-Sensibio-H2O-16-9-oz/130641269

Long-wearing formulations of any kind should be avoided so that you aren't rubbing or drying out skin.

I'd personally follow up washing with a hydrating soothing toner; even if you have combination skin. Paula's Choice Recovery Toner would be a huge help in reducing irritation while providing hydration, but since you are sticking with the drugstore, you really need to watch you avoid irritants when toning. You cannot trust advertising and labels that claim it's perfect for sensitive (or all skin types). Because of this, I cannot think of a toner I've tried myself and would back up saying I know it pairs well with Eczema.
I would implore you to spend a little bit on a soothing toner through her website as this is an investment in your health. She offers samples priced for trial and those go a long way when applied with freshly washed fingertips. I'll link to that below.
http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/toners/_/Skin-Recovery-Enriched-Calming-Toner/

Again, I would say not to use brushes for most of your products...especially not foundation. Eczema can react to rubbing...buffing...bristles stippling, etc. and so your best bet is clean fingers and a thoroughly washed, damp sponge. Your foundation...all these mattes may be lovely, but that can bring on Eczema breakouts and only enhances dryness. I recommend applying a slightly luminous foundation with a damp sponge and clean fingers, gently patting/pouncing upon the skin. If don't want to splurge on a Beauty Blender, Real Techniques has a soft-reusable sponge that would be ideal. (You'd want to wash it after every use and be sure to air dry it afterward.)

Even though you have combination skin, you want your foundation to be slightly dewy/luminous for your face. Since you are acne prone, I'd stick with water based foundations. Work in light layers as needed.

You can treat your T-zone separately by applying (in the T-zone only) a non-irritating primer formulated for oily skin to help control that area and use blotting papers when needed. Gently patting the primer into the T-zone with your fingertips should work fine.

For the remainder of your face, I'd skip primer and instead keep that moisture barrier strong by simply using Eucerin Daily Replenishing Moisture Lotion on the face, avoiding the T-Zone.

I don't feel comfortable recommending any drugstore powder for someone with Eczema. You need to watch Talc, which zaps up precious moisture. Fragrance, even natural, drying alcohols such as isopropyl/denatured and setting sprays, Witch Hazel, Essential Oils such as citrus and lavender..these should all be avoided.

If you need a good moisturizer to sleep in for your combo, sensitive skin, CeraVe PM in the pump is light and offers soothing moisture that will help skin repair itself. After that sinks in, I'd normally recommend Aquaphor, but since are prone to acne breakouts, you can seal the CeraVe in with Jojoba or Evening Primrose Oil. CeraVe also makes a thicker cream in the jar that will provide a calming replenishment to your skin while you sleep.

Sun's rays, even on days that seem cloudy, can wreak havoc on dry skin and skin disorders, so a Broad Spectrum, physical sunscreen should be worn daily. Alba Botanica has an emollient fragrance free SPF that should keep you covered. (My drugstore carries it, but Whole Foods often has the line as well.) You may want something lighter for your T-zone. My own favorite SPF's are quite pricey, so perhaps more members can provide a physical option for you.

Even with a matte primer or blotting papers, you may find you need to powder your nose if you run oily. I'm not aware of anything super gentle and effective at the drugstore for powdering the nose. Bismuth can be as troublesome (if not more) than Talc for some skin. Hopefully some other members, such as Kitty, Alma or Ms. Jacqueline, will see this and be of assistance, but we may have other members that escape me that are also Eczema familiar.

I'd avoid powder blushes, contour and highlight formulas as a whole and go for cream since that area is not oily. Shimmer, glitter...these can bring on redness and patches. If your eye area is dry, keep the concealing light. You need to use a light hand and avoid a brush if you have irritation there or your skin is lacking moisture. CeraVe PM makes a great eye cream that won't smear your make-up. Maybelline Age Rewind or Fit Me, as recommended above, should work well for concealing.

For liners and shadows, creamy formulations that don't tug at the skin are a win.
Best of luck to you.

Aug 23, 2016

Whitney P.

Estée Lauder is great! I use to use mac but it dries my skin

Aug 23, 2016

Tabbitha S.

Brushes I would recommend real techniques. For the drugstore foundation I would recommend Maybelline fit me matte+poreless or Loreal infallible pro matte
For the drugstore highlighter I like NYX illuminate
The drugstore bronzer I would recommend Rimmel natural bronzer
And for the concealer I love Maybelline dream lumi touch or Maybelline instant age rewind

Hope this helped

Aug 23, 2016

Shannon D.

Hi I would definitely recommend the real techniques stippling brush my favourite brush over all my high end low end I love it for applying foundation, blending my cream highlight/contour once applied and to apply under eye concealer. Also Amazon oval brushes I bought some for £5! For five brushes and they make my foundation look flawless I got 5 brushes the others are quite small would be perfect if your trying to build up a brush collection