Once upon a time I used to use liquid foundation (yuck). Not only was it liquid, but it was from Walmart. No pun intended to walmartmakeupshoppers, but I am not smearing cheap crap on my face. I plan to live with this face for the rest of my life, so good product it is.
In early 2005, I was introduced to Bare Escentuals. I am sure you've all heard of how B.E. has saved lives and whatnot by now. And sadly I own almost everything made by the company. I don't like makeup and only use it to conceal imperfections caused during my painful teenage years (acne). Bare Escentuals made me look like a person who went on vacation every week because I was dark like that. It gave me an awkward yellow complexion and a fake tan.
Last Eid while shopping at Sephora, I found a cool, more expensive alternative to B.E, Alison Raffaele products. One of the makeup artist from the company was at Sephora and gracefully offered me a make over. Of course I accepted and have been in love ever since, because seriously the crap works!
Sephora will no longer carry Raffaele's products, so everything is 50% off. Yay for me.
Here's how you use it
Step 1:
Make sure your face is cleansed. I use an acne treatment along with a daily moisturizer.
Step 2:
Apply concealer on desired areas, never use fingers, instead use a concealer brush. I use this one.
Step 3:
You will need a good brush that will help brush the mineral powder smoothly on your skin. I bought a Sephora brand bronzer brush.
Step 4:
When you apply the powder, make sure you do it in circular motions. Repeat the process until you reach the desired coverage. Mineral makeup is awesome for people with oily skin, as I.
(I use the number 3 shade, a light tan).
Step 5:
This wasn't on my shopping list but I couldn't resist the fruity delicious lip gloss. Loving it.
This wasn't on my shopping list but I couldn't resist the fruity delicious lip gloss. Loving it.
Step 6:
Transparent loose powder is optional, but I recommend it. It allows your makeup to set and takes away any residue shine.
Unrelated:
And finally I bought the Fig leaf soap from Bigelow's. I am addicted to the store and it was an unnecessary purchase.
My friends nickname me "Shopaholic," don't know why?
Transparent loose powder is optional, but I recommend it. It allows your makeup to set and takes away any residue shine.
Unrelated:
And finally I bought the Fig leaf soap from Bigelow's. I am addicted to the store and it was an unnecessary purchase.
My friends nickname me "Shopaholic," don't know why?
32 reflections:
I have serious issues with makeup, namely that I don't know how to use it. I can put on mascara and lipgloss and that is it. I don't know how to use any of that concealer/foundation/powder and whatever else that has been invented to plague my very existance. And how do you get a color that matches your skin? Do you just slather a whole bunch of different shades on your arms in the store or something and hope that it works when you get home?
(I think that I'm probably an abomination to egyptian women everywhere LOL)
And on a somewhat unrelated note, to all middle eastern women out there especially my fellow Egyptians: please stop slathering your makeup on your face like there is no tomorrow. Sometimes skin just needs to breath
(This public service announcement was in no way directed at you O.M.) :)
sephora = love.
it's amazing how much power beauty products have on me... i can buy soaps, lotions, shampoos, make-up, perfume, etc. without any consideration for my bank account!
For darker asian skin, I totally reccomend Perscriptives TruBend...they make the foundation to match your skin seamlessly and i've been using this stuff for ages!
thanks for the heads up on the 50% off at sephora.. i'm in the market for a new concealer! ;)
I used to hate makeups. I felt uncomfortable putting something on my face.
But it turned the other way round since my Japanese friends did a make over on my face. Hmm.. not bad. Slowly I learned to put some foundation and lip gloss. That's all I "dare" to put on my face.
It was so hard to find foundation that suits my skin tone since I am darker than average Japanese women. I'm using Lancome until now. There goes my money.
My mom is always complaining because I put on makeup but to her, it looks like I'm not wearing makeup at all. I have to do something with that.
Makeup class anyone?
L: My favorite makeup is when you can't tell that you have make up on. If you are familiar with the Desi and Arab culture, you will find our women like to pancake their face with makeup and define their features.
In the Gulf countries women use eyeliner (Kohl) to create their signature look of Arabian smoky eyes I think is what they call it.
You asked:
"How do you get a color to matches your skin?"
I think it's the trickiest part about foundation. I am still suspecting that my concealer is way too dark. I might have to exchange it for the lighter shade.
Honestly, the best way to know if something works for you is to actually try it on your face. The beautician will probably try two different colors on each side and she will ask you which to choose from.
If you have an oily complexion, like me, then you want to go with a lighter shade. As your pores secrete oil throughout the day, your makeup will definitly get darker.
Well, the public announcement can't pertain to me because I don't wear my makeup like that. I only wear it conceal.
Sara: I agree about the love thing. There is this awesome lip gloss called "lip venom" it's supposed to enhance the natural color of your lips. For only a whopping $16.
Let's not talk about bank accounts sweety. The ATM machine rejected me. They claim "not enough funds available."
"What the hell? How could it happen?" I thought.
Ya Sephora took my money. All of it.
And I agree, Perscriptives are the second best choice! I used their concealer for the longest time.
Thanks for sharing!
Yuki: Lip gloss is the best invention ever. I don't think women look good in a lot of makeup. Sometimes a small touch can make a whole lot of difference. Of course we leave that for special occasions.
Lancome is good, but expensive, don't you think?
And please, if your make up is translucent, then you know how to wear makeup.
Ooooooo! I enjoyed this post. OK, will try and get back to you :)
Sephora is AWESOME. I can spend hours in there just dipping my fat fingers into everything I want to buy but never do :D
Lancome is good, but expensive, don't you think?
yes it's expensive but i only buy it once a year. so i think it worth it..lol..
I bought BE too but dont think it is that great--more money down the drain. I am going to look for these products you mentioned. I never heard of Sephora--is it a national chain or what? And if they no longer sell the product you mentioned, then where can I buy it? Also, is this product good for fair skin--cuz I am ghostly white. Yuck!
Aahhh, Sephora.
See, my problem is- I LOVE to buy stuff but then I don't use it!
How dumb is that?
Of all makeup, I prefer mascara and eyeshadow and am on a constant hunt for the perfect ones- and then I leave the house in the morning without ANY makeup.
Not even mascara.
And why?
Because I'm lazy. I forget. I don't care.
The other thing that bothers me is that I always and only buy brown eyeshadow. Light brown, dark brown, golden brown, shimmery brown, matte brown. You get the idea.
I have enough brown eyeshadow to last a lifetime.
My alltime favorite is Bobbi Browns eyeliner in sepia, but only in combination with the eyeliner brush.
*sigh*
Back to work.
xx
Jeez. Boys get computer games, and girls get to stick chemicals on their faces?
XP
(just kidding, I like your photo posts!)
Let's talk makeup. I am sorry brothers I have to. But here, look at how fun Nintendo Wii is? Now think about that while us sisters discuss makeup!
Brilliant - just brilliant! Mashallah.
Anyway, about make-up... i used to be into it, now i never wear it. I want to try to improve my 'God-given' beauty, by eating well, drinking well, sleeping well, and exercise.
Shame i'm too lazy/busy/stressed to do any of those right now! haha
Ahhh yes, I remember those western notions of using make-up to enhance your beauty rather than painting and entirely different face on top of the existing base, and several shades lighter too.
I'm glad I've been forwarned about B.E. Man, I was trying to find that stuff anywhere last summer in the States. I wasn't going to be there enough time to order it off the TV but I was sold on the whole idea. Sounded great!
I am conciously aware every moment I'm wearing face make-up, I can do eye-liner and some spot touching, that's it. Not claiming I don't need more...just can't stand the feel!
Sounds I need to go to one of those fancy smancy stores when I get outta hickville and by me some sephora.
Just to let you all know how insane women are about make-up here in Saudia:
I was told by some very concerned friends that if I didn't start to wear more make-up my husband might marry another woman! Little do they know he, and most other men, hate all the make-up they wear here and call them monsters behind their backs when they're all done up.
There's been some commercials for Al-ShaSha channel that spoof's wedding make-up:
The new bride and groom walk into their hotel room beeming at each other. The bride indicates to the unsuspecting groom to wait a few moments as she removes all her wedding make-up. The groom sits on the bed and watches her take cotton ball, after cotton ball, after ball.....then they fast forward showing her only from the back going through a thousand cotton balls and cleaning her face. The end...a completely blank face from chin to hairline...no eyes, lips, nose, nothing! And a really surprised groom.
It's becoming a bit of a custom now when young men go to a home of a perspective bride to request that he views her face in the same state that she exits the shower. A quote, "I want to see her face the same color as her back."
Suroor: Suroooooooooory is on my blog? Begad! I miss you. Is their a Sephora in the UAE?
Liya: Yes. Sephora is an awesome place to just hang out and get pampered.
Yuki: LOL.
Eva: Do you know the Sephora at the King of Prussia Mall? Are you close to that? Sephora is an upscale beauty product store. They have name brands like Dior makeup. They also have their store brand which is affordable and great.
You can buy the product online, follow the link.
I recommend that you go in physically and try the makeup.
Sophyie: I am lazy. You are talking to a girl who is too lazy to go in for a nap sometimes.
And a lot of times I just do concealer and a brush of powder.
And I only to the eyeshadow for special occasions, maybe my wedding. LOL
Imuslim: I am glad you try to do that. Some of us must hide the imperfections of acne and sun.
Geez :)
Saudi Stepford Wife: LOL. That was funny. I believe makeup was invented to enhance one's existing features. It only adds a shine, not give a new face.
I agree, most men hate makeup.
OM: I DID find some stores in my area--so I WIL got here and try it before I buy any. But thanks so much for the heads up! Love ya!
Which means we live nothing close to one another. Road trip?
Some of us must hide the imperfections of acne and sun.
Hey, i have my own share of that to deal with! Hating the scars; praying they will fade with time, inshallah.
BE is like any other make-up-- some love it, some don't. It's expensive enough though to not try it unless you are really sure you want to try it!
My husband has stated 60-trillionty-times that he hates a lot of make-up. He said he liked my make-up, which is of course American in style, not like his sisters or students or coworkers who paint this odd Geisha face on. I look at that and think: you're still not lily-white, why are you bothering?! now you just look like a clown. tans are pretty.
Anyway, I try to look like I have a nice face naturally :) The only non-natural-looking stuff I may wear is teh occasional lipstain, or mascara.. my eyelashes are almost totally transparent, and once I put on mascara (BROWN) you can finally see them!
IMuslim: Don't you hate the scaring? I hate my skin. Alhumdulilah for it, but really, my teenage years ruined what was left of it.
My aunt uses an advance laser technology to remove scaring and acne. I need to make an expediated visit to get all that face work taken care of.
Geez.
You make me smile when I see you on here :-)
(your special like that)
Julianna: I agree makeup is expensive nowadays. Oh well. Thank God I am not rich and have credit cards,
and don't mind debt.
Phew
And yes, who would want a woman all pancaked like that?
Natural is Organic. Because I am organic like that and I command all my friends to be that way. Thank God you are ;)
Matzah lover.
Don't you hate the scaring?
Yep... i have pigment scars, and thankfully not pocks, Alhamdulillah. I'm not sure whether i've ever had full-blown acne. It's more that i get spot-attacks every now and then, usually linked to my cycle. It's been like that for the past few years (so adult onset, rather than puberty).
However, a few weeks ago, during a particularly gruesome attack, my mum told me to stop eating dates (i luuurve dates, especially with almonds), as she says they have 'heat' (an Indian way of saying they can cause skin/other health problems). Alhamdulillah, my skin has really cleared up since then. I have also been using a Clearasil face-wash.
I haven't been scientific enough to see which one is doing the work, and frankly, i don't care, as long as my skin remains clear, inshallah!
Have you ever heard of Green Smoothies? I'm telling you, they are a fabulous! I'm just too lazy right now to make them. I had them for about a month once, and my skin never looked better (well, since my teen-beauty-queen days, anyway...hah!). I'll post the recipe on my blog, inshallah.
Btw, you are a very gracious host, sweety! xxx
Om you are hilarious-seriously you are soo me before the hubby and the kids. I would so have a post exactly like this! LOL.
Green Smoothie post is up!
I'll be right there IMuslim.
Mommamu: *wink* So the days of makeup and free shopping shall be doomed after motherhood?
Yikes.
This is excellent!! I recently discovered bare escentuals and now I'm eager to try the brands you recommended, if you haven't already tried everyday minerals maybe check it out, you could ask for a free sample (just pay the shipping) and it's really good!! Interesting blog you have here by the way sister.
Thanks sis. You have a wonderful blog on your hands as well :)
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