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Makeup Commandments: Dos and Don’ts of Makeup

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**This is a repost**
Makeup Dos and Don’t

Hello BB&W,  I am back with my makeup dos and don’t for you makeup novices and pros (because you all make mistakes). I had to write this list because believe me when I say that I have seen ALL of the don’ts in my seven years as a makeup artist and have encouraged all the dos (which is very hard at times). So I hope that you come away with this more secure in your makeup choices. And remember, most of these rules are rules of thumb and not ALWAYS applicable to everyone and there are exceptions. Use your better judgment. *except for #1 & #7, there are NO exceptions to those rules. They are Makeup Commandments..
1. Thou shalt not wear foundation two shades darker or lighter than your natural skin tone. You end up either looking ashy or orange, kinda like John Boehner.
too light and her makeup artist should be shot!
too dark!
John Boehner. Doesn’t he look orange?

2. Thou shall use a dark brown eye liner like Teddy from Mac Cosmetics or a dark gray one like Phone Number also from Mac if you are over the age of 40 or have texture (read wrinkles) under your eyes. This will keep you from looking haggard and much older than you really are. **note, this rule is usually for fairer hued women, Mediterranean (read dark olive skinned to darker hued women) can continue to wear black liner much longer**

3. Thou shall wear black winged out eye liner, it is a classic look for any age and very flattering to eyes young and aging. It is an instant eye lift.

 

 

4. Thou shalt not wear winged liner like this– unless of course its a  theme party; you are a performer (going for this look) OR you want to look like a drunk crack head.

5. Thou shall wear Red lipstick or gloss any time of the day. It is a power color, a seductive color and a color synonymous with intelligence and holds a man’s gaze longer according to a

study done by Manchester University. (You can combine red lips with winged out liner and GASP, smokey eyes).  And NO red lips do not make you look like a prostitute. When was the last time you SAW a prostitute wearing red lips? Ever asked yourself WHY prostitutes do NOT wear red lips? Jussayin. Try Ruby Woo lipstick by Mac, the color is pretty much universal or Strutter lip tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

 

 

6. Any woman, no matter her hue can wear red lipstick but if you are darker and still skeptical then try Rebel lipstick by Mac or a bourdeaux colored lip.

 

 

7. For the love of cute little puppies everywhere,

THOU SHALT NOT wear black lip liner or black liner in your brows. No self respecting fashionista WANTS to look chola. Or constantly surprised. Its just NOT attractive.

 

 

Epic Fail
who wants to look angry all of the time?

8. Thou shall wear concealer under your eyes. It can take 5 years off your face, especially if you have dark circles under your eyes. The rule of thumb is to choose a color one shade lighter than your skin tone. I tend to use concealer with a warm undertone to warm up the purple color in the circles. Be kind to the skin under your eyes. It is the thinnest and most fragile skin on your body and needs extra special care. *fresh cucumber once a week on your eyes is very healing, make a paste out of them or pop freshly cut ones right over your eyes, it’s such a refreshing way to relax after a long day.**

9. And last but not least, thou shall wear a smokey eye to a special event. If you are older use brown shades instead of dark grays and black. The technique is not difficult to master and you can use any color that you want (purple, green, blue etc).
10. However thou shalt not go overboard or you can end up looking like a raccoon. This look only looks good in the glossies.

**Bonuses** As women of color we should wear creamy or liquid foundations because of our hue. Powder will always make us look ashy especially the darker we are. I would suggest only using the foundation where you need it then cover it with a mineralize powder–it tends to blend better and retain our natural glow. Stay away from Matte powders unless of course you want to look older than you are. You want to be a little oily or as we MUA’s say “dewy.” Dewiness makes us look fresh and youthful.

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish


Iman Cream to Powder Foundation

Bobbi Brown Liquid Foundation

And if you want your powder to go on smoother and last longer use a primer:

M.A.C. Prep & Prime Skin Visage

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

and always always use a brush, not a sponge or fingertips when applying foundation or primer.

M.A.C 187 Brush

Tarte Cosmetics, Bamboo Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush

And last but not least, as women of color we should always wear blush. Blush keeps your face from looking one dimensional and flat. There is a way to apply blush and I will do a tutorial with a list of great blushes this weekend so be on the look out.

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial today. Remember great makeup begins with a good diet, lots of water and a good skin care regiment.

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Comments

  1. Love it! Your tips are great! I actually made a big error a few months ago when I ran out of concealer and used not only the wrong color powder, but the wrong type.  It stood out on my face and was so weird, didn’t noticed until I saw a couple of snapshots of myself!lol! 

    •  @ForeverSerenity Ooooooooooo, chile……………………………..bwwwwaaaahhhaaaaa!  Been there, done that, burnt the T-Shirt……..bwwwwwaaaaahhhhhaaaaa!

  2. I remember when that eyeliner around the lips look was popular among some black women, not just chola. I was just old enough to wonder WTF was wrong with their mouths. O_o Soooo glad that look is over. It’s so tacky looking.
     
    And yes, yes, yes to the whole foundation thing. I hate when people do that, especially when it’s too light. You end up looking like a corpse. And unless that’s the look you’re going for, I’d say avoid it altogether.

  4. I’m going to experiment with that “winged out” look. Tres chic!
     
    Also, there seem to be varying definitions of what constitutes a “smoky eye.” Would you please elaborate (and maybe give us a tutorial – or a link to one that you approve of?) Thanks! I LOVE your posts and I always learn so much.

    •  @ASwirlGirl Ditto re: a tute.  I’ve tried the winged look and feel I look like Karla-titi, Queen of the Trailer Park.  I’m obviously doing something wrong.

      • @ASwirlGirl @Karla I love the winged eyeliner look. Been rocking it on and off for years. Karla, there may be a problem with the brush you’re using to put on your eyeliner.

        •  @grrlysquirrel75  @ASwirlGirl  @Karla So Grrly, you use powder to achieve your winged look? I was told that liquid eyeliner is better. *Not that I know; I’m totally clueless on this one*
           

        • @ASwirlGirl For the most part I use liquid liner, but I used to use Bare Minerals powder eye shadow and I’d wet the liner brush. I think I may actually still have it. If I do I might use it tomorrow :-). 

        •  @grrlysquirrel75  I actually have some of that; I’ll use that to experiment with until I get some liquid eye liner. I like the way the winged eye looks on the first model in Tanisha’s photos; it’s soft, and not harsh and drawn-on looking like the “don’t” photo. Now that I think about it, a powder should give a softer look than a liquid liner (I think; but what do I know)? lol

      •  @Karla  @ASwirlGirl OMG Karla…  I am sure you do not look lie queen of the trailer park…

        •  @Morenika  @Karla  @ASwirlGirl Lawd Jesus Be!  I hope not (or maybe……I don’t know)…………bwwwwwaaaaahhhhhaaaaaa!

        •  @Morenika  @ASwirlGirl There was a woman who was my mom’s best friend and she used to do the winged eyeliner like the “don’t” girl.  Being a curious little six-year old, I said to my mom, “What’s wrong with Mrs. D’s eyes?  They look weird.”  I got in trouble for saying it loudly so Mrs. D could hear it.  I don’t do my eyeliner like that but it doesn’t look like the “do” girl either.  Frankly, all I’d need to do is put my locs into a beehive, smack some gum and do my eyeliner and yeah, trailer park heaven.

        •  @Karla  @Morenika  @ASwirlGirl Bwwwwwwwaahhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa!   Sorry, but bwwwwwwaaaaahhhhaaa!

  5. Thank you for this info. Especially highlighting stuff for us older gals.  Much appreciated.

  6. Love it!  I just started doing the winged out eye liner.  I am breaking one commandment – liner in the brows 🙂  When I don’t add liner to my brows, it looks like I don’t have any LOL!  Can’t wait for the blush tutorial!

  7. Great tips, Tanisha!  Never tried using a brush to apply concealer/foundation (hyperpigmentation, ya know) always used a sponge.  Guess I should get one of those brushes and give it a try.  I have the feeling it will take some practice.

  8. Wow, the woman in the top photo is GORGEOUS! Love her eyes!
     
    How’s it going Tanisha?

  10. I love red lips, so far my faves are DuWop’s Private Red, Henna King’s Cherry & Sunset red, Revlon’s 007 In the Red & 006 Really Red and Sephora’s 9127A & rouge R04. Warm bricky or orangey red is best for my undertone but sometimes I’ll blend w/a ‘bluer’ one & edge towards a more ‘true’ balanced red.
     
    Agreed that the super-smokey raccoon thing is good for pix only. I get about 10 minutes before i start looking like a depressed goth. LOL
     
    I’ve yet to find a perfect foundation…they’re either too red, too orange or too beige/chalky.

    • ….What also pains me about foundation is that unless I’m being AR about sunscreen use & exfoliating, living in sunny Cali, my entire head will tan(unevely) several shades darker than my chest  and front of neck (esp back of my neck and melasma areas…sides of face can get really burnt). …So I’ve had MAs unsure of whether to match the darker areas or the lighter ones. Like what shade would a calico cat wear really? lol sooo, recently I’ve been putting more effort into getting my skin together and uniform.(strict sunblock, & AHA peels) it’s gotten lots better but I still use concealer.

      •  @Elfe True Dat!   Foundations are a B-Y-O-T-C-H!.  Found Revlon #14 (I think) foundation, don’t know its marketing strategies in other markets, but where I reside this is actually a foundation that matches my skin tone (shocking) along with Iman and a few Fashion Fair products.  I only wear “full face” when doing applications to “jobs” only, not on the “everyday” level.  The work I do currently doesn’t “allow” for “nice” makeup, only after the job is done,  I’m blessed to have mostly even skin tone.:-}

        •  @Deepwater Horizon  Even skin really is a huge blessing! I’ve had issues off and on for most of  life. Eczema and random rashes (didn’t have the sense/ willpower at that age to not scratch myself into hyperpigmentation), chicken pox kicked my butt, uneven tanning and sun damage cycle where i’d lay out and try to do ‘corrective’ tanning. LOL omg. hottest of messes. The stubborn chloasma w/ the pregnancies was the last straw.
           
          Better late than never I guess.  I did get a wakeup call from a spa aesthetican in my 20s, she pointed out what I needed to do but I dint lissen. -.-

        •  @Elfe Yeah, I heard that.  Been drinking lots of water over the past 20+ years, very little sodas and eliminating, as much as possible, non-beneficial “soft drinks”, though still love juices (also sugary and laden with non-beneficial “fats”).  Now consuming better foods and liquids.  I, myself, don’t necessarily like it, but do see and benefit from “better” dietary consumption at my current age and stage of life.   I have to do better and am doing so, unbeknownst to me (though said through friends) am doing so proudly.  (what, what?)  Maturity….and longevity…………..is all I can say………do better, be better…………………………….

        •  @Deepwater Horizon  ” do better, be better…”
           
          definitely!   Erin/SB has couple of entries about sun damage on her blog. I’m sorry for her pains(yeeouch been there several times) & I hope more ppl of African descent get the message.
           
          It’s Official: African American People Get Sunburn Too (This Picture Proves It)! Pt. 1
          http://scandalousbeautyonline.com/?p=10978
           
          Update: My Sunburn Still Looks Disgusting–Peeling, Dryness, Stinging and Dark Marks Galore
          http://scandalousbeautyonline.com/?p=11018
           
          …this is really good too ~
           
          Skin Cancer Myths and the African-American Community
          http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5623503
           
           

        •  @Elfe Read all three articles:  Excellent.
           
          “Now, just to show you how silly it is to be racist or prejudiced because of somebody’s skin color, have you ever thought about how black people do all they can to find some shade and avoid anything that will make them blacker, while white people actually go hunting for the sun, and put on suntan lotion to baste and broil themselves in order to get darker.” from third link………..
           
          True, true.  Love that the Sun “evens” my skin tone, though in doses, so as not to encounter melanoma(s) in the future.  Learned about this years ago. Funny how “White folk” “hate” us yet will break necks to “become so-called Brown”, strange logic indeed.  🙁
           
           

        •  @Elfe Awesome links. Thanks so much. Will try out.  Fabulous suggestions.  Love and read all the links provided and will try those items that are within my budget.  Thank you so much.

        •  @Elfe Read #’s 4 and 5 as well, thanks again for suggestions and advice.

        •  @Elfe I know what you mean. I’m 33 with adult acne and have been acne prone for at least 20 years not.  No matter what I do with diet and skin care, my skin still breaks out.  I’m working on correcting hyperpigmentation at this point…

        •  @CarlaRose  It can really be annoying(hyperpigmentation)..In my dreams, there’s a magic product or facial out there that’ll cure melasma once and for all but IRL it’s like a daily & feels like.. eternal thing. lolz I’ve looked at tons on info online about supplements & diet but i can’t say that anything i’ve eaten or taken has made a huge diff.  Thank goodness for AHA products and sunscreen!

        •  @Elfe   Those 1st 2 pictures with the sunburn on dude is gross “girl”, I hear ya though.  That last link is awesome written by (that FOINE ass Ed Gordon http://www.bet.com/shows/weekly-with-ed-gordon.html – one of the extremely rare few light skinned Black men I was/am attracted to, yum)  
           
          Back on the makeup / skincare tip, been wearin’ strong sunscreen because of the warm and sunny climate I reside in, must take care of my skin as well as my “beauty” dahling (chuckles).

  11. What’s good er’body:  Don’t like reds, but every other color, particularly neutrals and/or some nudes with a touch of blue/red colors (not orange/red colors) look good on me.  I have that “smize” look with the smoky eye.  Can work makeup, learned some time ago.   However, I live in temperate (to warm) climate thus makeup can melt and will “drip” onto “nice” clothing or down my neck (front and back) for uneven results.  Love most pictures above.  Love to wear blush and “nude” liptstick overall, little else, not into eyes on “everyday” level.  
     
    Good job on makeup ideas for Black women (though learned a “few minutes” ago – hahahahahahahaha).

    •  @Deepwater Horizon Have you tried Mally’s primer? When I use it my makeup holds up, even in HOT, MUGGY, HUMID, STEAMY (did I say HOT, MUGGY, HUMID, STEAMY?) Louisiana. 

      •  @ASwirlGirl Sounds fantastic, is it in “realistic” budget?  You know, Walgreens, maybe, CVS (don’t like cvs too much- – don’t seem to cater to”us” too much)?

      •  @ASwirlGirl I sho willl, Mally’s Primer, I will seek it out and try it.  Since you are in Louisiana, I will trust you……..hahahahahahahaha.

        • @Deepwater Horizon LOL! I get mone at QVC. She just came out w/a version of it that is SPF 15. It’s by Mally Rancol; she’s done makeup for Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. Mally’s claim is that using her products will make your makeup “bullet proof.” I was very skeptical, but I tried it, I loved the results. The good thing with QVC is that they have a 30-day money back guarantee; no questions asked. The only $ you would be out of is the shipping cost.

        •  @ASwirlGirl  @Deepwater OK, I might have to give that a whirl…………”bulletproof, eh?”……………………………………….bwwwwahhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

  12. Ok the angry eyebrow look I absolutely hate.  It looks like I cut out of black construction paper to small thin strips and glued them to her head.  My Mom has her eyebrows tattooed on.  Her eyebrows were never dark or to full.  Reminds of the time I snook her eyebrow pencil to school…  LOL she was so mad at me…  We laugh at that today.  she said ” how would you like it if I took your eyebrows”.  I had the most puzzled look on my face….

      •  @Deepwater Horizon You now,  that stayed with me.  I think I have PTSD….  Crazy lady threatening to take my eyebrows….   

        •  @Morenika Bwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!  “Girl” you crazy………..bwwwwwwwwwaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa!

    •  @Morenika  “” how would you like it if I took your eyebrows”.  ”
       
      classic!! LOL

      •  @Elfe I escaped….LOL….  and when she got her eyebrows tattooed two years ago and told me she was in route with her equally crazy friends, I asked her ” who told you to do that”…  But then I thought back to her taking mine and said oh, it sounds great…..Send me a picture when they are done….

        •  @Morenika  I wish i could get red lips tattooed(not just the liner). I’d have to be knocked out for the pain tho. I’d worry about how it ages over time, if it would stay the same. Also I’d worry about any kind of oopsies , mistakes etc.
           
          I’ll make do with the henna stains. these are soo good, super long-lasting.
          http://www.hennaking.com/mehru_lip_dye.php

        •  @Elfe  @Morenika “Girl” don’t do it, don’t do it.  Ms. Goldberg stated on “The View” she has/had  Tweetybird over her left breast/chest.  She said the same thing in her youth, “it’ll look so good”…………She said it now looks like “Big Bird” (Sesame Street)………………bwwwaaahhhhaaa!!  No lie……..don’t do it, don’t do itI     I swear, don’t do it, please………don’t do it……………….bwaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

        •  @Deepwater Horizon  @Elfe My mother got her lipliner tattooed also.  I know these women she hang out with and talk into this stuff….  My mom said that she could not bear the pain of  the lipliner so she skipped having her lips permanently colored.. LOL  She is 60 and more into beauty than I am.   Her friends these women are the true housewives of Las Vegas……

        •  @Deepwater Horizon  @Morenika “…She said it now looks like “Big Bird” ”
           
          LOL x.X..omg. 

        •  @Elfe  @Morenika I hear you on the henna stains, they will “wear” over time, no permanent nothin’ “girl”.

        •  @Elfe  @Morenika Actually, Elfe, on that very show, I’m sure it will re-run at some point, Barbara W, Hasselberg, Joy B, Whoopi and Sherri S, talked about “permanent” solutions regarding makeup and even Ms. Walters, whom’s had a few nip/tucks herself (looks DAMNED good though), said “don’t do it” in terms of permanence, our faces and bodies, though not to ourselves, do change, not just with age, but at times of the year, fall, spring, winter, summer, and those permanent “makeups” don’t or won’t work at some of those specific times and, even more specifically, during menstrul cycles during those times of the year.

  13. I enjoy all your tips and look forward to a piece about BUDGET makeup. Some of us don’t buy MAC or the more expensive brands. 
    Black Opal, NYX, Cover Girl Queen Collection and Black Radience and Revlon are worthy drugstore items. Sam Fine is working with Fashion Fair these days… and of course good old Wet and Wild.

    •  @DeeDeeRussell OMG!  Love Black Radiance, I rock the HEYALL out of that.    Love Iman and Cover Girl Queen Collection, yes lawd.  “Guuuurrrrrrllll” these/those are my jams.  Can’t front with Ms. Karazin and crew, middle class and above – not mad at all.     I’m (now) working class and my Love Black Opal, “guuuurrrlll” you don’t know, I’ve made my world around these products (laughing out loud).  Mess with Wet “n” Wild a tiny bit in that I find their makeup “cheap”, not so much in pricing, but in quality.   I feel you though, fa real……..

      •  @Deepwater Horizon  @DeeDeeRussell  Agreed! I love the NYX & Revlon matte lipsticks… my bronzers are Wet and Wild & Milani.I buy pencils from all diff companies like Jordana, Loreal, WetWild etc…It’s all mostly grease, powder and pigment anyway.LOL There’s good stuff to be found at all price points, IMO.

        •  @Elfe  @DeeDeeRussell Yeah, Elfe, Milani, love their lipcolors, especially Double-Espresso liptstick, it leans toward matte, with slight a moisturized shimmer and looks fabulous on my skin tone.  Also love Revlon Mattes, Black Radiance, and Iman’s Colors Collection (I think that’s what its called).    
           
          Back in the day, lipsticks were gross, shiny, greasy-ish lookin’ like you just finished a Popeye’s 2pc (no bisquits)…not cute (chuckles).  

      •  @Deepwater Horizon Wow, I am glad that others like the drugstore brands. I will not ride for MAC for a variety of reasons including price point to me it’s simply overpriced/hyped.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell  @Deepwater Horizon I agree. I’m a fan of Sephora. I like their matte powder, but I must moisturize my face really well to get the dewy look. Otherwise, it can look a bit ashy. I will try a mineralized powder. I am skeptical of drugstore foundation since my skin is very sensitive. Is there anyone here who is acne-prone and had good experiences with drugstore makeup that didn’t make you break out? Ultimately, I want to invest in the Clarisonic face brush and the airbrush makeup that Christelyn posted about a while back. That stuff looked amazing! Those will be my treats to myself.

      •  @Deepwater Horizon Black Opal is the business!!  I’m devoted to their concealer if I had to pick only one makeup product it would be that.  I support IMAN and buy her blush sticks, helping a sistah out. I purchase NYX lipgloss by the half dozen off of Ebay, for me its comparable to MAC lipglass and for the price of one lipglass I bought 6 NYX.

    •  @DeeDeeRussell Yea I have MAC right now but it’s so expensive I’m only saving it for special occasions. I need something I can wear more often. It’s hard finding cheap foundations for my skin tone though because they don’t match you up at the drug store like they do the MAC counter.

      •  @MySmile  @DeeDeeRussell Yeah, I heard that.  My understanding of MAC Cosmetics is that its primarily made for television actors, news anchors and such.  MAC is supposed to be able “to hold face” during hot lights and (now) high definition television so I’d (now) suppose MAC, technically, ain’t for the “average” person like myself.  I can afford MAC once in grand while but not on the “on the regular”.

        •  @Deepwater Horizon  @MySmile  @DeeDeeRussell 
           
          Revlon ColorStay isn’t bad but i still have to mix 2.
           
          there’s a RCS to MAC conversion here, it sounds about right
           
          http://the-beautifool.blogspot.com/2010/06/mac-studio-fix-fluid-revlon-colorstay.html
           
          I like Maybelline FIt Me too and it smells better than the RCS which has a weird smell until it dries.
           
          ….this matrix thingy is helpful too, it gives any idea of what shades should work across brands.
           
          http://www.temptalia.com/foundation-matrix
           
          I am loyal to the MAC concealers and I’ve tried Nyx and Dermablend but the colors aren’t quite right for me.

        •  @Elfe  @Deepwater Horizon  @MySmile I RIDE for Black Opal concealer. Thanks for the RCS to MAC conversion. I find that many BW wear the MAC foundation very thick, like they used to do with Fashion Fair back in the day. I can always tell those MAC girls they kinda sorta look drag-queenish & over do it. It might be cause that ish is so expensive they like to ‘show it off’ . Nothing wrong with drag queens, just saying.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell  @Deepwater Horizon  @MySmile 
           
          I want to try Black Opal concealer and the foundation stick..do you know if it’s neutral, yellow or red based?
           
          Here’s another page with equivs. it’s for finding Iman shades but if you look at all of the charts you’ll get an idea of what works from each popular brand. she also advises re: degrees of coverage
           
          http://www.blaqvixenbeauty.com/What-My-Shade-IMAN-Foundations-12029272

        •  @Elfe  @DeeDeeRussell  @MySmile Oooooooo “girl”  love, love, and love this chart, I’ma keep in my bookmarks.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell  You are so right about the drag queen thing!! That’s exactly what I was thinking after I got my make-up done there!! Not that the lady did bad, but I felt like America’s Next Top Drag Queen after she finished!!! It was kind of pretty, but it looked a little too airbrushed and heavy.  I shouldn’t have been surprised because she was wearing a lot of make-up herself. She had the drawn on eyebrows and everything.  I still like MAC, but when I put it on myself, I didn’t look so Rupaul-ish lol.

        •  @MySmile  @DeeDeeRussell Bwwwwwwaaahhhaaaaa!!!  True Dat!      
           
          Here’s a solid tip though from 1st hand experience, when trying on makeup, especially with department stores, go outside, away from the makeup displays – demonstration stations to see what the colors / tints actually look like in the natural sunlight (daytime obviously), if flattering, then add to your “shopping cart”.  Because regardless of the manufacturer the job of the demonstration makeup “cosmetician” is TO SELL.  You don’t want to get home just to find out you’ve plunked out (hard earned) $$$ for unflattering makeup having to then return them back to said store (enough drama picking out what is flattering as is).

      •  @MySmile True dat. MAC has good counters and that ish is so expensive. Sephora is good and some drugstores have a total return policy. It’s not rocket science 😉 . I dunno…maybe it’s just me but after years behind the beauty counter working freelance for companies from Chanel to Dior jaded me and demystified the entire process.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell  @MySmile No **** about MAC, bought that in “my corporate days” and did not like that stuff at all, a bit too heavy at the time, that may have since changed, don’t know, ain’t got that kind a dough right now.  Love Black Opal concealer.  I “heard that” earlier about “ridin’ that concealer”, bwwwwwwwaaaaahhhhhaaaaaa!

        •  @DeeDeeRussell My mother has done make-up/skin care most of her life. She has worked for Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Philosophy, and a few others. It’s just that she’s not right beside me to pick out a perfect shade for me, plus, she’s use to dealing with the expensive stuff, not the drugstore foundations. She’s also not my color so she doesn’t know exactly what  I need. Many people, even make up artists, do not know how to put make up on dark skinned women. I even had a lady come up and complain while I was getting my make up done at the MAC counter. Some people think all dark skinned women are the same shades. Some cheap foundations make me look ashy or chalky (or they don’t even make them for dark skinned women). I would have to actually put the foundation on to see if it matches my skin tone, but I’ll check out the return policies.

        •  @MySmile  @DeeDeeRussell Exactly.  
           
          Personal tip from 1st hand experience (mentioned this to another poster as well).
           
          When being “demonstrated” upon, go outside away from the demo area / counter into the natural sunlight (supposing you’re doing this in daytime) to see what colors and tints ACTUALLY look like on your skin in natural daylight because, ultimately, the job of the “cosmeticians” (my word – idk) job is TO SELL.
           
          Can’t stand “cheap” foundations and you’re right, MySmile, not all dark-skinned Black women have the same deepness or coloration within that tone.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell Yes, I just started wearing the blush as well.  I think it’s Warm Berry.  I love it!
           
          I was actually on my way to buy MAC at the mall, when my husband and I stopped by Wally World to pick up some things for my mother.  I decided to browse the makeup section and discovered the Black Radiance.  I’ve used MAC in the past and still have some of the eye shadows.  I don’t the mind the price so much, just I don’t like going to the mall LOL!  When I do go, it’s a quick in and out, usually to Victoria’s Secret. 

        •  @The Working Home Keeper  @DeeDeeRussell My understanding with MAC is that, in their initial “campaigns”, it was meant for television makeup for under the hot glare of the lights needed for the cameras, thus it being “weighty”.  The price of MAC is off the chain though.  Black Radiance is hot business for me, Black Opal, and Iman, if you can locate it is B-A-D in a hellified (good) way.  Being a dark-skinned Somali woman and “supermodel” of 70’s and 80’s Iman, herself, stated that makeup was horrible during those decades particularly for deep toned Black models; the makeup was greasy, drippy, didn’t last, and she wanted/wants a better reflection of “African-American” makeup for dark-skilled Black women, thus her own line now.   Fashion Fair had a couple of good lipstick colors, good quality, price ranges weren’t horrible.  Never did like their foundations   Too much like wearing pancake batter with Mrs. Butterworths syrup, yuck (chuckles).

      •  @The Working Home Keeper  @DeeDeeRussell Ooooooo, yeah, “girl”, you know it, love that Sahara Red Lipstick, a brownish/ very slight orange and blue undertonez, not heavy “oranges” underneath.  As you can tell I know my makeup, don’t want to look like “Homie The Clown”.

      •  @The Working Home Keeper Interesting. All I’ve heard is got addicted to the knife. Anyway one can never know. Regardless her make up in those photos is atrocious.

  15. Where does one even learn how to put on makeup? Is it a trial and error thing? Beyond chapstick and the occasional mascara, I don’t wear makeup. It’s so friggin hard! I would love to be able to recreate some of these awesome looks without looking like a clown.

    •  @Veron I learned mostly by trial and error and by looking through style magazines and recreating what I saw.  I also had my makeup done a few times at the mall.  Youtube is a great resource for tutorials. 

    • @Veron Definitely trial and error. My mom never wore makeup so I learned from fashion magazines and my own mistakes, hahaha!!! Also, went and had it done at makeup counters. The only caveat there is that they expect you to buy at least some of the stuff they used on you, if not all.

    •  @Veron My mom doesn’t wear makeup (never did and doesn’t need it) so there was no way I could get tips from her.  I had friends who bought Maybelline and/or Cover Girl but they had nothing for BW.   It wasn’t until I got into the Navy that I decided i wanted to play a bit.  I have been lucky enough to be in areas where I’ve had some great makeovers in different stores (Nordie’s, MAC, Sephora, Jordan Marsh) and I was never given the hard sell.  This was, however, the best way for me to find things that worked for me.  I found my favorite MAC lipglass, a MAC eyeshadow for evening events, a foundation from Prescriptives that was custom mixed for me (sniff, sniff; I really miss them so much!).  I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and needed something to make me look glam.  The dress was a candy apple red so I went to Sephora on the day of the wedding and Alice hooked me up with a red makeup glitter and some special eye glue.  I thought I was going to look like RuPaul without the wig but I looked quite smashing!  I was sporting my bald look so my makeup had to be dramatic and it worked.  Alice has made Sephora enough money off me so she didn’t mind one bit.

      •  @Karla  @Veron “Rupaul” “girl”………..bwwwwwaaaaahhhhaaaaaa.   It sounds like you looked “smashing” and enjoyed every moment……….”Rupaul”…………..bwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhaaaaa!

    • @Veron
      I went to the Imam counter at Ulta and had them do my face once.  Glad I did, because they found me a good face powder and foundation that worked really well for me.  Of course I bought the things they used!  If their stuff makes you look good, then why not?? Imam isn’t expensive.
       
      My mother never wore makeup either, but trial and error was another way to learn.  Even just the basics–a good foundation, a powder that gives you a good match, some blush and some mascara, can make a big differenced and not take up your entire morning before leaving for work.
       
      Not everyone is into the big glamour eye makeup thing, so just mascara, maybe a little eyeliner is OK for daytime wear.  I never wear eyeshadow and that sort of thing, but it looks good on some people–just not for me.
       
      Practice on the weekends and get your routine the way you like it!
       
      “Lipstick and rouge,
      powder and paint,
      make a plain little girl
      look like what she ain’t.”
       

    •  @Veron Exactly, it is trial and error, because you have to take risks with what looks.  The motto goes, if one thing is strong – lips, eyes, cheeks, then everything is “quiet”.  
       
      Strongly colored lips = eyes, cheeks are “quiet”
      Strongly colored cheeks = eyes, lips “quiet”
      Strongly colored eyes = lips, mouth “quiet”
       
      This also depends on the work environment you may work in (conservative or “fun”).
       
      If going out “clubbin'” you may want to use stronger uses of color in maybe 2 areas of the above, keep it classy though, you don’t want to look like “Homie The Clown” 
       
      There are many bright ladies on this forum whom, I’m sure, will be able to help you out as well, have fun playing.:-}

    •  @Veron You can go to Mac and pay for a basic makeup session. Its $50 worth of product and they spend 1 hour teaching you the basics of how to apply makeup 🙂

      •  @Shulamit @Deepwater Horizon @The Working Home Keeper@grrlysquirrel75 @Karla 
         
        Thank you all for the suggestions! I didn’t realize that the makeup counter people actually showed you what they were doing and using when they did your makeup, but I’ll try that and see if I can get a few pointers. I’ve always been a little afraid of the trial and error thing, just because most products are so alien to me. I mean, how many different brushes can there be?! But maybe I just need to suck it up and get glamorous.
         
         @MixedUpInVegas That poem is awesome, hehehe.

        •  @Veron  @Shulamit  @Deepwater Horizon  @The Working Home Keeper  @grrlysquirrel75  @Karla  @MixedUpInVegas @Veron. Check out Sam Fine videos, he breaks down brushes very well!  I spent years selling makeup. My advice when you get done in a store? Take a list of what they put on you. Maybe buy a lipgloss, tops- out of respect for their time. Then go into the NATURAL light to check it all  out! Then go back to buy if you are satisfied. They are there to sell and will pressure you to buy an overly marked-up product.  I quit the beauty biz cause I got sick of pressuring women into buying expensive stuff they could have gotten at Target, Walmart or the drugstore. 

  16. Good lawd ladies.. I see this struck a  chord. I am sorry I haven’t been here to reply. I’ve been working a temp job like a Hebrew. But this weekend–mainly Sunday–I will read and respond.. Sorry for the delay.. Smooches

    •  @Shulamit Damn “son” yous a workin’ ass…………….bwwwwwwaaahhhhhaaaaa!  “been working a temp job like a Hebrew…………………….BWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAA!  omg!

  17. red lips vid-o-rama
     
    My Favorite Red Lipsticks.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meKGo8mH8Z0
     
    My Favorite Red Lips for Deeper Complexions.
    http://youtu.be/LRK3TKaW7M8
     
    6 Fabulous Red Lipsticks and Glosses, Part One
    http://youtu.be/4qUvkttWELU
     
    Vid Re: My Favorite Red Lipsticks
    http://youtu.be/8KUmoZ7IGPQ
     
    Brown Skin Girls can ROCK RED LIPS!
    http://youtu.be/r0U-R7M0120
     
    RED LIPSTICK ON DARK SKIN
    http://youtu.be/bkyvBK_zpag
     
    Rockabilly-Doll Makeup!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjGr3fDWHPA
     
    Red Hot Lips for Tan Chicks!
    http://youtu.be/EgxT_8QEG_U
     
    Perfect Sexy Red Lips for Dark Skin
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lDxqjAJU6A
     
    Bold Red Lips Makeup Tutorial
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPjZlfpCdN8

    •  @Elfe GUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLL!!!!  These ARE AWESOME!  Love, love, love and love……………………….Love………………………………….

      •  @The Working Home Keeper  @Deepwater Horizon 
         
        Glad they were helpful ladies!! I was on a major red lipcolor binge recently(i’m still on the lookout a bit but I’m really thrilled with the henna-herb based stains) and i went through a bunch of vids and blogs for like an entire week. I think those were among the best.
         
        If you see something that looks good please post it. I especially like matte reds!

    •  @MixedUpInVegas Bwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhaaaaa!  
       
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boehner
       
      Looked for “orange tan” pictures not locating at the moment.  They got a new Krayola crayon called “John Boehner Orange”, omg no lie…………………bwwwwwwwwwwaaaahaahaaaaaaaaa!

        •  @The Working Home Keeper  @MixedUpInVegas Ooooooh, “girl” you have exposed one of my secret shames, bwwwwwaaaaahhhhhaa.  
           
          You’ve exposed me “girl”………..the walk of shame………bwwwaaahhhhaaa (don’t know computer language signage for head held low).

        •  @The Working Home Keeper  @MixedUpInVegas  My secret “Orange Man”,  bwwwwaaahhhhaaaa, omg omg omg bwwwwwaaahhhhaaa.

        •  @The Working Home Keeper  @MixedUpInVegas ROLLING ON FLOOR LAUGHING………BWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAA!!!!  Even the Orange ones!!!   BWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHAA!!

  19. Red lips and beauty tips (holla), don’t want to derail the topic (had a little fun there) and Elfe the videos you have below are ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.   “Girl”.  Love, love, and love them some more.  I know quite a about lipstick colors but, most importantly, what I’ve learned from some of the beautiful ladies is how lip-liner works, never really did, even with long ago experimentation, master its technique.  With these videos I can now “mirror” a couple of the ladies and apply this (new to me) technique in my everyday life.  We learn something new everyday.
     
    One those young ladies tripped me out talkin’ bout she buys her favorite lipstick in bulk…….bwwwaaaahhhhaaa!

    •  @Deepwater Horizon Deepwater Horizon,  I also buy my lipgloss in bulk!!  Thus I haven’t had the need to shop for lipgloss since 2010!  This vendor is prompt. I used to buy my NYX lipgloss in beauty supply stores…but we all know how weird some of them can be they acted funky and  didn’t want  me to browse/linger. I told them to their face they’d lost a customer. True to my word I never went back. http://stores.ebay.com/JOYs-cosmetics

      • @DeeDeeRussell: To be honest, I’m shocked that there is “such a thing”.  Didn’t know one could do this (buy makeup “in bulk”).  I am behind “the times” I know and workin’ to “catch-up”, bwwwwaaaahhhaaa!        I feel you, though.  I “hate” losing / mis-placing cosmetics that I know that look fabulous on me, then for them go “out of business” and so forth, etc.  Been  there / done that (sucks).  I’m working on beauty, again, in that women and men have “said” to me that “you’re beautiful” which I, frankly, even myself, find hard to believe at times.  Maybe, I’m “coming into my own” in some strange and weird ways.  My boyfriend (FOINE as heyall) tells me “You’re beautiful” all the time, and frankly, sometimes, I don’t honestly believe it because I’ve been told, for so long, that I’m ‘Black and Ugly”.  So, no lie, I “get” what you mean when walking out as a “customer”, even to “Black” businesses.

        •  @Deepwater Horizon You sound like I used to be and don’t take offense …’ugly duckling’ blossoming into a swan…nobody told me I was cute till I was 16! In retrospect, looking at pics I was a doll, and it’s just as well or else I would have been conceited. Didn’t feel really pretty till  my years in the beauty/modeling biz. When they compliment you make sure to say thank you!
          And BW shouldn’t take any mess, period when we’re customers. I walk away and never come back but I make sure the owner/manager/ head of the corporation knows why. Nother reason why I shun MAC (besides the fact that many of their MUA wear ‘drag’ makeup), too many of them have attitudes like they’re doing a sis a favor when in fact it’s the other way around. 

        •  @DeeDeeRussell None taken.  I “feel” you though.  We have to “buy” where we are comfortable.  Again, though, all makeup manufacturers’ job is TO SELL their products.  It’s up to us to determine whether we want to “shop” certain corporation or not….that’s the truth of the matter.     fair…not always…….we have choices (good or bad).

      •  @Elfe Bwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhaaaa!    
         
        My skillz have gotten better (secret lyricist)…….proud of myself……….word!   Thank you so much, Elfe…..waaaaahhhhhaaaaa!  There was no rhyme intended….but hey……..gotten better with age and stage (in life), word…bwwwaahhhaaa!

  20.  I have just been alerted that IMAN cosmetics are now being sold at WALMART!! I am so happy for Iman she is a nice lady (who follows me on twitter for some strange reason, lol!) who deserves this massive exposure and  to be supported by BW. Are BW running those other companies except Fashion Fair? Just saying.
    And ladies? It’s just paint powder and wax. You can wash it off and start all over again. No hard and fast rules. My best tip is to check your face in Natural Daylight! Here is her twitter, she is very positive and sweet.  https://twitter.com/#!/The_Real_IMAN

      •  @The Working Home Keeper Iman just told me she’s been in there for YEARS. Dang I am embarassed…and I obviously do not shop Walmart or I’d know that already, LOL! Oh well, my heart is in the right place (supporting BW’s biz). Nice of her to reply so quickly to correct my error.

        •  @DeeDeeRussell I went to Walmart today looking for canning jars – which this particular store doesn’t sell anymore ugh!  But I did find the Iman cosmetics, right next to the Black Radiance 🙂  The foundations were priced at around $13.  I didn’t get any Iman, but I did pick up two more Black Radiance red lipsticks to try out – Eldorado Red and Reggae Red!

    •  @DeeDeeRussell Exactly, that’s what I’m sayin’.  Makeup can be washed off and re-applied.  Frankly, I like a lipstick that can make it “look” as though I’m ‘made-up”, maybe, a tad bit of blush along with it, not the whole “shabang”, (ya’ll know, foundation, concealers, mascara, eyeliner(s), and so forth……….”drop” some “lips”, flash on some “cheeks” and/or “eyes” and roll out the do’ (door), ya heard?

      •  @Deepwater Horizon
         :::Sigh!::: Wish I could still do that.  Due to a horrendous case of hyperpigmentation that started after menopause, I MUST wear concealer.  I have experimented with different ones over the years, but the bottom line for me is that I have to mix my own color.  All the available ones are too yellow, and I have a lot of red in my skin.  I also mix my powder shades to add more red.
         
        Our needs and preferences change over the years, as has my choice of cosmetics.  Still not into the glamour eye thing, but am always willing to try something new that might suit me better.  Being old does not equal looking dowdy!

        •  @MixedUpInVegas  @Deepwater Horizon Have you gone to tried Dermablend? http://www.dermablend.com/index.aspx?cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleBrand-_-Dermablend+Brand-_-dermablend&gclid=COet5rXK2bACFagaQgodxD025Q

        •  @DeeDeeRussell
           DeeDee, as a matter of fact, I have.  I used it for years, but switched to Coverblend because it was lighter and less oily.  Now, though, Coverblend has stopped making their concealer in a little pot, going instead to a liquid tube.  I can’t mix that, so I bought up all that I could find in the little pots on Amazon.  When that is gone, I’ll go back to DermaBlend.
           
          Thanks for the suggestion, though.  You are right–DermaBlend does give very good coverage and is mixable.

    •  @DeeDeeRussell That’s so super-awesome that Iman “follows” you.  Makeup has been difficult for so long……don’t always trust myself in choosing “right” colors though stay with “safe” colors that show my best self……..ya’ll inspire me……I know, now, I’m not alone:-}

      •  @Deepwater Horizon Yes I was so surprised cause she doesn’t follow many people about 200something. I would like to imagine she and David Bowie like my bohemia womanist videos or something like that 😉

      •  @Deepwater Horizon  Deepwarter, makeup is easy peasy. Just experiment. Take pictures. Ask trusted loved ones their thoughts (trusted loved ones, not fake friends, they will lie.). Play, play, play. Remember to check your face in natural light to me that’s the biggest makeup tip period. Natural light.

      •  @Deepwater Horizon It’s definitely an exercise in stepping outside of the box. I’ve been wearing makeup for a long time and even I want to step out of the box and try something new. Start with getting your makeup done at counters (usually I ask up front if I’m required to buy something because there are many counters that will do your makeup for free). Ask them lots of questions because they are a great source of information. Also, ask them to do one side of your face and you can do the other (in the store, of course!). Look up youtube vids that recreate the same look and you will be off to the races in no time. Everything takes practice. After a while, you will know your colours and the brands that suit your skin better. 

  21. Ladies I have been trying to make a tutorial but unfortunately my time is crazy at the moment. As soon as I call I will do. Promise!

  22. In general, I am not a fan of makeup commandments; makeup is a fun, creative way to change your look and should be experimented with. Everyone is different, especially women of colour with our vast range of skin tones and skin types. For example, there are many ways of achieving a dewy look. I am currently in love with Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer, which leaves my skin with a dewy glow. I have found powder foundations that don’t look ashy and liquid ones that do. Usually it depends on the quality of the makeup and the line’s range of colours. I also do not believe that women of colour should rule out colours like apricot or peach or pink because traditionally we have been told to stay away from those, as they didn’t work for us. This is a myth and myths like these keep us in a box. So I say give up the Bordeaux and venture out! Isn’t what this blog is all about? See a real black woman with uber-red lips here: http://www.notinmycolour.blogspot.ca/2011/12/ring-in-red.html

  23. more red lippie vids that i like ~
     
    Five Top Red Lipsticks( Highly Recommended For All  Skin Type)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToJ64EuVYeo
     
    Perfect red lipstick for a dark-skinned person/Medium Skinned Person
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idz8LKV4QNQ
     
    My Favorite Red Lipstick (drugstore)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhKIptBbQZQ
     
    Perfect Red Lips For Your Skin Tone
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkr3p2UOE7A
     
    MAC Ruby Woo: the perfect red lipstick for any occasion
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB_5mjvDqTU
     
    SEXY RUBY RED LIPSTICK FOR DARK SKIN
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VcULCbm3d4
     
    Favorite Red Lipsticks❤❤
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs8glcwR3IQ
     
    My Favorite Red Lipsticks for Darker Skin Tones!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuA3tWBiSY
     
    ☞Red Lipstick Guide☜ – ⑦ Bold Red Lipsticks for WOC (Fall Trend Friendly) ツ
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRUxGLeWjQ