Cosmetics - why don't they stay on my face?

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

If you wear make-up, do you ever find that it does not actually last very long on your face?

I put on mascara, eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick in the morning, and I find that after not very long, the eyeshadow and the blush are MIA. I expect the lipstick to not last long because I'm always sipping water. But where do the blush and eyeshadow go? Do I sweat profusely or am I wearing not-good brands? I don't rub my eyes or touch my cheeks.

Comments

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

Are you putting them on bare face or just moisturized face? What type skin do you have? Also, if I can ask, what brands are you using? For the longest time I didn't believe that brands mattered and that eyeshadow was eyeshadow, but some really are better formulated for stick-to-itness. The eye makeup might benefit from a primer or a bit of concealer underneath to help it stick around, or a cream to powder formula.

I can't be much help with the blush, though switching from a powder to a cream might help and a stain would certainly hang out longer, especially if you're just putting it on over moisturizer. I recommend Benetint by Benefit, which can also be used as a color base for your lips.

The lipstick I can totally talk you through. There are plenty of formulations out there that feel good on and stick around, provided you apply them with longevity in mind. If you like a glossy, wet look or a moist feel, you'll still have to reapply. But if you don't mind a creme or a matte finish and a "drier" feel to the lips (which necessitates night treatment to keep things moist and non-flaky), you can build that on over a light powder and lipliner. You should only need to reapply after eating, in that case.

Pardon my overenthusiasm. I could talk about lipstick all day. And if you tell me what you like or would like to have, I can make recommendations!

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Pardon my overenthusiasm. I could talk about lipstick all day. And if you tell me what you like or would like to have, I can make recommendations!

Oooh, fantastic! Thank you.

So, to answer your questions...I do use a moisterizer but no foundation. I have such worries about being able to correct apply foundation (and my coworkers tell me that my complexion is "even", which I guess means I don't need it?) In terms of skin type, I guess it's normal; it's not oily or dry. As far as brands go, I have used everything from cheaper brands like Cover Girl to more expensive ones like Clinique, but now I mainly use The Body Shop. I had the disappearing-act problem with all of these brands though.

The eye makeup might benefit from a primer or a bit of concealer underneath to help it stick around, or a cream to powder formula.

You know, I do remember years ago being told at a Clinique counter that that's what I needed. Guess I should've listened. So you think they really do work to an extent?

But if you don't mind a creme or a matte finish and a "drier" feel to the lips (which necessitates night treatment to keep things moist and non-flaky), you can build that on over a light powder and lipliner. You should only need to reapply after eating, in that case.

This would be a dream! What do you recommend?

Thank you.

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

I have such worries about being able to correct apply foundation (and my coworkers tell me that my complexion is "even", which I guess means I don't need it?)

If you don't need it, don't wear it! Awesome!

I have used everything from cheaper brands like Cover Girl to more expensive ones like Clinique, but now I mainly use The Body Shop. I had the disappearing-act problem with all of these brands though.

You'd think that Clinique, expensive as it is, would hang on a little long, but it doesn't. I think it's because their products are meant to be softer, nothing edgy or obviously, so they're less pigment-dense.

You know, I do remember years ago being told at a Clinique counter that that's what I needed. Guess I should've listened. So you think they really do work to an extent?

I really do. I didn't buy it for the longest time either, but it really does help. Though you don't have to go out and buy special "eyeshadow primer." Just a bit of good, eye-safe concealer will do, though some of the primers out there have lots of nice herbs in them to tighten the skin and reduce redness and puffiness. Then a good eyeshadow and you're set. You can also use liner pencils smudged to get long lasting color, tho this is a different effect.

Lipstick! Oh, lipstick!

Rule of thumb: the drier it applies, the longer it stays on.
Rule of thumb2: the drier it goes on, the drier it feels on your face and will start pulling moisture out of your lips leading to flakiness
Rule of thumb3: layer color to achieve long lasting color with a comfortable finish.

This could be as simple as using a coordinating liner under a creme lipstick. You might still need to apply 2 (3, 4, don't know) times a day if a lot comes in contact with your mouth, but it's far, far longer lasting than just applying straight from the tube. A bit of pressed or translucent powder under the liner makes it stick more, which makes the color stick more, etc. Couple bonuses to using liner, too: I find it helps me stay inside the lines when applying right from the tube. And it helps prevent feathering.

My favorite lipsticks are MAC matte formula (http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY15113&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1439). Chili and Ruby Woo are my staples. I wear liner under both and only have to reapply once a day, after eating. Their amplified creme is a smoother, softer texture and has very nearly the same staying power. I tend to apply that, blot and apply a second coat to get me through half the day. I've never used their satin or sheer formulations, but only because I choose to have my lips be the focus of my face.

When not wearing cosmetic on the lips, always always always keep something on them. For me this means never going without some sort of product on my lips, ever. I use balm at night, on top of moisturized. Once a week, exfoliate lips with a soft toothbrush or a washcloth with soap or cleanser and warm water. Then immediately smear on moisturize and balm.

Okay, I could keep talking forever. I haven't even touched on glosses and how many thousands are variations there are to those. And I'm started to get embarrassed at how much I'm going on. I'll keep going tho, as long as you have questions.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you - I have learned so much! I think I am going to switch to MAC (matte formula) for lipstick, and try either eyeshadow primer or concealer on my eyes first.

The liner you mention for the lips...is that basically plain old lip liner? I saw that MAC has primers...would you recommend using those or is liner better?

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

Plain old lip liners. MAC has a couple different formulations. I use the plain ones right now, but I did like using the cremestick liner, even though it ran out a bit quickly.

I've never tried the MAC primer, mostly because if it's between spending money on that, or another color of stick/gloss, I'll take the other color every time. If you try them, let me know.

You could use both a primer and a liner, but for extra staying power, put the liner on dry lips (or lips where your moisturizer is well absorbed).

I can't wait to hear what you think. Just remember to keep some balm on your lips when not wearing the lipstick so you don't dry out. Thank you for letting me go nuts in your comments!

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I will definitely let you know how it goes, once I get the stuff!

Ooops

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

But if you don't mind a creme or a matte finish and a "drier" feel to the lips (which necessitates night treatment to keep things moist and non-flaky), you can build that on over a light powder and lipliner. You should only need to reapply after eating, in that case.

This would be a dream! What do you recommend?

Oooops, never mind...I now see what you're saying here. I thought you were going to recommend a brand of lipstick but I think you're saying instead to apply lipstick over a light powder and use lipliner?

Do they make powders specifically for lipstick?

Re: Ooops

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

Do they make powders specifically for lipstick?

No. Or not any that I've seen. And I'm the sort of lipstick nut who would rush right out and buy it up. Any translucent finishing powder would work tho.

[selve.livejournal.com]

Hmm. It might have something to do with the brand you're using and how high the pigment count is (meaning, how color-saturated). Then again, it's a fairly common complaint. Some skin just eats it right up.

I've found that theatrical cosmetics stay on far longer than commercial ones do, and you can find them in natural shades. I recommend Ben Nye--it's what I used for my Pizzazz-face. Of course, there may be long-term health risks with consistent use, as I'm sure you know.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Then again, it's a fairly common complaint. Some skin just eats it right up.


I think that may just be my scenario. Thanks for the tip on theatrical make-up. Maybe I'll use it if there's a really big event.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Nope, you're not sweating or anything weird like that - it's just that makeup (particularly eye makeup, for reasons that I've never particularly figured out) fades pretty quickly, especially if you don't use foundation and/or powder along with it (powder for cream makeups, for the most part, if my understanding is right - because of my skin's annoying peach-fuzz, I can't use powder unless it's to set serious stage-grade makeup, because up close it highlights all the teensy little hairs. Not appealing).

The best thing to do if you want to avoid foundation (which I'm assuming since you didn't mention it) is to use a nice moisturizer before you put on your makeup. You might also try some of the cream eyeshadow blends, to see how they work, but honestly I've had more trouble with them than luck.

In short... don't worry, everybody who wears makeup has this problem. XD

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, seconding the cream-blush that someone mentioned further up the page. I used to use it, but it turned out to be too much color for my skin and tended to look unnatural if I wasn't careful with it. It's very nice, though, especially in winter when you don't really want powder on your skin.

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

You might like a cheek-stain (which can often double as lip stains) too, then. Many are formulated with alcohol, so they can be a bit drying if you already have some dryness, but there are gel formulations as well. Benefit and Tarte make two popular stains-- tarte has a bigger shade selection.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

If something is a stain, then is it more of a cream than a powder? Is that what a stain is?

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

A stain is usually pigment suspended in alcohol. You brush or smooth on the stain. The alcohol evaporates and leaves the pigment behind. On skin (lip or other), this means that there's no oil or emulsion to aid the transfer away from your skin, so it stays longer. Staying power is good, but drying is bad, so there sort of has to be a balance, especially on the lips, since they produce no oil of their own and the alcohol actually pulls moisture out. If I wear lipstain I but a balm or gloss over the top of it.

There are several different formulations. Many are liquid. Benetint is the consistency of water and comes in a bottle with an applicator brush like a bottle of nailpolish. I've also used a lipstain (what can be used for cheeks can be used for lips and vice versa) that was thin but not watery that came in a tube with a felt-tip applicator like a pen (Urban Decay, not recommended). The plus side to the watery stains is that you start with a very, very little and then build up coverage to the intensity you want. And a little goes a LONG way.

There are also gel formulas that are closer to a creme, but still very sheer. The pigmentation is there, but it's not as dense so that you can again get buildable coverage.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

In short... don't worry, everybody who wears makeup has this problem. XD

That does indeed make me feel better.

Perhaps I'll experiment a bit with powders or cream eyeshadows.

[denisia.livejournal.com]

I don't generally wear makeup but I do use mascara and eyeshadow sometimes, and I've had that issue. Eyeshadow just seems to evaporate. As sweet_virago mentioned, theatrical makeup stands up to more wear and tears and lasts longer. Right now I have MAC products and they tend to last really well.

[denisia.livejournal.com]

ETA and MAC doesn't do animal testing, and they have an entire foundation dedicated to AIDS fundraising (they donate all the makeup and artists for Broadway Bares every year), so they're a good brand for those reasons too. :)

[sarahetc.livejournal.com]

Seconded. MAC cosmetics are extremely pigmented and they stay on very, very well. Their eyeshadows last 8+ hours. And they make the best lipsticks on earth.

They also have a recycling program for their empties, so you can store up your used-up lipstick and gloss tubes (at least, and maybe others) and when you take them back to the counter for recycling, you get a free lipstick or gloss.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Wow, this really sounds great! I look forward to trying them.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Oooh, fantastic! I will definitely try them. Thanks for the recommendation.

[schizoauthoress.livejournal.com]

This is possibly not helpful at all, but when I used to wear makeup regularly, I had an extra tube of clear gloss (Wet N Wild brand, I believe) that I put on my eyelids to help the powdered eyeshadow stick. But this is advice coming from the girl who puts black lipstick on her eyelids when she's in a gothy mood. So you may not want to listen.

But the image should give you a giggle anyway. It does for me.