The Ask Phoenix thread

[cympreni]

Originally Posted by PhoenixThNuBlak

I've never heard of that! However, I'm not totally surprised; makeup can do strange things if it's old. How long have you had the color? And what other tips have your read (so I don't duplicate any)?

The eye shadow is maybe 2 years old. I have a dark brown from them that is even older. It occasionally comes out a little uneven, but it's barely noticeable. I just tried it out real quick because it's been a long time since I've worn it at full strength. It came out fine. But then again, things vary a little even with the best companies.

Stuff like this How to Avoid Blotchy Eye Shadow | eHow.com I've also heard of applying foundation over the primer, that didn't work. Also I make sure the primer has dried first.

Pretty much my routine is:
Wash face
lotion (let it get absorbed while I get dressed)
Primer, give a few minutes to dry
I've tried foundation on top of primer but it didn't help
Shadow, applied lightly and layered up to desired shade.
eyeliner
mineral foundation all over
mascara

I use meow eye primer. I'm happy enough with it to hesitate trying something different. The shade is just perfect. I wear it even if I'm not planning on wearing shadow. It's just a hair lighter than my skin and really brightens up my eye area. I do apply the primer with my fingers. I've heard a brush is better, but we're just now starting to recover from the holidays and I have other stuff to take care of first. But I do plan on trying one soon. And I do wash my brushes regularly.

[The New Black]

The only things Id rec are to not put moisturizer on your eyelids (if you do). And instead of putting foundation on your lids, apply a cream concealer. The kind that comes in a tube like lipstick or a pot. Use a thin-ish layer. Then pat your e/s on until it reaches the intensity you want, dont rub or sweep it on.

[cympreni]

Ok, I'll try that and keep experimenting. Thanks

[DaiseeDay]

^^ Ive also heard to apply concealer and then powder over your eyelids to help if they're oily.

[DimePiece17]

Here are my two bits of advise:

I. Apply Milk of Magnesia to a cotton pad ( just a bit) and wipe over each eye as a primer. Then apply a cream based shadow that is the same or similar color as the shadow you are applying. NYX , Wet N Wild, and Sephora have great jumbo eye pencils that work great as cream bases. Ruby Kisses also sells jumbo eye pencils. Then, apply your shadow as you always would. Revlon cream shadows work okay, and maybeline 24 hr tatto cream shadows are also FANTASTIC bases, but they don't really come in neutral tones like black and brown. I hope this helps! This kind of works in the same way others have suggested using a cream concealer, but in this case you are using a cream shadow so your color pops and clings to that cream colored shadow.

[luvmylocs]

what techniques are y'all using to keep colored/dark shadows from falling out under and around the eye? i know i can use a cotton ball to clean up but it gets messy and some colors just don't wipe away well making my undereye area look even worse.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

what techniques are y'all using to keep colored/dark shadows from falling out under and around the eye? i know i can use a cotton ball to clean up but it gets messy and some colors just don't wipe away well making my undereye area look even worse.

Put a good amount of powder under your eyes before doing your e/s. Then it is easier to just wipe away. A fan brush or fluffy brush is good to sweep away the powder or e/s.

[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by PhoenixThNuBlak

Put a good amount of powder under your eyes before doing your e/s. Then it is easier to just wipe away. A fan brush or fluffy brush is good to sweep away the powder or e/s.

ah, i think i have seen that before. baby powder? or real makeup powder? today was terrible. i had on some blueish green mineral eyeshadow that i was trying. it was loose and the fallout was terrible. i had icky under eyes all day!

[The New Black]

^^^Translucent powder

[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by PhoenixThNuBlak

^^^Translucent powder

okay i need to get some. can you recommend one i can get for cheap at ulta? i don't really wear it and would mostly be getting it for this purpose. i have an ulta coupon.

[The New Black]

Try elf from target

[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by PhoenixThNuBlak

Try elf from target

thanks girl! which of these nyx powders would you recommend for protecting the undereye area given my color?


btw, do you have a tutorial on the eye in your avatar? i like purple a lot and find it looks good with almost any color!!

[The New Black]

Id get Trans Dark. It probably is actually more of a medium brown, which I think would work for you.

Im editing the vid for my avvie look now. It should be up by Fri.

[curlyserf]

I have a couple of (hopefully!) quick questions:

1. Do you have favorite powder for setting foundation? I'd prefer drugstore brand, but am willing to do something like MAC or MUFE. Do you prefer a brush or powder puff to apply powder?

2. I have heard that MAC paint pot in painterly is a good eyeshadow primer. Thoughts? Anything else you prefer?

Thanks for all your help!

[CurlyEyes]

recently i started using a gel eyeliner, and i love it! the only problem is that is smudges way more easily than liquid. do you have any recommendations to stop the smudging? a primer on my lash line?

also, for some reason, eyeliner has never looked good on my upper lash line, no matter who applies it, how thick/thin it is, gel or liquid or pencil, or anything. do you think it's a user error, or does is just not work for some eye shapes?

thanks!

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by curlyserf

I have a couple of (hopefully!) quick questions:

1. Do you have favorite powder for setting foundation? I'd prefer drugstore brand, but am willing to do something like MAC or MUFE. Do you prefer a brush or powder puff to apply powder?

2. I have heard that MAC paint pot in painterly is a good eyeshadow primer. Thoughts? Anything else you prefer?

Thanks for all your help!

Loreal HydraPerfect works well for me. Apply with a puff. Don't pat it on though. Get some powder on your puff, tap off the excess then press the powder onto your skin using a rolling motion.

I hear good things about ELF HD powder too.

If you're oily, Paint Pots might not work well as a primer. I use them (they allow you to blend e/s very easily). But PPs crease on me so I use Urban Decay Primer Potion or TooFaced Shadow Insurance under them.

Originally Posted by CurlyEyes

recently i started using a gel eyeliner, and i love it! the only problem is that is smudges way more easily than liquid. do you have any recommendations to stop the smudging? a primer on my lash line?

also, for some reason, eyeliner has never looked good on my upper lash line, no matter who applies it, how thick/thin it is, gel or liquid or pencil, or anything. do you think it's a user error, or does is just not work for some eye shapes?

thanks!

The gel liner doesn't last throughout the day? That's surprising! Yes, a primer should do the trick. You can use it on upper and lower lids if needed.

Maybe it's the specific brand you're using. Gel liner, in general, is known for being pretty long lasting. I'm oily and I can get away without primer when I use gel liner.

As for lining your upper lashes, I've never seen an eye shape that didn't look good w/liner on the top. It could be how you're applying or what you're using. Care to post a pic so I can offer a better rec?

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

thanks girl! which of these nyx powders would you recommend for protecting the undereye area given my color?


btw, do you have a tutorial on the eye in your avatar? i like purple a lot and find it looks good with almost any color!!

I just posted the slideshow: Green And Plum Eye Makeup Tutorial - YouTube

[CurlyEyes]

would setting the gel liner with black eye shadow be a good idea, or no?

and would a picture showing just my eye shape suffice, or should I try to line the top lid? i'm warning you, it looks comically bad.

[The New Black]

I don't think setting a gel liner would help because gel liners dry down. So there wouldn't be anything for the eyeshadow to stick to.

Just a pic of your eye shape would be fine. Thanks!

[CurlyEyes]

here is my eye! thanks again (: