The Ask Phoenix thread

[iroc]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

i love reviewing products on there. i've reviewed over 300 items. i like reading the reviews too. i find they are really helpful and have kept me from some products that weren't ideal for me.

what's this face of the day? i didn't know about that. let me go look

What? Is that a joke? That's my favorite board!

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[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by iroc

What? Is that a joke? That's my favorite board!

ah so it's a board? i couldn't find it. let me look again.

[iroc]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

ah so it's a board? i couldn't find it. let me look again.

Does it say FOTD?

I could link it, but I don't know if it would work.

http://www.makeupalley.com/board/x_j.asp?bid=14



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[coilynapp]

I hope it's ok to post my question here.

Phoenix (TNB) or anyone else, would you recommend synthetic or natural hair makeup brushes? I've always used synthetic, but was wondering about natural fibres.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by coilynapp

I hope it's ok to post my question here.

Phoenix (TNB) or anyone else, would you recommend synthetic or natural hair makeup brushes? I've always used synthetic, but was wondering about natural fibres.

Of course! That's what this thread is for!

I have both. My best blending brushes are for the most part natural bristle (Kevyn Aucoin, Trish McEvoy). Natural bristle brushes are better to apply powders. For cream products, synthetic brushes are usually best. That said, if you find a makeup brush you like but it's too pricey, try finding a dupe at the craft store. I've gotten some great brushes at AC Moore and Michael's.

[coilynapp]

Thanks Phoenix!

[curlypearl]

Hi TNB (Phoenix),
I got a sample of Sisley Anti-Aging Lift Foundation. I never believe the anti-aging lift hype and don't care about that, but the foundation was to die for.

Except - I found out that it costs $190.00

What are they - nuts? For $190 I could buy a new face.

Anyway, can you recommend something with a similar texture and finish? What I liked about it (everything) was the finish which was not too radiant or dewy but not dry either. It just looked natural. The sample color was shell. Often when I try a foundation it has this "dewy" finish which I don't care for or else it is totally matte. I need something in between.

I prefer a really good dept. store makeup. I haven't found anything in drugstores that I like.

Also, here's a question: when I buy paint (for apt. walls) all the info. is that a matte finish hides imperfections whereas a shiny finish doesn't. Why isn't that the same with foundations? Salespeople recommend a "dewy" finish to blur lines and imperfections. It seems to do the opposite for me but totally matte looks a little dead.

Thanks!

[Alice_42]

Originally Posted by curlypearl

Hi TNB (Phoenix),
I got a sample of Sisley Anti-Aging Lift Foundation. I never believe the anti-aging lift hype and don't care about that, but the foundation was to die for.

Except - I found out that it costs $190.00

What are they - nuts? For $190 I could buy a new face.

Anyway, can you recommend something with a similar texture and finish? What I liked about it (everything) was the finish which was not too radiant or dewy but not dry either. It just looked natural. The sample color was shell. Often when I try a foundation it has this "dewy" finish which I don't care for or else it is totally matte. I need something in between.

I prefer a really good dept. store makeup. I haven't found anything in drugstores that I like.

Also, here's a question: when I buy paint (for apt. walls) all the info. is that a matte finish hides imperfections whereas a shiny finish doesn't. Why isn't that the same with foundations? Salespeople recommend a "dewy" finish to blur lines and imperfections. It seems to do the opposite for me but totally matte looks a little dead.

Thanks!

A totally matte face can look "off" because human faces naturally have a little shine. When you're face is completely flat it looks a little sickly because that's not normal. Dewy finishes, at least on me, look bizarre but that's just the nature of my combination skin. If you can, try to find a natural matte finish because it's matte enough to look like you're not a greasy mess but not too matte so you look dead or sickly.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by curlypearl

Hi TNB (Phoenix),
I got a sample of Sisley Anti-Aging Lift Foundation. I never believe the anti-aging lift hype and don't care about that, but the foundation was to die for.

Except - I found out that it costs $190.00

What are they - nuts? For $190 I could buy a new face.

Anyway, can you recommend something with a similar texture and finish? What I liked about it (everything) was the finish which was not too radiant or dewy but not dry either. It just looked natural. The sample color was shell. Often when I try a foundation it has this "dewy" finish which I don't care for or else it is totally matte. I need something in between.

I prefer a really good dept. store makeup. I haven't found anything in drugstores that I like.

Also, here's a question: when I buy paint (for apt. walls) all the info. is that a matte finish hides imperfections whereas a shiny finish doesn't. Why isn't that the same with foundations? Salespeople recommend a "dewy" finish to blur lines and imperfections. It seems to do the opposite for me but totally matte looks a little dead.

Thanks!

That price amazes me. I mean, really. lol @ a new face. I like high-end brands, but I'm not as familiar with the super high-end brands. I put Sisley in that category. So I can't recommend a dupe.

However, I can suggest one way to tone down foundation with a dewy finish: After applying the foundation to your skin, take an oil blotting sheet or even one of those brown paper napkins and press it into your skin. This should remove the excess oil from the foundation but leave the color. Question: do you prefer not to powder over your foundation?

I think dewy formulas tend to also be sheerer, which would explain why they don't cover as well as matte. And anything with shine will call attention to the area it's on.

[curlypearl]

Thanks for responding TNB! I'm really glad you mentioned that shine does call attention to whatever area it is on - I think it is misleading to the customer when the salespeople try to sell something shiny as "blurring" the imperfections. It's a nice theory which doesn't hold up.

The blotting idea is a great tip! Perfect that's what I'll do. Sometimes I've tried using loose powder, but I don't like that effect much either - it tends to look cakey. even though I'm using a high-end brand (Laura Mercier). Well...off to Sephora over the weekend to sample some nice, rich foundations and buy some blotting papers. I haven't bought makeup in a long time - this will be fun!

[coilynapp]

I just got a sample of the makeup forever HD micro finish powder. Perhaps you could try that curlypearl? I haven't tried it yet, but it gets super good reviews for mattifying.

[Speckla]

How did I not realize TNB has youtube video?

[The New Black]

lol

[LISA LISA]

I haven't read the entire thread - but I just need confirmation on something: There really is no way to cover a zit, or a healing zit, without it looking really cakey and gross - right?

[luvmylocs]

i phoenix i sent you a pm but figured i might as well ask here. what is the name and brand of that blue/violet in your new eye avatar? i love it!! do you have a youtube vid for this look?

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

i phoenix i sent you a pm but figured i might as well ask here. what is the name and brand of that blue/violet in your new eye avatar? i love it!! do you have a youtube vid for this look?

In case anyone else here has the same question...The blue is LA Splash cream eyeshadow in Myth with Mac Violet pigment packed over it. I have a YT vid for it. You can click on the link in my siggy to get to the vid.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by LISA LISA

I haven't read the entire thread - but I just need confirmation on something: There really is no way to cover a zit, or a healing zit, without it looking really cakey and gross - right?

When you say "healing," do you mean there's a scab on it?

Otherwise, you can cover a zit without looking too cakey. Cleanse your face and lightly exfoliate the area to get any dead/dry skin off. Then moisturize or prime the area. The keys IMO are to 1) use a heavily pigmented product that won't require much to camouflage the blemish, and 2) apply using a tiny, tiny brush not your fingers.

The best concealer I've found for this is Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer. Other good ones include: Colortration, Becca and some formulas of DermaBlend.

Apply just a thin layer of concealer then let it set. Apply another thin layer if needed. Then set it all with a good quality powder (I like Ben Nye).

HTH

[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by The New Black

In case anyone else here has the same question...The blue is LA Splash cream eyeshadow in Myth with Mac Violet pigment packed over it. I have a YT vid for it. You can click on the link in my siggy to get to the vid.

do you find your la splash makeup in b&m stores or do you buy online? it says ulta carries it but when i looked on the ulta website it didn't show up. i just went ahead and ordered online. i added a two other things to make it worth my while

[The New Black]

I bought the LA Splash at my local Ulta store.

[luvmylocs]

so i got an email today saying that my la splash cosmetics order had an item on backorder...it was the myth. they asked if i wanted to replace it with something else or send it without that. i explained that myth was what i really wanted out of the order so i'd just look in ulta. she informed me that they cancelled their contract with ulta (i felt pretty sure i hadn't seen it there). when i asked about other b&m stores in my area there were none. she then told me she'd press production then later she emailed me that she'd likely be able to send the order out after all today or tomorrow. i hate falling in love with products that are so hard to get but oh well. hopefully it lasts a long while.