The Ask Phoenix thread

[luvmylocs]

refresh my memory, do you like the occ lip tar? if so and you're still using it how do you apply it (i.e. with what other lip products to line or gloss)? what shades do you really like? which do you not care for?

when using a concealer to cover hyperpigmentation do you use it under or over foundation? what do you feel is the best way to apply concealer when covering hyperpigmentation (i.e. fingers, sponge, etc)?

i struggle with doing a nice nude lip. what advice do you have for achieving a nice nude lip in terms of application of products, type of product (i.e. gloss, matte, satin), shades (you know i'm brown, nw43 in mac which of course i don't wear).

thanks!

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

refresh my memory, do you like the occ lip tar? if so and you're still using it how do you apply it (i.e. with what other lip products to line or gloss)? what shades do you really like? which do you not care for?

when using a concealer to cover hyperpigmentation do you use it under or over foundation? what do you feel is the best way to apply concealer when covering hyperpigmentation (i.e. fingers, sponge, etc)?

i struggle with doing a nice nude lip. what advice do you have for achieving a nice nude lip in terms of application of products, type of product (i.e. gloss, matte, satin), shades (you know i'm brown, nw43 in mac which of course i don't wear).

thanks!

I forgot I had the Lip Tar. I saw your question and put some on to go to Wegman’s, using an NYX pencil as l/l. Now I remember why I don’t use the Lip Tar. The good thing is it’s lightweight, but the color (Analog) isn’t quite right for what I wanted. It’s just a tad too warm/orangey, more so than it appears online. And the formula is too opaque for me. I tried sheering it down with clear gloss once and it was better but still not right for me. I’d love to get some of the other colors, but I don’t trust the online color swatches. I think a lot of OCC products are for fun or specialty use but just aren’t practical for most people.

As for spot concealing, I usually apply it after my foundation (if I’m wearing foundation). But I normally just wear concealer alone, since I don’t need foundation every day. I generally use a brush to apply. Kevyn Aucoin’s eyeliner/concealer brush works great. It’s small and flat enough that you get really precise application. Then you can blend the edges of the concealer so it disappears into your skin. Japonesque and Smashbox have good concealer brushes too, which would be better for larger areas.

It took me years to find the right colors for a nude lip I really like. Here’s a picture:


I used Mac Underplay l/s, Mac Cork l/l, Nars Kenya l/l, Philosophy Melon Daiquiri l/g (or Mac Sapalicious lip glass for a less peachy look).

I also found another easy way to create a nude lip that *should* work for about everyone: Mix a tiny bit of mineral foundation – make sure it matches your skin tone – with clear lip gloss. Valana Minerals’ foundations are good for this. You could even use a cream concealer instead of the foundation. I almost always use Mac Cork liner, which would work for you too. Nars Kenya l/l or Kevyn Aucoin’s l/l in Deep would look nice also. Try the mineral foundation trick and let me know how you like it!

[luvmylocs]

^^^ thanks phoenix!

[eche428]

Hi Phoenix! Thanks for all your generous answers here.

I've only had one makeover in my life. It was by a MAC artist and frankly I looked like a hooker when she was through with me. I'd like to have someone give me a makeover since I'm growing out my gray hair and my colors are changing. At 48 I want to make the most of what I have but look as natural as possible. Is there one cosmetic line that is better to go to for a makeover than the others? I want general tips and suggestions for an everyday look, not an evening look. However, I probably won't buy much of their product. Are there people who do makeovers for a fee instead of just selling their product? I live in Minneapolis if that matters.

[ninja dog]

"Lip Tar"?

Sounds really, really sticky.

[luvmylocs]

i first heard of the occ lip tar when afrobella had it on as part of her all my purple life lip glass launch. it looked awesome!

i don't know if they're sticky but to phoenix's point they may be very opaque and hard to guage the color.

[ninja dog]

I think that purple is gorgeous. ^

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by eche428

Hi Phoenix! Thanks for all your generous answers here.

I've only had one makeover in my life. It was by a MAC artist and frankly I looked like a hooker when she was through with me. I'd like to have someone give me a makeover since I'm growing out my gray hair and my colors are changing. At 48 I want to make the most of what I have but look as natural as possible. Is there one cosmetic line that is better to go to for a makeover than the others? I want general tips and suggestions for an everyday look, not an evening look. However, I probably won't buy much of their product. Are there people who do makeovers for a fee instead of just selling their product? I live in Minneapolis if that matters.

My pleasure!

Bobbi Brown is known for her natural makeup looks. Clinique tends to be more natural too. Most brands do makeovers for free if you're just trying on makeup for fun or to see what works for you. But if you need a makeover for a special event, then they'd charge. They will all try to sell you product, even if you pay them.

Your best bet might be to go to Sephora and ask a consultant there to give you a makeover. There, they aren't beholden to any one line. They're knowledgeble and pretty good about "hearing" their customers. They also tend to be less pushy IMO than many of the single-brand sales people.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by ninja dog

"Lip Tar"?

Sounds really, really sticky.

It's not. It dries down a lot but not uncomfortably so. I actually wish it were stickier.

[Gretchen]

Wow, Phoenix! SO awesome of you to give so much of your time to our curious gals!

[Starmie]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Yep.

OK then. I'll see if I can get a pic to you (so not tech-savvy here). My SO will think I've lost the plot completely. I'll have to take some deep breaths - I never even leave the bathroom without concealer!

[eche428]

Thanks so much, Phoenix! I find this "girly" stuff so very stressful. I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction!

[The New Black]

^^^Happy to help!

[angel29ish]

In your Critique This Face 3, I love the natural look of the models eyebrows (love both looks too). My eyebrows are light and sparce and presently I use a blonde pencil. However; I always end up wiping most of it off because I look like a goof (reminds me of my grandmother's drawn on auburn brows...blech!). I want to try using an eyeshadow powder as you did, but have no idea what to do. I'm totally inept when it comes to my eyebrows. Any pointers you have will be greatly appreciated!

[The New Black]

Using e/s to fill in your brows should give a more natural look. Lots of brands sell e/b powders too, including NYX and Ardell. And they usually include a little brush with them. If you don't have one, you can get a stiff angled brush at places like Target, Walmart, Ulta and even the craft store. Something like this:


Get some powder on your brush and then make small strokes in your brows in the same direction as the hairs. Use a light touch to begin with. If you want to add more color to any bare spots you can add a drop of Visine to the powder before loading your brush, then apply wet. Let dry if needed and then brush through your brows with a clean e/b brush. Let me know how this works for you!

[Spiralli]

Phoenix, I am interested in trying the eyeshadow primers that can act as shadows also. I know Urban Decay makes them, and Bare Escentuals too. Have you tried any of them and do you think one brand is better than another? I have brown eyes and I like neutrals (not blue, purple, green, etc.)

Thanks for answering when you have time.

[ninja dog]

Originally Posted by Gretchen

Wow, Phoenix! SO awesome of you to give so much of your time to our curious gals!

She is the best!

Pssstttt........she once sent me chocolates, too.

I ate them for breakfast.

[angel29ish]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Using e/s to fill in your brows should give a more natural look. Lots of brands sell e/b powders too, including NYX and Ardell. And they usually include a little brush with them. If you don't have one, you can get a stiff angled brush at places like Target, Walmart, Ulta and even the craft store. Something like this:


Get some powder on your brush and then make small strokes in your brows in the same direction as the hairs. Use a light touch to begin with. If you want to add more color to any bare spots you can add a drop of Visine to the powder before loading your brush, then apply wet. Let dry if needed and then brush through your brows with a clean e/b brush. Let me know how this works for you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I tried e/s today, but with a regular e/s sponge. Umm, no - . I'll get an angled brush and will try again with your directions. I'll let you know how it works.

[luvmylocs]

Originally Posted by Spiralli

Phoenix, I am interested in trying the eyeshadow primers that can act as shadows also. I know Urban Decay makes them, and Bare Escentuals too. Have you tried any of them and do you think one brand is better than another? I have brown eyes and I like neutrals (not blue, purple, green, etc.)

Thanks for answering when you have time.

i bought the green and purple in bare escentuals and i didn't really care for them. they looked sort of dirty on the eye to me. they were expensive so i returned them. in my experience, layering products gives an awesome look that lasts (even on my uber oily lids). even when a primer has color, it doesn't usually pop enough alone but it adds a lot of dimension if you consider it as a layer to your overall eye makeup. of course that doesn't save time if you're just looking for one product but that's my opinion. that said, i like mac paint pots as an eyeshadow base. i use a neutral one for my everyday base. i have several colored ones that make my eyes look great. another thing that i'm digging now is to use a plain eyeshadow base and then do a couple of quick swipes with a jumbo eye pencil in the shade you're wanting to make pop in your shadow. i have a green one by sephora ($10). omg, it makes my greens look awesome! nyx has some too, i got the purple and it's just okay compared to the sephora purple but it was only $5 so i'll use it up but likely won't repurchase that one. i know you like neutrals but the same might hold true for the neutral colors also and i recall there being several neutral shades on the sephora jumbo eye pencils.

[The New Black]

Originally Posted by ninja dog

She is the best!

Pssstttt........she once sent me chocolates, too.

I ate them for breakfast.

Blushing here...

Originally Posted by luvmylocs

i bought the green and purple in bare escentuals and i didn't really care for them. they looked sort of dirty on the eye to me. they were expensive so i returned them. in my experience, layering products gives an awesome look that lasts (even on my uber oily lids). even when a primer has color, it doesn't usually pop enough alone but it adds a lot of dimension if you consider it as a layer to your overall eye makeup. of course that doesn't save time if you're just looking for one product but that's my opinion. that said, i like mac paint pots as an eyeshadow base. i use a neutral one for my everyday base. i have several colored ones that make my eyes look great. another thing that i'm digging now is to use a plain eyeshadow base and then do a couple of quick swipes with a jumbo eye pencil in the shade you're wanting to make pop in your shadow. i have a green one by sephora ($10). omg, it makes my greens look awesome! nyx has some too, i got the purple and it's just okay compared to the sephora purple but it was only $5 so i'll use it up but likely won't repurchase that one. i know you like neutrals but the same might hold true for the neutral colors also and i recall there being several neutral shades on the sephora jumbo eye pencils.

lml gave a good review.

I've only tried Mac's Paint Pots in Rubenesque (pearlescent, light coppertone) and Painterly (beige). Technically, Paint Pots aren't primers, but many people successfully use them as such. So I would recommend them if your skin isn't very oily. They crease on me, esp in the summer when my face gets oilier, faster. But in cooler months they're fine.

Urban Decay makes a couple of colored Primer Potions too.