March 24, 2008 | I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty
Some of you might recall that I mentioned attending a tribal belly dance class last year. I know I haven't really talked about it that much since then, but I've been continuing to go to that class. In fact, I go to the beginning and intermediate class now (despite how that sounds, I'm really not that good at it).
Earlier this year, the instructor announced that there was going to be a student show. I instantly decided I didn't need to be in the show. I really enjoy going to class, and felt no need to perform in front of other people. But after about a month of thinking about it, I decided the student show might be kinda fun. I like all the girls in the class, and I really do like to dance (despite my inadequacies). I was starting to think that if I ended up on the sidelines watching, I'd feel like I was missing out a little bit.
So I asked the instructor if it was too late to sign up, telling her I only wanted to be in the chorus (meaning I'd be in the background during the whole thing). Turned out, the instructor already had my name down for the chorus.
But now, I need your help. There's costuming involved in tribal belly dance. Some of this costuming requires make-up. Long time readers know I don't wear make-up, but I'm willing to put on some eye shadow and eye liner for the performance. This means I've got to actually BUY make-up! GASP!
I have extremely sensitive skin, which is part of the reason I've never worn make-up. But it's probably about time I had some for occasions like this. So this is where you come in. I need some brand name suggestions before I wander aimlessly into Sephora and end up having someone give me a make-over.
Specifically, this is what I need:
- eye shadow (in earth tones - mostly browns)
- mascara (waterproof would probably be good)
- eye liner (also waterproof...do they make waterproof eye-liner? (See? Totally clue-less.) This is the one I'm most worried about, because we'll be drawing tribal-ish stuff on our faces and I've had reactions to that sort of thing before...though that was over 20 years ago when my mom was drawing whiskers on my face for various feline themed Halloween costumes.)
- slight color for my cheeks (though I might be able to get away without this - my cheeks are usually red enough without help)
I know there has got to be some natural, hypo-allergenic, non-reactive to my skin make-up out there, I just have no idea what it is! So leave a comment, let me know what you like, or what your friend with uber sensitive skin uses. I wanted to be armed with information when I finally go buy this stuff!
My skin always reminds me that make-up is pure evil. However I get less yelling from my skin if I use mineral foundation and eyeshadows. Regarding eyeliner, while a liquid gives a wicked defined line, it's crazy hard to work with, and if you're not going to wear a lot of makeup I would suggest just one eyeshadow and a flat rounded tipped brush and some q-tips. Use your powder foundation to give your lids a coat, then using the eyeshadow and a q-tip just put a little on your lid up to your crease, or a little before it, go little by little, it's easy to add, hard to remove. Then dip the end of your brush in water and then in eyeshadow and use that to line your eyes, then your liner matches perfectly and it will look darker than your shadow 'cause of the water. If you want a highlighter is another good shadow buy. For mascara I suggest a good non-waterproof kind. I find that waterproof is really hard to wash off requiring much scubbing and I always end up with cleanser in my eyes. So not worth it. So unless you're gonna be crying your eyes out, or doing some hard core sweating, avoid it all.
Or as an alternative, can you just go somewhere and pay someone to do your make-up, surely that's cheaper than buying it all, and fun! YAY for pampering!
Clinique is the best if you do not want to get better (read: more expensive) products. They are allergy-tested and 100% fragrance free. I swear by them and do not use any other products.
My skin turns bright red at the drop of a hat. Bare minerals works for me. It actually makes my skin look better...
well - I feel like I'm in the minority here but I love make-up and have sensitive skin...clinique is a good starting place but their make-up is bad for wearing off so make sure you let the girl know you need it to be good stage...benefit is also good with my skin...for the best fun with eye liner though I really love is the felt tipped L'oreal liquid liner it is like have a fine line paint brush and I have never reacted to it at all. Best of luck and my best advice is to avoid anything too smelly as I generally have less luck with these types of products.
I second the comment that sometimes crunchy granola is worse for your skin than cheap drugstore brands. I recommend Physician's Formula. Especially their eyeliner, and the eyeshadow palettes that are specifically formulated for each eye shade (brown, blue, hazel, etc.). They're dramatic without being harlot-y. And it's not a ton of money for something you're probably not going to use more than once or twice.
Careful with both Clinique and mineral/all-natural stuff - if your sensitive skin is like mine, the mineral content in both will wreak havoc. The crunchy-granola variety of cosmetics is sometimes worse for sensitive skin than the chemical-laden variety, believe it or not.
Will be watching this space for further suggestions, because really, I have no clue about this stuff :)
I've got fairly sensitive skin (esp. around my eyes), and Bare Escentuals works pretty well for me. As did Clinique and the Body Shop.
I'm a fan of Benefit and Clinique. Might also try The Body Shop.
I use RedEarth 2V mascara - it's not waterproof but it doesn't run. Also washed off really easily. I've found the waterproof stuff gives mascara a bad name.. that's the stuff that you need turpentine to get off.
i don't wear makeup either but my aunt has ridiculously sensitive skin (she can't even wash with most cleansers or soaps) and she uses clinique makeup whenever she wears any.
i would recommend going to a sephora store if you have one nearby, they have so much makeup there's bound to be some good options there. the people who work there really know their makeup stuff and they will even do your makeup for the event if you purchase a certain amount.
good luck!
I would head to Whole Foods if you've one reasonably close. I'm not a makeup wearer, either, but the few times I've bought some I've gone the crunchy granola route to avoid putting a bunch of chemicals on my face. I like everything I've tried of their Mineral Fusion line other than the eyeliner--it wasn't smudgy enough for me. (Sephora may carry natural beauty products, too, for all I know--makeup is definitely not my thing.) Good luck!
I have really highly sensitive skin -- especially for makeup, but slightly less so around my eyes (but I still have yet to find a blush I can wear -- luckily my face is usually pinkish anyway). I too had a few sad experiences with makeup on my cheeks at Halloween!
Some of my favorites:
* I love smashbox eye shadow! I get them at sephora, and usually one of the tri-color containers. They tend not to rub off on me during the day and they don't irritate my skin. I use "shutterspeed" as my default one right now -- it's browns and beige, sounds like it would work for you!
* I currently use Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara and while I have no problems with it (no allergies, no problems washing it off, no problems with it smearing), it isn't a BIG mascara and doesn't make a huge impact.
* I use DARK eyeshadow and a fine brush for eyeliner instead of real eyeliner, so unfortunately I can't help with that!
Good luck! :) I'm glad you're enjoying the dancing!