Help! Department Store Makeup?
Is it really worth the extra money for department store make-up? I’m a bit of a tomboy & never have been able to put on make-up well; it smudges & looks greasy (even directly after I apply it). Basically, I look like a five-year-old trying to wear her mother’s make-up…So I thought maybe if I went to a department store counter & they showed me how to put it on & I bought that make-up it might look better.
Does it look/work better? If there was a certain kind of make-up (ie, foundation/powder, eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow, etc.) that you would spend more on, what would it be?
Also, what are good brands? The brands avaliable at the Macy’s near me are: Lancome, Shiseido, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, & Clarins.
Thank you very much! All input is greatly appreciated 
Tags: Department, Help, Makeup, Store
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Lancome- pretty good stuff
Shiseido- expensive! but worth it
Estee Lauder- good, but I always thought it was geared towards older people
Elizabeth Arden- good, clean make up not my fav though Clarins- good, fresh makeup, but they are high end too
Just go to Macy’s check out the prices & the colors then pick which place to go to. Actually, I recommend going to Sephora & getting your makeup/recommendations there! (They have the best makeup & tons of great brands! so you aren’t just limited to one) MAC is good for consultations too.
Remember: You do not have to buy it all when you recommend stuff for you!
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 am
Department store makeup is a better choice for some people because there is a wider color selection & professionals are there to help you each step of the way. Talk to the cosmetician, they’ll help you find makeup that best suits your skin type & color, that’s their job.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 am
yes i personally think that there is a huge difference. i love clinique, all of their cosmetics are fantastic! worth every penny that i’ve spent on their eyeshadow, face powder, foundation, mascara, & lip stick. their high impact mascara is awesome, & their face powders don’t clog your pores, which happens alot with drug store bought face make-up.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:24 am
Yes it will work better, smudge less, & last longer. but if you don’t want to waste the money the other work just as fine. You don’t have to wear everything mascara, lip gloss eyeliner looks natural & cute. Have them teach you, because they can also pick out good colors that go with your eyes/hair skin tone.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am
Well, I do think its worth it to spend the extra money on SOME dept store items but I don’t think you need to buy everything there, esp. since you say you’re a bit of a tomboy. I have a mix of stuff & I use makeup all the time. I’m surprised you didn’t mention your Macy’s having a Benefit cosmetic counter. I love they’re products & they are good for your skin. Unless you need it, I wouldn’t wear foundation. Either tinted moisturizer or Dr. Feelgood by Benefit($28). It keeps your face looking more even, helps prevent oilyness & has vitamins for your skin. Lasts FOREVER. Too bad you don’t have a MAC store either.
But Maybelline has a great tintied moisturizer for like $5-6. It actually called Pure Makeup: shine free foundation with H2O. So its not as thick as foundation but its lovely
I wouldnt spend any big bucks. Go to Target or Walgreens, even Walmart & buy Maybelline or some of the other brands. I think they’ll be more worth it to you & will last just as long.
Suggestions:
-Mascara: Anything by Maybelline($3-7)
-Eyeliner: St. Tropez Exotic Eyes ($2-3) or Cover Girl, either Line Exact or Perfect Point Eyeliner (like $6)
- Blush: Go cheap & buy Wet & Wild($1-2), this will last you forever
-Eyeshadow: CoverGirl eye enhancers($3-7) or anything by MAC($14) (dpt store) They BOTH last you a long time & stay put!
Lipstick? not really my thing. I use red cherry chapstick & that give me enough tint & shine (plus SPF) so I can’t help with that.
Make sure you buy an eyelash curler girl!!!! Its a wonderful tool.
Anything else just let us know!
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Yes it is very much worth the extra money. It is also a good idea to have put on what ever you choose. This way they can show you how to apply it properly.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Most of the department store cosmetic counter women don’t really know what they are doing. Plus, those products are not only overpriced, but most of them outsource their makeup production, so they quality is not that good for the price you are paying. (I have a friend that works for an international cosmetic manufacturing company, & a lot of her clients are those that are in the department stores).
Check out the Makeup Forever line at Sephora stores. They run about $30, & I think they are fabulous products. In addition, Makeup Forever manufacturers their own products & do not outsource.
A BIG tip for testing out foundation colors – make sure when you pick a foundation color, that you step outside in the natural sunlight to make sure the color goes with your jawline. Also, bring along a friend who can also give you their opinion. Most of the time, the salepeople just want to make a sale & are not that knowledgeable (and plus looking at THEIR makeup makes me want to steer clear of them!). But always remember, the yellow warm lights in stores, THEY ARE DECEPTIVE!!! Natural light is KEY!!!
Good Luck.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Hi.
I’m so glad someone has asked a question concerning make up.
I work as the senior cosmetics instructor at a fine department store here in North Carolina.
So many cosmetics are aimed toward teens & women who are looking for a basic cover up, adding lite features for the eyes, lips, & cheeks, while others want a more deep look.
My suggestion to you is, start with yourself.
What kind of skin tone do you have?
Mosly oily? Dry? Oily in some areas, (nose, forehead), & dry in others, cheeks, lower face?
Like most if us, you may have combination skin.
Ask around.
Do you have friends that wear makeup?
Get pointers, ideas, & suggestions of brands from them.
Go to your malls & visit the cosmetics counter.
Ask, ask, ask!
Some of these makeup artists are on comission, they will talk you into purchasing cosmetics that you won’t & don’t need.
Okay, to answer your question if the high price cosmetics are better than some that are less expensive.
Estee Lauder, Lancome, MAC, & Bobbi Brown are aimed toward women who are concerned about skincare & want a cosmetic that has the so called “wrinkle” reducing effects.
These are great cosmetics if you intend to wear them on a daily bases & will take the time applying them.
Cover Girl, Loreal, Nutrigina, & Max Faxtor are awsome products for teenagers.
Yes, they are just as good as your upper scale brands.
Okay, some of the foundations, concealer, & blush/eye showdows I recommend are:
Don’t go bold! You don’t want a lot of attention drawn to you.
Stay with the fresh, natural look.
FOUNDATION:
Loreal’s “Cashmere Perfect” is an awsome foundation that goes on like powder. It’s a soft, powdercreme make up.
It comes in several shades.
I enjoy the “Creamy Natural”.
CONCEALER:
Loreal’s “Ideal Balance” is one of the most popular brands for teens & young adults.
It goes on light, & is not sticky & greasy.
EYE SHADOW/BLUSH:
Revlon has many light & refreshing blushes & eye shadows.
Stay with the colors that bring out your skin tone.
LIPS:
Maybelline has some of the best colors for lips.
Go with the soft pink/mellon colors.
If you want the shiny/moist look, go with a gloss.
I find gloss is heavy & it’s yuky!
Okay, now…Max Factor has many mascaras, & eye liners.
Stay with a soft brown or black.
DO NOT keep adding mascara!
You don’t want to look like you are wearing bat wings!
Good luck.
Remember when starting out: ASK!
Gary U.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:44 am
I like Mac Eye shadows & lip glosses. I don’t really care for their mascara because it clumps & is too thick. If you like foundation that is not greasy looking, you should try a powder like Bare minerals.I heard that was a very good one. Some people don’t even need foundation. With a little gloss & eye make-up you might just be fine. DO colors that complement your skin & even your attire for the day. Trust me a little goes a long way!!!!!!!!
February 4th, 2010 at 8:12 am
I think drug store make up works just as well as the fancy stuff. And you save a lot more money.
June 10th, 2010 at 9:28 am
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