How do MAC girls get that all over polished look?

[shadowaddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocrlox

im really good with winged eyeliner,. its the eyeshadows i am working on, i am good at it but i want to MASTER it...anyone have any steps taht i can do, using wihich brushes for where and what not?

I want to master the winged eyeliner. I love how it looks when done properly. Any tips to share?

[vocaltest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmy

primer, blot powder and blot tissues/papers.

i use all that! minus blot powder because it makes me look ashy ugh! at the moment i'm like oil central

[xocrlox]

For the winged eye liner, i use liquid eyeliner on the top, the kind with the brush, then at the end to make that winged effect, i switch it off with the pen liquid eyeliner and extend outward. If i mess use a q-tip aroudn it to shape it. I also line teh bottom of the lashes with the liquid and connect it slightly at the wing! I hope that helps xO*

[lara]

The best way to get a really fierce eye is to not blend too generously and 'refresh' the colour - apply your shadows as required then blend the edges enough to get some graduation but not a full transition of colour (enough to smooth the edges, basically), then switch out to a brush like a 217 and 'pack' colour back where you've blended.

A typical, say, purple smokey eye for me would be to sweep a shimmer lilac over the lid, then work a deeper plum on the outside third and along the contour. Blend off, then deepen the 'body' of colour with the same plum on a 217 brush. This gives all the density of packed shadow with the smoothness of blended shadow.
That's the easiest way to attain a really defined, super-polished eye without it looking blocky.

As for the foundation, that's easy! An appropriate primer, then a medium-coverage cream or liquid, then full coverage powder on top = instant flawless skin that's got enough body of product behind it to handle frequent blotting and touch-ups. My make-up can survive an entire day in the hottest, driest air-con that a department store can dish up.

[chocolategoddes]

Along with the proper use of products and technique, I'd say the think that takes a makeup look to a whole new level is DIMENSION.
A simple foundation application with a bit of blush looks nice, but to really give it that extra "somethin'-somethin'" I like to contour my cheekbones, jaw, and forehead with a dark, matte powder/cream foundation. And then to highlight my cheekbones, nose, chin (sometimes) and forehead (rarely), I use a subtle iridescent (sp?) powder that isn't too frosty and BLEND it in so you don't have any harsh lines.
The same goes with eye makeup. Using two or three shadows looks "nice" but sometimes I'll use two highlighting shadows on my browbone: a really pale one above a satiny, light color. I might use two or more crease colors... who knows...
And bases/ primers are more essential than most people think. Anyone who has used a primer under their foundation knows how much of a difference it makes!
Don't forget to pay attention to detail and being precise and neat with your work really matters.

[macaholic2912]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara

As for the foundation, that's easy! An appropriate primer, then a medium-coverage cream or liquid, then full coverage powder on top = instant flawless skin that's got enough body of product behind it to handle frequent blotting and touch-ups. My make-up can survive an entire day in the hottest, driest air-con that a department store can dish up.

Thank you so much for your tips they really helped!Just wondering what full coverage powder you use on top of your foundation?thanks!

[lara]

Quote:

Originally Posted by macaholic2912

Thank you so much for your tips they really helped!Just wondering what full coverage powder you use on top of your foundation?thanks!

Studio Fix foundation powder would be the MAC product of choice.

Personally I use Prescriptives AnyWear powder foundation because they have a better range of colours. I find they don't oxidise on contact with sweat/oil/moisture as well, but that's a personal skin thing.

[DirtyPlum]

With regards to the foundation q... i find layering and building up my foundation helps to achieve a long-lasting flawless look.

I just wouldnt waste foundation if I didnt have my p&p on, its beautiful and completely and utterly necessary!! One coat of chosen liquid foundation (select) with 190, second layer where its needed more with 187. Concealer undereyes, around mouth and corners of nose (224)and then fix powder on top buffed and blended to perfection with 187.

Touched up with blot powder and studio fix.

[xocrlox]

i would really liek to start contouring to emphasize teh hollows of my face, but im not sure what colors to use, anyone with any tips?

[sharkbytes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocrlox

i would really liek to start contouring to emphasize teh hollows of my face, but im not sure what colors to use, anyone with any tips?

If you can't find the Sculpt and Shape duo in your shade, a great contour color is Strada, applied with an angled brush. Emote is amazing as well, but that was LE. I also know of a few people who use Cherche (i think that's how it's spelled?) blush creme as well.

[chocolategoddes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xocrlox

i would really liek to start contouring to emphasize teh hollows of my face, but im not sure what colors to use, anyone with any tips?

I personally like using cream foundations for contouring (like studio tech) by doing my over-all foundation then taking a cream foundation that is significantly darker than my skintone and blending it into my foundation wherever you want to create depth.
Same thing goes for using powder foundations. I've never tried it with liquids though.

Some one who is NC20 could contour with NC30 and someone who is NC45 might want to go with NW45-50.

[Princesa Livia]

i love this thread, keep sharing guys.. xx

[MacNeill59]

your picture and your quote are so funny, they make me very happy

[georgi]

some really excellent suggestions. cant wait to try some of them out

my main one is to always have groomed eyebrows - shaped and tinted if needed, and then always brushed in place. They make SUCH a difference to your face, a subtle difference but it always makes a face look polished and complete.
If at times im in a makeup rut and everything looks yuck and rat on me, as soon as i get my eyebrows shaped and tinted everything looks good again, its a real compliment to your whole face

[SaturdayStevens]

A lot of times I'll go to a MAC counter and the girls working there look like hot messes! Same thing at Sephora. It often looks a little sloppy and not very polished at all. Or they are wearing soooo much, they look like bad drag queens.

[Fairybelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyPlum

With regards to the foundation q... i find layering and building up my foundation helps to achieve a long-lasting flawless look.

I just wouldnt waste foundation if I didnt have my p&p on, its beautiful and completely and utterly necessary!! One coat of chosen liquid foundation (select) with 190, second layer where its needed more with 187. Concealer undereyes, around mouth and corners of nose (224)and then fix powder on top buffed and blended to perfection with 187.

Touched up with blot powder and studio fix.

This is fantastic advice!! I just bought another P&P SPF 50 yesterday too.

[meetielovesmac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuuipo

I do foundation first but put plent of loose powder around the eye area and dust it away after my eye makeupp is done. That way I can exted shadows beyond the eye. (winged, cat, etc) It's called foundation for a reason.....
but then again, no real rules in makeup.

i was told by a shu ueruma artist to do the same but when i mentioned it to my makeup teacher....the guy that used to run the pro mac store in london told me it only makes the under eye area look dry. so now i do my eye makeup 1st and it looks HOT

[vocaltest]

How do I stop my foundation from going cakey?
I think my skin has changed recently. I never had a problem with my foundation caking around my nose or 'seperating' as it were, but recently, ugh its horrible! It goes into my pores and I end up with this line around my nose, I hate it! I think it was something to do with my pores, because my skin looks like leather close up, I'm only 20 and I never sit in the sun so its not cuz of that! Help me girls!

Also, whats the best brush to use with Blot Powder? It makes me look ashy!

[Simply Elegant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vocaltest

How do I stop my foundation from going cakey?
I think my skin has changed recently. I never had a problem with my foundation caking around my nose or 'seperating' as it were, but recently, ugh its horrible! It goes into my pores and I end up with this line around my nose, I hate it! I think it was something to do with my pores, because my skin looks like leather close up, I'm only 20 and I never sit in the sun so its not cuz of that! Help me girls!

Also, whats the best brush to use with Blot Powder? It makes me look ashy!

I have to blot before I get too oily and it works fine for me. For me, that's about 8 hours after application and I use paper towel and it works great. Then I use a really big fluffy powder brush and very lightly brush a tiny bit of powder on top and it looks fresh again and not cakey.

[emarie59]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkbytes

If you can't find the Sculpt and Shape duo in your shade, a great contour color is Strada, applied with an angled brush. Emote is amazing as well, but that was LE. I also know of a few people who use Cherche (i think that's how it's spelled?) blush creme as well.

Hi all, newbie here!

When it comes to the Sculpt and Shape duo I found that it is a PRO. Can someone who is not a licensed professional buy from a PRO MAC store? I would love to get a lot of things from the PRO line.

Thanks

[DirtyPlum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vocaltest

How do I stop my foundation from going cakey?

Also, whats the best brush to use with Blot Powder? It makes me look ashy!

1. Exfoliate away any dry skin cells so the foundation and powder dont stick to those areas and look drier. Moisturise well and prime in order for a heavier, more matte foundation (SFF) to glide on your skin rather than sit on top of it and look cakey. Blend, blend and then blend some more with each layer (187 or 182) to make the product work harder and go further.

2. BP - What shade are you wearing? go one up if you have to but it shouldnt look ashy if you are blending it well with the 187. Remember to blot any excess oil off before with some tissue and then apply the blot powder, this will ensure you arent transferring oils across your face or to the compact.

Hold the 187 and the top end of the handle and circle the brush around your face / tzone.

[vocaltest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyPlum

1. Exfoliate away any dry skin cells so the foundation and powder dont stick to those areas and look drier. Moisturise well and prime in order for a heavier, more matte foundation (SFF) to glide on your skin rather than sit on top of it and look cakey. Blend, blend and then blend some more with each layer (187 or 182) to make the product work harder and go further.

2. BP - What shade are you wearing? go one up if you have to but it shouldnt look ashy if you are blending it well with the 187. Remember to blot any excess oil off before with some tissue and then apply the blot powder, this will ensure you arent transferring oils across your face or to the compact.

Hold the 187 and the top end of the handle and circle the brush around your face / tzone.

Thing is I do exactly that. I exfoliate every day, I moisturise, I use a primer, I use SFF. It just doesn't wanna stay on my face at all
I think I wear medium? Or pale medium? is that even a shade? To be honest I don't wear it because it looks so ashy on me! I'll try it with the 187!

[vocaltest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emarie59

Hi all, newbie here!

When it comes to the Sculpt and Shape duo I found that it is a PRO. Can someone who is not a licensed professional buy from a PRO MAC store? I would love to get a lot of things from the PRO line.

Thanks

yes you can

[sharkbytes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emarie59

Hi all, newbie here!

When it comes to the Sculpt and Shape duo I found that it is a PRO. Can someone who is not a licensed professional buy from a PRO MAC store? I would love to get a lot of things from the PRO line.

Thanks

You can, if you go to a MAC Pro store. You just can't order online, unfortunately.

[DirtyPlum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vocaltest

Thing is I do exactly that. I exfoliate every day, I moisturise, I use a primer, I use SFF. It just doesn't wanna stay on my face at all
I think I wear medium? Or pale medium? is that even a shade? To be honest I don't wear it because it looks so ashy on me! I'll try it with the 187!

Sounds like your skin is pretty oily, causing the MU to slip off.
Few things spring to mind / tips for any others on long lasting flawless MU:

-- your moisturiser isn't hydrating enough or oil free? Therefore your skin is producing more oil to compensate and maybe that's what you will need to change?

-- Because you are exfoliating daily (too often, unless its a really really gentle one) you could be removing all the natural oils skin actually needs and therefore your skin starts oiling more and more? limit it to twice weekly and try Dermologica Daily Microfoliant which is gentle enough for every day.

-- Or you are using too much of the P&P or foundation? Make sure you let your moisturiser sink in before applying P&P and wait a minute before applying foundation. One and a half pumps of P&P should be enough and always apply products with brushes to ensure the natural oils from your hands aren't transferred to your face and potentially causing the MU to slip off.

--Erm... otherwise I would recommend cleanse (pref. with oil product) and tone and use Estee lauders Idealist Pore minimiser... that stuff should be made available on the NHS! If all else fails and you don't get on with BP try the oil absorbing sheets or Matte texture or even the oil control lotion on top of your normal moisturiser.

--You could also move down from SFF to Select which is still semi-matte with good buildable coverage but more moisturising. If you want more coverage, it works brilliantly with Studio Fix on top (which has silica, oil absorbing).

I feel your pain!! I went through the exact cycle and finally at a point where I understand my skin and know what suits it. I went from SFF to select/fix, from an oil-free moisturiser to more creamier and have barely touched my BP since!

For a flawless finish, I believe the skin has to do most of the work, the MU should just enhance it. HTH, PM me if you need to know more.