I’m taking your questions and answering them today. You can feel free to ask any question you’d like, beauty-related or unrelated. Feel free to answer other readers’ questions, too 🙂 The more the merrier!
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
In your tutorials, I see that you like using Strobe Cream with or under your foundation. Do you regularly use any other liquid illuminators?
Hi Julia,
Nope, Strobe Cream is really the only one I’ve used often. I like Benefit’s High Beam, but I tend not to use it all over my face.
I use Strobe Cream daily, too. Love it!
I have a question concerning nails. What would you recommend for yellow, brittle nails? I would love to have stronger and longer nails but they always seem to peel when they’re almost at medium length!
I always really liked Sally Hansen’s line of nail treatment products. When I was growing up (like in my early teens), I found her Stronger Than Nails (something like that) did wonders for my nails.
You can try OPI’s natural nail strengthener! I used to use those religiously and I found HUGE improvements to my nail condition. My nails used to be very brittle and breaks every time I open the door! It’s gotten so much better since I started using the strengthener.
whats your hair care routine?? You hair always looks so shiny and healthy!!!
I just shampoo and condition it every other day – I’m currently using LiQWD Volumizing Shampoo/Conditioner!
What’s the best eyeliner brush to use with gel-type eyeliners? I tried the 266 with Fluidline and it almost felt too thick. But I could just be doing it wrong.
Also, I need a good, light moisturizer to use in the morning before putting on makeup that won’t get too thick or icky. I’ve got combination skin, oilier by my forehead (stupid bangs!).
Thirdly, how was your long weekend? I hope it was relaxing!
Hi Sara,
I like the 208 – it’s much thinner but still angled!
For some light moisturizers, I like Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer & Mario Badescu’s SPF 30 Moisturizer!
I ended up getting food poisoning on Monday, so it didn’t end so well 🙁 How was yours?
You’re like my little makeup angel, you know that? ^_^
So sorry you got food poisoning! -hugs- Mine was alright… my grandmom fell and broke her shoulder, so lots of rushing. She’s going to be alright, but she needs physical therapy, yipes. Going to the theatre tonight though, so that’s fun 🙂
Ouch! I’m glad to hear your grandmom is going to be okay, though! My grandma banged her hip up quite a bit a few months ago and had to do some PT, too.
What are you seeing at the theatre?
I saw the world premiere of The Eclectic Society, and it was FANTASTIC.
http://walnutstreettheatre.org/season/eclectic.php
Yay!! So happy you had a good time, Sara 😉
How does the 263 compare to the 208?
It’s thicker and a little bigger overall.
Sara,
I use Aveeno Positively Radiant spf30 moisturizer – works well w/my combo/sensitive skin.
hey im interested in buying a shadestick from the mac warm and cozy collection. im have cool fair skin and im deciding between cuddle and nurture. What could you suggest?
xoxo thanks!
I’d suggest Cuddle 🙂
I have to tell you how much I love Cuddle 😛
I got Nurture as well, but haven’t really used it.
Nurture is a nice, neutral base but Cuddle is much more unique! 🙂
Hah, I always forget what to ask you when you actually do the sessions.
1) Are you going to review the Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland palette?
2) When do you plan on starting the Sigma brush series?
Sorry if I’m sounding pushy about upcoming posts with those questions, I’m just excited to hear about them.
1.) Whenever it arrives, I definitely will. I only just received a notice that it shipped yesterday I think!
2.) Probably not for several weeks, as I have to take a gazillion of photos and then use them 🙂 I wouldn’t expect any time in the next two weeks, realistically speaking… 3-4 weeks out!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your work.
I just received my notice of shipment today from Urban Decay, they must’ve been swamped!
No problem! 🙂 Enjoy yours!!
what is the best primer for oily skin
Philosophy’s Never Let Them See You Shine Primer!
i do not think we have pjilosophy in the uk, could you please recmd another one
MUFE HD Primer!
Philosophy is sold in the UK try http://www.hqhair.com
Hi Christine!
What is your favorite MAC lipstick finish and why?
Does your 109 brush still shed when using it for liquid foundation? (mine does… boo!)
What is your skin type?
How old are you?
Last but not least…
Did you know that I live and breathe for your blog?? I HEART TEMPTALIA!!!!
Hi Raquel,
1.) I like amplifieds the best, because I like my lipstick creamy and opaque.
2.) I don’t really find it sheds.. maybe one hair? I don’t know. It’s never really occurred to me that it sheds!
3.) I’m normal to dry, drier in the winter!
4.) I’m 23.
5.) AWW, thank youuu, Raquel!! 🙂
My 109 sheds too! It’s ridiculous. I’ve had it for ~2 months. Boo is right!
Mine sheds like crazy too!!!
My 109 SE (from the Hello Kitty collectio) sheds, the regular one doesn’t. I’m done with buying special edition brushes.
I got a brush from E.L.F. studio line (Black handle) from a friend and it was really soft, and i’m planning to buy some other ones, because brushes are expensive, do you think Elf’s studio line can compare to higher end ones? Also do you think it’s worth it for beginners and those whom cannot afford high-end brushes? I’m a broke college student TT
Hi Miss Silk,
I haven’t really tried any of ELF’s brushes, so I can’t tell you, but if you’re happy with the brush that you’ve tried, I think it might be worth getting one or two more. If those work out for you, then I wouldn’t say not to get ’em 🙂
Okay Thank You ^^
I buy a lot of my basic brushes from art stores – even the super high-quality brushes are more than half the price!
I agree with Sara. I get alot of great brushes from the craft store and they are super affordable. The Loew Cornell Maxine’s Mop series is great for shader brushes! I have had a good experience with Sigma brushes and also the Kirkland brushes aren’t bad if you can find them…
Christine, what might be a similar dupes (in texture) to Pixiewoo’s newest tutorial. She uses RMK’s metallic gold eyeshadow. What would be a good dupe for that ?
I really don’t know – without actually seeing and testing out the product, it’s hard for me to tell you a dupe, because texture is always a big part of how an eyeshadow is. Have you tried asking Pixiewoo for a dupe since she has it?
Hi, I want to start wearing a mineral type powder foundation, have u tried the smashbox halo one?
Thanks for your help
Hi Claire,
I haven’t tried that one – if you really want mineral makeup for foundation, I would suggest Alima or Aromaleigh.
I tried it out in Sephora and I thought it gave really nice coverage and color. But it’s a little too expensive for my blood.
Thanks for taking the time to do this Christine!!!
Questions:
1) Is there a dupe for OPI Rainforest?
2) I’m looking for a nice highlight shade. What kind of highlighter, non-glittery product would you recommend in MAC, NARS or any other brand??? For reference I’m NW15 in MAC.
3) I purchased BeneFit’s Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation faker… what do I do with it?? lol In store it looked so good but at home I’m all ‘Why The Face’ isn’t this working!?!
4) What items are you thinking of getting from the upcoming Spring collections? Anything that is super exciting to you??
ps/ why the face = wft… modern family reference… love that show!
Hey Cherie,
1.) I haven’t tried Rainforest, so I can’t say…
2.) For cheeks/face? Maybe NARS Albatross – very fine, not glittery or chunky.
3.) It’s pretty much a really sheer, lightweight cream-to-powder foundation. I’d imagine just apply it to the face in lieu of your normal foundation!
4.) Nothing is super, super exciting, but spring isn’t usually my season. Summer is more up my alley! 🙂
Spring and Summer are my fav makeup seasons!!! Bright eyes, flush cheeks and painted toes – mmmm!
Thanks so much for helping me out as always!!!! I’m going to check out Albatross 🙂
Dear Christine,
are YSL “Rouge Volupte” lipsticks long-lasting? Moisturising? Do you think they’re worth the money?
Thanx! 🙂
They’re moisturizing, but they’re not that long-lasting. They tend to have a lot of slip, which makes them wear off faster than the average lipstick. The formula is very, very smooth and buttery, so if you like that, they could be worth it!
Thank you so much for answering! 🙂
You’re the best!
Hey Christine! Thanks as always for doing these sessions! It’s so much fun reading through everything!
A couple of questions for you:
1. What is your favourite shade to wear on your eyelids when you’re doing a one-colour day?
2. I know you’re a fan of the Clarisonic, and as I recently got a MIA as gift, I’d like to know if you use it only for regular washing or if you use it with your exfoliating products as well?
Hi Andrea,
1.) I don’t think I really have one, lol! I very rarely wear just a wash of color–I guess I’m too lazy to bother with that! I’d just put on a little mascara, if that, and call it a day. If I had to pick something, I’d say Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows. Birthday Suit is a good one!
2.) I use it 2-3 times a week these days, but sometimes less – depending on whether I wore makeup that day or if I’m planning on doing a scrub/heavier exfoliation.
I agree with the Birthday Suit as a great “throw on” shadow. I actually did that yesterday!! I set it with a bit of Maui Wowie (urban decay) just in case because my lids are oilier than the rest of me. I find it’s really close in colour and just made it a bit more opaque.
I added MAC Duck power point liner and mascara!
I’ve heard you say a few times before that you use eyeliners as bases (I’m most interested in the Fluidlines, as they are my go-to for liners); do you just use a flat brush and color the lid, almost like using a marker? Also, do they often stay put without creasing like a normal eyeshadow would?
Sorry if you’ve answered this somewhere on the site, I just want some tips before I try it myself!
I use the 249 for any creamy products to apply them as a base 🙂 I don’t find it creases on me, particularly if you use it as a base and layer eyeshadows on top!
What would be your idea MACl 15 pan neutral palette for someone in the NC37-40ish range?
Have you tried Guerlain’s new rouge G collection? As a fellow Guerlain/rouge G lover I was curious if you had any thoughts on the new formula! Thanks!
Hey Karen,
I’ve only tried a few shades — I’m waiting to try out a few more before I review (I want to get a good idea about the shade range, pigmentation, etc.!) 🙂 I like them, but I like the original Rouge G better, TBH, because I am a fan of opaque color.
Hey Christine!
My skin feels dry after clarisonic, and moisturizers break me out. Which one can I use for my acne prone kind of patchy dry skin.
Hi Arianna,
How often are you using your Clarisonic? Renee Rouleau wrote an excellent review about the Clarisonic, cautioning users to not over-exfoliate.
once a day! i am not over exfoliating I dont think..but still I don’t have a good moisturizer!
I’d say to cut back the Clarisonic usage to 2-3 times a week and see if that helps…
Have you tried a gentle moisturizer like Aveeno or Cetaphil?
What would you suggest would be the best dupe for Say Yeah E/S??
Gleam!
If you could choose your favorite MAC eyeshadow for each color of the rainbow, which ones would you choose? 🙂
From permanent products? Hm.
Passionate, Rule, Bright Sunshine, Sour Lemon, Freshwater, Stars ‘n Rockets!
What are some of the benefits to a stickier lip gloss? A non-sticky lip gloss?
And what are some of the stickier lipglosses you’ve tried? And non-sticky ones?
Thanks!
Stickier glosses tend to be more pigmented and longer-lasting, but sometimes they can be more drying. Non-sticky glosses tend to be more moisturizing/hydrating!
I think MAC lipglass is probably some of the stickiest gloss I’ve tried. Guerlain KissKiss Gloss some of the least sticky I’ve tried!
Hi Christine!!!!Did u buy more shoes??!!
Ok that wasn’t my Ask Temptalia question…
So my skin is driving me nuts lately, for the oddest reason, my face n my neck are either; 1. two diff colours or 2. I’ve somehow managed to get paler than I did last winter and am now no longer a NC25.
Regardless, NC25 now looks too ‘orange’ on my face, kinda like an oompa loompa really. White neck with orange face? not pretty!
So I ask, should I go for Diorskin nude, Revlon Colourstay, which everyone n their mum seems to be raving about, or should I get a new match at MAC?
Thank You!!!
LOL! Nope, I managed to resist…
What MAC foundation have you been using? ColorStay and DiorSkin Nude are totally different in texture/feel. ColorStay is definitely a little thicker and has a matte finish, whereas DiorSkin Nude is lighter, not as much coverage, and has a dewy finish.
I’m using Studio Fix in NC25. It’s either suddenly decided to start oxidising on me or all those sheet masks that I’ve been using have whitened me considerably.
When you say Colourstay is thick, is it mask like?
I really don’t want too dewy a finish, cos my skin is quite oily.
Have you had a chance to try out Colourstay? How about Diorskin Forever?
Hey NuNu,
It might be the sheet masks, then, actually… But if it’s not really off-color when you put it on in the beginning, then it’s probably *not* the masks.
It can be a little mask like at times, but I usually sheer it out with water and that helps a lot 🙂
I haven’t tried DiorSkin Forever, sorry!
Hi NuNu,
I just went on a search for a new foundation and found that the MAC foundations didn’t quite work, too orangey as well. I haven’t tried Revlon Colorstay, but I tried about 15 before falling in love with Diorskin Nude. I went to MAC three times trying to get the color right and it just wasn’t working (tried face and body, studio fix fluid and studio scupt). For me Diorskin Nude was closest to face and body, with a more coverage unless I did the evaporating water out of face and body thing, which took too long. On a side note, have you tried MUFE HD Foundation? 117 wasn’t too orange for me even though NC20 was. It’s a pretty decent foundation too.
What eyeshadows would you put with MAC’s Plumage for maybe a smokey eye or a day time look? I got it as a gift and am stumped!!
I love it with silvers like Fineshine or Electra… greens like Juxt… champagne shades like Nylon!
A few months ago I attended a master class at Mac Pro, and the Senior Makeup Artist (Beatriz Cisneros) did a gorgeous smokey eye using Plumage, Carbon, Freshwater and Blanc Type.
Hi there….I love Plumage. I use it to smoke out NARS Tropic or MAC Cool Heat.
I love Plumage too! I’ve used it in the crease with either Steamy or UD Vert (emerald green) on the lid. It also looks amazing paired with Aquadisiac and Newly Minted.
now you guys make me want to get plumage!!!
What brand makes the least sticky lip gloss? The most? Where do MAC’s fall?
Lots of non-sticky glosses available, actually — NARS, Korres, Guerlain, Chanel… even MAC Lipgelees are non-sticky (well, the limited edition shades from Lillyland are a little stickier than your average lipgelee). MAC’s Lipglass is some of the stickiest gloss I’ve tried.
When is the MAC F&F?
And would you do an eye look w/ MAC Digit e/s? It is incredible, and would love to see what you use w/it.
I haven’t heard anything about a Friends and Family sale from MAC. The only thing I have heard is people speculating that based off of last year, there would be one this year. I have heard zilch from any one who actually works for or with MAC on it, sorry!
I used it here – http://www.temptalia.com/holiday-makeup-violets-and-purples
Last year (2009) there were two – one in January and one in June. If I recall correctly, there was one in June of 08 as well.
i asked a mua at mac and she said that she didnt think that there would be one since previously they were doing in since the economic downfall.
I am not a very advanced makeup person so I am sorry if my question sounds dumb.
Whenever I try on a foundation shade in the store
it looks awesome and I am like yesss this is it
then I get in my car and look in the mirror and it is like
eww!! I either look orange, or i have dirt on my face, or dead and ashy
I don’t get it. Like is it the lighting? If so how will I know what to look for? Or are all the people I have asked at the makeup counter incompetent? Or am I just a totally weird shade that no company makes? Does any of this have to do with undertones or something?
Anyways, it is okay if you don’t know. I was just wondering.
P.S. I really do like your blog a lot. Read it like every day and definitely take your opinion into consideration when buying stuff! so thank you
Hey!
So, the car mirror is a cruel mistress. Don’t trust her! I would, instead, suggest a purse-sized mirror and look at yourself in natural light (like the sunlight), but don’t worry so much about the car mirror alone. I swear, I never look good in it… Natural light or sunlight tends to be the best light to makeup in.
Thank you! 🙂
Do you purchase every product that you test? The reason I ask is because everyday you update your blog with tons of products.
Hi Princess,
If I didn’t purchase something, there is a statement of disclosure at the end of every post, so you can use that to see if I have or not. I do not purchase every product that I test out on the blog – it would be pretty close to impossible to cover as much as I do if I had to purchase everything!
I can not seem to keep eye makeup on my eyes!
Even if it’s just a bit of liner and mascara, halfway through the day I always look like I’ve been hit it the face or like I didn’t get any sleep the night before.
Help?
Hey Jenn,
Could you tell me more about what products you’re using? Are you oily/normal/dry?
I lean a little more towards oily.
I normally use Clinique products, but the last time I purchased their mascara it ran right off my face. I’ve been using waterproof lash blast as of late because I was tired of spending a lot of money on products and then not being happy with them.
As far as liner, I’ve given up all together and haven’t really warn any in ages.
Clinique’s Lash Power should work well on you (if you are interested in Clinique mascara) – it’s designed to pretty much stay on through anything and everything!
If you’re really interested in an eyeliner, I’d recommend Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes or their Black Creme Liner. I’d also recommend MAC liquidlast liners (they do not budge!), too.
You can also set your eye lids with a dusting of loose powder prior to applying your eyeshadow base, which might also help!
Would it be possible for you to please tell us what is the best way to take a picture of ur makeup. what light should be used and all.
Hi Neet,
You want consistent lighting — e.g. the same type of lighting, so you don’t have a yellow bulb, a white bulb, etc. in the same area. If your flash washes you out, see if you can turn it down a notch or else use a tissue over it to help diffuse the flash. Take lots and lots of pictures using all the different settings in your camera to pin down what you think is best for you! Oh, and MACRO mode 🙂
Wow! thanks so much Christine. This was very helpful.
Are you able to use your blog as a full-time job. I.e, do you make decent money from it? Or is it still just a side hobby as you work through school and get to another career?
Hey Trisha,
The blog is really full time hobby, part time job maybe while I’m a full time student! I’m not quite sure exactly what I’ll be doing after school is out, but I have over a year and a half to go, so it’s still early to really pin anything done yet!
Hi Christine! I hope you’re doing great!
Do you set your makeup with loose powder…I’m talking specifically when you wear tinted moisturizer. Thanks!
Hi Mary,
I typically do – I usually use Laura Mercier’s these days!
I’m agonizing over brushes! i’ve just started to invest in them. I just bought the 150 and 109 and I own concealer and foundation brushes from Bobbi Brown. I love the Bobbi Brown brushes and I’ve yet to use the MAC ones.
Anyway, my question is: Which should I buy? I’ve been looking at the Face Blender, Bronzer and new Blush brush from Bobbi Brown, all which come highly reviewed on her site. What would the MAC equivalents be and why is your preference for MAC brushes?
I think the 150 is similar to the Face Blender brush and the Bronzer brush… from what I can tell, the two are very similar, but slightly differ in size of the brush head. The blush brush reminds me of MAC’s 129.
I like MAC brushes because they’re soft, easy to work with, have a huge variety, and the price point is OK for me. They’re not cheap, but they’re not as pricey as a lot of high end brushes are.
Which foundations have you used in the pasted?
Which have passed the test for being your favorite(s) formula(s)?
Have you ever tried Revlon Colorstay formula?
Do you use MAC Fix + to set foundation or powder?
Have you ever tried MUFE HD Powder? Thoughts?
awesome spelling on past… *duh!*
Hi Jamie Lynn!
1.) Oh, wow, too many to list… I’ve tried the majority of MAC foundations, MUFE HD, MUFE F&B, MUFE Mat+ Velvet, Dior DiorSkin Nude, Guerlain Parure Gold, Korres Wild Rose…
2.) I like MAC Studio Fix Fluid & Face and Body; MUFE HD, Dior DiorSkin Nude, and Guerlain Parure Gold. Parure Gold is my favorite at the moment!
3.) I have tried it! It’s a little too dry on my skin sometimes, and it does feel a little thicker than I’d like, but it’s good for a drugstore foundation.
4.) No, I don’t use Fix+. It just feels like expensive water to me!
5.) I have tried it. It didn’t wow me like the hype surrounding it seemed like it would! It was just… okay. Powder. Didn’t do anything fabulous for me.
I am addicted to Fix+! Seems like people either LOVE it or don’t care for it and I love it! I wear powdered/mineral foundation & i love using Fix+ to set it. But best of all, I LOVE using Fix+ to set the loose glitter on my eyes. (Such as MAC Reflects glitter)
Hi Christine!
Do you apply your upper lash line liner before or after applying eyeshadow to the lid? If before, do you bring the shadow all the way to the lashine then apply the liner over it?
After eyeshadow, but before mascara!
Ohhh!!
Sounds like I’m the shade shade as you. 117 in MUFE HD.
What shade do you wear in the Dior foundation? I want to sample it!
Thanks!!!!
Love these sessions!
1)How far along you with the sigma brush reviews?
2)Do you still use the clarisonic brush everyday? Do you think it is helping your acne? Does it help remove make up and help to keep pores clear?
The reason i ask all this is because whenevr I use make up, I try to take it off ina traditional manner with cleanser or wipes or such. My pores get clogged with any of the make up that I may have missed. I know 150 for the clarisonic is a lot to use only as a make up remover but I think I can wear make up more often if it works, as opposed to wearing it once a week! So please tell me if it has helped with ur acne, to clean up make up better etc….THank YOU!!!!! I have read all ur clarisonic reviews but I want to know if u are using it now! and has it been helping…
Hi Tehreem,
Had a little setback this weekend… was totally going to get all my photos in order (’cause I like to take photos with everything all new, lol) so I could start testing them, but I got food poisoning and it all went out the window! So I’m still quite a ways off – I’d say 3-4 weeks out.
I use it 2-3 days. I’ve always found it really helps to remove makeup (particularly foundation), so I like it for that. It does help my skin stay clearer (from what I can tell), as well.
Have you tried using a toner after you cleanse? I do that sometimes and find it helps remove all the last bits and bobs of makeup residue 🙂 I really do love the Clarisonic, but maybe the toner is a cheaper option to try first! My favorite is NARS Hydrating Lotion (which is a toner, not a lotion!).
Feel better!!!! Thanks for doing this tho…
I do use a toner…but I feel like using cleanser, make up remover, toner, wipes…etc etc…is ripping my skin of natural moisture! I use everything according to my skin…including alcohol free toner…
and i think the clarisonic..will let me use make up more often! So I just wanted to know how i was helping you! I hope its gentleeeeeeeeee to mee…
I like using a cleansing oil for removing makeup and doing a cleanse – and it never feels drying or stripping! 🙂 Have you tried any of those (so many brands make them – MAC, Bobbi Brown, shu uemura)?
Make sure you try it with the sensitive brush head if you do!
i havent tried any of those brands! I think I should look into them!
but cleansing oil sounds very pore clogging! and im very acne proneeeee. It doesnt worsen ur acne?
so in addittion to using the clarisonic u use make ur remover as well? If clarisonic does the job well why remove make u with something else?
Hi Tehreem,
I use an eye makeup remover for heavy eye makeup (and lip products), and then I use a cleanser and the Clarisonic to remove the rest of my makeup, if I use the Clarisonic at the time. Otherwise I just use my cleanser and then toner afterward.
Definitely didn’t cause my acne to flare up at all! Check out Bobbi Brown and Shu Umeura’s sites about cleansing oil – they may really help you figure out if it’s right for you.
I know some even prefer to use just olive oil or jojoba oil instead of a “cleansing oil” product, and I’ve heard many stories about those with lots of acne using the oil cleansing method to alleviate it.
THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU!
No problem, Tehreem! 🙂
Hey Christine, I know you did a spotlight on MUFE a few months ago, but I don’t think you reviewed the HD concealer or the Aqua lip pencils. Do you think you’ll be doing that any time soon? I love those two products and I’m curious to know what you think.
Thanks.
Hey Shontay,
The HD concealer actually burned the crap out of my undereyes – like so bad I couldn’t wear makeup for a few days and turned the skin into a flaking mess, so I won’t be reviewing it… ever. I don’t review products that I have bad or allergic reactions to, because it’s me, my skin – not yours, you know? I don’t want to make a big post that starts with, “Well, this burned my undereyes!” because that kind of gives you a pretty bad impression of the product, y’know? It’s not a fair review! (Just like if I reviewed a moisturizer meant for oily skin and it didn’t hydrate my drier skin!)
I’ve only tried a few of the lip pencils, but they are nice and do work very well for lip liners!
Wow. Sorry to hear that Christine. I just thought you never tried the concealer.
I think I may have tweeted about it, but yeah – I only want to do fair reviews, and of course, if you hear I had a bad experience, it might make you wary, even if the results are totally not typical! 🙁 I couldn’t keep it on for longer than 5 minutes, so not much of a test anyway, LOL!
I’ve been wanting to ask this for a couple of weeks, your pictures are always fantastic, but lately, the quality is even better! Have you done anything new with your approach to taking pics? How close do you get? Do you really use a flash? Did you get a new camera? New lens? How do you get so color accurate?
Thanks again Christine! Your site is THE BEST!
I haven’t done anything in over a year, I’d say, lol! I haven’t changed equipment, lighting, etc. at all in the past few weeks. I get about as close as I can to keep what I want in focus without the color getting washed out or totally wonky! I do use flash in the majority of my photos – I just find the process so much faster with flash. Whenever I don’t use flash, the conditions have to be freakin’ immaculate, which is sooo not the usual state of things.
Hi Christine,
Hope you are having a wonderful day. i have a couple of questions
1.what is the best darkest teal eyeshadow you suggest… something like
really dark green-blue
2. can u suggest an everyday brown eyeshadow palette, i am 29 and work at a very conservative software company.
Hey Shay,
1.) Have you checked out MAC Plumage? I can’t remember if it was recently discontinued or not, hmm…
2.) I like Ricepaper/Shroom for a highlighter, Soft Brown as a medium/crease shade, Brun for an extra kick when necessary, and Patina/Romp for a light brown with shimmer.
i need to check out plumage… thanks christine!
My pleasure, Shay!
Thanks for doing one of these, I know everyone (especially me!) appreiates them! My hair is color treated with a few split ends so I’ve got some breakage problems, but it’s also very oily and has to be washed everyday. I’ve heard tea tree oil is good at combating oiliness but I’m not sold, any shampoo recommendtions you can think of? Thanks again, Christine!
Hey Darby,
What do you currently use?
I would suggest to make sure you only use conditioner on the bottom two-thirds of your hair and not on the roots themselves. You may also want to use a clarifying shampoo (I like Suave’s) once a week or so as well!
Do you describe your coloring as cool or warm or do you prefer not to use such labels? You always look amazing in whatever colors you use!
Do you think there are rules or guidelines about colors women should wear as they age? For ex., I’m 39 and not sure about wearing things like the Stila shadows you just reviewed. Thanks!
Hey Brenda,
I’m warm-toned, and I don’t think it’s really so much a label, y’know? I mean, I *am* warmer toned, lol! However, I’ll wear cool or warm makeup – it’s not about only wearing warm colors to me! Sometimes it doesn’t always work, but I always come out learning something 🙂
Yes and no. I think you should wear what you’re comfortable (or more importantly, confident) in and what is appropriate for whatever you’re doing. Like if you work in a very conservative office, whether you’re 19 or 39 or 79, bold blue makeup is probably not going to fly, so then you have to work within what makes sense in your life. I’m all about having fun with makeup!
There are some guidelines/rules in place for wearing makeup as you get older – e.g. more matte finishes than shimmer/glitter, stay away from bright/bold colors, lighter eyeliner. I just think that there is a time and place to break them, and of course, depends on you. Do I think you could rock some glitter? I sure do! 🙂 Do I think it’s appropriate for everyday? Nah, probably not – and it’s not for me either. But it’s a fun, bling-bling kind of glitter that’s nice to pull out every so often or for a night out.
Hi Christine!
If you had to choose only 10 nail polishes to have for the rest of your life, which would they be?
Hmm…
China Glaze For Audrey, Custom Kicks, Emerald Sparkle, Ruby Pumps, Four Leaf Clover, Wagon Trail; Lippmann Ruby Slippers, Happy Birthday; Chanel Vendetta; Lancome Indigo Paris.
Hi Christine, I was wondering which MAC concealer would work best for a very dry and textured eye area. I have Studio Finish, but it doesn’t seem to work very well for me. Thanks so much!
You might like Moisturecover!
Hi christine,
thanks for doing this!! Couple of questions from me!
1. What would you suggest would be a good teal e/s for blue/green eyes? I fancy trying it but have no idea or even if it would be suitable. Wanting to break out of the neutral zone 🙂
2. What are the best nude lip colours for really pale people?
3. what colours would you suggest are similar to Mariah carey’s look? i loooooooooooooooove her look, the neutral eyes and the nude lips and the cheek colours. Any suggestions welcome lol
Hi Dani C!
1.) Ohh, try Tilt or Surreal! I think both of those would be very pretty 🙂 For something a little tealer, then Shimmermoss, of course!
2.) You could try Hue or Creme Cup 🙂
3.) Is there a particular image you could point me to? I could try and give you some dupes if you do! 🙂
Brilliant thank you.
Have picked a couple of Mariah pics I particuarly like 🙂
http://www.gossipcheck.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mariah-carey-biography-7.jpg
http://goblackonline.com/images/VideoImage/Mariah-Carey-Honey-91676_091002_234837.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcIWBclKU0
have included the honey remix video cos I love the dark eye make up and pale lips and would love a dupe! You hardly ever see her in dark eye makeup!
I always like the neutral eyes and lips and cheeks she does, looks so polished.
I always think maybe goldmine e/s and maybe florabundance, thats my guess. lol!
Thank you so much for doing this much appreicated xxx
First look: try Gleam all over the lid, Bronze in the outer corner and crease, Touch on the lips.
Second look: try Digit on the inner half of the lid, Fig. 1 on the outer half, and Soft Brown in the crease, Sweetie on the lips.
Third look: Silver Ring all over the lid, Carbon in the outer lid and crease, Shroom to blend out and highlight, and Freckletone on lips.
Could you explain different color concealers are? I’ve seen pink, lilac/lavender and yellow. Do you have a recommendation for a good concealer for dark undereye circles and redness due to acne.
Green reduces redness; purple/lilac helps to counteract sallow/yellow; blue for reducing imperfections, yellow to lighten, pink to brighten, peach/salmon for undereye
MUFE makes some great face primers, so I think you might like their green one for helping with minimizing the redness in your face. I like Eve Pearl’s Salmon Concealer for undereye circles.
Hi! Hope your day is treating you well! My question for you is this…I know I must be a total spaz, but I bought the Universal Mix pigment from MAC and I’m having trouble using it. How do you suggest? I wet my brush and tried to use it as a base, but it was next to impossible for me to get any other color to show up on top, and the fall out was INSANE! The MUA at MAC told me to put it on top of shadows to lighten them but I havent tried that yet. Thanks!
Hey Rowan,
Are you just using water? I always use water-based mixing medium (or 1 part glycerin, 3 parts water for the DIY version) with pigments, otherwise I don’t find they work very well.
Universal Mix is also pretty as a highlighter, patted onto lips, and in lotion on legs!
I think I may have asked you this question in the past, so sorry if it’s a repeat question you answered.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2z84thd.jpg
Can you tell me how I would be able to get my eyeliner like this? See how it’s very thin in the inner corner & gets thicker under the lower lash line as it goes towards the outer? Would gel or pencil e/l help me get this look?
Also, can you please recommend a pair of eyelashes curl out like that?
Thank you so much & I love Temptalia!
Hey Michelle!
Gel would probably work best – you need a steady hand and very thin, angled brush (I like the 208)!
You could try MAC #45 lashes, which are half lashes, but will give you that extra oomph on the edges. Make Up For Ever #156 lashes should also work!
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you very much! I will try those. 🙂
I am having major issues with blush. It won’t stay where it belongs. After a while I find my whole cheek is pink.
1. How do you keep blush where it belongs?
2. Do you have a diagram that shows where everything goes facewise- blush, highlighter, contour powder? I can’t contour my round face to save my life! My whole face ends up pink and brown- yikes!
Thanks for your help- glad to see you are feeling better!
Hey Theresa,
Is it migrating through the day – like maybe you’re getting oily and it’s slipping down your face? Or is it just by the end of your application, it looks like it’s everywhere? Sometimes a face primer and/or cream blush can help keep everything in place better.
I don’t have a picture diagram, but I did this tutorial: http://www.temptalia.com/video-tutorial-how-to-contour-highlight-your-face-for-everyday-wear
My pleasure to help! 🙂
By the end of application and blengin it’s ALL over the place.
Do you think you could be overblending by any chance? Sometimes I get carried away and my blush looks like it’s all over my cheeks instead of where I put it!
When should I stop blending? Thanks for your help!
I’d just lightly blend out the edges but spend no more than 2-3 seconds total and see if that helps any!
What do you think would be the best dupe for Enough Said blush? I was not into MAC when that color came out and now I am dying to have it!! Any suggestions? AND BTW I live on your site! I go on it at least 6 or 7 times a day…lol
Bronzer, to be honest. Enough Said is like a glorified bronzer to me – I like it, but it looks and feels much like a bronzer on me 😛
Thank you so much, Cathy 🙂
They have “Enough Said” at Cosmetics Company Store….a local outlet store for MAC and other brands
What is your favorite purple eyeshadow? Warm tone, cool tone, any finish, any brand. Just favorites! I’m in love w/ purple e/s and I’m dying to find more.
MAC Stars ‘n Rockets! LOVE IT!
What is a good brand for an slanted/bent eyeliner brush? (used for gel liners)
I like MAC’s 208!
One more question, what brush do you recommend for mineralized foundation? I use the MAC MSF Natural as foundation since I don’t need that much coverage.
For MSFN, I recommend the 189!
Could you review the NARS Spring collection? I would love to see lip swatch’s, eyeshadows and the new Orgasm highlighter. They all look so lovely.
Do you use many NARS products? They aren’t featured too often in your looks.
What is your favourite perfume? ( Just curious;you can tell so much from a woman from her chosen scent!)
I will definitely try, Kristina! My counter is so, so slow to get NARS out 🙁
I don’t use too many NARS products – I don’t own very many, and I’ve never really been compelled to remedy that!
My favorite is Dior Addict, then I like Burberry’s The Beat and Vera Wang’s LOOK. Dior Addict was my first fragrance though, so maybe it makes me a little nostalgic when I wear it, too 🙂
Hi Christine-
What are your Mac must-have brushes?
<3 your website!
Here’s my list, Ari! http://www.temptalia.com/tag/mac-brushes
Hi Christine
Thanks for taking the time out to answer questions! I have a few:
1. I was browsing through the mac goodbye section and noticed they still had sunny by nature msf. I completely missed out on the collection when it came out and never got to see it in person. I’m NW20 or NC20 (I kind of mix both), do you think it would make a good bronzer? I currently use Nars Laguna but I’ve hit pan and wanted to try something new.
2. What do you use fix + for? Is it really THAT good for mineralized eyeshadows or is water just as good? (I don’t want to waste 18 bucks if I can just use water lol)
3. If you had to recreate the spiced chocolate quad, which colors would you put in there?
Hi Ilona,
It’s an OK bronzer, but it does have some shimmer to it. I think it’s OK, but probably not the best bronzer overall.
I very rarely use Fix+ (it just feels like glorified water, IMO). I use water or water-based mixing medium (for extra hold) when I use mineralize eyeshadows wet!
Hm… I’d probably go for Vanilla, Amber Lights, Mystery, and Coppering.
I love when you have these sessions! lol
I have a couple questions.
1. If I have MAC’s New York Apple, is there really any other dupe for Queen’s Sin rather than that? (That’s my HG red lipstick after seeing your review)
2. I’n thinking of dying my hair in the next few days. If I go darker, would I still be able to use the blushes and msf’s that I use now? (My hair is kinda..light/med brown to dark blond and I wanna go to a dark brown)
3. Is there any way to use a lustre eyeshadow and have it actually show up? lol I have Banshee and D’Bohemia and one from the Belle Azure collection I tried using and I have to pack it on to show up at all.
I think that’s it lol Thanks so much! (I also follow your blog on livejournal too haha)
Hey Jessie,
1.) I haven’t really found a great dupe for it, unfortunately 🙁 You can scour eBay and maybe get lucky sometime… or try to swap for it on MakeupAlley!
2.) I think you will be. You might find that certain combinations don’t look as good (or look better) or that you need to go lighter/heavier, but overall, I don’t think you should worry too much about it.
3.) You could try to use it over a colored base or with a sponge-tip applicator (which is kind of the go-to if all else fails). I find that if you take a brush and pat it on, but not swish or blend, it tends to take better.
Thank you! 😀
Thanks so much! :]
For what it’s worth – I have Banshee too and love love love it. I use a paint pot in a dusty pink (Girl Friendly but that may be d/c) and then pat Banshee on top. It shows up quite well.
Crap… just checked and the paint pot is actually called Girlie Presence 🙂
Girly? Or is it Perky? lol I have Perky and I love it, and now that I think of it it would look good under Banshee. Girl Friendly is the only other pink one I know of aside from Perky and Fresco Rose.
So, it says Girlie Presence. It was a random one I found at a MAC stand alone one day. Maybe it was mislabelled??? But it’s like a matte pink – like a dusty rose pink cousin of soft ochre.
I hope the pink base works for you 🙂
Sounds like Girlie. There was a shadow called Girlie!
I am wanting to get my blog up and running so I wanted to know, how did you do yours? How did it become so popular? I really want to be a beauty blogger and hopefully I’ll be able to do it as a full time job one day. Anybody that I could contact that might be able to help out? Any advice and tips would be awesome. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Hi Bobbie Sue,
When I started blogging, the beauty blogosphere was TOTALLY different. There are so many more beauty blogs and bloggers today than there were three years ago, when I started. This is both good and bad — great because more perspectives are always good and that means more discussion, more opinions, and a broader audience… but it’s not so great if you want to start your own blog.
It is important to find something that will differentiate your blog from everyone else’s blog. You have to find that part of you that really offers something new to potential readers. But maybe more importantly… you have to LOVE what you do and not for money or products or anything but the LOVE of beauty. If you love what you do and you’re passionate about it, that’s how it’ll work out.
Thank you I really appreciate all of your insight!! 🙂 I just need to find that one key thing.
thanks for making this site its really helpful!
I google anything with swatches or collection your site shows up!!
🙂
are you a makeup artist or more of makeup addict/guru?
Aww, thanks, Melissa! 🙂
I do some makeup artistry when time allows, but I’m more of a makeup junkie! I wouldn’t say guru, though!
So I’m a little confused about my skin tone. I’m pretty pale but I have a lot of pink undertones, which would make me cool… But a MAC person matched me with an NC 15 foundation which I think you said was warm? Which one am I then?
Hey Kimberlee,
My favorite (and the easiest way! way to check is to look at your the underside of your forearm. Are the veins blue or green? If they’re blue, you’re cool-toned and should be NW. If they’re green, you’re warm-toned and should be NC.
Sometimes a MAC artist may get it wrong – the lighting in the store has never been my favorite!
I know the lighting in the stores is not great!
I have actually gone searching for MAC’s explanation about their system (which I found frustrating until I accepted that I was light olive skin, neutral. My veins are both green and blue).
They use the colour wheel (here’s a page for a visual)
http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html
which does actually make some sense. Also they describe their NW and NC as “neutral warm” or “neutralized warm” and the same for cool. They will give you different items, in either NC or NW depending on what you want to use it for. I have NW for my under eyes but it is the wrong colour for the rest of my facial spots.
I stuck in the link for the pop up that outlines this from MAC’ site.
http://www.maccosmetics.ca/templates/products/foundation_popup.tmpl
Hope this helps a bit!!
Thanks for sharing, Kathleen! 🙂
Hi Christine,
Let me start by saying that I love this website and I love your youtube channel!!! I just recently started using (liquid)foundation. I really love the dewy look you have in your tutorial videos. I live in the Netherlands and we don’t have easy access to some US brands (like MUFE). Which european brand foundation (Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, Sisley, Clarins, Lancome, etc) would you recommend or a dewy finish like the MUFE HD? I am currently using the Kanebo sensai fluid finish and although it’s a very nice foundation I think it’s a bit matte?
I also have a warm tone in my skincolor, just a tad lighter than you.
Keep up the great work!
For a dewier finish, you might like Dior DiorSkin Nude — very pretty!! 🙂
Thank you, Lurique!
thanks for doing this again christine 🙂
every time i line my tightline but not my lower waterline it transfers over and i feel like it makes my eyes look smaller.. do you have any tips?
and also what do you think the best brush is to use with studio sculpt? 🙂
Hey Kerry,
Keep your eyes open longer to help let the product dry when you do tightlining – of course, the upper and lower waterlines are, watery, so of course, you may end up with some transferring if your eyes tend to be a little watery at the end of the day.
I like the 189 or the 109 with Studio Sculpt!
thankyou so much for answering 🙂 ill definately try this 🙂
No problem, Kerry!
Christine,
This might be a stupid question but when MAC brings out new collections do you ever tend you feel like you need all the colors that obtain to your completion or colors you like just because they are limited edition? I feel like each time I go into MAC get their latest things that I can NEVER get away with not spending atleast $200. I’m just afraid of them running out and not being able to get it again.
How often is it when they bring out things that are not on the MAC perm collection if I don’t have a chance to get it?
Thank-You
Hi Karla,
It used to feel like that, but then I started buying collections so I could take them home and do real photographs and swatches (including lip swatches… which are like, impossible to do in-store, lol!), so it’s kind of not that way anymore.
When I first got into MAC (maybe a year or so in), I can remember feeling like “OMG, this is LE, what am I going to do?”
I think at a certain point you also accumulate a lot of makeup and start seeing a lot of dupes so you don’t feel as rushed or hurried to get the latest and greatest.
MAC doesn’t bring back a lot of products. They sometimes will release a new product (e.g. Dazzleglasses) and make it permanent, but it’s not something I’d really count on. MAC regularly releases new products, makes them permanent (or not), and discontinues them when they don’t do so well (e.g. Slimshines). You’ll see repeats of some shades and sometimes you’ll see repeats of a similar shade with ten different names, but there are a fair amount of colors that you won’t see again.
Hi! I have lipstick questions:
1) Which are the best coral MAC lipsticks, past LEs included?
2) Are there any bright pink MAC lipsticks that would suit a NC20 redhead (past LEs included)?
Hi Rita,
1.) Mari-sheeno is probably the only really fantastic coral I’ve seen from MAC. To be honest, I’ve always felt their coral line has been lacking!
2.) Have you tried maybe something like Girl About Town? I love me some Fashionably Fuchsia, though it’s quite old now. Hollywood Nights is a bright dark pink that might work as well. Hmm, you may also like Lustering or Lickable…
MAC’s Sandy B is an amazing coral & it’s my go-to lipstick! Definitely try it out 🙂
It’s not MAC but Dior Addict Lipcolour Vintage Coral is my HG coral. It’s like a frosty light coral. Reminds me of a lipstick I had as a kid in the …cough, cough..early 80’s lol.
I quite love it as an everyday colour but it does slip some.
Hi Christine,
I just wanted to know, does Mac and other make up companies forward your their upcoming lines as well as their product? I am would assume that they do being that you have the products before they are launched. I’m also thinking that you don’t pay for all the make up yourself…but then again…you might!
Hi Gina,
If you see a post, there is a disclosure statement in any post where a brand or their representative has sent me product — that should help you identify what’s what! Some companies do, some companies don’t. I have purchased, I’d guess, somewhere around 85-90% of the MAC products that I own, though. Typically, if I’m featuring something before it’s launched, then most likely it did come from the company!
These companies should give you something for all the free advertisement you do for them!!!
I’m jealous of your ability to buy so much make up!
You’re not alone…I have tons of student loans to pay back also!
Lots of amazing brands and companies have helped support Temptalia through product samples, which is a huge help, because I don’t have to buy everything AND I can try and review things I wouldn’t buy myself but perhaps are highly requested! It also lets me feature and try more brands than I otherwise might (if not for brands, this may still be an all MAC blog, ha!). 🙂 But oddly enough, my beauty spending has only increased year after year!
But oh, those student loans. Mountains upon mountains! My mom says sometimes she wakes up in a cold sweat worrying that I won’t be able to pay them back, LOL.
Hey Christine,
I’m super excited about OPI’s Alice in Wonderland Collection, however I’m not sure when it will be available. Some salons I’ve asked have are already sold out while others haven’t even debuted it yet. Why is this?
From what I can tell, it seems like each salon or distributor has their own release dates… like I never see polishes in store, so I always buy from etailers, since they have it up so quickly.
I got mine at Trade Secret.
I enjoy all the information you provide on your site. Thanks much! My question for you is… How do you choose your shade of foundation at a drug store. I recently noticed the pallor of the lack of sun I’ve not been getting and had to rush out and buy something. Not wanting to spend a lot on a color that hopefully won’t be for too much longer, I decided to head out to my local CVS but it’s hard to decide on a shade when there are no samplers/testers. I ended up getting 2 shades to mix up that luckily ended up okay with my shade but was wondering if you have any tips??? Thanks!
Hi Chai,
The short answer? I don’t. I really, really don’t like the whole no swatching, no trying before you buy thing at drugstores, so I very rarely buy anything that really requires shade matching or the like.
My tips, though, for buying without testing is to do a lot of Googling! A lot of people seem to use their MAC shade to offer comparisons in other foundations, so I might Google something like “NC30 for Revlon ColorStay” or something like that to see if anything pops up. I also try to think where I fall in my existing foundation – am I in the middle of their range? beginning? end? Then I kind of use that as a guide for an new range as well.
Thanks much. This will really help!
hEY cHRISTINE…
i WANTED TO ASK IF YOU RECOMEND ME USING THE mARIO bADESCU PRODUCTS FOR MY SKIN…mY ONLY PROBLEMS ARE BLACKHEADS AND MY SKIN IS NOT EVEN TEXTURE…..i REALLY WANT TO TRY IT BUT IM AFRAID ui MIGHT MAKE MYSELF BREAKOUT…..aLSO AS A FELLO MAC LOVER I HAVE ALOPT OF EYEDOWS BUT DOES THE NEW STILA SHADOWS HAVE ANY DUPES OR ARE THEY REALLYY UNIQUE….
Hi Eyeris,
I’m not a skincare expert or esthetician, so I can’t tell you if it’s the right thing for your skin and only what my experience has been. I found Mario Badescu really helpful for my acne-prone skin, and I know a few other readers have found it worked well for them as well. I believe you can order samples from Mario Badescu, though, if you want to try it before you buy it.
I think they’re pretty unique, just based on the texture alone!
Hey Christine!
I recently discovered that MAC MSF’s break me out 🙁
Do they break you out too?
Have you found any similar products that give that same glow/finish?
<33 your blog!
Hi Chloe,
Some of MAC’s mineralize skinfinish stuff seems to break me out, but I’m not 100% sure… just not enough to wear them very often anymore, though. I prefer Dior DiorSkin Shimmers over MSFs, though, regardless of the potential to break me out, lol!
Thank you!
I just recently bought by candelight, but im not liking it too much, don’t know whats the whole hype about. I’m looking for a great highlighter powder over my cheecks, that will give me a nice frosty glowy look.
I already use dior nude foundation, and I love it!
Now im thinking maybe I should switch and try the dior shimmer powder, so wihch one do you recommende if im a NC 25.
Thanks alot!
Hi Mina,
I’d recommend Amber Diamond — that’s my favorite 🙂
Do you know something similar colourwise to Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, but longer-lasting? I’m in love with it but it doesn’t stay on for long.
Any suggestion goes as long as it’s not sticky and doesn’t cost a lot more!
You could try Rimmel Revolution Lipstick, Maybelline Drippin’ Honey Lipstick, or Prestige Sheer Grape Lipstick!
i FORGOT ONE MORE QUESTION….i REALLY LIKE THE BEAUTY PWDERS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME OUT FORM MAC…Shell pearl and Summer Rose can you please tell me if the colors are similiar (Do i really need both….) and what do I use them for…I especially love the shell pearl….
Shell Pearl is really pretty, but Summer Rose is very light and didn’t really wow me like Shell Pearl has. They can be used as all over face powders or to highlight certain parts of the face.
What do you do during the day to keep your lipstick and lipgloss combo nice and fresh? Thoughout the day I smile and talk a lot, eat and smack my lips.. do you just reapply? I always ask my girl friends this: when you eat or drink do you just “eat” your lipstick/lipgloss orso you always wipe it off first? I’ve though about it and it would be weirdto go to a nice restaurant in a red lip then wipe it off.
Oh and you don’t have to answer this question since it might be personal but are you employed? And if so, what is your job? I’m always so broke as a college student and I hardly splurge for costmetics!
Hi Samantha,
Ever since I started wearing lipgloss and lipstick together, I just grew to alter some of my daily habits to be more conducive to keeping it on! When I drink, I actually use my tongue (flattened) against the class to drink (or else a straw), rather than my bottom lip. I kind of do similar things when I’m eating – just avoid getting my lips (at least the part that has product on ’em!) onto food or onto the fork. I definitely don’t wipe it off before eating, though.
The closest thing I have to a job is doing the blog, but otherwise I am a full-time students with lots of loans to pay back!
Hi,
what blush/face powder would you reccomend? Im after a peachy coloured one like the new dior spring summer beauty powder you reviewed but without the shimmer. I tried Georgia by Benefit but that had too much shimmer too! Any ideas? If all else fails a really light bronzer might work.
Thanks
Hi Katie,
Have you tried Illamasqua’s Exposed or Lover? or Makeup For Ever’s #69 or #133?
I am NW43 in Studio Fix liquid foundation and I was wondering what color blush, lipstick/lipglass would your recommend for my skintone? I am pretty set with e/s, but I have such a hard time finding blushes and lippies that work for me. What my eyes like and what actually looks good are two different things! Help point me in the right direction please. They can be from any m/u line. TIA
Also, I notice that you dont review a lot of CARGO products? Is there a particular reason why? I was looking for a review from you on the Runway palette and couldnt find one. Got it anyway and I love it! 😀
BTW I love your blog. Keep up the good work.
Hey Allison,
I wrote up this post with my recommendations for your skin tone – http://www.temptalia.com/best-eyeshadows-lipglosseslipsticks-blushes-for-dark-skin
Check out the comments, too — lots of readers added some awesome suggestions as well 🙂
There’s no real reason – I’m not actively avoiding CARGO, though I’d say that I have a lot of stuff I do want to review so that I’m not necessarily driven to focus on CARGO either!
Thank you!
Hi Christine,
is it possible that one day a powder foundation is oxidating on me? it never has happened before, but I guess yesterday it did – or I really have to clean my brush asap. am bad in chemics…
I think it would be unusual if it did so all of a sudden, as I typically hear of it happening all the time and from the get-go. I would recommend cleaning your brush, giving it another go, and seeing how it acts!
Hi Christine!
I would like to know what products or how can I prevent the under eye area from looking cakey after applying concealer.
It doesn’t matter what concealer I use it ALWAYS seems to cake on me.
I have also noticed that my under eye area tends to be a bit dry, I’m guessing that’s why it cakes on me but I’m not really sure…. HELP!
Hey Jen,
You may need a little more moisturizer or a thicker moisturizer on your undereye area to keep it hydrated – sometimes I use a thicker cream as a “spot treatment” for drier areas on my skin. This way I don’t have to over-moisturize my entire face, but I can still keep my drier areas from being flaky. I would opt for a creamier concealer (think almost like a liquid concealer), though, if you do tend to be drier in the area!
Thanks! 🙂 I’ll definitely try this out!
Hi, Christine!
I know you did a lot of posts for red lipsticks in the Scarlet Season. However, I was having information overload. So, I was wondering if you can suggest 3 red lipsticks (or lipgloss) for someone with NC 25-30 skin (any brand is fine).
Also, have you ever tried MUFE Aqua lipliner? If yes, how does it compare to MAC ones?
Thank you ^_^
Hi Florence,
1.) I’d suggest Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque, MAC Russian Red Lipstick, Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick.
2.) I have – it works well, and I haven’t had any problems with it. I find it hard to say much about lip liners, just because, well, they just seem to do their job, lol!
Hi Temptalia!
Have you tried YSL Rouge Volupte in 22 – Exquisite Plum?
Which one do you like better #22 Exquisite Plum or #12 Forbidden Burgundy?
I haven’t tried it, unfortunately! 🙁
I love the #12!!! I also was having a hard time choosing between the two. #12 reminds me of plumful by MAC but SOO much better. #22 is more fall-like. #12 will be perfect for spring/summer- heck year round!
Hello there,
I only “got into” make up in 2009, but im 38 and dont know where to start. I am worried that i will look ridiculous and people will laugh at me. Im not sure if im too old to start with make up.
Can you give me any advice?
I love your site and always look forward to reading it every day.
Jaqueline
Hi Jaqueline,
You’re never too old to start anything 🙂 First and foremost, I recommend experimenting and practicing – you don’t have to wear what you try on out of the house, but by practicing application and technique, you can hone your skills and learn what you like (and don’t like!). Try less at first and then build up to something bolder/more dramatic and see how you like it. That way you will be confident with what you choose to wear!
Thank you so much for replying. Will definetly try to experiment more x
Hi Christine,
I remember you saying something about reviewing the Volcanic Thermal Mask from the Style Black collection. Is it something for the near future? Also wondering if you would consider the 226 brush an essential brush (I’m pondering between trying to get that one or the 219)
And how’s Mellan doing? 🙂
Hey Annie,
Sorry about that – I just never ended up reviewing it 🙁
I do consider the 226 an essential brush! I use it all the time (it nearly every look) – more so than the 219 (which I do use often, though). He is good 🙂 Just napping now!
Yay Christine! I’ve been waiting for this session for the longest time! 😀
I have a few questions:
1. Do you know of an eye shadow that looks like Zoya’s Adina? It’s a violet / green duochrome. I’ve been obsessing over this colour since I found nail swatches of it. Any brand, I don’t care. 🙂
2. I use MAC Dainty for a warm pink blush. Do you know one from MAC (or other similarly priced brand) that’s more pigmented but not too shimmery?
3. What do you recommend for a cheek highlight shade for an NC40? I’m looking for really fine shimmer.
Thanks so much for doing this! 😀
Hi Arianne,
1.) Can’t say that I do… nothing is popping into my mind!
2.) Have you tried MAC Dollymix? It’s slightly warm, though not terribly so, but definitely pigmented. It’s not very much like Dainty, though. Smashbox Flush or MUFE #112 might work too.
3.) You might like NARS Albatross! It has a fine shimmer. MAC makes decent highlighters.. but they’re not in the permanent line, unfortunately! They’re always limited edition 🙁
I’m going to check out Smashbox Flush for sure judging from your swatches… I actually have MUFE #112 but it’s pretty matte. Great pink though!
NARS is a bit steep for me for highlighter. I’m probably not going to use it that often, so it’ll be a bit of a waste.
Thanks for your help. 😀
i have a reall hard time buying foundation, or powder for my face because i am pale… so when i go to a store i always feel like they chose a shade that makes me look too white! i am spanish and i tan easily, but in the winter i turn light. how should i go about that to buy foundation, powder, or blush?
Are you trying to find a foundation that works year-round? If you do get light and tan really easily as the seasons change, you’re best off having a foundation for the winter and another for the summer. For your blushes, you can just use a lighter or heavier hand, depending on the intensity of the color you need at the time!
Hi Christine. I was interested in getting Showstopper e/s, but do you find it too similar to Mystery to justify having both? Also, Myself l/s makes me look like a corpse. What l/l would you recommend to pair it with?
I don’t love the texture of Showstopper (it has some drag), so I’d just go with Mystery myself…
You could try Pink Treat!
Do you have, or could you compile a list of MAC duochrome shadows/pigments? I have a few and love them, I am interested in getting more. Thanks!
Hi Amanda,
I don’t have a list, unfortunately! 🙁
Here are the ones I can think of…
Club
Expensive Pink
Gorgeous Gold
Hush
Motif
Seedy Pearl
Stars n Rockets
Tilt
Vellum
Vex
Pigments
Blue Brown
Frozen White
Green Brown
Old Gold
Pink Opal
Pink Pearl
White Gold
and pink bronze pigment 🙂
Hi Christine! I’m glad that you are doing Ask Temptalia today. So my question is what undereye primer can you recommend? I have this line in my undereyes (both left and right) that still shows through even if I use MAC Moisturecover or other light undereye concealer. I just hate how it gets so obvious that I just concealed my undereyes because of those lines showing through.lol!
Ohh, I like MAC’s Line Filler, actually. I don’t use it much, but it really does plump up those little lines quite a bit 🙂
so do you use it before putting on concealer or after? thanks for the reply anyway…
Before! 🙂
How do you get eyeliner top and bottom to stay? By the end of the day I have severe raccoon eyes and it’s embarrassing. Any tips? Do you think it’s caused by the eyeliner or Diorshow mascara?
It could be your eyeliner, but it could be your mascara. I would try doing either/or and seeing if the problem is still there, so at least you know who the culprit is. You may want to try setting your eyeliner with either a loose translucent powder or a similar color eyeshadow for extra stay and hold.
Just wondering what ethnicity are you? Someone told me you were half viet. If you are, you look nothing like it (not in a rude way or anything)! I’m half Vietnamese so I found that interesting. haha
I’m half Vietnamese, quarter Swiss, quarter German!
thanks! Love the blog!
Thanks, KathyB!
Oh that question sometimes comes up in my mind when I see your pictures, but I couldn’t guess anything 😛 I’m Vietnamese so I also found that interesting 😛 It’s really true when they say most of mixed ppl are gorgeous 😀
Aww, thank you 🙂
I love these things! Only two questions this time so I won’t take up too much of your time.
1) What do you think of MUFE HD Powder in comparison to MAC Prep + Prime Powder?
2) Does MAC Blot Powder really work? I have a really oily t-zone so I need a pressed powder. Any that have really won you over?
Thanks for doing these Christine! You’re awesome!
Hi Haylie,
1.) They’re the same to me. MUFE HD Powder never blew me away… I didn’t get the hype. It gets the job done, but it wasn’t like OMG SPECTACULAR! I like either and alternate often.
2.) I don’t get very oily, so I’ve never invested in Blot Powder myself, however I do know lots of oilier-skinned ladies who seem to covet and carry Blot Powder around religiously 😉 Any pressed powder, in general, will help soak up the oilies as that’s what powder does!
Christine,
Do you set your makeup with powder before heading out? If so,
what kind?
Thanks!
Hi Diane,
I typically do – right now I’ve been using Laura Mercier’s Setting Powder!
Thanks Christine! I don’t wanna spend ten more bucks on a translucent powder. I mean how good could a translucent powder get right? Thanks for the advice!
I think I’ll try the Blot Powder. I know you don’t own it but does it have like the same ingredients as the MSFN? Lol I don’t know how you would know that but I’m just worried it might break me out like the MSFN. Also, what brush would you apply a pressed powder with?
I have no clue what the ingredients are, but if you are interested, I would email customer service 🙂 I find that’s the quickest & easiest way to get an ingredient list from any brand!
I use the 150 for pressed and loose powder. I also like the 189 for more coverage!
Hey Christine! I love your blog.
My Questions are…
1. If you could only have a few make-up products, what would they be?
2. What would you say have been your biggest make-up mishaps in the past, the sort of things you thought were amazing at the time and now you look back and just think oh.my.god! (I looked through my old pictures, and realized I have alot of those)
3. What’s your favourite place to go for a vacation? and your favourite place outside the US.
thanks, much love xxx
Hi Simone!
1.) Mascara, lip balm, and blush!
2.) Not wearing lipstick or blush… not realizing how important it is to have a FULL face of makeup – not just super eyeshadow and neglecting the rest! Oh, and over-tweezing…
3.) Hmm, I’d say Hawaii, I guess. I haven’t been to that many places, particularly outside of the U.S.! I’ve only been to Canada, Mexico, and China. I don’t think I’d say any of three are a favorite place. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and Spain!
Thank you!
hello,
I’m looking for a very pale lipstick…my face is very light…do you know any good one? it could be from any brand, execept Nars (can’t find that where I live) or should I better start wearing concealer or foundation on my lips instead?
THANK YOU!
Hi Mirian,
Have you tried MAC Hue, Creme Cup, or Honeylove?
yup I did, they are still too dark…too rosy or peachy
If you can find it, Fleshpot might work for you. There’s also Equality, which is limited edition, but recently released from All Ages, and is super super pale. What about Blankety? Did that turn too rose on you?
I saw the swatches from Equality that you posted…and I think I’ll try that one…I just hope that this one isn’t too white…I’ll try 🙂
do you know if it would be safe to use mac eyeshadows on lips?
Hey Miriam,
I don’t know if they are or not, to be honest. It’s hard to say! I know I’ve done so in the past, but I don’t ingest very much lipstick/gloss.
I would try Creme D’ Nude. I have very pale skin (NW15) and this lipstick is very light on me.
I also am NW15 and I swear by Myth for a total “concealer” effect..
Good luck in your search!
Hi Christine! Great timing with this question session. 🙂
My prom is March 13th. I’ve found my dress, it’s the light blue one. 🙂
http://www.efashioncentral.com/ccs/detail.php?ProdId=1837072&CatId=27108&Page=CatOv&thisOffset=0&resPos=1&pSort=#subtitle
But I’m not sure what I should do with my makeup. So I was looking through some of your past makeup looks for ideas, and I found one I really like:
http://www.temptalia.com/looks-silvery-grays-and-blues
Do you think this would look good with my dress? Or do you have any other recommmendations? I have strawberry-blonde hair, blue eyes, and very fair, cool-toned of skin. Thanks for your help!
Hi Katy!
Pretty dress! I like the look you picked out, but I also like these as possible alternatives…
http://www.temptalia.com/holiday-makeup-icy-blue-smoky-eyes
http://www.temptalia.com/look-beige-nudes-with-deep-blues
http://www.temptalia.com/look-shimmery-white-and-teal-blue-eyes
Christine! I just got to know- how do you budget for cosmetics?! I am so addicted. lol
Makeup is really my only hobby! I’m not big on clothes, shoes, bags, etc. I’m not into fragrance really (my nose is dumb!), so I pick and choose there. But having makeup be the only area I really do big spending in helps keep me sane.
Here are some of my budgeting tips:
1.) Make a list of anything you want from upcoming collections. Sometimes I like to make collages or put links to photos, reviews, etc. of certain products I really want.
2.) I make myself sit on it for at least a week if it’s possible. If I still want it, then I tend to buy it. If I don’t even remember wanting it any more, then I can skip.
3.) Check to see if you have anything similar already, because then you can tell yourself you don’t really need it.
4.) Make use of return policies — if you don’t love it, you shouldn’t have to keep it when stores do offer some really great return policies.
5.) Watch for sales; in the past few years, with the poor economy, many brands have had sales… when we never thought they would.
6.) Kind of an off-shoot of the previous one, but I always save up bigger purchases or staple purchases (e.g. skincare) for Sephora’s Friends & Family sale (typically in November).
Thanks Christine! That is super helpful! 🙂
hey im just getting started with mac i have fair skin and green eyes. what are some products you would suggest? 🙂
Hey Carie,
Here are my suggestions: http://www.temptalia.com/best-eyeshadows-lipglosseslipsticks-blushes-for-fair-skin
Hi Carie, just thought I’d jump in with a few of my favourite mac eyeshadows since I also have (very) fair skin and (very) green eyes! I think that Jest, Smut, Shale, Vex, Patina, and Sable all make my green eyes stand out without looking too harsh on my fair skin.
Woo hoo! I have three questions:
1) Do you do your own graphics for the titles, etc. on the website? I like how all of your posts in a series (like the spring lips, winter lips, etc.) have a custom look to them. It looks nice and sets the site apart from your routine blog – It’s (just) one of the things I really like about temptalia.com 🙂
2) Do you ever use old-fashioned cake eyeliners? The “get it wet and apply with brush” kind? If so, can you recommend one that you’ve used and liked? I like gel eyeliners for a fine line and pencils for smudging – But I’ve been interested in trying out a nice cake eyeliner (I suppose MAC’s Chromacake might even work – Then I’d have it for YEARS! LOL).
3) I’ve seen a few videos on-line lately where people have been using Benefit’s High Brow – Have you ever used it? If you have, do you like it as a highlighter and do you think it’s really worth the $20?
Thanks!!!
Hey Dusty,
OK, so graphic design and web design is sort of split. My boyfriend does the overall layout (though our logo was made by an outside firm!), but he does the general look and feel of the whole site itself. All of the little banners/titles/images you see on the actual posts, those are by me (for good or bad, haha!). I just have a thing for wanting themed/series posts have the same feel/look, so they can all look uniform. OCD, hello!
I haven’t used too many, but I tried out MAC’s Cake Liner when I was at the SF PRO store a little while back, and I liked it. I think they’re the size of paint pots/fluidlines or so, not quite as forever-lasting as a Chromacake, LOL!
I’ve only used it in-store when Benefit artists have done some makeover-type things on me. It’s not something I could really see myself using in my day-to-day makeup, since I’d rather just use whatever highlighter suits the look/me on that day, you know? Like I want something that leans gold, or pink, or champagne — whathaveyou! It’s a nice way to add a little pop to the brow if you’re not wearing much else, though. Worth $20? I suppose, considering it’ll last you quite sometime, and I do like that it’s in a pencil form!
What would be your ideal MACl 15 pan neutral palette for someone in the NC37-40ish range? Thanks!
Bronze, Coppering, Amber Lights, Romp, Satin Taupe, Soft Brown, Texture, Mystery, Ricepaper, Mulch, Espresso, Antiqued, Arena, Orb, Rule
hello again,
I also have a big question for you and your answer is very important to me…I would like to know what eyeshadows from MAC are irreplaceable with other brands, so unique and must haves…also taking into consideration that I have fair skin and brown eyes…What are your must haves?…I mean colors like amber lights (which you really cannot find anywhere else)
THANK YOU again 🙂
Hi Miriam,
You could consider these shades very unique that would work with your skin tone… Tilt, Moon’s Reflection, Patina, Stars ‘n Rockets, Vellum, Vex, Beautiful Iris
hi christine
1)can u please tell me whats the best waterproof concealer that i can use?
2)my skin have some obviouse pores goin on can i still use luminous
foundation?
thanks alot 🙂
Hi May!
1.) Lancome Effacernes
2.) Yes, I think so!
Christine,
I’ve been HEAVILY into nail polish lately, but even after my mani, my polish chips the second or third day. I use OPI Start to Finish, CND Sticky Basecoat, and then Seche Vite as a top. Any advice?
Hey Mel,
I would probably just vary it up – try a different base coat. I use Zoya’s Color Lock System for just about everything and haven’t had any issues with it. I know some have suggested that certain brands or formulas don’t always work well with whatever your usual base/top coat system is, so you may want to try another base coat.
What is the best method that you use when you get a pimple?
and what is the best makeup for oily skin?
Hi Claudia,
I use Mario Badescu’s spot treatments (Drying Lotion/Drying Cream) when I get a pimple and do my best to leave it alone (which is so, so hard!).
Best makeup? Well, what kind of makeup? Powders in general tend to work better on oily skin, though.
i want to try benefit creaseless cream shadow just at eyeshadow base but not sure what color to try. i am an african american of dark complexion. i was thinking of Birthday Suit, but do not want one too shimmery or too light for my complexion.
Hey Felicia,
Not sure if you’ve seen this post or not, but here’s my original review and swatches of many of their shadows: http://www.temptalia.com/benefit-creaseless-cream-eyeshadowliner-photos-swatches-review
I’d recommend RSVP or Birthday Suit!
hii christine!
i have brash and bold pigment and i could really use some ideas
so far all i’ve come up with is a smokey eye with a pink lid
thanks!
Have you tried layering lighter eyeshadows over it? Like Vanilla, Digit, or Beautiful Iris? I think it would be veryy pretty!
I haven’t used it lately, but i used brash and bold with a dark purple in the crease…it was stark but I liked it(but was also still warm out 🙂 )
I have oily skin. What loose translucent powder do you recommend for setting foundation?
How do you get rid of yellow stained nails?
What affordable flat iron brand do you recommend?
Have you tried maybelline superstay 24 hour foundation? If yes, what do you think of it?
Thanks for your help!!
Hi TL,
1.) I like Laura Mercier’s Setting Powder a lot right now.
2.) You can try a gentle “bleaching” by using a mix water and baking powder (as a paste), then applying it to nails. You can also try soaking your nails in lemon juice or in denture-cleaning solution/mixture (like the tablets).
3.) I like Remington’s Shine Therapy for a flat iron that’s affordable.
4.) Haven’t tried it!
I’m expanding my MAC eyeshadow collection and recently bought Patina. What 2 other colors would you recommend to go with Patina? (I would like to wear Patina regularly and don’t like an overly gold eyeshadow look. I have warm undertones.)
Thank you so much! Love your blog, it’s part of my daily ritual.
Love it with Bronze and Era!
Thanks so much, Gigi 🙂
yay! which MAC in Lillyland Creme Blush would you reccomend for light to medium skin with warm undertones? Thanks a bunch! I was thinkin the one with the weird/french name?
Joie de Vivre!! 🙂
Of the three MAC foundations, Studio Fix, Select, and Studio Sculpt, which one is your favorite?
I am currently using Studio Sculpt, and I have to spray my brush with Fix+ to make it go on better. I have combo skin, the typical oily around the nose and forehead, and lately dry around my mouth area. I have tried the Select foundation. I also like medium coverage.
Thanks!
I like Studio Fix Fluid (I don’t like Studio Fix powder) and Select is good if you only need light coverage. I don’t like Studio Sculpt at all, personally! I just find it’s way too thick and like gloop, plus it smells bad to me 🙁
Thanks Christine!
How did you come up w/ the name Temptalia? 🙂
When I was fifteen or sixteen (I think, maybe it was earlier, lol), I wanted a word that embodied the perfect woman — super sexy, smart, confident, passionate, loving, etc. Kind of worked off of Temptation 😉
hi christine!
have you tried anything from hardy candy at walmart?
if so, what do you like/hate?
Hey Zoe,
I haven’t tried it yet, but I have been meaning to – thanks for reminding me!
Hi Christine!
Have you ever been spotted by one of your readers in the Bay Area?
Maybe once or twice, but very rarely!
Thank you again for taking the time and effort to do this, I really love these sessions and do look forward to them a lot!
-What do you think of MAC Studio Fix Lash Mascara? Curling? Defining?
-What do you think is the best drugstore mascara for length? curl?
-What products would you recommend for staying matte the whole day? I don’t wear foundation, only powder. 🙂
-What is your favorite high end concealer for blemishes?
-What is your fave spring collection coming up?
-From the new products that came out recently in Sephora, what would you say to definitely get?
-What are your fave falsies?
Thank you!
Hi Crystal,
1.) Studio Fix Mascara smells terrible and gives you really great length, but not much thickening/volume!
2.) I like LashBlast 🙂
3.) Primer always helps me – and of course, powder (setting my makeup). You could always try a mattifying primer, too.
4.) For blemishes, I just add a little extra foundation – I just find adding too much to a blemish serves to only accentuate it rather than conceal it!
5.) I looked through a few pages of the new makeup products, and the only thing that really comes to mind is Sugarbomb by Benefit!
6.) I like MAC overall, it’s kind of like a good price range for mid-to-high end. I also really like Revlon for a cheaper and more affordable option!
Oh, and favorite Spring Collection… hm, not sure yet! I liked Guerlain and Chanel’s Spring collections (feels like forever ago now), and I’m looking forward to MAC’s Spring Colour Forecast.
What celebrities always impress you with their beauty choices? Is there anyone whose style you find ghastly?
Hi Alison,
To be honest, I really don’t follow any celebrities enough to know their beauty choices! The only time I see celebrities is during those red carpet events at awards, lol. If I had to pick, I’d say Kim Kardashian, just because she wears makeup very well – her face can take both natural, neutral, or the dramatic, so I like being able to see a range of looks on her!
I love Kim Kardashian and esp. admire the way she does her makeup!
Do you know any techniques to achive her looks by using MAC products? 🙂
I believe she has some video tutorials on how to do her makeup on her website, actually!
Have you used MAC’s cleanse off oil? If so, do you recommend it?
Hi Anja,
I love MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil! It does a great job of removing even the most stubborn makeup, and it never leaves my skin feeling stripped. I like using it on brushes, too.
Yay! Sounds great. I just ordered it from Nordstrom’s along with So Sweet, So Easy blush.
Can you talk about your retin-a experience? I’ve been on it now for 3 months and am wondering when my skin is going to look incredible like every doctor and esthetician says it will…
I only used it for a month or so, and I was maybe 19 or 20 at the time (I’m 23 now). I didn’t care for it, because it just made my skin, very, very sensitive to everything. I also had a lot of peeling, even when I scaled back the usage. I’m still paying for it with some dry patches (particularly the skin above my upper lip) and around my eyes (very sensitive around that area).
Hey Christine,
I love these sessions! I recently found a website that sells LE MAC stuff and I really want to try out the MSFs. Which MSF is your favourite? Would you recommend perfect topping or petticoat? I’m an NC20-25!
I also heard that MAC’s gonna make the 226 permanent? is that true?
Thanks!
I don’t love any MSFs really 🙁 I’m just not a big fan, I don’t get the hype! I think both Perfect Topping and Petticoat are good picks — both are highly recommended by MSF fans!
I haven’t heard anything about it being permanent, though it’d be great if they did!
I own Perfect Topping and forget about it ALL the time. It’s a bit too light on my skin (IMO — I’m a NW20/25).
HEY KIKI! Can you share with us the website for LE products?? Thanks!
Do you know of any dupes for stars n rockets or trax ?
BTW : Love Temptalia!
Dupes in what brand, Evie?
Thanks!
Doesn’t matter, though some lower-end dupes might be nice!
Hi Evie,
I don’t know of a dupe for Stars ‘n Rockets… You might find NYX Deep Purple or Eggplant could be a dupe for Trax!
I’ll try that!
Thanks
Ben Nye eyeshadow in Cosmic Violet is the exact same color, and a bit more pigmented IMO!
Yeah Ben Nye’s Cosmic Violet is great. UD has Fishnet which is the same color, basically, although deluxe so more expensive.
Hi, Christine! What are the most pigmented lipglosses you’ve run across in your blog experience? I’m looking for not just dark colors, preferably some in the medium, MLBB range? Thanks for your help and I love your blog (read it every day!).
MAC Lipglass tends to be more pigmented than the average lipgloss. Korres makes some decently pigmented MLBB kind of shades as well!
Thank you! 🙂
Hey Christine,
I’m really fair, and I was looking for more of a plummy blush for winter. I got MAC’s Lovejoy for Christmas, and I love the color, but I’m having problems. If I apply it too lightly, you can’t even tell I’m wearing anything. But to apply it darker makes it look like I’m out in drag, or got punched with a fist covered in dirt or something (It’s really horrible). I really want to make it work. Do you have any tips?
Have you tried Plum Foolery or Breath o’ Plum?
Also, if you go too heavy, have you tried to diffuse the color with a buffer brush (like the 182) or putting a little powder on top to mute it?
I try diffusing it, but it just makes the color look muddy. Maybe I’ll try out a new shade.
what to use your to clean your makeup brushes b/c
a lot people use baby shampoo, but recently
i heard its not good to use b/c it rips out the natural oils,
which causes the hairs to fall out a lot more.
I do use Mac brush cleaner but do you think thats okay to use just that alone?
Hi Melissa,
I haven’t heard that… I use baby shampoo most of the time, but I occasionally use MAC Brush cleanser as well. You can just use the brush cleanser, I think that’d be fine…
I heard from a few gurus on youtube that you should try to clean your brushes using a brush cleaner everyday or between applications, and deep cleanse with baby shampoo every week or a few times a month depending on how often you use the brush!
Oh and extra virgin olive oil for gel liner brushes instead of baby shampoo.
Is benefit’s powderflage worth it?
and what concealer is your favorite for under eyes? is bobbi brown creamy concealer good?
It’s okay, but I don’t really use it since I finished testing it out. I like Eve Pearl’s Salmon Concealer for undereye!
How is the concealer working out? I often just use concealer/foundation when I want to do cover up my natural lip color rather than reach for anything else. You could always try MAC Prep + Prime Lip as well… Maybe Dior’s Sweet Praline Creme de Gloss could work, since those are very pigmented.
What eyeshadow base do you use?
Where do you get mac pigment samples? Or if you don’t get samples, do you know of a reliable/authentic mac pigment sample website? Thanks, christine!
I don’t get samples, I usually buy the full jar, because I like all the jars to match. I actually don’t know any sites that sell samples (but again, I don’t shop for them) – when I bought samples in the past, I bought through the MAC Cosmetics Livejournal community, but that was years ago.
Thanks, Christine!
Makeupgeek sells some in her store and I trust Marlena, so you could try there too.
If you could only own ONE pigment from MAC’s permanent collection, what would it be?
Pink Opal!
I LOVE pink opal! I actually just got it the other wk 🙂 What good bases do you use with it to really bring out the pink? I noticed it turns purple when applied over blackground pp.
Fresco Rose 🙂
I’m looking for a good daily moisturizer with at least SPF 30, that doesn’t make my skin look shiny. I’m currently using Netrogena Healthy defense daily moisturizer, the light tint one, and it’s horrible! It’s goes totally dark and makes my skin really shiny. Any recommendations?
Have you tried Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer? It has SPF30. I also like Mario Badescu’s face moisturizer with SPF 30 as well.
what do you recommend as a contour shade for a nw20 skin tone? i can’t get to a pro store, so the sculpting powders are out. what about any other brands?
ps hope you are feeling better now, sorry to hear u were sick
Hey Alana,
Have you tried using a foundation shade 1-2 shades darker than you? (Maybe NW25 or NW30!) You could try MSFN in Medium or Medium Plus for a natural contouring shade!
Thank you 🙂
thanks so much christine X
Hey babe! Doing an amazing job with the blog as always, and I’m loving all the looks lately! Could you give me a dupe for Elite e/s?
No great dupe, but it’s almost like a mix of Woodwinked and a smidgen of Bronze…
I’ll try that, thanks!
How did you get started? I am 20 years old and am severely obsessed with makeup. My friends even want to put me in makeup rehab! Do you ever take interns or work with others?
Thank you!
~Fellow San Franciscan!
I just started blogging about what I loved and was pretty much already doing (reviewing and taking pictures of makeup, doing looks, etc.). I don’t have any interns at this point, but I do work with my boyfriend who does the technical and web design aspects of the site!
Hey Christine,
I love your blog, I check it everyday lol. I want to start using a tinted moisturizer since I hate the feel of foundation on my skin. What tinted moisturizer would you suggest for dry/combination skin? Thanks.
Hey Parris,
I like Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer for drier skin – I find it’s moisturizing enough not to settle or accentuate dryness 🙂
Thank you!
I’ve got a question.
How in the WORLD do you keep up with all of this, write tutorials, snap photos, do seasonal looks on new products, go to (Law School is it?) and have any time to breathe?!
You are amazing! Your site is amazing! It’s so easy to navigate and understand unlike other ones that I don’t even bother to visit because they’re so frustratingly cluttered.
So, how do you do it? Do you ever sleep?
Hey Melissa,
LOL, you learn to do it all, I suppose 🙂 I just have my routine in place and go with it. It helps that my boyfriend & I live and work together (his desk is, literally, right next to mine!), so we see each other *all* the time. I get six hours of sleep or so a night, sometimes more… sometimes less 😛 I’ve always been really organized (well, in certain aspects of my life) to help get things done faster/more efficiently. I thrive on multi-tasking!
Thank you!!
Hi Christine!!
I have super oily skin 🙁 I can’t keep my makeup to stay on flawless. I’ve used primers and powder to soak up the oils but it’s like nothing works. I have acne scars so in the morning my makeup looks great by lunch time it looks like I’m not wearing anything. What suggestions do you have? I currently use Studio Fix in NW 40 and Blot powder in Dark. Also i would love to start using blushes what colors do you recommend? What is the difference between Beauty Powder and regular powder? For example the Beauty powders that came out with the Baroque Boudoir,and Hello Kitty collection?
Thanks in Advance!!!!! I’m addicted to your blog. I find myself checking your site every couple hours for your new posts. LOL!!!!
Hi Natasha,
Have you used a mattifying product? Are you moisturizing your skin regularly (sometimes lack of moisturization can cause excess oil production)?
I like Dollymix, Peaches, and Ambering Rose for NW40! Beauty powders are usually slightly illuminating or slightly tinted compared to a regular powder, but they can be used all over the face.
Thank you!
I’m looking for a MAC lipstick that’s like hot gossip but lighter. Hot gossip is perfect for me except that when I accidently layer it on, it’s WAY to megenta! I’m looking for a more tame wearable shade. Could you recommend some?
Thanks!
Hey Meesh,
Have you tried Speed Dial or Bombshell?
I haven’t! I’ll put that on my list to check out when I head towards MAC. Thanks!
1.what mac pigment would you suggest for me to buy? like a pigment that I can use on my lids for an everyday look.
2.And also what mac pigment is the most versatile? (on lids, cheeks etc)
thanks 🙂
You’ll probably like Vanilla 🙂 That would be a very versatile pigment that you could use on your lids for an everyday look!
what would you estimate that you’ve spent on makeup your entire life?
I have no clue, and I really don’t want to know, LOL!
Hi, Christine!
I have one question: do you believe in using eye cream? If you do, what brand is your favorite? If not, which moisturizer do you recommed to use on eye area for a person who has oily skin but dry eye area?
Yes and no. I haven’t found any that really do anything special for me (just nothing that goes “Oh, so THAT’S why I buy eye cream!”), so I don’t have any great recs for you (unfortunately!), but I don’t think they’re worthless – I just don’t know about all that anti-aging magic marketing claims is in ’em 😉
I would suggest you look at Kiehl’s creamy eye treatment with avocado… it’s great for dry skin! It doesn’t sink in immediately though, so you may only want to use it at night.
Oh this is so cool!
1. I’m very fair skinned, blue eyes, blonde hair. I’m DYING to try a bold red color (like Cameron’s at the Glden Globes). Any suggestions on which one I should try?
2. What would you consider to be the best foundation for daily wear? I’m currently using Estee Lauder’s Doublewear Light.
Dubonnet or Russian Red 🙂
I love Dior DiorSkin Nude or Guerlain Parure Gold for everyday, though I find myself not needing the coverage or either and tend to just opt for tinted moisturizer!
Ooh, good idea! What’s a good tinted moisturizer?
I like either Kiehl’s or Korres’ tinted moisturizers! 🙂
Hi Christine,
I have dry skin and I use a moisturizer before applying my make up but I realized in flashed photography, I don’t have that glowy dewy look I really want. How can I get that??
Hi Nancy,
Moisturizer doesn’t give you the glowy/dewy look – if you want that, you could try a luminizing moisturizer or something like MAC Strobe Cream (or equivalent) for an all-over dewy look or else use a highlighter on the places you’d want highlighted!
thank you!
I want to try the bare mineral foundation. i heard the brush was not any good. What any of your thoughts or recommendations for brushes? thanks.
I like buffing brushes like MAC’s 182 🙂
Hi. LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!!!! I shop with it. Anywho…why did you chose to name your site Temptalia? What does Temptalia mean (perhaps I am dim).
You have inspired me to go back to school and turn my hobby into a carreer :o) Thank you
Hey!
I made up the word when I was 15 or 16, I think (could be earlier), and I wanted a word that would describe the perfect woman — she was sexy, smart, confident, compassionate, intuitive… everything!
Aww, I am so flattered 🙂 Best of luck in your new career!
What mac lipsticks and lipglasses would u recommend for african american girls whose nw47 in studio sculpt? Thanks for doing this today.
Hi Tatiana,
MAC Lipglosses: Chai, Nymphette, Viva Glam VI
MAC Lipsticks: Creme Cup, Girl About Town, Rebel, Ruby Woo, Spirit, Strength
Hey Christine!
I was wondering how do I get my blush to last longer?
Hey Ashley,
You can try layering a cream blush underneath a powder blush for longer-lasting blush!
what eyeshadow colours (mac) would be good for a neutral eye for nc45 skintone?
Antiqued, Arena, Bronze, Mystery
Although u didnt say that the florida cremeblend blush was a must have, do u think it would be very flatter a dark skin tone for spring and summer makeup?
Yes, I do!
hi christine,
what chanel joues contraste powder blush would you recommend?
is it similar to mac mineralized blush? thanks.
catie
Rose Petale is a nice shade. Hmm, I don’t think it is, but I could see how they’re sort of similar.
Hi!
Are MAC powerpoint eye pencils as good as Urban Decay 24/7?
I love how I can visit your blog for upcoming MAC collections. Do you have a special relationship with MAC that allows you to get the inside scoop?
Is talc dangerous for your skin/health?
Is MAC prep + prime transparent finishing powder better than traditional setting powders?
What cleanser and toner do you recommend for oily skin?
Thank you!!
Hi TL,
IMO, they’re not. I don’t find they last as long nor are they as soft.
Nope, I don’t have a special relationship that lets me get early access to information — usually an international site breaks the news first these days 🙂
My go-to for anything about ingredients is The Beauty Brains: http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/09/18/is-talc-bad-for-you/ From what I’ve read, talc may or may not cause you to break out (which is very nearly what most ingredients may or may not do!). Again, from what I know, it sounded like mostly breathing in talc could be problematic for your health.
I don’t think it’s any different really. It all works about the same for me, lol!
You might like Philosophy’s Purity for a cleanser and NARS Hydrating Lotion for a toner.
Hi Christine,
Love your site!! Just wondering what your thoughts are on estee lauder foundations. Was thinking of purchasing the double wear or double wear light.
I’ve only tried a few, and the ones I’ve tried have been full coverage (and I’m more of a light to medium coverage kind of gal), but they definitely *cover.* Double Wear is a go-to for anyone who needs complete coverage. Haven’t tried Double Wear Light, though!
I am looking for a “hot pink” lipstick,that will make my lips all the attention. any suggestions? any brand is fine
MAC Lustering or Girl About Town would be fun!
I have horrible undereye circles–they’re usually a weird looking purple and brown color, but they can verge on to being blue and black-looking. Since I have pale, fair skin, it looks like I got punched in the face. (I’ve actually been asked if I had gotten black eyes from some kind of injury. *sigh*) Since I have dark brown hair and dark brown eyes, they seem to bring out the color even more, because they seem to add contrast to my pale skin.
My circles hereditary, so they won’t go away, sadly. Pretty much everyone in my family has them, too. And I’ve tried to combat them by drinking more water so as to keep hydrated, getting about 8-10 hours of sleep a night, taking a daily multivitamin so I’m not missing any nutrients, been tested for iron deficiency anemia and the test came back negative…I’ve even tried products like Skyn Iceland’s Icelandic Relief Eye Cream with Biospheric Complex, and Garnier Nutritioniste’s Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, hoping that they would help some. But nothing!
So, my question is: What concealer would you recommend for the best possible coverage? I’ve tried (and am still using up) TheBalm’s TimeBalm Concealer, which I was told could pretty much mask anything, but my circles are still extremely visible. I’ve also tried Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Multi-Tasking Face. But they still showed through horrendously.
I’m getting rather annoyed with my circles. For instance, I tried to do a smokey eye yesterday, but the shadow under my bottom lashline looked horrible with my circles. And when I wear my contact lenses, my eyes just look ghastly, so I usually stick to my glasses.
I know that I probably won’t be able to cover them up all the way, but I’d like to know some concealers that you think would cover them the most. Or what formulations I should go for (i.e., liquid vs. cream). Thanks in advance!
Love your blog, by the way! And thanks for enduring this rather long comment. XD
Hi Ali,
I’m glad you’ve gone through all the tests and benchmarks for them though — it is at least helpful to know exactly what you’re dealing with (even if you can’t do much about it at this time).
I’d go with cream formulations, and I do really like Eve Pearl’s Salmon Concealer — it’s very emollient, thick, and it covers well. Make Up For Ever’s Lift Concealer also has a fair amount of coverage and it’s more accessible as well. You may also want to try a flesh-toned eyeliner on your lower lash line to help open up your eyes and take a little bit of attention of your undereye circles.
Thank you! 🙂
Good luck!!
Wow, I was going to ask something about my circles. I feel like reading this comment was like reading something about me. The only thing is I haven’t tried that many products simply because I hate wasting money and I’ve done a lot of that with concealers/foundation.
Hello Christine,
I’ve been looking for the perfect primer, and so far I have been debating whether I should get Laura Mercier primer, MAC Prep and Prime, or MAC Matte. Now, I have combination oily skin, so some days my skin is dry and sometimes it is oily. I prefer a matte look to a dewy look. Out of those choices, or any primers you’ve tried, what would you recommend?
Thanks so much,
Shanna
I like MAC Prep + Prime, but if you feel like you’re oilier more often than not, MAC Matte might be a better option!
Yes, I have been using a sample of Prep and Prime to see if it makes me any oiler, it seems to be fine. My skin isn’t that oily, I just really love a matte finish!
Thank you for your time. I love your blog, I check it every day!
No problem, Shanna!
Maybe you can nab a sample of MAC Matte to try too before you buy either!
Hi Christine
I read your blog religiously every day ‘cos you do a fab job. Have you tried any Shu Uemura eyeshadows and SKII products? Is there a good eye cream and night moisturiser that you would recommend?
Thanks!
Hey Kitty Kris!
I’ve tried a few of their eyeshadows (keep meaning to review the two I bought, lol!), but I haven’t tried any SKII products. I don’t have any recs for eye cream (they all seem the same to me, so far), but I do like Origins Make a Difference Ultra-rejuvenating cream for night (which maybe too heavy for you; it’s for dry skin).
Thank you!
Hi I would like to find out how do you make your lip stick color stay so vibrant and smooth on your lips? Do you put a base?
How do you make lipstick last?
Thanks
Exfoliate lips and make sure to keep them moisturized whenever you don’t have a lip color on (and stay away from any drying glosses or lipsticks). You can lay down a base like MAC Prep + Prime Lip or Lip Erase or concealer/foundation or fill in lips with lip liner to really make your lipstick last longer.
Christine,
What mac shadows do you like to wear with pink-coral (bright) lipsticks?
Golds, browns, neutrals, greens!
Hey Christine I was wondering since I often see your disclaimers telling us that you get sent products to test out from PR. I wanted to know how that works and how that got started, just curious since I am a business major.
Thanks!
Hi Amanda,
Companies or their representatives reach out to me via email with a press release about a new product or an upcoming collection/event. If I’m interested, I might ask for a sample (because I don’t review anything without trying it). If there’s a product I’m interested in reviewing, I might contact a brand if we already have a relationship and see if they can give me more information about it as well.
Back with another couple of questions. How similar is speed dial to Prive from the Baroque collections? And I read your review on Cle de Peau #2 Lip Gloss and was absolutely blown away by the color and everything. It’s absolutely gorgeous! Can you recommend a lipstick or lipgloss similar from MAC or something?
Thanks!
Speed Dial is much brighter than Prive, IMO. Try Nymphette by MAC for something similar 🙂
Hey Chrstine,
What waterproof liquid liner would you recommend?
MAC liquidlast!
I love the liquidlast colours (I have electrolady) but they always end up on my lashes as I apply it!
Try using a separate brush like the 208 or 210!
what one pigment can be used by itself as a lid color for everyday look?. im nc35 btw. thank you 🙂
I think Vanilla could. The majority of the other pigments are a little too dark (IMO) to make for a great everyday look. If not Vanilla, then maybe Naked or Tan!
I love the OPI nail polish “Sea I told you”. Do you know, if there is another OPI colour with the same formula and shine (a bit metallic)?
Hey Sandra,
There’s also Sephora by OPI in Skinny Jeans which is similar to Sea? I told you!… but also the same in color, I suppose, so maybe that’s not quite you’re looking for, lol!
Some of the OPI duochromes that I can remember are OPI La Boheme, Man of LaMancha, Have You Seen My Limo?, and Black Tie Optional. Even though they’re not OPI, the Sally Hansen HD line has a cool metallic/shiny finish to ’em.
Hi Christine,
I come to your site so often, but I never know how to pronounce Temptalia. Is it tempt-tay-lia or tempt-tal-lia? (Or neither)?
Thanks so much!
Tempt-talll-leah! But don’t worry, my mom says Tempt-tay-leah, LOL. It’s all good 🙂
Thanks for your session. You are the best.
Quick question, like you, I have found that I break out with the MSFs although I love the look of them. I am usually not sensitive to most products. What do you think is causing the break outs? Is it clogging pores?
Could be talc, not sure if there is bismuth or any dimenthicone in MSFs as well…
bismuth or dimenthicone??? That’s Pepto bismal or gasX ingredients!!! I know because I have a digestive disorder..LOL
Hi! Sorry if this question has been asked already but what black eyeliner ( of any form and brand) would you recommend for staying on the lower waterline the longest? I’m having the hardest time finding one that lasts longer than an hour w/o setting it w/ powder. I’m lazy and I don’t like having to take that extra step:)
You could try MUFE Aqua Eyes 🙂
Unfortunately for me, this liner doesn’t stay on me either. I have those Asian eyes that when I smile, my lids kind of rub together (lack of better phrase). Regardless of liner, regardless of using a shadow on top to seal it, I still have black smudges below my liners. Funny thing, I wear waterproof mascara, and they STILL smudge below my liners. I don’t know what on earth to do.
hi. when will be your swatch of the latest mac collection “have a love affair”????
It’s not really a collection – it’s just MAC putting together permanent/existing shades to promote them for Valentine’s Day!
Christine,
What do you think about MAC Studio Fix Poweder Plus Foundation? I have acne prone skin like you; but I am really oily though. I usually use MAC MSF Natural as my foundation. I am trying to decide between the two.
Hope you are feeling better! 🙂
I don’t really like Studio Fix Powder that much, but it did break me out, so, I am biased 😛 MSFN also broke me out, though, so if it doesn’t break you out, maybe you won’t have any problems with the two 🙂 MSFN is lighter coverage than Studio Fix, IMO!
Thank you!
1. How do you have time for all of this on top of law school? I am impressed!
2. Do you own all the m-up on your site?
3. FAVORITE 3 blushes? I want some new ones.
Thanks. Love your site!
Hi Danielle,
1.) I stay organized, prioritize everything, and I try to keep track of deadlines and make lots of to-do lists!
2.) I definitely don’t keep or purchase all of the makeup that I review on the site. I donate or give away to friends/family 🙂
3.) I love Benefit Sugarbomb, MAC Margin, Dior Coral Riviera!
Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions put forth by your readers!
A quick question for you – Do you ever do casual Meet and Greets at a local mall, for instance tweeting “going to X mall this weekend if any followers want to meet up…..” (maybe in the south bay or bay area)??
Thanks!
xoxo
Hi Kimberly,
On occasion, but not too often – it’s usually more if I’m going to a particular event then I’ll mention it 🙂 Like I’ll be at MAC’s Spring Colour Forecast unveiling on February 2nd!
Just a couple questions. Love the site by the way!
– How often should one moisturize their face?
– What’s the best tinted moisturizer for combination skin? I want to try this out rather than wearing foundation at work.
– What’s your favorite drugstore lipgloss?
– Since I’m fairly new to MAC, if something is sold out online, is it just sold out on the site or in stores too?
Hi Karen,
Twice a day – once in the morning, once in the evening (more or less, after you wash your face).
I like Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer or Korres’ Tinted Moisturizer.
I like NYX’s color section, though the scent is hard to bear. Otherwise, I am still on the lookout for a favorite!
It’s just sold out on the site – it may still be available in store 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Christine,
I have a couple of questions
what kind of lipstick and blush would you recommend for NC15 skin ?
what kind of eyeshadow colours would work with green eyes ?
Thanks 🙂 i love your blog
Lipstick: Crosswires, Freckletone, “O”, Viva Glam I
Blush: Blushbaby, Dollymix, Margin, Springsheen
You can wear any eyeshadow with green eyes 🙂 Just try it & experiment! I do like earth tones and golds with green eyes a lot as well.
I have really odd skin color because I am tanned. I’m naturally pale but half of my arms and half of my legs (and neck and face) are tanned yet the rest are pale. Can you suggest any products that I could use to get rid of my tan??
Hey Lily,
Are you tan from the sun or is this something else? If it’s a tan from the sun, just make sure to regularly exfoliate to keep the skin cycle going.
I get tanned from the sun.
thank you.
Definitely regular body exfoliation to make sure skin sloughs off, and you can also try lemon juice onto skin & rinsed off after 15 minutes or so.
I wear MUFE HD Foundation in 123, olive skin, dark hair and dark eyes. I think i have weird lips. they’re pink but the edges of them are darker and look brown, so i have a hard time finding lipsticks that will be a little truer to color. can you recommend a good neutral pink for me, and a brighter pink that isn’t be too cool toned? thanks!
Speed Dial is a brighter pink that’s not too blue-based. A neutral pink, maybe Sweetie or Shy Girl?
Hi christine,
I was wondering if you have any tips for getting rid of a sty or preventing them?
Thank you
Hey Taylor,
I don’t know much about stys, but I’d suggest making sure you wash your hands before you do your makeup, don’t share eye makeup (particularly liners, mascaras, etc.) with others. I remember hearing that you can’t always prevent them, though, but I’m not positive…
Hi Christine,
Not sure if this info is already posted elsewhere on your site, but what foundation shade are you in MAC?
I am NC25!
Thanks for doing this Christine!!
1) I was wondering if anything in MACs upcoming collection spring colour forecast appealed to you (from your pics alone) and what they were!
2) What are your favorite MAC pink eyeshadows?
3) Do you think UD Alice in Wonderland is a good buy? ( I know you havent received it yet, but I’m just wondering if I should pre-order)
Thanks so much! Hope you are feeling better!
Hi Daria,
1.) The quads and the coral lipsticks/glosses perhaps 🙂 I’ve learned to wait & see with MAC launches rather than get too excited from promotional images alone.
2.) I like Da Bling and Expensive Pink from the permanent line. Passionate, too!
3.) If you don’t already own half of more of the eyeshadows, then sure. But they’re all pre-existing shades that Urban Decay has released in other palettes, soooo, yeah.
Thanks! 🙂
I’m very inexperienced with foundation and I’d like to try it. I don’t really have an problems with acne but I have a small red patch on the bottom of my chin that sometimes flares up and makes me feel uncomfortable. I’d like to find one that will take care of that problem, but isn’t too heavy since I don’t really need full coverage. Should I go with a liquid foundation or should I go with something else?
Hey Jennifer,
Liquid would be fine, but you could also do cream if you wanted. I would say go for something with light to medium coverage and then just layer a little extra on anywhere that you want more coverage (like when you have a flare-up).
Hey Christine!
Do you know what would be a great dupe for OPI’s Sapphire in the Snow?
What brand are you looking for a dupe in?
It can be either China Glaze, OPI, Orly, or Zoya.
Zoya Pinta!
what is a reaally good pinky blush on a nc42 skin complexion?
Dollymix!
Hi Christine,
Sorry to pile you with more questions, I was curious about a couple things:
1) What is your go-to mascara?
2) I have eye shadows, but they’re mostly either satin or shimmery. 🙁 What matte eye shadows would you recommend?
Hi Ceriene,
1.) Lately, my go-to mascara is Chanel Exceptionnel (I’m totally determined to finish a tube of mascara!) 🙂
2.) I like MAC’s matte eyeshadows, even though not everyone does. I also like Make Up For Ever’s matte eyeshadows as well as they’re very soft.
Thanks so much for replying. I hope you aren’t too swamped if I ask for a bit of follow up.
If I’m looking for some neutral matte eyeshadows, do you have any recommendations? I don’t mind which brand, whether it’s MAC, MUFE or BB. 🙂
I love MAC neutrals!! I really think they’re good, solid shades — I wouldn’t shell out for MUFE or BB on them. Like MUFE does some excellent bright mattes that can be harder to find (at least in terms of pigmentation) in other brands. Love Wedge, Omega, Soft Brown, & Espresso!
I’ll take your rec and order a quad from MAC’s website. 😀 Thanks for the advice!
Hi Christine!! I love these ask temptalia sessions!
1. I love MACs amplified formula and want to B2M for two lipsticks in the near future. Can you pls recommend a few lippies in the upcoming MAC collections that would look suit a nc 42 skintone.
2. I was matched to a NC42 MAC concealer and this looks alright on my under eye area but I have read that the shade of concealer to be used under eyes should be a tad lighter than the skintone. Is this true? Am I the only one who uses the same concealer shade as foundation?
Thanks for these sessions!
Hi Kimberly,
It’s hard to recommend any upcoming lipsticks, because I really have no idea what they look like — they might be brighter or lighter than I can interpret from the descriptions 🙁 I’d hate to recommend you one and have it be totally different in person than what I envisioned!
Concealer is really wonky – generally it’s the same, rarely darker, but it could be lighter (but too light and it may be ashy) or even the opposite (e.g. if you are NC42, you may use a concealer that’s NW42). And yes, it can be the same!
Why do I look different in every mirror??? the car mirror being the worst! its like i can see tro my make up!! I thinki look fine when i leave the house but then i look there and i look horrible! is it just me?
It’s probably the lighting! Car mirrors are the worst. I always keep a pocket mirror in my purse and look at myself in natural light if I’m worried – I wouldn’t trust a car mirror!
Hi Christine!!
Thanks for answering our questions.
Ok my question is about highlighter powders for the face. My skin has a mind of it’s own I believe. Some days it’s dry as crap and then other days it’s oily. Now when I before I apply my foundation I use clean and clear oil-control moisturizer, then I’ll apply MAC’s mineralized skin finish in deep dark and MAC’s select moisture concealer if I’m really feeling spiffy lol. I bought the value set from Smashbox that included soft lights in Dusk. When I initially put it on to highlight certain areas of my face it looks gorgeous, but then when I look at my face in a couple of hours I look an oily mess. I’ve even tried to barely pick up product on my brush and it still happens. What is the best way to use a product like that? I really do like the glow that it gives my skin in the beginning before the oily mess.
Are you using a setting powder? Like a translucent loose powder after you finish applying all your face makeup (including the highlighter)?
I haven’t used a setting powder yet. I’m still trying to get the hang of foundation. I will put a setting powder on my list of things to get next. THANK YOU!!!!
How do you relax right after a final in law school? 🙂
By watching trash TV with my boyfriend and dog 🙂
what is the difference bewteen MAC studio fix fluid foundation, mineralize satinfinish, nd select spf foundation interms of coverage….and is the coverage low medium or…full…and also..is it dewey or matte? Thanks so much!
Studio Fix Fluid is light to medium coverage with a matte finish. Mineralize Satinfinish is light to medium coverage with a satin finish (aka dewy). Select SPF Foudation is light coverage and has a slightly dewy finish. I think MAC may officially state that Studio Fix Fluid is medium coverage (but I found it could be applied lightly or built up for heavier coverage) and Select SPF as light to medium, but I always found it to be on the light side.
THank u for taking time to answer! :))
Christine
My skin seems to be more dry right now, and it rarely has ever been ever!
Do you think using prep and prime primer and strobe cream whenever I put on make up, would over dry the skin?
I know we chatted about this recently, but I’m trying to get to the bottom of it, so I can get my skin back so I can enjoy my Chanel Foundation lol..Thanks!
I might just try to switch to a heavier moisture at night and see if that helps. I don’t think Prep + Prime & Strobe Cream wouldn’t not help it, but maybe just going for a little extra moisturization at night could help it too! 🙂
Hi Christine,
I just started getting into pigments. I can’t decide between Universal and Vanilla pigment. What one do you think is better overall? Thank you so much.
Vanilla has a nicer texture, IMO!
What is your coloring in MAC? You are similar to me.
I’m NC25!
I have a list of questions. Thanks so much for doing these sessions :).
What does it mean to cut the crease? Any examples on your blog?
What method do you use for depotting e/s?
Do you leave the insert in for 15 shadows or remove it to fit more?
Is it pronounced copper-ing or copper ring?
What’s your rainy day makeup look?
What hair dryer do you use?
One more question, if you were to recommend only one gold e/s from MAC, which would it be? Or any gold e/s that you recommend the most.
Goldmine 😀
Hi Rosie,
1.) It’s pretty much a very harsh/distinct crease. Here’s a good tutorial on it – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS7l0t_ObMo
2.) I tend to use the oven method, because I am like an assembling line (a depotting line?), LOL.
3.) Always leave the insert in. I hate how messy it look without it!
4.) I’ve always said it copper-ing!
5.) No makeup, haha. I get so gloomy I don’t want to wear any!
6.) T3 Evolution!
Thank you 🙂 for the answers. The oven method? I’ve seen people use straighteners and I’ve use a lighter myself, though that smells horrid, but I don’t think I’ve run across the oven method. I used to have goldmine before I really used makeup and that an Juxt are the only shadows I’ve used up. So I guess it’s time to replace Goldmine. I don’t even remember what it looks like. It was just like my favorite color in college apparently :).
It’s similar to flat iron – I just like to do ten or fifteen at once, lol! I just pop the inserts out, put ’em on a baking sheet (lay wax paper down first), “bake” at about 150 degrees or so for a few minutes (until the glue is softened), then do my thing. I used the lighter method in the past as well.
Hi Christine, I have sth to ask:
– What is the best full coverage foundation in your opinion?
– Any upcoming MAC collections make you excited?
MAC Studio Tech or Estee Lauder DoubleWear! Nothing really captured my attention that much – the most would be Spring Colour Forecast (I like corals) or Give Me Liberty of London (but nothing spoke to me after I read descriptions). I’ve learned with MAC, it’s better to wait and see than get too excited (and then get disappointed)!
Oh and 1 more thing: which eye treatment do you think it really works for dark circle & wrinkles?
I haven’t yet found one 🙁
Hi Christine!
I was wondering if you knew of any magnetic palettes without pans or anything that are affordable?
Thank you!
Amalee
I do believe MAC pans fit the ELF palettes! You may be able to remove the little insert… not sure though.
-which one do u think is better overall? Studio finish foundation or studio sculpt foundation?
-which one is better, studio finish concealer or studio sculpt concealer?
thank you 🙂
Neither, to be honest. I also don’t like either of those concealers, lol! I prefer Moisturecover for a MAC concealer. I found the Studio Sculpt line much too thick (and the foundation stunk!).
Hey Christine 🙂 I’m a NC30-35, with combination/oily skin 🙂
1) Do you think Benefit’s Sugarbomb will show up on me? It looks breathtakingly gorgeous on you!
2) How do I keep my foundation from oxidizing? I use both Studio Fix Fluid and Bare Minerals Original formula, and even if I powder over (Rimmel’s Stay Matte or MUFE HD) my face will still turn slightly orange.
3) Why do you think natural hair brushes are better for pressed powder?
4) What do you think of Sigma’s brushes so far?
Thanks 😀
Hi Victoria,
1.) I’m NC25 and it shows up on me, so I think it would show up on you 🙂
2.) Sad to say… probably have to move onto another foundation. It’s hard to really fix that problem, because it tends to be something that’s in the formula that interacts with your skin 🙁
3.) I don’t really know. I don’t find it matters *that* much either way!
4.) I haven’t tried them yet – I have to photograph all of them (and comparison photos against the MAC brushes) before I use them!
Which shades of the MAC pro longwears do you like? I’m an NC30 and I’m looking for a light to medium pink. I have Unchanging, but I find it a little too light and purple-y to brighten my face.
I like Clingpeach and For Keeps a lot! 🙂
Hi Christine,
Thanks for taking time to answer all our questions.
I am a new starter in makeup and recently i went to MAC to get concealor, the MA there suggested i use select cover up in NC42 (i believe I am NC30/35) because my dark circles need more colour to cover up. Then i tried it at home but it didnt look right, and they wont return it either. Any suggestions what i can try now?
Also, have you tried revlon’s illuminance cream shadows?
Thanks again 🙂
I don’t know why that would be so. I typically hear artists recommend the opposite of your shade like NW30 instead of NC30 for concealer but never darker (sometimes even a shade or two lighter!). Are you able to get samples at your MAC? I’d try to do that next time if they won’t let you return it.
I have – they can be hit or miss – but I am more of a powder eyeshadow kind of gal 🙂
What would be a good dupe for Cute Ster lipstick from the MAC Hello Kitty collection? also, a dupe for She Loves Candy l/g
Unfortunately, neither of them have any really great dupes 🙁
What’s your hg eye liner( liquid or gel) for oily lids and i use mac select cover as an under eye concealer, is it better with a finger or a brush! if latter, can you recommend an affordable brush( $1-$5 range, elf or coastal scents or everyday minerals or something i can buy online)?
SORRY FOR THE NEVER ENDING QUESTIONS 😀
i’m from singapore!!!
For upper eyeliner, I like MAC Fluidline. For lower lash liner, I like either Urban Decay 24/7 Liner or Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes.
I prefer using the 217 with concealer, because I find it blends better! Basically, any fluffy eyeshadow brush will do the trick — I don’t know specific names, but I am sure ELF would have a brush like that. They’re often blending or crease brushes for eyes that I use for concealer.
Hi Christine! Just wondered what you think of Club eyeshadow? I’ve seen it at the Mac counter a few times and have thought about getting it but I’m not sure what it looks like on. I’ve heard that it has amazing blue-green undertones but I’m not sure if it would show up more browny, as I can’t always see the blue-green undertones as well when I swatch it. Thanks :o) .
Club is definitely a love it or hate it or learn to love it kind of shadow. I don’t love it, and I rarely reach for it, but I know some people who ADORE it. It can be hard to work with both texture wise and just the way the color comes across. It’s a duochrome, so it often will show differently depending on the lighting an the angle!
Thanks :o) . I’ll have a think about it and perhaps try it out next time I am in the Mac store.
Hi Christine! I’m a newbie on this blog but I already adore it! I’m from Italy and only today I could see the new spring collection from Chanel… what I’d like to know is what e/s is a great dupe of the darkest color in the Kaska Beige palette. Thank you very much!
Try MAC Satin Taupe!
Uhmm… i think that the Chanel color is more plum, it remembers me the plum-side of the mineralize duo Earthly riches… what do you think of it?
It doesn’t show up very plum on me, when I actually use it… but you could try BeautyMarked!
Hope I’m not too late here on a question. If you have a non-oily porcelain complexion (i.e. no bumps, acne, acne scars, etc.) do you really need a facial primer? I tried some MUFE HD primer, and it felt like an oil slick. I mean, I am in my 40s, so my skin is not as perfect as it used to be, but it still looks really good. I fail to see the utility of primers. And also HD finishing powder. Is it necessary if your canvas is in good condition?
If you don’t have oily skin or no need to help smooth your complexion, you don’t really need a primer on a regular basis. You might like a primer for a little extra hold throughout the day – like it’ll keep your makeup on longer and looking fresher longer than without, but if you don’t have this problem, it might not be necessary for you.
Hi, Christine! Do you have any plans of trying and reviewing Guerlain skincare? Thanks for recommending their lipsticks and Parure Gold foundation, they’re now my HG too! I got their spring eye quad and a blush (the one with 4 colors). Haven’t used it though, I still am admiring how pretty they look! 🙂
Possibly, but it’s not high on my list of priorities, particularly since it’s so, so expensive. I did try Orchidee Imperiale, and while I really loved the way it felt and applied, I think the “anti-aging” properties went a little by the wayside on me. I think a lot of the higher-end skincare may have to wait a few years, until I can test out how they handle fine lines and signs of aging, because otherwise, it’s rather pricey just to moisturize the skin! 🙂
I really love Mac’s Mulch eyeshadow can you suggest any other colors in that range? Also I’m an NC40 what are a few blushes and lipsticks you would recommend for me? Oh yeah of course from MAC.
You might like Bronze, Romp, or Patina!
For blushes, try Ambering Rose, Sunbasque, and Plum Foolery. For lipsticks, try Dubonnet, Craving, Capricious, and Crosswires.
hey christine…
what do you think of the mac 187 brush? i have it and i was told by the girl at the store that its the best for applying liquid foundation. i want to know what you think.
I like it for applying liquid foundation, but I find it can be streaky. I prefer the 109 myself!
thanx girl… i really appreciate your help since sometimes its so hard to trust what these girls tell you at the store! but i had one more question. im really new to this whole foundation/makeup thing and im on your page everyday, so im learing but what advice would you give me on picking the right shade of foundation? i went once before and felt the girl picked a color that made me look too white…(what a dilema! lol)
Hey Natalia,
SAMPLESSS!! You gotta get as MANY samples as you can. I’m actually hoping to write a whole post about foundation picking tips today, just from some of the Qs you all asked yesterday 🙂 It’s so important to try before you buy when it comes to foundation, so asking for samples is really important! You gotta try it at home, see how it looks in different light, and BE aggressive. If you think it’s too light, ask to see 2-3 shades and get samples of 2-3 shades… don’t just get one if you aren’t positive about it! Nothing wrong with asking for samples 🙂
Do you find it streaky even if you just stipple it on?
Not too much, but I just don’t find it looks right purely stippled, LOL.
I just bought the CCB in peal to use it as a highlight(for my face) but im debating in getting the CCB in Hush instead…im an NC30 or sometimes a C4. I dont have any MSF and thinking about gettin by candlelight….which one do u recommend for me? Thanks christine!
How do I get my lipstick to stay on all day without having to apply after eating and drinking?
You can try a long-wearing lipstick, which is probably your best bet. Otherwise, you can fill in your lips with lipliner, do lipstick, then slightly powder, add lipstick.
is it too late to comment on this? i just bought laura mercier’s undereye concealer (“secret concealer” or something like that) and i’m incredibly bummed… even when i seal with powder, it makes my mascara and liner smudge and looks crazy. should i return it, or is there another solution i can try?
Hey Yvette,
What do you use to apply it with? Do you think maybe you’re applying too much?
Whats your view on Make Up Forever’s Eye Seal?
It’s been ages since I’ve used it, but it did work like it was supposed to when I used it in the past!
Hi Christine,
– Can you recommend a dupe for Mac Fun and Games? (From Mac or Nars if possible)
– Can you recommend pinky nude Mac lipsticks for NC42 skin?
– What’s the best under eye concealer? Have you tried Bobbi Brown’s Creamy concealer?
– What concealer do you use for blemishes? I use Mac Studio Finish and it doesn’t really work for me..
– What brush do you use for cheek highlighters? What about for bronzers?
Thanks for doing another Ask Temptalia Session!
Hi Bits,
1.) Try NARS Gina or Gilda.
2.) Try Shy Girl, Plink!, or Angel
3.) I don’t usually use concealer, but I like MAC Moisturecover a lot.
4.) I don’t use a concealer for blemishes – I just layer on a little more foundation if I need it in that spot!
5.) I use MAC 165. I use 168 for bronzer.
Hey! I hope I am not too late….
I have extreeeeeeeeeeeemly dry, sensitive skin. It is constantly peeling and irritated and itchy. Unfortunately, I also beak out. I have yet to figure out if my break outs are clogged pores or related to irritation. Do you have any suggestions for a moisturizer that will actually drench my skin? I have tried so much….and nothing seems to deliver as promised.
Thanks again! Love Temptalia! 😀
Hey Jillian,
So sorry to hear about your ultra parched skin! 🙁 No bueno! Could you tell me some stuff you’ve tried? That way I can be like “OK, that didn’t work for her, what can I rec now?” Would hate to recommend you something you’ve tried, lol!
Oh of course! 🙂 Let’s see…
I have tried:
Olay products
Lumene for sensitive skin
Aveno
Clinique Moisture Surge (the sales lady said this was great for dry skin….didn’t moisturize me a bit!)
Clinique DRamatically Different (the best i have found so far…but it still leaves me needing to use it a million times a day to get my skin from super dry to still dry)
Fresh Rose moisturizer (burns burns burns, and still doesn’t provide the moisture I need)
Fresh Soy moisturizer (I got this a few days ago at the Sephora sales ladies’ recomendations, and I am already half way through the tube. My skin eats it up, but it still doesn’t seem to do the job)
So, recap; I have sensitive as well as dry skin (actually, I’m pretty sure I have rosacea as well), so some things may work, but burn to the point of being unused. The best so far is Clinique Dramatically Different, but I am still not satisfied. Maybe I am asking for too much? But I am DETERMINED to find a moisturizer that will fix this gross skin. 🙂
Thanks again!
Oh, and ps..Lumene broke me out. :/ It is super difficult to have your face peeling and tight, with pimples. Don’t get it!
I liked Clinique Maximum Hydrator (for men), though some of said it’s like Clinique’s Dramatically Different (it’s been years since I’ve tried Dramatically Different, though). That worked really well for me, particularly under makeup, when I had some serious dryness from being in NYC last February.
Osmotics Cream Extreme is pretty much the most hydrating moisturizer I’ve ever tried, but it costs a pretty penny, unfortunately. I know my Nordstrom carries a few Osmotics products, so maybe if you have one in the area, you could try a sample first. I’ve also been using Origins Make a Difference Ultra-rejuvenating cream, which has worked well for me in the winter season.
I would say, ultimately, that you may want to talk to a dermatologist, though, because perhaps your skin is just in such a state that a prescription moisturizer/cream might be more soothing and healing than any over the counter moisturizer (and then maybe once it heals up and normalizes a bit, a regular moisturizer will do).
Hi Christine!
I just bought the eyshadow by MAC called “SCENE” can you tell me whats your thoughts on this eyeshadow and some of the great ways to use this eyeshadow?
Thanks a bunch!
I find the texture a little harder to work with, but I like it with blues and silvers!
I just bought the MAC CCB in peal to use it as a highlight(for my face) but im debating in getting the CCB in Hush instead…im an NC30 or sometimes a C4. I dont have any MSF and thinking about gettin by candlelight….which one do u recommend for me? Thanks christine!
Pearl or Hush are both good – I think I tend to like Pearl a little more, though. I find By Candlelight too frosty, but I know others seem to like it for highlighting 🙂
Thanks Christine i love temptalia =)
Hey Christine,
What blush, lipstick, lipgloss & eyeshadows would you recommend for a girl with pale NW15 skin, ice blonde hair & blue eyes? Thanks xxx
http://www.temptalia.com/best-eyeshadows-lipglosseslipsticks-blushes-for-fair-skin
Can you recommend a blush brush that does not use animal fibres?
I believe Sonia Kashuk brushes are synthetic!
Hi Christine,
I wanted to order the sculpt and shape powders online from mac but I’m not sure which ones I should get. Would lightshade and sweepster be good for me, or accentuate and sculpt suit me better. I am a NC42. Please and thank you!
I’d actually go with Accentuate/Sculpt!
would the lightsweep/shadester be too dark? Btw I think they are discontinuing some of them.. I saw it on the mac pro site.
Are they discontinuing the pots or pans too? Sometimes they just discontinue the pot versions.
It wouldn’t be too dark, but I’d be afraid it might go a little orange-y.
Christine,
Is there a reason why I should buy a MAC eyeshadow in a pot only to depot it myself vs. just buying the pan at a Pro store?
(sorry if that’s a stupid question.)
Diane
If you can buy it in pan form, I would buy it in pan form. I wouldn’t buy the pot just to depot it. A lot of people have to depot more because of LE shades than permanent shades 🙂
Hi Christine!
I hope it’s not too late to ask you questions! Here goes:
What makes a good brush and do I really need to spend 30$ on each one?
Should I really consider the brand (I know MAC is fantabulous but do Sephora one’s work or can I try even lower-range)?
Thank you so mcuh and keep up the great work!
Hi Emy,
Softness, doesn’t shed, and does what you want it to do (apply color, blend, buff, etc.). No, you don’t. Some of Sephora’s brushes work, some may not be as good — I’d check MakeupAlley for any specific reviews!
Hi Christine! I’d like to know if there is a good dupe of Shu uemura glow on blush p pink 34C. I’m from Italy and here isn’t that color! Moreover, I’d like to know a good dupe of Foxy lady khol from MAC in their permanent line. I asked for it to MAC itself and they told me that the closest color is Artifact paint pot, but if I use it in the waterline, the color is not so bright 🙁 How can I do?
I can’t think of a dupe, unfortunately 🙁
Foxy Lady isn’t permanent? I thought for sure it was…
That’s what they replied me, unfortunately!
Hi!!! 😀 I Just wanted to ask what camera do you use to take photos? Your eye make-up photos look amazing! x
Nikon D90!
Hey Christine,
Sorry to ask so late in the post but I was wondering if you could tell me how long should one keep foundation before it goes ‘bad’? I have the Select SPF 15 foundation in NC35 and purchased it sometime in Summer 09 and in the past month it just looks ashy and dull..
It should last longer than 6 months, Kiran. Have you tried to shake it up a bit?
hey Christine
ok silly q-n , remember Seasonal Peach nail polish from one of the mac’s collections? love the color, but im about to run out, so do you know of any dupes??? like may be in china glaze or opi??
Peachy Keen by China Glaze is similar, but more orange, not so light. I haven’t come across a great dupe yet 🙁
yeahh i saw the swatches – don’t like it – too orange.. 🙁
p.s. found it – Van D’go by essie.., literrally teh same color!!!
Christine, I was wondering does makeup have a natural smell (kind of like a powdery smell)? because I bought some mac eyeshadows that are a few months old, and when i smell & check it.. it has a smell. idk if i make sense but I was just curious and scared it might be old?
Yes, I think you could detect a “powdery” smell in some products. You may have a more sensitive nose than me (most likely), because I couldn’t really smell anything on my shadows, though some of the powders had more of that powdery smell.
Some of you might think this will be a pretty dumb ? but im berly starting to use makeup and ive hear lots of people saying to use an eyeshadow “as a wash” what does this mean christine? Thanks!
Hey Bianca,
It just means it’s a shade you wear ALL over the lid and not much else 🙂
Hi, I am just starting out with make up as i feel im starting to look old (35) and I want to look “alive” again. My problem is eye make up, whenever i put it on it makes me look older!! It makes the lines look worse and makes me look quite creapy (not sure if thats a word lol). Can you help please? Also i dont want to get into heavy foundations, just want a nice natural looking complexion, and hide the random breakout etc i was thinking minerals may be the way to go, can you recommend one please. Thank you so much x
Hey Claire,
Have you tried an eyeshadow primer like a MAC paint pot or Urban Decay Primer Potion? That might help your lids look less crepey! Also, softer shadows may help, too.
You might like a tinted moisturizer for any complexion issues – it’s like moisturizer + a few drops of foundation, so it’s very sheer and looks natural. My favorites are Kiehl’s and Korres!
I need some suggestions on eye shadow colors. My eyes are a dark blue, fair -med skin with dark brown eyebrows but I have blonde highlights on brown hair. Anything suggestions would be helpful! thanks 🙂
Try this: http://www.temptalia.com/best-eyeshadows-lipglosseslipsticks-blushes-for-fair-skin
christine,
how many brushes do you own? and which ones do you feel you would recommend the most, because when im watching your tutorials for eyeshadows, i notice you use alot of different brushes. Is it bad
to use a brush more than once?
I own a lot… check out these posts:
http://www.temptalia.com/beauty-basics-mac-face-brushes
http://www.temptalia.com/beauty-basics-mac-eye-brushes
When wearing lip liner, are you supposed to just trace your lips or fill them in also before applying lipstick? which is better?
is waterproof mascara better than regular mascara? which do you prefer?
thank you so much Christine!
Hey Tiffany,
Depends what you want to do. If it’s just to keep it inside the lines or to define the lip, just liner on the outline is fine – but you can fill them in to give you a very uniform base as well as increase the wear time of your lipstick.
I prefer regular mascara, as I find waterproof is drying!
Hi Christine!
I have a question. Which should i buy? A foundation brush or a concealer? I currently use my fingers to apply foundation, but I find I have a tendency to use too much. On the other hand, I have really bad purple and brown pitted scars on my face, so I am thinking on buying concealer. Both cost above $30, and my budget is only $40. Can you please help me decide what to buy?
Also, do you know a dupe for girlie eyeshadow by mac? from any other brand…
Thank you so much!!!
I’d say a brush may be better to use. IF, however, you think your foundation looks fine, but you’re just using too much, you might want to go for a concealer.
Hello,
First, I thank you for doing this questions session.
Before I used foundation, I clean my skin from the oiliness and then I apply a Prep + Prime primer, before I apply the foundation. I use the 190 brush to apply the Studio Fix foundation and then I apply the Mineralize Skinfish Natural Powder, along with the Studio Finish concealer. But many times, the whole foundation ‘cakes’ and it’s so much obvious. What would you recommend it me to use as well, in order for the foundation to not ‘cake’ at all?
Thank you.~
Try spritzing your brush with water before applying your foundation!
hI Christine!!!do you think rosy outlook is worth getting? I am definitely getting lala and very violet, i already have da bling. And what eyeshadow would be the best highlighter when using those colours: sweet lust or seedy pearl or do you have another recommendation? i was even thinking of blanc type or dazzlelight? thanx so much Christine!!! 🙂
It’s OK! It’s not my favorite, but it’s not bad. If like more of a light, pastel pink, it might be worth getting. It’s not something you should skip because it sucks, it’s just what do you like 🙂
Seedy Pearl would be better than Sweet Lust… I like Hush with pinks.
Thank u so much Christine! you are always very helpful.
hey christie,
i was wondering if maybe you can do some tutorials on the MAC Mischief Makers Collection: Pigment/Glitter Sets but the haute one with the more earth tone colors. i got it as a gift and i needed some ideas how
to use them. i know you talked about them on your blog, but i didnt notice and tutorials on them. thnx
I’ll try, Natalia!
Hi Christine..I love your website/blog and was wondering if you have a tutorial on how you take your pictures? They are so vivid and clear! Mine always end up dark and blurry. Thanks in advance.
Lisa
I have this post, which is kind of old, but… http://www.temptalia.com/tips-tutorials-how-to-take-a-good-close-up-photo
Christine,
I was wondering if you knew the different colors for the new Cle de Peau lipsticks? Its very hard to choose which one on line and by number only?
Yeah, unfortunately, Cle de Peau only really has numbers to go by 🙁 I would just try to Google any color # you are interested in and hope someone has put up swatches for it!
I think if you go to Neiman Marcus’ website, they tell you what shades are new for Spring…
Thanks Christine. I will have to try Google as Nieman Marcus doesn’t provide the shades either. I just got the #124 that you posted recently and I like it but its a little too pink for me. If anyone out there knows of a more browner pink from Cle de Peau…I’m all ears! ha
Just stinks that I have to spend $52 dollars and “Hope” that i like the color.
Oh! You may also want to call the counter. I know it sounds silly, but I’ve always found that many of the people working at the counter, particularly for the higher end brands like Cle de Peau (and Neiman and Saks both have excellent customer service) can be helpful. Since you know that 124 is a little too pink and you want a browner one, they may be able to guide you in the right direction!
Great! Thank you again, Christine.
Hi Christine! I recently got Atlantic Blue eyeshadow and wondered if you could suggest some other Mac shades (non-PRO) it would pair well with (e.g. if Atlantic Blue is used on the lid or instead in the crease)?
Also, could you suggest some shades to go with Hypnotizing eyeshadow that came out in the Love Lace collection? I use it a lot with purples like Fashion Groupie and Purple Haze but wondered if it would pair well with other colours. If you could give shade names, that would be great. Thanks :o) .
Love it with greens like Juxt and Humid! Also pretty with Tilt!
Hmm, try it with Cranberry, Woodwinked, or Contrast!
Thanks for the suggestions, Christine. I have all of those colours apart from Contrast (though I have been eyeing it up for a while in the Mac shop, lol) so will try some of those combinations out.
Hi Christine! Do you remember the lipgloss fast friends from the hello kitty collection? i am going to run out soon and i would like to find a nice replacement for it, i know there is not dupe for it but i love it so much because it is so versatile. Lately i have been wearing it over viva glam gaga lipstick and it looks so pretty. Would you recommend lavender wind or electric fuschia? they are the closest to it that i can see anyway. Thank you so much Christine 🙂
Lavender Wind would be closer, if only because Electric Fuchsia is so pigmented, BUT Electrica Fuchsia has more of the color and feel of Fast Friends.
hello.. i have a question for you.
how do you keep your hair from sticking on your lipgloss?i always have this problem especially when i let my hair down.Or is there a specific lipgloss?thanks
Try non-sticky gloss!
Will you be swatching the MUFE Microfinishing HD Blushes anytime soon? I really really want to see them as they’re not here in Canada yet!
I will try, but they’re not out here – I believe they said they were launching in April?