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Have your makeup preferences changed over time?
Have your makeup preferences changed over time? Share your journey!
Oh, definitely! I think the more products and brands you try, the more you start to expect out of every product. Like when you discover the best eyeshadow, it’s only the best until you find a new best — and of course, at some point, you’ve tried quite a few, so it’s hard to find the next best formula. You also learn what does and doesn’t work for you, your skin tone, etc. We also go through changes in our personal lives, so what might have been great during high school might not translate to the work place.
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Well said, Christine! This last year I’ve noticed I’m drawn more to lipsticks than glosses and more matte/satin finish eyeshadows than frosty/shimmery ones. Maybe I’m growing up? 🙂
@mightyclassy07 I totally agree on the lipstick! Even though I may wear some unnatural lip colors, lip gloss makes it look even more unnatural. I mean who is born with naturally high-gloss lips? Then again I do still sometimes turn to gloss. :]
@Janelly Exactly! Not to mention that I get so irritated with the stickiness and hair-glue look, not to mention the constant reapplication. If I turn to glossy lately it’s generally for a different texture in the look. Also looking into stains 🙂
Oh yes, mine have. I now have a much lighter touch and am satisfied with less makeup than I was a few years ago (started daily makeup in middle school, am now 20). However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for concealer and foundation.
To the extent that “preferences” pertain to brand quality, then undoubtedly. One lives and learns. But I kinda learnt backwards about that; my first makeup as a teenager was all Chanel since it was stuff my mother gave me. Only later did I experiment with mid-level to drug store brands, edgy brands etc, and I learnt what brands I adore and what’s good independent of name cache. (Not Chanel, imo.) BUT… to the extent that “makeup preferences” apply to style or colouring preferences, then no. From highschool onwards, I’ve always been compared to Paloma Picasso because of my black hair, pale-ish skin and preference for vivid, intense matte red (or pink) lip. Absolutely nothing has changed. I still prefer a pale matte face, dark bold smoky eye and bright matte lipstick. I may occasionally dabble in a (faintly) shimmery blush but nothing hugely sparkly and I totally shy away from browns, nude-y neutrals, beiges, taupes, lip glosses and that whole “dewy” thing.
To the extent that “preferences” pertain to brand quality, then undoubtedly. One lives and learns. But I kinda learnt backwards about that; my first makeup as a teenager was all Chanel since it was stuff my mother gave me. Only later did I experiment with mid-level to drug store brands, edgy brands etc, and I learnt what brands I adore. (Not Chanel.) BUT… to the extent that “makeup preferences” apply to style or colouring preferences, then no. From highschool onwards, I was always been compared to Paloma Picasso because of my black hair, pale-ish skin and preference for vivid, intense matte red (or pink) lip. Absolutely nothing has changed. I still prefer a pale matte face, dark bold smoky eye and bright matte lipstick. I may occasionally dabble in a (faintly) shimmery blush (which I then usually mattify, lol) but nothing hugely sparkly and I still shy away from browns, nude-y neutrals, beiges, taupes, lip glosses and that whole shiny “dewy” thing.
@Kafka I kinda had the same experience with Dior and Clinique. 🙂 Yay for discerning mothers!
@Kafka As I stated before, my mom was *never* into wearing makeup, and never really understood why anyone would. She bought it for me anyway, but I had to figure everything out on my own. She was, however, always into perfumes, so as a result, it was alot of GWP/PWP incentives when it came to HE. I ended up with alot of Lancome & Elizabeth Arden, but then I got into Borghese (which I miss dearly). Of course once I started earning my own money, I started branching out. My daughter does not yet realize how lucky she is to have a mom so into clothes & makeup…
Mine too. When I first started wearing makeup, the moment I saw shimmer in a face product I ran for the hills. Now I love shimmer in blushes, and a little in bronzers to give me that dewy look. I find it looks more natural than a matte face, which is what I thought looked most natural before.
@sarayiera I was the same way when I first started wearing makeup. 2 years ago I wouldn’t have gone near a blush like Bella Bamba because of the shimmer, and now I’ve come to appreciate what shimmer and some sheen can do for the skin and how young and fresh it can make us look.
Yes….more glitter eyeshadow…..
I’d honestly say they’ve not changed much. I probably wear more products on a daily basis than I did a few years ago, but they’re usually the same types I’ve been drawn to my whole life. I do mix it up a bit, i don’t often wear the same look twice in a week, maybe month, unless I’ve really, really enjoyed it and have to repeat it before I’ve forgotten what I did. 😉
My preference shifts from neutral to colors then back to neutrals. Although I can’t seem to like matte/satin blushes. I always like shimmery/highlighting/brightening blushes because the matte/satin ones make my face look flat.
My make-up preferences change everyday~!! ^^ I know that it sounds silly, but it’s true. One day, I will completely love the look of thick black eyeliner and false lashes. On another day, I’ll prefer a more natural look. Truthfully, it all comes down to my mood. 🙂
Oh yes. I used to abhor anything with a frost or sheen – every thing I owned was matte. Then, I discovered how flattering products with a bit of sheen were and how companies like MAC have developed frosted and pearl finishes that are subtle and flattering and I’ve made the move to products with more glow – not entirely but certainly a lot of my eye shadows and blushes have sheen. And I find matte lips very aging and harsh looking, for the most part. Also, while I still love neutrals like nobody’s business, in the past 5 years or so, I’ve incorporated a lot more colour into my eyeshadows (I think it all started with MAC’s Birds & Berries eyeshadow and snowballed from there).
I used to be very daring when it came to my make up because I used to go out partying all the time. Hot pink lips, black/neon eyes, etc. Now that I have an office job I wear a lot of neutrals and more flattering shades than dramatic ones. I tend to express myself more through my nail colors now 😉
Yes! I love the colour blue so i used to wear blue eyehadow all the time untill i realised…blue eyeshadow doesn’t suit me when it’s not subtle in a look. I used to go all the way in everything incluiding full face full eye make up…Now i love a good face make up with blush and a neutral eye and some mascara…Or just eyeliner since i like eyeliner more then mascara…
They absolutely have changed. It’s exactly as you described, Christine; colour-wise, in high school and early university I wore brighter/more flashy eye colours, but have pulled back since starting work 2 years ago (and I’m a CPA, so even my toned-down makeup is considered more ‘flashy’ in my office, as I’m one of the few women who even wear makeup!)
As I’ve gotten older, I’m much more confident to wear lipsticks; I would never have dared wear lipstick a few years ago, even a MLBB type of colour! I was so self-conscious for some reason about colour on my lips, but not necessarily my eyes. Over the past couple of years I’ve done a lot more “expansion” into the lip product area, and become more neutral in my eye makeup. I’m using more matte finishes as well for my eyes – MAC’s Moleskin from their MAC Me Over collection last summer is one of my most-used eyeshadows over the past year!
I’m less attracted to low quality quality stuff and have more discerning tastes now. I’m also less interested in gimmicks and shimmery/glittery stuff, I know it won’t look flattering on me. I guess I’ve settled on what suits me at this age (22), still no expert though.
mine has definitely changed! in high school I didn’t wear much makeup. in college when I worked as a makeup artist I stepped up my game and wore full makeup most of the time with fun eye shadow or bright lips. Now that I am a little older I’m not as into makeup anymore and it feels laborous to wear everyday. I now wear light foundation, mascara, bronzer and concealer. I still like wearing fun eye shadow occasionally and bright lips for fun occasions but it isn’t such a priority anymore. Whatever makeup is the easiest and least time consuming is up my alley now! my makeup choices also vary from season to season and also changes with my hair color.
In middle school and high school, if there was a color, no matter how bright or bold, I’d wear it, and I’d wear a LOT of it. I’ve gotten more subtle over time. If I wear colors, I don’t overdo it. I try to keep it more understated.
I’ve also figured out what formulations I like. I used to use powder foundations because I thought they were the greatest thing ever, but I’ve switched to liquids now. I’ve been using powder blushes for my whole life, and fairly recently, I’ve discovered the joy of cream blushes. Basically, I guess I’m moving away from powders? haha
I’ve noticed one major preference that has changed over the past year is that I’m into having glowing, healthy looking skin rather than matte everything. When I first started wearing makeup, I worked so hard against my combo/oily skin, trying to force it to stay matte that I ended up drying it out. Now, I embrace the fact that I’m going to get oily during the day and use products that work to make my skin look healthy rather than greasy.
Another change I’ve seen over this past year is that I’m more comfortable and satisfied not wearing a complete face of makeup. I used to doing the entire makeup routine, just to run some errands, but now I’m too the point that even when I go out, my makeup is minimal. Although, of course I still have fun going all out sometimes 🙂
Definately has changed, when i started out in makeup about four years ago, i needed to own everything, all the mac lipsticks whether or not it works for skin, or whether or not it shows up, it had to be mine. The same went for the other high end brands. And i used to follow blogs religiously and my i liked to own the same things as my favourite bloggers because it worked so well for them, that i assumed it worked for me. I also used to wear bright colour combos and it worked sometimes but not a day to day basis.
Not the case anymore, i have found my own style and tastes and just go for things that fit that. i have small drawers full of makeup, but i have a small basket with the day to day stuff i love to use and i hardly ever reach into the drawers.. I now strongly believe in the most simplest of looks can look amazing.I dont even know why i have the other makeup, i might just sell them in a blogsale.
As I’ve matured, I find I need a creamy foundation or tinted moisturizer because my skin is drier. I only use matte shadows on my lids, but can use a shadow with some sheen close to my brows (less lines and wrinkles there). I use blush that gives me that “lit from within” glow. I also use concealer with SPF and I go with a brighter lipstick and top with lip balm with SPF for summer.
Of course! When I was a teen I loved the whole “gothic/emo/Taylor Momsen eye” now I gravitate towards neutrals and colorful summer looks! 🙂 I’ve evolved quite much as fas as my makeup routine 🙂 lately I’m obsessed with coral and I only use black eyeshadow to set my waterline LOL
I’ve become more aware of what works for my skin tone. When I was really young I used to wear whatever liked, whether or not it worked for me. As I got older I wear foundation everyday. And I don’t know if this factors into makeup preferences, but I used to prefer thinner eyebrows and now I like them thicker (I have grown them back in and also fill them in daily). I’m also more into neutrals as I have gotten older.
Ohhh yes a lot!!!
Oh, definitely . 4 years ago I was a girl that used too much black eyeliner and nail polish .. and my skin looked paler than a vampire’s .. I knew nothing about make up.. Now I contour , I use eyeshadows and lipsticks in brighter colours and my skin looks healthy and bronzed. 😀
Definitely!!!!!!
yes…i’m so sick of the obsession with perfection that i’ve begun embracing messy and downright disturbing…
Yes, my knowledge improved and the colours I wear change according with my mood I guess…
I change preferences on a day to say basis
*day to day
def. from este lauder to chanel & dior
It’s definitely changed- I’ve gone through several phases. At first, I just grabbed colours that I liked or that were interesting, without thinking of what it would look like on my skin. After that, I became very specific about what shades I’d wear, which meant that my palette was pretty limited. Over time, I’ve become more aware of what colours work for me, but I’ve also become more adventurous about what shades I’m willing to try.
yes, i use to wear bright eyeshadow colors and the way i put on foundation was awful (I rub the sponge in my powder foundation and smear it all over my face.. multiple layers until it covered my flaws.. looking back i was quite orange LOL)
now i like natural looks.. and very sheer layer of BB cream. I guess once i got older, i wished to look more younger..
Mine have definitely changed! I used to only wear powder foundation, but eventually it got too drying and boring so I gave liquid a try and I love it so much more! I also used to hate hate hate lipgloss and only wear lipstick, but now I love gloss… Especially MAC cremesheen! I also used to only use NARS MAC MUFE or Guerlain, but I’ve moved on to like a little bit of everything
While my preferences haven’t *changed*, they’ve certainly *evolved*. I’ve always had a mix of HE & DS in my stash, and I’ve always had the mindset to wear what was appropriate for whatever I was doing. I’ve always been into the same 3-4 “looks”, which I’ve always alternated between for over 25 years, although my technique has certainly improved. I go with either a vampy goth look, a nude eye/dark lip, “heavy” eye/nude lip, or completely neutral (for work). That being said, although I do have certain preferences, it’s not always practical to do an entire face of makeup on a day-to-day basis, so I typically just go with a TM and/or mineral foundation (I don’t need the same coverage I needed when I was younger), mascara, brows, and lipbalm (if I’m *lucky*, I can squeeze in a wash of eyeshadow).
Something that many of you younger women will come to appreciate as you get older is that by updating your makeup to reflect current trends (in an age appropriate manner), you will look younger, more modern, and stylish. Nothing dates a woman faster than clinging to the outmoded makeup trends of her youth.
Yes! I used to wear more shimmery eyeshadows and stuck to a single blush color, until I realized how fun it was to mix eyeshadow finishes and experiment with different blush colors. After having tried a variety of brands, formulas and finishes, I’ve also discovered some favorites, but as a makeup addict I’m always willing to try new products and colors – why not? That’s why makeup is so much fun, you can change your look in a blink without breaking the bank!
I think so! Lately I find I’ve been gravitating more to mattes when I used to like shimmery finishes! And I’ve gotten to know what works for me better so that’s definitely changed what kinds of products, finishes, colors, etc. that I buy! Plus I no longer gun for limited edition stuff as much…I’m done with that game (looking at you, MAC)!
I used to wear very thick foundation to cover up acne; I changed to sheer, medium cover formulas and natural looking ones. At this point, I’m more into classic looks like sharp black eyeliner, red lips and impeccable skin. I changed from compact powder (to fix my foundation) to light, loose powder and I took the time to find out the right shade of fouundation for my skin. Looking at pictures of myself from years ago, I cringe at realizing how unnatural, orange and brown I looked 😉
i used to focus on “changing” my look. especially eyes. ex thick eyeliner false lashes if necessary to make my eyes bigger; cateyes to make my eyes wider; etc etc.
but now I normally do min. liner, mascara, define my socket, that’s it, very simple. I call the style “sleepy eyes” and love it.
I’ve developed my makeup personality over time. Overally I’ve learned more about my skin and what looks good on my. I have grown to LOVE makeup so putting it on everyday is something I look forward to- as much as I’ve love to be low maintenance, a full face of makeup is part of my morning “tranquil” ritual. What I’ve found is that once i understood my skin better, I stopped fighting it- (aka hiding my freckles) and started embracing what was naturally beautiful about it, (like my clear skin and nice eyebrows.
) makeup is a lifelong evololutionary journey for me- one that I’m excited to evolve in.
Definitely!
My two biggest changes have been with eye make up and lip products. When I first began wearing make up, I was extremely fond of eyeshadow, especially shimmer shades. Now I almost never wear it, and if I do, I only wear it for special occasions and it’s usually neutral, matte shades. If Urban Decay came out with a “Naked 3” all matte palette, I’d be all over it though! In the mean time, my eye makeup consists of eyeliner. Also, I used to be a hands down gloss girl, but in the past couple years I have ventured into lipstick. Now I wear both gloss and lipsticks equally. This works out well for me because my lack of enthusiasm for bright eyeshadow allows me to be bold in my lip color which I prefer!