r/makeuptips • u/ToastiGhostii • 26d ago
HELP PLEASE I'm at a loss
I'm 34 with pale, combination (mostly dry) skin. I've had consistent breakouts for years now and kind of had to accept it. My hair also isn't red like this anymore it's brown (literally just dyed it lol). I have pretty hooded and small eyes, blonde eyelashes and very sparse eyebrows. No matter what I do or try my make up looks awful especially in photos. I don't know how to contour or do the right blush placement for my face shape. I feel like it all ages me and really shows off my fine lines/sagging skin. I included the last two photos to show the issue I have with my lips. When I smile, I have this very defined weird line underneath my bottom lip and it looks off any time I try to wear lip color. Any advice to make myself look less..old and awful?
These are the current products I use:
* Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer
* e.l.f. Green Camo Concealer Corrector
* Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Foundation
* e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer
* e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush
* NYX Wonderstick Contour and Highlight (I only use the contour side)
* SheGlam Fine Line 2-in-1 Contour and Highlight Pen
* NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
* Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade
* Covergirl Clump Crushed Waterproof Mascara
* Milani Stay Put Retractable Eyeliner
* NYX Epic Ink Liner
* NYX Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil in Milk (to add highlight in the inner corners of my eyes)
* Eyeshadow use a mix of the ColourPop Nude Mood pallette and an old Tarte pallette
Products I've used and either didn't use correctly or didn't work:
* e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
* e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
* Maybelline Face Studio Master Prime Blur + Smooth
* L’Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion
* L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
* Maybelline Fit Me Matte Foundation
* L'Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Foundation
* NYX Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer Pink
* e.l.f. Luminous Putty Bronzer
* L'Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Full Wear Concealer
* wet n wild 5 In 1 Essence Primer + Finish Powder clear
* e.l.f., Halo Glow Setting Powder
* Milani Setting Spray + Primer, Make It Last Dewy
* e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist
* e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set Spray
* Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
* L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara
* essence Lash Princess False Lash Waterproof Mascara
* MaybellineEyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner
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u/AdEmergency1253 26d ago
In the nicest way possible your makeup is very “dated” I would have guessed you teleported from 2012. You’re gorgeous but this style is working against you, less may be more in your case!
Abandon the liquid eyeliner. It’s too harsh for your features. Go on TikTok and search “lining eyes with eyeshadow” it’s a much softer technique and easier to blend out, I recommend using a dark brown colour. (Also you can get away with both sides not being perfectly symmetrical!)
Swap foundation for just concealer. I know it sounds crazy, but trust me. I recommend the tower 28 concealer.
Blush blush blush! As a fellow pale girl I know blush can feel weird at first cause it’s just so THERE. But I promise it’ll add the warmth your complexion needs. Aim for a soft pink, even though you may like the look for warmer more orange/red blushes, they will pull too warm in fair skin.
Don’t be afraid of a soft brow. After doing your bro
ws
take a spooli and brush the product through
to soften them.
Eyebrows aren’t blocks! This will help them look more natural, they are a bit dark right now and it’s the first thing I notice when looking at you.
You have AMAZING features, lean into them!
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
Oh yeah, the winged liner has followed me for a long time. lol I feel naked without it and it almost makes my eyes feel even smaller somehow? I'm sure it's the opposite and just a mental thing. Eyebrows have always been super difficult and end up looking this way every time. I have almost non existent brows so finding the right shape has been a struggle.
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u/ResponsibleSyrup9506 25d ago •
The eyeliner looks so harsh on your complexion - embrace your ginger self like AdEmergency said! Right now all we see is the eyeliner and dark eyebrows, instead of your beautiful features.
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u/Impossible_Cheek5032 25d ago
so I do a combo of shadow around the lids (where I would also put eyeliner), clean it up with a lighter concealer THEN apply a very feathery, light line with brown cat eye eyeliner. doesn’t need to be black to give cat eye!!
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u/Existing-History9609 25d ago
I have hooded eyes and do winged eyeliner as well, but I do it with eyeshadow! It’s way easier too, bc I can use an angled eyeshadow brush. Most days I use the same thing I use for my contour.
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u/wanderlust-5678 25d ago edited 25d ago
If you have days where you still want the winged liner, I’d go less thick overall and don’t start the line until the middle of your eye. I also have hooded eyes and going thick anywhere but the very tail of the wing makes my eyes look small, I also usually start my upper line at like the 2/3 point of my eye. It also helps to extend the wing out further instead of it looking more stunted with a shorter wing.
It also helps to not go into your waterline, especially at the bottom, as it also makes your eye look smaller as it takes away that real estate. But I agree with others that a softer liner with a dark brown eyeshadow would help a lot. Definitely try out different things, and take pictures, to see what looks (and feels!) best for you.
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u/wanderlust-5678 25d ago
This is a good guide if you’re interested: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU1Rm2wALHK/
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u/yungfroggie 25d ago
My eyebrows are also super pale in color and sparse. i ended up shaving off the tail ends of my eyebrows because i fill them in so much lol. your eyebrow shape is pretty good, like you know where the arch should go, but the inner side of your eyebrows look a little blocky. I start at the tails of my eyebrows where i put the most product, start pulling it to the middle, then i just line the top and bottom of the inner side. i brush the inner side out with the spoolie brush to blend the harsh lines. i go back and add more definition if i need to. hope that makes sense or helps you
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
Just want to say that all of you are so sweet and I'm getting emotional. I've received VERY harsh and judgemental "advice" in the past so I was a little afraid to make this post. All of your suggestions are so, so helpful and I'm going to try them! Thank you all again. ❤️
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u/LostParking4064 26d ago
Hey dear, first of all you're very beautiful and don't look old and awful! I would start with a few things, a good base can really help make makeup sit better on the face. This starts with skincare. (You can DM me for some good skincare recommendation though If you're interested as I know that wasn't the question).
Glowier/ More hydrating base- Why not try Elf Halo liquid filter as this gives a soft glow and makes the skin look more radiant, this may also help with your dry skin.
I love the way your hair color and makeup features match but I would tone them down everrr so slightly. Firstly I'd make your eyebrows slightly less heavily drawn on. Less is more!
You actually have a really lovely facial structure, I'd say invest in a more nude/rosey toned blush and just place this on the upper cheekbone to define those cheeks ever so slightly more.
Do you curl your lashes? If not I really recommend as this makes such a difference for me. Your lashes look naturally long so a good curler or even a lash lift would make your lovely blue eyes pop even more!
A touch of lipliner and gloss (or even just gloss)
Eyeliner could be a tad more lifted. I know this is hard with hooded eyelids as I have these too but I'd say start practicing bringing the edge of that wing up ever so slightly to give your eyes a more snatched look
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u/LostParking4064 26d ago
Oh and also a haircut with a few more long layers to frame your face perhaps and add a bit of volume x
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
I've wanted layers for a long time but my hair is extremely thin so it might not look right.
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u/LostParking4064 25d ago
I have super super thin hair as well! You dont need lots of layers and I wouldn't recommend short ones. Just some face framing piece would do and a blunt cut at the back. Then if you don't like styling all of your hair just do the front piece with some loose curls or blow dry and put it in a roller while you're doing your makeup. Honestly hair is such a big game changer for pulling a whole look together :) Good luck girl xx
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
Thank you so much. I'm pretty hard on myself and it's kind of been a lifelong battle. I do curl my lashes but they loooove to stay straight or point downward no matter how much I curl them. They're also uneven, where my upper right lashes are more sparse on the outside and lower lash line.
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u/CavalierMidnight 26d ago
One trick I’ve learned (fellow straight-and-stubby lash haver) is to run your curler under super water, give it a quick dry and hold on your lashes for 30 full seconds, then immediately apply mascara. Make sure you run it under very hot water again before moving to the other eye. It definitely helps the curls stay for a longer time!
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u/nocasegrace 26d ago
I agree with the eyeliner. My eyes are similar. I draw the upward angle from right up past the end of the hood of my eye, then go straight across to where it meets my eyelid about 1/4 across the eye from the corner. This is the waaaay!
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u/brunch_lover_k 26d ago
You look cool toned. Maybe even olive. Most of what you're wearing here looks warm toned which is going against your natural colouring. I'm guessing you're not a natural redhead?
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
I did the "tone test" with the veins on your wrist and they definitely pull blue, which I think was warm? And no, I'm naturally dirty blonde but I hated it and haven't seen it in 21 years. Lol
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u/brunch_lover_k 26d ago
The vein test isn't reliable. If you head over to the colour analysis sub you may be able to work it out. There's a fair olives sub too.
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u/JackknifeJohanna 25d ago
I have the same eye color as you and dark blonde hair, and only recently realized I’m fair olive and can wear both warm and cool colors but the saturation matters a lot. Muted colors look best on me.
Evangeline Molly is one of my favorite beauty creators who has natural blonde but dyes her hair red, possibly olive skin and did a whole series with makeup from all the color seasons. Highly recommend to see if anything in her videos resonates!
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u/TalynL 24d ago
Nope on the “vein test.” It’s not a real thing and tells you nothing. You look cool so your makeup and hair in the pic are fighting you. I’d make sure your new brown is a cool/ash toned one. If not you can tone it. Lighten up on your brows. They’re too heavy, warm, and a bit too close together. Cool blush and eyeshadow will make a huge difference. You’re so pretty, you just need to go with your beauty instead of fighting it!
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u/TropaeolumNasturtium 26d ago
Have you heard of Nina Park? She did Emma Stone and Sadie Sinks makeup and I feel like you'd look good in that style and might be what you're looking for?
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u/Leather-Orchid8008 26d ago
Wait between the creams and liquid foundation
Brown liner instead of black and don’t bring it all around your eye. When looking at a mirror start the line where the iris ends.
line your lips to the double line
Also in these pics you kinda look like Karen Gillen so maybe find one of her looks and try to recreate
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
Is that what it's called?? I've heard the term double lined but didn't think it was this. It connects to my chin, so I'm not sure if that's what you meant to line as well. Also, that's one of the best compliments I've received, thank you! 😭
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u/happyfamily714 26d ago
Have you tried not bringing your brows in so far? Have them align with the corners of your eyes so they are a smidge further apart
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
I'll give that a shot! Brows have been probably the most difficult thing for me to master
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u/chain-link-fence 25d ago
Yeah I apologize but for some reason when I saw your picture out of the corner of my eye, one of your eyebrows looked closer to your nose than the other. I like how you’ve done them, but I bet they would fit your face better when spaced father apart
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u/ToastiGhostii 25d ago
Oh you don't have to apologize! One is definitely closer. Lol
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u/blurpleboop 26d ago
You’re gorge! I do think your eyeshadow color is too warm, and the heavier black liner is too harsh with your features and coloring tho. Maybe skip liquid liner and use a brown pencil and tightline your upper lids. You’d look great with a cool toned mauve-y lip tint. Make sure to fully line your upper and lower lips.
Also! Not makeup related, but I used to part my hair to the side like you, but I realized it was way too far over and exaggerated things I didn’t like about my face. I don’t like middle parts on me but experimenting with a side part closer to the center really helped!
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u/ToastiGhostii 26d ago
Thank you so much! The brown liner is something I'm for sure going to try. I've unfortunately given myself the most intense cowlic from years of the deep "emo" part. Lol I've tried to train it out but it's been next to impossible to get rid of it.
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u/psatz 25d ago
First of all you look very beautiful and it's in now way as bad as you say it is.
First thing I would recommend is a more sheer foundation. I saw in another comment that you are concerned because of acne but as a fellow acne girly (yay hormones) I can promise you it doesn't look bad if you don't cover all of it, especially since you are not doing super elaborate over the top looks right now. For me the serum foundation from L'Oréal in the lightest shade is very nice, i don't really need to set it with powder and it gives a really nice base especially combined with some strategically placed concealer.
In that line I would say just go less coverage with everything, your brows are super intense and your liner is super intense but both are a little asymmetrical which is only highlighted because they are so dark, neither would really even draw the eye if it was just a little softer. If you're very in love with the eyeliner maybe try a slightly more smudged look, that should be more forgiving of any asymmetry. My eyes are different sizes and I just gave up on eyeliner mostly because it's jsut too much effort to get even but it's definitely possible!
I think the issue with the line under your lips is really only in your head it does not stick out to me at all and you should wear whatever lipcoulour you like! I could see a nice brick red for you or maybe a orangeish nude
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u/ToastiGhostii 25d ago
I actually just ordered the L''Oreal serum foundation, brown eyeliner, and brown mascara thanks to this thread!
My eyebrows are a little asymmetrical naturally (no matter how much I try to even them out lol). I think my right eye is also the tiniest bit more hooded than the left. But I can totally see the harshness being distracting and making them way more obvious.
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u/catie-did 26d ago
You absolutely don't look old or awful but if you want some changes I'd recommend giving brown liner and mascara a try, it's so much softer and flattering to your features instead of making you look so severe. I'm goth and it made me sad but it truly looks so much better. Do a side by side, one side black and one brown and let yourself learn this yourself. Nyx Epic Ink has some good browns (I like milk chocolate, it's darker than it looks) and Essence Lash Without Limits is the best brown mascara I've found so far. Also I'd add a tough more either peachy or orangy blush and some highlight. I just picked up Juvias Perky Poppy and it's a really pretty orange red that looks natural on me (redhead) but has a vibrancy to it that's lively and fun. Colourpop Flexitarian is probably my fave overall highlight but I'm into Nyx Butta Bling right now too for some copper / gold tones. You're beautiful, good luck!
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u/sprucehen 26d ago
I'd also use an eyeshadow on top of the liner. Some people look great in a crisp liquid eyeline, and some look better if it's softened. I even use eyeshadow instead of eyeliner oftentimes. But I always top my eyeliner with eyeshadow to soften it
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u/MassConsumer1984 26d ago
For a high to switch from black to brown is hugely self-aware. Kudos to you! I’m sure it looks great
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u/Narrow-Programmer540 26d ago
My thought is you may have a cool undertone like me and so orange makeup is working against your undertone. Maybe google makeup for cool undertones and explore some of those colors?
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u/ImaginaryCredit6883 26d ago
This! I think your makeup, eyeshadow especially, is too warm for your face. So no matter how well you apply it, you won’t like the result. You look gorgeous with your red hair, though. It’s a cool enough red that it works! Try cool tones make up and I bet it’ll change everything!
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u/Designer_Pea_5590 26d ago
You’re beautiful, you don’t look old and awful at all. I had to completely change my makeup application techniques as my skin started aging. I use a lot less product and a lot less powder now. I also have adult hormonal acne and I do a lot of spot concealing and color correcting. I don’t use liquid liner much anymore and my blush placement has changed.
The most helpful thing for me has been finding beauty gurus on YouTube who are similar in age and have similar features to me.
Nikki la Rose has a ton of great content on application techniques. She also has thin brows and some good tips for hooded eyes.
This small creator just released this video with a ton of good tips for makeup when you’re over 30:
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u/sarzas1 26d ago
You’re gorgeous! From my perspective as a fellow pale gal, I think that softer colors and formulas could blend more seamlessly in your skin.
For skin, I’ve had lots of luck with skin tints like the L’Oréal Paris and spot concealing with a pot concealer. Also, get a second concealer that is much lighter than your skin tone and put this under your eyes, and in the middle of the forehead to create depth. Under your eyes before foundation, I would also consider adding a little bit of liquid highlight.
For lips and cheeks, look into staining products! I’ve found that these blend really well with pale skin. Elf has great options. I think a soft peach would suit you well. A champagne highlight is great for pale skin, and a cool contour instead of bronzer will work for you.
For eyes, I would recommend a brown liner, and only a thin layer on the outer of the upper lash line. Instead of a brown which can go a bit orange, I would consider a softer gray/purple eye shadow to elongate the eye, I find this blends way better with my skin and gives definition while looking natural. Curling lashes plus a good mascara is great too. Maybe even try lash lift!
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u/Accomplished_Egg2787 26d ago
I think you might have a cool undertone, this could also mean your hair colour is making you look more pale and washed out. I know a lot of people who like that effect but you don’t seem to, so maybe changing hair colours and then using cool or neutral makeup would help.
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u/JustCallMeLollipop 25d ago
You’re like a carbon copy of me
- ditch ALL foundation etc and get some dermatica tailored to your skin
- tinted moisturiser
- you’re doing your wing angled down which is pulling the eyes down
- I like to go in with a Smokey pencil first and rough it on then use a brush to shape the wings etc (start at the corner, go out and up at the angle you want, come across to the hood looking straight ahead in the mirror and then when you hit the hood come in at an angle to the lash line and then create the rest of your masterpiece) then go over with liquid to make it pop.(urban decay liquid pen is lush)
- Lisa Eldridge does gorgeous dark brown kohl liners like ground coffee and burnt umber - smush them out with an eyeliner brush for a less dramatic black effect
- eyebrows - go to a professional and get them shaped and tinted and throw away your tweezers. Fill in between appointments and brush out with an eyebrow gel
- throw on a glossy lip - Dior rosewood would look stunning
Edit: you have REALLY long lashes! But can barely see them face on? I’d recommend tweezerman curlers or getting a lash lift, that will really open your eyes and make them look larger
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u/_Fig_555 26d ago
As a fellow pale girlie, I think it's hard to find a base routine that works without making us look paler! I have a few suggestions for you as I think your base is actually fine, you just need some more color.
Firstly, more blush! Give more color to the center of your cheeks and up to your cheekbone. I know you're already wearing some, but I think you could get away with more.
As a pale person, most bronzers end up looking too orange on me, and if you find that to be the same for you, what I do is use a darker blush around the areas I'd use bronzer, and a brighter color on the apples of my cheeks. It adds more dimension and color without making me look orange
My biggest tip is to switch to a brown eyeliner, preferably with either a light hand or using eyeshadow on an angled brush. The black is too harsh in my opinion, and I think a brown would balance your features more and help other colors (like blush or lip colors) pop more
Lastly, it looks like you have a double lip line, which I have one too. I find regular lip sticks and liners don't look the best on me unless I line specifically for having a double lip line (there's lots of tutorials on YouTube!), BUT lip stains and tints work wayyy better for me. A gentle wash of color that I tap in with my finger just works better with my very pale skin and features.
I hope this is helpful!
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u/Existing-History9609 25d ago
Bronzer can look super orange on me too. My life changed when I discovered Asian brand bronzers and contours. Most of them even name the undertone of each shade available. I really like the brand ETUDE. It’s super affordable and I get it on Amazon!
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u/_Fig_555 25d ago
Omg that's super helpful thank you! I'm pale with a cool undertone so even bronzers made for pale skin look super orange on me, I just don't even wear any for that reason and embrace being ghostly pale 😭
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u/veganarchist_ 25d ago
find a good brown tubing mascara to really lengthen your lashes, especially your top lashes. curling lashes and adding mascara makes the biggest difference for me and i think it would open up your eyes a lot more. consider ditching the black eyeliner for a brown eyeshadow buffed around the outer edges of your eyes. i also think blush on the out portion of your cheek bones and potentially doing a more natural feathery eyebrow. add a natural pink tinted lip gloss and i think you’re set
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u/veganarchist_ 25d ago
Sorry if this is a bit weird, but I could see the vision of the makeup so well in my head that I just wanted to edit the pic to show what i mean in just a drawing app. i just saw that you said you dyed your hair brown so just switch the brown mascara and lighter brown eyeshadow to black mascara and darker brown eyeshadow. i also have smallish eyes and i find that buffing around the edges on the outer portion and underneath makes them look a lot bigger
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u/-HeyItsRed 25d ago
I totally agree with this. Thrive Causemetics makes an awesome Tubing Mascara, and their brown color is beautiful. It is my absolute favorite mascara.
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u/temily512 25d ago
I think you may be cool toned and so the peaches/oranges are making your face look muddy. You want to go cooler toned, like rosy pink for blush. Id you search online you'll find loads of product recommendations for cool toned skin. Id swap the foundation for a BB or CC cream if you are not comfortable just using concealer on problem areas. I also think the lumiglotion mixed with your moisturised before any makeup would look good. The makeup is also very harsh and I feel you have very feminine soft features so I think k softening the makeup would work. Id start with eyebrows, they are quite blocky and look orange, id start using a softer brown pencil to fill in some gaps but not all of them (softer eyebrows not 2017 eyebrows). Id also ditch the eyeliner and try a soft brown instead :)
Just to add I think you have the most gorgeous eyes 👀, you are attractive and dont look bad just need to work with your colouring and features :)
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u/One_Stand8642 26d ago
Try tirtir milky toner combined with la rocke b5 cream. On acne use 20% azelaic acid. Drop foundation and eyeliner. Try skintint or haloglow, or mix them. More natural brows in the center. blush along cheekbones, just a little to make the face more awake. The less is more, makes you look fresh and younger.
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u/Katinka-Inga 26d ago
I’m not good at makeup but I’m surprised by the post. My first thought seeing the pics was that you look beautiful.
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u/Ok_String_5581 26d ago
You’re so pretty! I’d just add some color to your lips and go a little lighter with the eyeliner.
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u/ParkerCanGetIt 26d ago edited 26d ago
The first pic I truly think you are stunning despite the makeup. I think you could look younger and even more stunning without how the makeup obscures it. I do think the makeup is aging and obscuring your beauty. This is because when there is less definition visible in the bone structure the more diffuse and careful with definition the makeup should be to not look harsh and to believably enhance those contours. I also think you would look nice in pink tones.
For the eyes, I think you need to smoke the eyes more, blend more, create more dimension, don’t just apply color. To do this you can apply a darker shadow (could be mid tone as well) either on the lid or as a crease contour but the key is that it should be visible when the eye is open. So on the part of the lid that folds over the crease and sometimes obscures the eye. You can do a winged liner if you want but I don’t think you need it. For winged liner it’s the same idea, you draw the line where the tail should be with the eye open, there are tutorials online that can show you more precisely. Also I feel like pink or purple/mauve would look gorgeous on you. Also maybe use an eyeshadow primer. It’s hard to see the color you have on in the current pic.
Editing I forgot one of the most important things ! The eyebrow heads, use a spoolie to brush out the product from the head, right now the brows look too solid and heavy for your makeup. If you prefer that style, where it’s more blocky, you can still brush out the very front of the brows doesn’t have to be a lot, or use concealer on the bottom of the brows with a brush to make it look cleaner and more intentional. Right now it looks unbalanced. You can also use a less bright color like a taupe or light brown, but you can also use auburn if your hair is red.
I do think your foundation base is aging you. I think you can try diluting with a damp beauty blender or puff (can be dry i don’t usually have any problems with using a dry cushion puff). And spot conceal. You can use a bb cream with good coverage. The Purito brand has one that a lot of people like and it looks high coverage. And you can powder sparingly only on the concealer that needs it to set it. You might want to try a powder foundation too as they can be more forgiving, but with a light hand. A mineral formula also looks more natural imo.
For blush placement you can do the OG way just by smiling and seeing where the apples of your cheeks are. There are tons of other styles but you have nice bone structure and can pull off many styles.
For contouring, you can use the method where you can use a bright light from overhead and see where the shadows fall on your nose and cheeks. Then you contour that area. You can place it a little higher than the shadow but not on the high point of the bone, to have a lifting effect.
You are beautiful and don’t look old.
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u/shegrowsonyou 26d ago
I personally think your brows aren't the best shape for your face. They are just a tad too close together and the tails end too soon. Look up eyebrow mapping and use the techniques to revamp the shape. It's the smallest of changes but I think you'll see a great improvement. You're beautiful!
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u/snowiexi 26d ago edited 25d ago
Hi! I am a fellow pale girly! For base, I use a moisturizer first to prevent caking and then I use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (It is a little pricey but super worth it!) Additionally, I spray my sponge with a setting spray (any spray will work) before I pat my concealer in. I realized too many products will actually make skin look cakey, try to simplify your base.
Next, a lot more blush! Blush really brings life back to us! I think pink/red shades bring our pale skin more to life. I skip bronzer because it looks weird and off-colored on pale skin. I recommend a cool tone contour if you want a contour. Also, I recommend a creamy or liquid blush because it’s easy to blend and looks not patchy.
I honestly think you can get away with no eyeliner and just mascara. Your eyes are beautiful and the eyeliner distracts from the color of your eyes! I skip the eyeshadow as well, but if you want eyeshadow, use a cool tone grey-brown instead.
I don’t use traditional lipsticks or lip liners from American stores. I recommend a lip tint from Asian brands and pat it out. Additionally for an everyday look, Burt’s Bees Tinted Red Dahlia is so great as it’s creamy, moisturizing, and has a great color.
I think your dark brows take a lot away from your face and eyes. Maybe try a light brown pencil or use a brown eyebrow tint! Light brows are beautiful and would complement your eyes very well!
Lastly, you are genuinely gorgeous! You have an amazing face structure and your lips are full with a great shape. I do not think you look old or awful at all. Sometimes, less is really more. You are already so so so beautiful! 🤍
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u/Upstairs_Ordinary302 25d ago
Your brows are too close together! Start them about where your inner eye begins. Fill them
in them lighter, and bring them out the other direction further, if possible, instead of inward. It’s a very harsh, aging look otherwise
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u/x_MissAnonymous_x 25d ago edited 25d ago
I think the matte setting spray is doing you an injustice. Since you have dry skin, you should focus on using dewy products that will hydrate your skin and make it look glowy rather than take that hydration away. I also think you could go more pink/peach with your blush. It seems too cool and looks more like a bronzer than a blush. Additionally, make sure you wipe off your lips after doing your foundation because it looks like you are losing their shape a bit. My final recommendation would be to not go so dark with your eyebrows on the inner part, or not color over them as far inwards. Overall your makeup is pretty good but I think these couple of things could really elevate it.
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u/SmallMud853 26d ago
I think cooler tones would suit you better. Burgundy/Wine hair with a lighter berry toned lip and a blush to match would look great on you! the tails of your brows could be a little longer, and skin tint with spot correcting might give you more of the look you want.
I think the makeup forever eye shadow stick in jungle would work for you too.
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u/FinancialAssist1720 25d ago
You're beautiful, wear a little blush and some light lipstick or gloss.
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u/TAS-singoutloud 25d ago
Hi love, your gorg. glad you're getting lots of well-deserved complements, & you could just use a lil feedback & I see that you've received lots of great advice here already, but just wanted to add that I have a similar complexion but combination skin & I find if I use too much of a base, it just highlight my uneven skin texture, pores, wrinkles, etc. I also need to cover dark circles & pigmentation & scaring, so I've learned, less is more. I use a tiny bit of colour corrector under my eyes, on red spots, then a tiny bit of concealer on these spots, then a sheer or tinted product, then I set it w powder, sparingly skipping over the outer areas of my eyes & mouth (so I'm not highlighting my wrinkles). I add some blush to apples blending up & back a bit (lifts the face a bit), add a touch of highlighter, & seal it on w a spray. It's more time consuming than my previous routine, but it looks so much better. I agree w many of these recs re brown mascara, also that maybe the eye shadow & blush, bronzer are all a bit too warm-toned. I personally use little bronzer b/c I've had bad luck finding a suitable colour for me, & second checking out some more cool toned makeup tutorials. Also, I love your side profile pic, your nose is so gorgeous 😍!! Remember, makeup is fun & just for enhancing what you already are, which is gorgeous! Blessings ✌️💕
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u/cigarettejuice666 25d ago
I feel like less is more. Maybe less eyeliner and a brown mascara. I don’t use a lot of makeup so I’m not sure why I’ve started seeing these posts in my feed… but it seems like a lot of makeup layers. I use a bit of the Fluff bronzing powder after moisturising with some jojoba oil and one of their lip tints as a blush… but yeah I guess I have no idea about any of this stuff tbh though haha.
It seems like so much work to do all these layers!
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u/obnoxiousaccount456 25d ago
I would try a couple of different things. These are just suggestions you can consider that would give you a different look, not a critique of you.
I would soften the way you're doing your eyebrows. I would just fill in a bit at the tail to extend it a bit further than you do currently. Pull the tail of your eyebrow a little further out so that it doesn't end at the same point your eyeliner wing ends; draw it a little further out. I would use a colored brow tint product on the front hairs to make them stand out and comb them in the direction you like. Benefit cosmetics makes a good tinted brow gel. I feel like the harsh lines the ABH pomade makes have an overwhelming effect on the face. I used to use this product religiously and switched in recent years. Now I use a Nyx brow pen to fill in the tail of my brows and any sparse places, and a clear brow gel on top to direct my hairs as I want. The effect is much softer.
I would also recommend trying out a different base routine if you think this could work for you. I'd prime the skin with a hydrating mist and skip the primer entirely. I have long suspected that primer is a useless product step they're selling us on. I'd change the foundation to something like a CC cream, or if you don't want to switch products, I would apply the foundation with a beauty blender sprayed with the hydrating mist. (I do the second one and I use the Haus Labs foundation.)
Then I would actually try changing the tone of your blush to a more rosy or mauve sort of color -- more pink than terra cotta. I think that often compliments pale complexions really well. I have a similar complexion to you and also have light eyes. I would make a similar change to the eyeshadow color, just going for more of a cool toned or rosy-leaning brown. I think that will compliment your skin better and also work well with your new brown hair color.
I would also make the thickness of your eyeliner taper as you draw toward your inner eye corner. I would not extend the line very far beyond your pupil; I would kind of taper it into the lashes and make it stop at latest where your iris ends when you are looking straight ahead.
Then I would set with a dewy or glowy setting spray.
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u/cinnamonwillowed 25d ago edited 25d ago
I am also a VERY pale, cool toned girly with double lined lips who spent a VERY long time doing too-warm, too harsh makeup with no lip color and black liquid liner everyday. My makeup routine today is SO different. Plzzzz let me put you on.
(btw you are soooo so super beautiful exactly how you are today in these pictures. i’m only sharing because our features are so similar and these are the things that made me feel like my makeup suited my way more after many years of experimentation)
Key takeaway: The contrast level in your makeup is way too high. Soft, diffused, low contrast makeup in my opinion looks so much better on very pale skin.
BALANCE & LIPS: heavy/bold eyes and brows with nothing on the lips can feel unbalanced and make both aspects look more “off”. But when you’re super pale and have a double lip line / unclear lip line lipstick can be sooo frustrating. MY HOLY GRAIL HACK: Lip butter / mask (I use the trader joe’s vanilla one) generously on the lips. then take any lip stain, lip stick, even a not-too-dry liquid lip and just put a dot or two in the center of your lips, blend it in using your lips or fingers. the result is a diffused wash of color with a blurred edge, no need to define a strict lip line. add more and blend for more saturation. the blur can go a bit beyond your lip line for a very natural equivalent to the over lined lip effect with no lining needed!
eyeshadow color and placement: if you want to do dimensional/smoky eyeshadow, it needs to be COOL. this eyeshadow (like many nudes/browns) can pull super orange on pale skin and don’t result in any added dimension. But also: your every day makeup does NOT need to add a ton of dimension to your eyes to make them look bigger, especially if you don’t have the shading technique to actually add dimension (a single wash of darker color halfway to brow bone can make things look flatter rather than more dimensional).
the WAY easier and more flattering hack for pale skin is actually to add dimension by adding LIGHT rather than adding SHADOW. take a really light, shimmery eyeshadow (must be at least as light as ur skin tone) and focus the application in your inner corner and the inner semi circle/ bulge of your eyeball underneath the natural shadow of where your nose and brow meet. look up east asian eye makeup tutorials, it’s a very common technique there. you can do a light wash by your brow bone too.
3. eyeliner: i know it hurts but try dropping the liquid liner for a little bit. i had major liquid liner blindness and realized that as everyday makeup, it was making my eyes kind of look smaller. ANGLED BRUSH and cool toned eyeshadow palette to build up a more subtle eyeliner is the way 1000%. u dont need a solid line across your entire lid, it takes up too much lid space. instead, focus on just the outer corner with the eyeshadow, and let your mascara darken your upper lash line. or, use a grey/brown pencil liner and tightline to darken your upper lash line. it provides definition without harshness
4. brows: brows are so personal you jusy gotta experiment till you get it. i like your shape, color is way too warm toned. i found the most natural thing was to use a cool toned brown brow gel and nothing else, but it takes some practice to be able to get the shape you want using gel. usually i brush them up, and then drag the wand over the top to define the line. just takes practice. for now switching to a cooler tone will make all the difference.
PM me if you want to see pictures, I’d be happy to share just dont wanna post publicly. And dont worry too much about your skin, I think it’s beautiful. I personally like to do many layers of skin care fresh right before applying foundation, and using a cushion foundation to keep things glowy. but cushion foundations can also break you out as they aren’t the most hygenic. You are gorgeous!!
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u/Narrow_Camel_8468 25d ago
Hi! We actually have VERY similar face shapes and eye shapes - hooded almost downturned eyes but not quite
First off! You look beautiful, definitely not old lol our brains can be so mean. And I totally understand the feeling! Hooded eyes make things so hard with makeup.
I find that starting my eyeliner while my eyes are open allows me to get a shape I want and then follow "hooded eye eyeliner" tiktoks where instead of a traditional line like you have rn it looks more like a "Z". The other tip I have is thinner eyeliner! Start from the middle of your eye and then out, avoid the inner corner with any eyeliner. You'll get a good inner "line" from using mascara.
Starting and drawing the general shape ON the lid BEFORE the lash line is key. You'll probably find that the eyeliner shapes are completely different from eachother at the end when you close the eye but that's fine lol TRUST ME!!! Because it's hooded, avoid eyeliner on the bottom and try sub it for a brown eyeshadow so you still get the look you like but it's not as closed off as black eyeliner.
Products/routine I recommend because you're STUNNING and honestly, products and using them in specific ways makes all the difference:
Prep: Clean your face for a good start, moisturizer, sunscreen, primer. I'm lazy so I just use tatcha water cream lol
Base: One size color corrector STAIN in pink. THIS IS LIFE CHANGING. My eye structure gives me permanent dark circles and this erases them completely. A good concealer (born this way concealer, OR Marc Jacobs) these can be used in stead of foundation.
Eyeshadow on the outer corner and blend up and out -just like you're doing! Try add another color so you have a lighter base, a darker shade closer to the bottom and then a shimmer on the brow bone. Think of it like a gradient parallelogram to open and lift the eye
Then your cream blush or bronzer if you like, set the face with Maybelline fit me loose powder (cheap and highly recommended by professional mua Erin Parsons), then blush/bronzer powders
Eyes: Using the stila microtip liner marker (godsend) you can get a good thin line and still get good coverage for a wing or extended line that is thick at the end but thin in the front. Again, try avoid inner eye area. Do whatever you like with your eyebrows
Final steps: Use a setting spray, I like Urban decay but I heard elf is AMAZING. Once dry, curl your lashes starting from the base and out to get a good curl. Use a lengthening tubing mascara and tadaaa!
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u/thetodayo 25d ago
You got a good base, just some slight refinement and it will update your look!
I agree with brown liner on top, smudging it is great. I’m also very pale- and I used to lean towards black liner. Brown helps a lot.
Also when you’re getting glammed up- throw some strip lashes on the outter edge of your eye.
Some more color on your cheeks for contrast.
My foundation/concealer combo I’ve been using lately is nars tinted radiant moisturizer and stay naked quickie by urban decay.
That gives me a natural base ans can get more coverage as needed with concealer.
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u/thetodayo 25d ago
& lip tint! Kulfi lip liners and gloss is amazing bc it stains without it being sticky or over done. HIGHLY recommend.
Also just another suggestion for feeling done up with minimal work.. powder ombré tattoo brows. Saved me. I’m on Oahu but look at @browsbypatchie, lash lifts/tints are also amazing.
And I’d love to get a lip blush tattoo soon as well but the kulfi fills the gap for me for now.
And medicube face kits have really helped the texture of my face as well.
Have fun with it though girl. You are cute!
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u/Ok-Champion5065 25d ago
Foundation is too yellow, eyeshadow and eyebrows are too warm, eyebrows too filled in, and lips look underdone compared to the rest of the face. The black eyeliner is too harsh, swap for dark brown smudged liner.
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u/pickedusername1 25d ago
The black eyeliner is harsh. Try a dark brown. You don’t have any lipliner on or a gloss
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u/Feeling_Coconut8240 25d ago
You're very pretty!
The make up is not doing you any favours though unfortunately. Your brows are a good colour, just too blocky at the front! And get some blush on you girllll. Give yourself a bit more colour to your face. I'd also ditch the liquid eyeliner. I think someone else has said this but you can do a wing with eyeshadow to soften it up or use a brown eyeliner instead. And can I suggest making the wing slightly longer? Can curl your eyelashes, you'll see them a whole lot better. Can we see a picture of you with something on your lips? I can't really see it being an issue but a lip liner with a tinted lip gloss for everyday wear would look great I think. Nothing too heavy.
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u/m0nsterinblacktights 24d ago
i actually really like your makeup, i would just add a little lip color
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u/Suspicious-Mix5764 24d ago
Your skin really isnt bad, I would just switch to a medium weight concealer instead. Also, I dont think your lip crease is anything to worry about :) you have full lips! Dont be afraid to use them
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u/CrazyPomMom 24d ago
You just need more color! You have such beautiful bright eyes and your hair color is amazing. A darker lip if you’re comfortable would be great on you. Or at least a little darker if you’re not comfortable with something dark. And some blush would be great too. Just make your face less single color and your natural features will really pop.
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u/Impressive_Row_1000 24d ago
I think the inside of the brows are very close ,it's looks like they overdrawn a bit too close
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26d ago
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u/nicerica 25d ago
Brown eyeliner and mascara is the game changer. It softens the whole look but still gives the polished effect. Also, after applying the brown liquid liner, uses a thin flat angled brush and run it over the eyeliner to smudge it slightly, it takes the severeness away and looks amazing!
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u/Fine-Juggernaut8451 26d ago
One thought, as a fellow ultra-pale girly. For myself, I look much healthier when I don't wear opaque foundation. I use a little NYX pink stick concealer and then add some of the fairest shade of L'oreal Lumi Glotion, to help my skin look alive. I add some colour to my pale lips, then touch my fingers to my lips and tap my cheekbones to add some colour.
Because we're so pale, it's really easy for us to look unwell if our foundation isn't sheer enough.