OKay, so, I finally decided I like wearing makeup (about time eh?), and pretty much love the Urban Decay line, but, here's the question-

What do you feel is a reasonable budget for makeup? Assuming you have a semi-ok amount of stuff but a lot of old/cheap crap that needs to go.

# for initial purchase spree, # for say per month or per year upkeep of said collection.

Why do i ask? I feel like a spoiled little brat for even THINKING about spending the kind of money I could drop on that stuff, but i could be way off base.

10/11/2006 9:59:51 PM

$10

10/11/2006 10:05:01 PM

hmm. when you say makeup...do you include foundation? ...i use bare escentuals and really like it. i think to initially get everything you need plus the brushes it'll run around 80$. the minerals generally last me 3 months and are about 28$ to replace. i think a basic kit includes the foundation for your skin tone, mineral veil, and a bronzer-type...

urban decay is def. one of the more pricey lines of makeup, but i definately love their eyeshadows. i spent 60$ on 4 a couple years ago...and I still have them since they arent colors i'd wear everyday.

as far as eyeliner goes...you can get a good pencil for 10 - 15$ and it'll last you a long while ...like...6+ months (unless you're one of them girls who think its hot to have an inch of it on..)

so all in all....i think i probably spend about 100$ a year on makeup, give or take say...30$

10/11/2006 10:06:31 PM

Initial spree? $250.

Upkeep? You'll never need to replace something after only a month, but you may find yourself wanting more colors and stuff. On average, if you don't try anything new, $18/month.

Don't stick with one line. That's fucking boring. Read the magazines and their reviews (Allure is good for this). Try different colors. Have fun with it. Change your general look with the seasons.

^Two-year-old eye shadow?

[Edited on October 11, 2006 at 10:19 PM. Reason : 12 to 18.]

10/11/2006 10:12:59 PM

50 dollars every two weeks with an initial spree to cover foundation and other essentials i.e. the eyeshadow base, facial base (depending on skin type), remover, etc...

10/11/2006 10:41:30 PM

foundation + blush + eyeshadow. I've had the same Clinique Blush since high school. It never seems to get lower. I only have to buy new foundation like twice a year when it runs out. I bought that Physicians Formula Eyeshadow and it never seems to run out either. I can't remember how much that Clinique thing was, but foundation + eyeshadow=15 bucks. Maybe its just me, but I can't imagine spending much more than that.


100 bucks a month!!?!

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 12:41 AM. Reason : .]

10/12/2006 12:40:06 AM

^^i agree with most of that, cept i'd say more like $100-150, rather than $250 at first
but it all really depends on what all you want, and what brands, initially

sephora is awful for trying to stick to any kind of budget
and i like some of the makeup carried in the crabtree VS

but you shouldn't NEED to get new makeup every month - unless you get a lot of sun regularly, so that you need new foundation colors. but if you WANT to get new makeup, how much you spend really depends on how much stuff you want - if you want 1-2 new things a month, id say $20 or less


this also is all dependant on your average available cash flow

10/12/2006 12:43:38 AM

i don't wear makeup because i am lazy
& it is expensive no matter how cheap you go

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 12:51 AM. Reason : ]

10/12/2006 12:51:40 AM

Getting makeup palettes will give you a lot of options for your money. For example, I got an Urban Decay Face Case palette for $34 and it comes with four shadows, four glosses and blush. Too Faced's Quickie Chronicle palettes are also a good value, as are Benefit's. I personally prefer palettes because I don't think I've ever gone through a whole container of a single shade before.

Shelling out for a lot of department store, high-priced makeup at once is hard on the wallet, but the more expensive stuff does tend to have better quality and I think it's worth it. Benefit makes some of the best makeup I've ever used, especially compared to some drugstore foundations I used in the past that looked like crap. I spent about $200 replacing all my makeup and came away with some palettes, foundation, concealer, liner, mascara and some skin care stuff. Every now and then you might want to buy more of the stuff you go through quickly (lipgloss, eyeliner, whatever) and you're supposed to replace your mascara every couple of months (I usually don't, oops). It shouldn't have to be a big part of your monthly budget.

10/12/2006 1:03:12 AM

basically for me 50 dollars every two weeks means I get about two new pigment colors from MAC. I just like having different and extreme colors as opposed to palettes. Just adjust your budget to whatever u want to get for urslef, but for initial get a good foundation and that stuff...

10/12/2006 1:50:07 AM

Quote :

"hmm. when you say makeup...do you include foundation? ...i use bare escentuals and really like it. i think to initially get everything you need plus the brushes it'll run around 80$. the minerals generally last me 3 months and are about 28$ to replace. i think a basic kit includes the foundation for your skin tone, mineral veil, and a bronzer-type..."

I use the same makeup and use their auto-ship program (mainly for the bonus gifts that they send). I spend slightly under $50 every 2.5 months for my foundation kit (2 foundations + mineral veil). I saw that they sell the starter kit and other bare escentuals makeup at Sephora, so that's a plus for anyone who doesn't want to deal with the shipping charges.

10/12/2006 9:50:37 AM

WHY DO Y'ALL USE MAKEUP?

YOU HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED BY GLAMOUR AND ALLURE AND OTHER MAGS.

ADMIT IT, YOU DO IT FOR OTHERS.

IF YOU SAY YOU DO IT FOR YOURSELF, YOU ARE LYING.

WOULD YOU USE IT IF YOU WERE ON AN ISLAND BY YOURSELF???

NO.

10/12/2006 9:57:12 AM

i use basically the same shades on a normal day...so, with those and just needing to re up, $40-50 every 4-5 months. but 5 times out of 10 when i go on my normal reup, i see something that i like that i may want to use when i wanna change something up, so add $20 for that.

now shampoo, conditioner, and bath/spa stuff...that's a completely different story. i spend more on that than makeup.



[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 10:03 AM. Reason : ]

10/12/2006 10:01:27 AM

100 dollars a month?!? Sometimes I think makeup is for impressing other girls. I know I don't give a flip about a girls makeup when deciding if I'm into her.

10/12/2006 10:08:17 AM

i use bobbi brown cosmetics which aren't very cheap... but they work really well, are matched to my skin (no need to keep buying lots of cheap stuff until it works) and it lasts a long time.

a lot of how much you spend depends on what you want to do with the makeup. if you have good skin you may not need/want to wear foundation. but if you want to even out your skin tone i would get some. also i get circles under my eyes so i invested in some under eye cream and concealer but not everybody needs that. i would say get a good powder, concealer, mascara, blush, and lip gloss if you want to stay kind of natural. also make sure if you have contacts that you get mascara that is hypo allergenic. and if you're just getting into makeup, i would get more neutral shades of eyeshadow/eyeliner until you learn how to use it well... a lot of places have eye shadow that can double as liner when it is wet (which i love).

i need to replace my foundation maybe twice a year and my concealer stick every like 3-4 months. once you get a good blush or eyeshadows they will last a LONG time. i've had the same 3 stilla eyeshadows for over 2 years and i use them almost every day and i bet i could use them for 2 more years.

anyways goodluck. makeup can be fun. go sit at one of the counters and get a makeover and see what kind of stuff you like. and you can go to several different places and try stuff out before you make a decision.

10/12/2006 10:19:09 AM

^^ you think you don't, but you really do

when done right, makeup can greatly improve a girl's appearance

10/12/2006 10:22:42 AM

geez, you might as well trade your makeup in for a drug habit. it may be cheaper and you will get more out of it.

10/12/2006 10:25:48 AM

not really
a drug habit would probably make me feel bad about myself

makeup helps me feel prettier and more self confident.

it evens out my skin tone and hides circles under my eyes and makes my eyes look brighter and more awake and gives me some color

i mean it should be natural so you DON'T notice it but it can really do wonders if you know how to use it properly.

10/12/2006 10:29:36 AM

drugs make you not care about your prettiness or self confidence.

ESCAPE THE REAL WORLD GIRL

10/12/2006 10:48:59 AM

God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another

10/12/2006 11:01:47 AM

what guys don't realize, or want to deny is that good makeup is not giving you another face. now, there are a lot of fugly girls out there that have done their makeup to look like aliens. but if you take a little time at a good makeup counter and invest in a few quality products, it enhances what you already have.

my roommate uses bare escentuals and it is amazing to see just how much brighter it makes her skin. i watch her put it on, and it's not mask-like, and the transformation isn't like changing faces. it's just enhancing.

bobbi brown, benefit, urba decay, mac, stila, bare escentuals are all really good brands i feel are worth the money when you have it.

10/12/2006 12:26:22 PM

I know I use makeup for other people. I want to be more attractive, and makeup enhances my features, as well as covering up flaws in my complexion. My boyfriend doesn't even care if I wear makeup or not. It's not about being sexually attractive to men. It's about feeling more confident because I think I look my best.

Yes, it's true that girls are practically brainwashed to have this mentality that their looks are so incredibly important.

10/12/2006 12:32:20 PM

Just remember to get a good bursh set as well and those can be around $50 for a good set. you want soft brushes. Remember its not only the make up but also the blending which brushes are importnat for.

10/12/2006 12:43:49 PM

Quote :

"Jerry: Hey, let me ask you a question. You met margaret. Do you think Margaret's good looking? Kramer: Um, she's a natural beauty. Oh, no makeup. I like that. Jerry: Yeah, and the curls. You like the curls? Kramer: Oh, I love curls. Jerry: Yeah, me too."

10/12/2006 12:47:01 PM

eh, i feel like most of the time i can do my makeup just as well with drugstore brands as with more expensive products...

Quote :

"WHY DO Y'ALL USE MAKEUP? YOU HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED BY GLAMOUR AND ALLURE AND OTHER MAGS. ADMIT IT, YOU DO IT FOR OTHERS. IF YOU SAY YOU DO IT FOR YOURSELF, YOU ARE LYING. WOULD YOU USE IT IF YOU WERE ON AN ISLAND BY YOURSELF??? NO."

this is definitely not true, you don't understand women at all, haha

10/12/2006 1:25:50 PM

Minimal. I use drugstore brands, but I don't usually wear much makeup on a day to day basis. A concealer stick and some mascara is enough for a typical day.

But it seems like whenever I find a particular kind of foundation I like, it gets discontinued. Right now I use Neutragena.

10/12/2006 1:40:41 PM

I buy fairly expensive Lancome mascara, but only when they're throwing in the "free" gift. The gift keeps me covered for everything else except sunscreen/lotion, which I buy at the drug store. I also buy blush, but it last a LONG TIME (let's just say more than 3 months.)

10/12/2006 1:45:22 PM

Cover girl powder blush works okay for me, though I like creme blushes for evening wear.

10/12/2006 1:52:43 PM

I like using cheek stains instead of regular blush. They also work well on the lips, adding a bit of color without looking too made up.

10/12/2006 2:07:15 PM

I was flipping channels the other day and the Tyra Show was on. She had a segment on makeup.

They brought this snotty bitch who spends $3,000/year on makeup, because she has to have the most expensive brands and all the possible products and colors. She said cheaper brands were not as good.

Anyway, so Tyra took her to her own (Tyra's) makeup artist, and he did this stupid woman's face up, half with expensive department store stuff, and half with cheap drug store brands.

They brought her back to the show, and she saw herself in the mirror, and the makeup artist asked her which side looked better. She chose the cheap side!!! When he told her that, she couldn't believe it.

The cost was $270 for the expensive side, and $55 for the cheap side.

Go figure.

10/12/2006 2:07:47 PM

Question for you people who seem to know what you're talking about -- Where did you learn about makeup?

I like it, but I don't know enough about it to be able to use it well. I don't know how to find colors that work well for me or what types of products I should be using. I've always been afraid to go to a cosmetics counter because I'm afraid they'll convince me to buy $500 worth of stuff I don't need, but perhaps that is the best option.

10/12/2006 2:11:02 PM

I learned about makeup initially from Kevyn Aucoin's books, particularly Making Faces, which has amazing tips about using makeup and creating different looks.

I still go to department store counters for help because I like to confer with someone about whether or not a particular color will work with my skin tone. And I always need help picking out a shade of foundation that's natural because I just don't have a good eye for that.

10/12/2006 2:19:01 PM

^^around christmas time they sell big kits of extremely cheap makeup in every kind of color you can imagine... i saw some in walgreen's a couple days ago. obviously, the quality of the makeup is low, and i wouldn't really recommend wearing that stuff, but if you just get an eyeshadow palette with a ton of colors you can see what colors look best on you. i think i got a thing of 36 eyeshadow colors for about 4 dollars once.

another good product line is the almay intense i-color... the mascara, eyeshadows and liners are all coordinated to look good with you eye color and bring out the different color highlights... i tried the blue and it works really, really well. pretty sure they have it for green and brown eyes, maybe even hazel.

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 2:38 PM. Reason : not like this: ]

10/12/2006 2:35:45 PM

My mother was a cosemetologist and I've been up to my eyebrows in make up for as long as I can remember.

I believe that the key to looking good in any make up is having good skin. So, take care of your skin. Use a good facial scrub that exfoliates, a clarifying mask once a week, use a good moisturizer with sun screen. If you have good skin and know how to apply your make up, it's not going to matter if you go with something from a drug store or something that's higher end.

Personally, I spend more money on my foundation than anything else because I think that it's the most important piece of the puzzle. If your foundation is wrong, your entire look is ruined. So, experiment with different foundations until you find the right one for you and don't be afraid to spend some money on it. I like to have a lot of different colors and mediums to play with so the rest of my make up is all over the place in cost and quality.

An intial run is definitely going to cost you at the very least $150 and probably closer to the $250 everyone else has suggested. Then the rest is up to you. One month, I might not spend a thing on make up and another month I might shell out $100 or more.

10/12/2006 2:46:27 PM

^^ I have the green one. I like it, but the colors are not as vivid as I expected them to be.

I have bought the cheap eyeshadow sets a few times, but it always seems like you have to apply the whole cake for the color to show up. I remember putting on some blue or green or something and then looking and thinking "did that do anything?" Maybe that's just me, though ...

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 2:47 PM. Reason : ^]

10/12/2006 2:46:51 PM

I learned how to apply make up from a great deal of trial and error. My mom bought me my first little girl make up kit when I was in 1st grade and later she would hand over all of her cheap or old make up to me. She really wasn't afraid of letting me go to school looking like a clown, so I played and played in make up.

By the time I was in high school, all of my friends realized that I had a real tallent for it or at least a hell of a lot more practice than they did. So, I ended up being the designated hair and make up girl. I did more date and party make overs than I care to remember. And when girls found out that I had opted not to go to my Senior Prom because my exboyfriend was taking my exbestfriend, well guess what I spent Prom Night doing. . .

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 2:56 PM. Reason : sp.]

10/12/2006 2:55:44 PM

You should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so

10/12/2006 3:11:58 PM

on a slightly seperate note, what kind of makeup/styles do you guys suggest for girls with glasses?

I normally just stick with eyeshadow, mascara and lipgloss, but I want to branch out from that a bit.

10/12/2006 3:31:49 PM

Bare Minerals (mineral veil) and Dr Pepper lip balm = $100 a year

PS: Trappy-- I wear makeup because I hate myself and want to compulsively LIE to others about how I really look.

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 3:38 PM. Reason : ++]

10/12/2006 3:37:12 PM

^^^ Awesome. I want to read that again.

10/12/2006 3:38:31 PM

my sister in law lives off dr pepper lip balm

10/12/2006 3:40:57 PM

Quote :

"Skwinkle: Question for you people who seem to know what you're talking about -- Where did you learn about makeup?"

My mother doesn't wear make-up, never has so she wasn't able to teach my sister and I. We picked up some stuff from the magazines but mostly we did a lot of trial and error. Then when I was about 14, my mother got me the book, Cindy Crawford's Basic Face. It's a great book that gives you a fool-proof way to apply make-up that will be classic and seemingly natural forever.

Quote :

"miska: on a slightly seperate note, what kind of makeup/styles do you guys suggest for girls with glasses? I normally just stick with eyeshadow, mascara and lipgloss, but I want to branch out from that a bit."

Blush and eyeliner are considered trashy to many people. Fuck them. Blush/eyeliner fucking rocks. I wear eyeliner to bed sometimes. So, yeah, try adding one or both of those two things--it can feel too dramatic to some people, but I love it. Also maybe try applying your eye shadow differently? See if you like it.

(I don't wear glasses.)

[Edited on October 12, 2006 at 3:47 PM. Reason : ssss]

10/12/2006 3:41:37 PM

It also depends on what kind of glasses you wear. If you're near sighted your glasses probably make your eyes look smaller (I had coke bottle lenses that made my huge eyes look tiny) and if you're far sighted they make them bigger. You could probably play up your eyes more and use brighter colors to make your eyes pop if your glasses make them smaller, but if your glasses make your eyes look bigger you probably don't want to get too crazy with the shadow and stuff.

I think blush is one of the best things ever invented. I love having a little rosy glow to illuminate my face.

10/12/2006 3:51:16 PM

Quote :

"What do you feel is a reasonable budget for makeup?"

What's a quality budget for magic tricks?

10/12/2006 3:53:25 PM

i learned from reading stuff in magazines and trial and error
most girly magazines have a section on applying makeup and colors to use and that sort of thing

a lot of makeup counters will show you how to use their stuff too (just make sure you let them know you're going for natural and not clownish) also i'd get someone young to do it because they would probably know more the look you're going for

i just think of it like painting... like is it easier to paint a straight line with the tip of the brush or the side of the brush? (eyeliner) or is it prettier to have colors blend or really stand out (too much blush, tacky dark lip liner)

i agree good skin is key... i have bad skin and that is why i always wear makeup. i think i do an OK job because as far as anyone tells me they have no idea i have bad skin (i think you can tell because of the texture but whatever) but having bad skin is a pain in the ass because it takes way longer to get ready than when it was all nice and clear

10/12/2006 6:57:36 PM

Go to Ulta in Cary Crossroads. near the party warehouse place. across from old navy.
you know in that general area


they cary some expensive brands and inexpensive brands. they also have hair and body stuff

i don't spend very much on makeup.
i do like bare minerals eye makeup

i use alot of originas and aveda makeup - foundation, shadows, etc..
their makeup artisits can be really helpful (depending on the store)

i buy drugstore mascara and eye liner. although i do like avons mascaras

you can splurge on some items and save on others.

i

10/12/2006 7:44:33 PM

Haha I've probably spent $30 in the last two years on makeup. $100 a month on that shit? Pulease.

10/12/2006 7:50:19 PM

^ I spend about the same as her. I use very simple blushes and inexpensive mascara. Occasionally I will use an eyeshadow, but I receive the sample packs yearly at Christmastime.

I dislike foundations and too much makeup as they tend to discolor the shirt of my fiance and he really prefers to end our kisses without gaining my lipstick.

10/12/2006 7:53:52 PM

Maybe I am the only one but I've always had really good luck with Maybelline. There is one shade of lipstick that is the PERFECT color for me called "Go Heather." Its about one shade darker than my natural lips so it doesn't look painted on. I don't use foundation because it breaks me out...no matter what brand I use. That, and my skin really isn't all that uneven color wise. I don't like using black eyeliner because it looks too drastic with my already dark eyes. So, I lighten it up some with this blue grey color liner. I noticed that a lot of the drug store brands are coming out with color palettes that bring out your specific eye color. For my brown eyes, they suggest purples and browns. So, I grabbed all the necessary colors and matched them in cheaper brands. So far, it works. And the purple eyeshadow mixed with that liner makes my eyes look really smoky.

As far as where I learned...when in high school we had an afterschool class that was called "Modeling 101" or something to that effect. The teacher was a former (?) RadioCity Rockette (?). She taught us etiquette, some gymnastics (dunno how that worked into modeling), eyebrow waxing, and proper makeup application.

10/12/2006 8:30:12 PM

not much at all. you really don't need to buy a lot especially if you are just starting out. just try some cheaper brands before you slurge on all these products you might not even use!

i've used clinique and other department store brands before and didnt really notice a difference in quality compared to drugstore brands, so i choose to shop at walmart or target for my makeup

i suppose i spend about 10-20 dollars a month replinishing my makeup bag (this includes facial lotion, makeup remover, eye cream and makeup) Daily i wear concealer under my eyes, mascara and gloss

if i'm going out w/ friends or have extra time in the morning ill add a goldish shadow, brown liner and blush

10/13/2006 12:19:38 AM