Why I wear makeup
When I was 11 I was diagnosed with Morphea Scleroderma. It caused extreme discoloration on my right temple and also caused my lashes to fall out in an area on that eye as well. As you know, kids can be cruel. They can be total and utter asshats. I was called cyclopes. They moved their seats far from mine because they didn’t want to “get it”. They said, you have AIDS (this was height of 80s). The list of stupid really just goes on and on. Not every kids was an asshat to me. The majority were. It certainly made my skin thick. If you would have told me when I was 12 that I’d be a “public figure” who has her picture on the back of books, on websites and does live appearances on shows and signings I would have thought you were from Mars and totally full of crap.
I thought I’d take a minute to walk you through not only why I wear makeup but what I wear. So, here is the before shot. I need an award for putting this up. Note the redness. It always looks like I have a sunburn. I should also say, I have combination skin. For the most part it tends to run dry. Often the winter it will start to peel if I don’t stay on top of moisturizing. Also, my skin while sensitive is not as sensitive as some.
Pre-Make Up. Note the Rocascea.
STEP ONE: Olay Complete moisturizer. A great moisturizer is key to your foundation having a good shelf life on your face for the day. Then, I start off with a concealer stick. The stick is important because it provides more coverage without feeling too heavy. I prefer Revlon’s PhotoReady one. I apply it all over the redness. Mind you, most people do not have to put this much on. I also put it on my temple that has discoloration on it. I do NOT blend it in yet.
Step One: Concealer stick
Step Two: Foundation. I like Loreal’s Visible Lift. It has good coverage, is light feeling, very creamy and has no smell. I hate makeup that smells. I dab this on my T-zone. I then use a dampened wedge and blend it in along with the concealer that is on my face.
Loreal Visible Lift
Step Three: Pressed powder. I use it to “set” the makeup around my eyes, my cheeks, chin and forehead. I like this one. Its cheap but works well for me.
Pressed Powder
Step Four: Bronzer. I like the Physicians Formula Healthy Glow Bronzer. I put it under my cheek bones to add depth, on my neck, to the left and right of my nose and my temples.
Bronzer
Step Five: Highlights Powder. I like Physicians Formula Translucent Glow. I put this right under my eyes but above blush line, down nose, forehead and chin.
High lights
Step Six: Loose powder brushed all over to set it all in.
loose powder
Step Seven: Eyes. I like browns and warm colors. Cool colors don’t work well with my skin tone. The newest love of mine is the “Knock on Wood” pallet by Wet n Wild. I love the browns and pink mix up. I apply as suggested. I use makeup brushes for nearly everything I do. They give me much more control and better blending capabilities.
Eyeshadow
Step Eight: Eyeliner. I am totally in love with Almay’s eyeliner. Has a great applicator for control and has really good staying power.
Almay
Step Nine: Mascara and liner pencil. I’m a fan of Revlon’s Photoready 3d Volume Mascara and Almay’s black pencil (called crayon contour). I use the pencil on my eyebrows lightly and under my eyes.
Mascara and liner
Step Ten: Eyelashes. I love them. They will take some getting used to as far as putting them on. Keep makeup removing wipes handy to remove glue from your fingertips. I love the Revlon Lash Glue. Don’t freak when you put it on, its turns blue and then dries clear. Also, a great tip is to put the glue on the lashes and then wait almost a minute before putting the lash on your eye. This way the glue is tacky and the lash isn’t sliding all over.
lashes and glue
All done 
After picture
1
I love this look and so took notes while reading it. Especially like the tip to use the different eyeliners–liquid and pencil.
Michelle M. Pillow´s last [type] ..VIDEO What’s The Point of Publishers in a Digital Age: Response to the Response
I want to thank you so much for posting this tutorial! After spending over $60.00 on new cosmetics (don’t worry, I didn’t take away from my book budget), I was complimented by everyone I saw today. Not strangers, just people I know. My aunt Winnie said, “You look great! What are you doing?” I didn’t want to tell her I was wearing a copious amount of concealer so I said I had plenty of sleep.
I love the liquid eyeliner! I don’t know why I didn’t try this before. I wear eyeliner every day but it never stays on. I’m 47 and my upper lids have loosened up and they rub off my eyeliner within an hour of putting it on. This liquid liner has stayed put all day long! I was unable to make the eyelashes work though. After spending 30 minutes trying to glue them on, I gave up. I will try again tomorrow. My eyelashes used to be very long and thick. Now they are super short and thin. I would like to get long lashes back. Unfortunately, my hands can be very shakey and that was making it impossible for me to get them in the right place.
I have always thought you were a very beautiful woman and I’m very greatful to you for sharing your beauty secrets with me!
In closing, I would like to say, YOU HAVE GORGEOUS HAIR!!! What is wrong with you in thinking it’s less than that? It’s thick and shiney and curley and you can make it straight when you want to. That is the perfect kind of hair!
Thank you, Mandi! I’m so glad the tutorial was helpful! And good for you for saying you had a good night’s sleep. I don’t think its really anyone’s business what you do to help yourself get a little pep in the day. I only shared because I know a lot of readers out there suffer from skin conditions like me or have scaring or something like I have and I thought they might want to know they’re not alone.
I forgot to list a step up there. Its putting the concealer on your eyelid and rubbing it gently with your finger. This will act as a primer and help your eyeshadow go on smooth and stay on nearly all day. I find my eyelids are also getting looser as I get older so primer is a must for me to help my makeup stay on.