I can't help people who want to style up gender neutral or masc, but if you want to talk retro style and makeup and pinup hair (and tampons and bras and high heels and whatever else is included in the general discourse)

I'm happy to answer questions.

how long does makeup take on a regular day

because im very lazy

also does it hurt if you poke yourself in the eye with eyeliner c_c

i mean obviously it hurts its your eyeball but can you actually get injured

bluecanary: Mine takes about ten minutes, but it took practice to get there. Natural makeup / minimal effort? Five minutes tops.

o shit

And yes it hurts, it stings like a bitch

hm, bad..... a

why,,,, underwire,,, ive never got this one either

i have pretty big boobs its not a small boobs thing ive just always clamped em down with a sports bra and ive heard underwire hurts and is expensive and doesn't wash so wh .. y do people continue to wear it

I am full of these questions. I'm 36 years old and don't know how to do my own makeup. (I know I could look it up on youtube, but I honestly don't even know where to start)

bluecanary: So I've never understood why underwire is a desirable thing anymore in the age of molded bras? It's terribly uncomfortable and I think maybe it's just a holdover thing from an age lacking the tech we have now

NutterZoi: What kind of makeup would you like to do? Natural, or like...Kim Kardashian full on contouring, or retro like mine?

the mystery continues......................................

(thank you friend <3 )

I would honestly start with just mascara, blush, and lipstick. And those are deceptively simple - I can make recommendations based on whether your veins in your arm look blue, green, purple, or gery

...grey

I like your retro style, tbh, though I'm not sure how it would look on me. Mostly because I'm terrified of bold makeup colors because... I do not understand them.

Blue and purple!

bluecanary: I'm sorry I couldn't help more re: the underwire. My advice is wear what feels nice on your breasts. I like the push-up support bras, but there are some really good "t-shirt" bras out there that have the same feel as sports bras, and don't have the proddy underwire feeling.

Maybe when I can go to the store again I'll pick some makeup up and start giving it a shot. I know what those three makeups are!

(I feel like Captain America--I got that reference!)

NutterZoi: It looks good on most everyone, IMO. The retro, winged eyeliner and fresh look was universally flattering, which is why it endured.

For retro makeup, you want to make sure you have a matte foundation - probably a powder, Physician's Formula makes a good mineral one - very close to your skin tone, a natural-looking blush (so probably for you a sort of pinky brown or rose that looks about like you do when you get hot?)

and either a neutral lip or red lipstick.

And I promise, there's a red lipstick for you.

As for the eyeliner, I use Sex Kitten from Tarte; it's got one of those foam brush things. You have to learn how to apply it and then how to apply it for the shape of your eyes (especially if you, like me, have hooded eyes, and then you get to play with optical illusions)

I am making note of all of this

YouTube has a lot of great videos for that in particular. But if you don't have hooded eyes, you are lucky and can just do the swoop no problem

ps - Physician's Formula also makes a great eyeliner with a foam brush thing, it's cheaper and the quality's okay

Oh, and for lipsticks, you want cool tones.

A few companies have started arranging their lipsticks by "cool" and "warm", but just. Stay away from oranges.

And peaches.

You're going to find a lOT of pinks being marketed to you, and some may look okay, but nnngh. Probably err towards mulberries, reds, or sheers/lipglosses.

Good to know. I know Orange in general doesn't look good on me in clothing. I probably would never consider it in lipstick. Those sound like they would be interestingly dramatic on me. (In a good way!)

There are a lot of lipsticks that have an orange / peach undertone, but you wouldn't guess at first glance. It's why they just. Look so bad. :C

Good to know!

(Same is true for warm-toned folks who wear things with blue/cool undertones. Hard to tell, and boy it looks odd when they thought it would be flattering :C)

also neutral browns might make you look dead.

nbd.

...I loled

Good information for Halloween

Lipstick - NARS | Sephora

I have the same undertone as you (cool tones look best) and this looked fucking phenomenal on me

it does not look pink on me like it does on the models.

(I say like I'm not going to go as Lady Captain America or Professor McGonagall forever)

(Hey whatever leviosas your wingardium)

If anyone is looking for red lipsticks btw I 100% recommend Besame products, they're cruelty-free, small-business, woman-owned, WOC-owned, and they operate right now through a medical shipping company so they're still in business.

(And letting all their employees work from home)

Victory Red Lipstick

Universally flattering red, neutral base,

oh also all their products are based on vintage cosmetics.

this one's from 1941

(I use their foundation / powder too, it's so fucking light ;.; and they go into the dark browns with their line. And their cosmetics are usually shown on light, medium, and dark skinned models.)

that is my besame scream ty

I am looking at their stuff now!

oh god I wish I'd made the connection sooner but

Agent Carter wears Besame. Like, they supplied her lipstick.

:3

"It’s official! Margaret “Peggy” Carter wears Bésame’s Red Velvet for the new Marvel TV Series, Agent Carter!"

Red Velvet is another neutral red btw, universally flattering.

omg that is so cool!

oh THAT is that company!

It issss

Also I want to revisit the bra thing

You can wash your bras in the washing machine, as long as it's a drum and doesn't have agitators. Hang them up to dry. They'll last longer.

It's a pain but bras aren't cheap ;.;

(If your washing machine has one of those agitator things in the middle, you can still wash them in there, they just won't last quite as long.)

Wash them, remold the foam if they have it, hang them over your bathtub for the night.

this doesn't really apply to sports bras, and I don't know how (or whether) it would apply to binders, I'm afraid.

And since i'm here and it's like 1 am.
Don't buy a bra based on whatever you're measured and told. Try on a range of sizes and find one that feels comfortable. Adjust the straps while trying them on. It should support your breasts without causing "spillage", gapping, crushing, leaving marks, or feeling painful in the shoulders.

Don't let anyone sell you on a size. Anyone. Just like every other women's clothing item, sizing in bras is not standardized from company to company, or even from model to model WITHIN a company.

Soma sells decent straight-size bras. Cacique sells decent plus-sized bras, but I like Torrid's better, lately. Or when I still fit them.

I have a bunch of Victoria's Secret bras from one particular line and I like them a lot, but the rest seem kind of shitty and uncomfortable. And since they don't cater to most above a D, I'm not recommending them.

And I know I did this already like three months ago, but wash your makeup brushes.
Don't go through this plague with last plague's eyeshadow on your brush.

You should do it once a week, if not daily.

(There are daily sanitizer sprays for this.)

binders should really be handwashed and hung dry but there's a few companies that make them that you can machine wash them. still hang dry them

thank you!

you can 'air fluff' them - all tumble, no heat - after they are dry if they are too stiff

OH OH one more thing before I sign off for the night.
If you want a specific shade of eyeshadow, lipstick, or blush, and you don't want to pay the price at Sephora or wherever, google the name of the lipstick and "Dupe".
People make a hobby of finding drugstore duplicates of expensive lipstick shades. Mac, especially, has a lot of colors that can be found

at CVS/Target/Walmart in Wet N Wild or Covergirl or Revlon.

NYX is a really good mid-line brand, btw, and they have a really wide range of colors for cheap. I don't remember if they're cruelty-free, unfortunately.

ooh, VERY good to know.

As lipsticks go, $8 is a decent drugstore price, $20-25 is a decent Brand Name price, and I have never paid more than $30 for lipstick.

MAKEUP REMOVAL!

I promise this is the last thing tonight

MAKEUP REMOVAL
"I am poor and can't afford fancy shit rn": coconut oil. Apply, massage in, wash off.
"I can afford a dedicated product": Pond's Cold Cream. Apply, massage in, wash off.
"I can afford fancy shit.": Farmacy's Green whatever it is, that stuff is amaZING.
And if that doesn't take your eye makeup off too, Neutrogena sells eye makeup remover (and -

there's usually an off-brand version)

always moisturize before applying makeup and after removing it.

Always moisturize full stop, be kind to your skin ;.;

I have been actively trying to remember to do that. It's one of my self-care goals.

saaaame

>.>

I'm really bad about it.

I've tried a lot of companies too and never really...noticed a difference? Between the expensive stuff and just some drugstore neutrogena or Olay

except

L'occitane.

It made my skin feel amazing. But the cost is prohibitive and I refuse to pay it.

I highly recommend Aveeno, though. Just...for everything. Tattoos, face, arms, hands, whatever.

It's a good lotion, it's used by a lot of people I know in the industry for past the three-day healing mark on tattoos, it's odorless

anyway that's enough chatter from me, I am going to sleep now. If anyone has a question, either someone here can hit it up or I can check back in the morning. <3 <3 <3

I really enjoyed all of this chatter, so thanks and goodnight!

as someone who wears a less-common bra size (34H) I can try to clear up a few misconceptions about sizings and how bras work, if anyone's curious?

I am. I don't know if it applies because I have a small cup but large band (Probably should be 40 but 40B just doesn't not seem to exist so some 38's can work for me), but god bras are hard

yeah, there's so much misinformation, it's become hard!

so, first you measure your band size in inches. then measure your bust. for every inch in difference between the two, it's one letter size. which means mine is 34-42. eight inches difference. which is where another misconception comes from: because we're talking about relative circumferences,

an H is not always big, and an A is not always a "mosquito bite". there are so many people that think that the cup size has something to do with mass/volume or whatever... sigh.

but anyway - that's the size you'd start with, since, as mentioned above, not all manufacturers/styles are perfectly in line with their sizing. you could be a size up or down

for either measurement, or more, depending on various factors. but knowing "your size" does give you an important jumping-off point!

all my life, growing up, my mom insisted I was a 36B. underwires were uncomfortable to the point of being painful, and figuring out my actual size was a total game changer.

in a properly fitted bra, the underwire, if

present, should simply rest against your torso without sticking out from the body or digging in at any point. if it doesn't, you may be trying on the wrong size for you, for that brand/style.

when you have a proper fit: the band should sit levelly, not sagging down anywhere or being pulled up elsewhere. you shouldn't get spillage, the cups shouldn't be sitting out un-filled, etc... just like has been said above elsewhere.

I also learned that, technically speaking, the shoulder straps are not the primary point of support, in a well-fitted bra

with a bit of molding in the cups and an underwire: the support actually comes more from below - from the cups lifting you up, hence the underwire to give the cups a firmer base from which to do this.

when moisturize ?

after shower?

morning?

Depends on your skin type.

this is actually why good strapless bras are possible - they're not simply things that work by squishing you to yourself, they're carefully designed to lift from below.

(oh, okay, Plurk, be laggy as all else, that's cool.

also I was a bit redundant there; my apologies. I may be getting sleepy.)

I hope that helps, though.

what does foundation do exactly, is it different from concealer, and how the fuck do I make liquid foundation work on the first try? every time I do (I usually put some and massage it on my face) it just seems to stick to certain places until I mix it with lotion.

granted, with the other parts of this plurk, I realize it might be because I didn't in the moment/don't moisturize enough

also, if I have dark brown hair, do I go for dark brown eyebrows or black when emphasizing them?

how do I get my hand to stop shaking when I apply eyeliner? (that might not be something you can answer, but if anyone has any tips I would appreciate it)

also: how do you not die while wearing heels??

finally, ArtWildentanzen what do you mean by skin type and how does that influence the decision making? my hair tends to be greasy, but idk if that's what you mean.

so with the understanding that I don't wear makeup on a regular basis (clear lip balm doesn't count, right?) and I'm not 100% on it, I think concealer is more the kind of thing you put on over a blemish, like if you have a red spot or dark eye rings or something. foundation would go on over it - it's to give your skin a more even color. for some, it can

make a big difference; not everyone's complexion is even, and likening it to traditional art media, it's like putting down primer paint before you start with whatever design you want to do... like making the canvas a solid color instead of an uneven-toned natural cotton, so that you can focus more on how the colors you deliberately put down work.

I've only worn it a few times for costume and photo reasons, though, and it was a light powder kind then, so I'm afraid I can't advise much there - but if you want to use it, please keep in mind that you want to really blend it in at the edges, making it fade out. otherwise, it could look really obvious where the makeup ends and your natural skin begins.

for eyebrows? my hair is dark brown as well, as are my eyebrows. I tend to leave mine more natural if I even tend to them at all, but now and then I'll find sparse spots. I use a darker brown to gently, subtly fill in those parts, when I can be arsed to care. it's all personal preference, but my own says, if they're wider, lighter. if they're thin, dark.

just speaking as an illustrator here, lighter and thinner tends to be a little more difficult to make out, while wider and darker tends to jump out more than I'd expect. but lighter and darker gives a more natural, gentle look, and darker but thinner makes sure it's visible, despite being narrower.

er, lighter and wider gives a more natural look... sorry, I should've proofread that better.

I hope it's understandable, though?

but it also really varies, according to just what look you're going for. I really favor a more natural, minimalist style. if you want something more striking, you... might not want to take my advice.

but there's also no harm in experimenting, either, right? try both, see which one you like the look of better?

I think the OP might be able to give more specific advice, though!

(also, I'm heading to sleep shortly. I'll check back later - I'd like to know about liquid foundation as well!)

thank you so much Nightsail: , I really appreciate this! I'm not the one to decide how legible you are cuz im pretty exhausted rn, but I think you're good! more coherent thoughts to come tomorrow though

well, like I said, I'm not any sort of regular makeup user, let alone guru, but I do artwork, so I hope I'm not too off the mark here. (I consider makeup and clothing stuff to be other (wearable!) mediums, more than anything...)

Nightsail gave a lot of really in-depth and awesome answers, especially about bra sizing and finding your fit.

They’re right about both foundation and concealer. For eyebrows, stylistically you can do what you want. My rule of thumb is not to go darker than my hair, and use sparingly when going for a natural look. What I did before I went rockabilly is I used a powder to fill in (you can use a wet brush with light flicks on patchy spots) and then clear mascara to

Add definition. But that’s more work than necessary; they make eyebrow pencils that work just great and come in every shade. Just apply delicately.

(For the rockabilly look, I use Bèsame’s cake mascara for both eyebrows and mascara. But that’s a much more severe application of makeup.)

Uhhh what else

oh, that reminds me. USian bra sizes are stupid. something something "this arbitrary letter means huge" dumbness led to manufacturers doubling up on letters instead of advancing to the next letter, thus "34 H" might be called "34 DDDDD" so you might want to double-check what the manufacturer's scheme uses; do they go C D DD E EE, etc instead?

^^^^^^^^^ thaaaat

vanity sizing and lack of comprehension of how geometry works and aaaaaugh I have rants about female clothing, bras and pants in particular.

like,

RANTS.
.... /back to bed, sorry

For hand-shaking and makeup application, I have to prop my elbow on something and take some deep breaths. But there are actually tools on the market for people who have things like Parkinson’s, so they can apply makeup with an unsteady hand.

Nightsail: I am with youuuu. Also, I wear a 36B and every company based on the way sizing is taught tries to shove me into a 36DD -

lmfao, they think you have five inches of difference between band and bust measurements??

Because I’m also a power lifter, I have an angular torso where muscle has built, so I have those inches

It’s just not in my tits

YEP geometry

Which is why I say: try bras on. :|

bodies are weird. sizing is a great starting point..

LonelyAura: Not dying in heels takes practice and comfortable heels, which do actually exist. I find that walking with toe striking before heel helps. (This is also how you run in heels, cosplayers.)

Don’t rush, walk with your spine straight and shoulders back, and if it hurts, stop wearing them. Because heels put unnecessary stress on the toes and ankles and capitalism is collapsing anyway.

As for skin type: 1. if your hair gets greasy but your face doesn’t, you might be washing it too much. 2. Does your face feel dry, get oily, or both?

The first is dry skin type, the second is oily skin type, and the third is combination skin type.
There’s a moisturizer for each type.

And bluecanary: after you wash your face, slap on a pearl-sized amount of moisturizer.

More if you feel you need more. This goes on forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and neck. Avoid eye areas unless the product says it’s safe for eyes

And finally, I can’t recommend powder foundations enough for beginners. The liquid stuff is finicky and application is difficult depending on ridiculous things like “coverage” and skin type and time of year and whether you’re menstruating or drank enough water this week

And sometimes it’ll turn orange! Because it reacts with your chemistry and oxidizes!

and tysm; I'm learning stuff here too! /NOW back to bed&sleep

But. Definitely put on moisturizer first, and if you find that applying liquid foundation with a sponge or pad or fingers results in patchy looks, try a foundation brush. elf makes a decent line of brushes for like $1-5

You want to apply the foundation in dots, so like...four dots on your forehead, three along each cheek, one on the nose, two on the chin, and then use the brush to blend it out. Do gentle upward circles (never drag downward on your face)

And some foundation will build up on the brush; use this to blend the foundation at your jawline, into the neck area

not really fem BUT what is a really good translucent powder/setting spray LOOK I SWEAT A LOT AT WORK AND I HATE IT but I'm not wearing makeup to work beyond that because sweating

If you’re applying concealer, use sparingly and apply with your fingertips. Just carefully pat it onto the “problem” areas, and then blend delicately with the brush.

komikbookgeek: yES

(also conventions because I do wear make up to them and to photo things in cosplay)

Urban Decay makes a good setting spray, and Besame makes either a rose or vanilla scented translucent finishing powder (rose is for blue circle issues, vanilla is for redness, and the latter comes in warm and cool tones)

I use the rose finishing powder on top of my lipstick to keep it there and minimize issues with lipstick marks on cups and shit

I’ve heard you can use hairspray as a setting spray, but pls just
Invest in some setting spray if you’re going to use it.

That is 100% what to do about makeup and sweating though

I used to live in Florida, that was my salvation if I wanted to have makeup last more than 10 minutes

"redness" you say. my rosacea gets so bad when I'm over heated.

I’m not sure how well it helps with redness, tbh. I haven’t tried it for that because my redness issues tend to be either sunburns or very fleeting splotchiness

Body shape matters so much in bra comforts, too. I gave up on bras about...gosh, ten years ago, I don't own one now (I wear slips and camisoles instead), but when I was wearing them, I always had a hard time getting a good fit. I have small breasts but they are set wide apart and because I am active I have decent musculature around my chest and arms. This

But there are definitely products specifically made to mitigate things like rosacea etc

SouthernMoonshine: ahHHHH welcome to my club ;.; small breasts wide torso unite

meant that most bras chafed me terribly at the back of my shoulders or the underwire bit into the outside of my breasts. I gave up on underwire for that, and gave up on molded bras and sports bras for the chafing, because buying a bra that fit in the store then galled me after working all day was too expensive a hobby. But it can be done, if you keep lookng!

I have medicated cream and moisturizer and sunscreen

ThatMinx it's a good club :3

Do you have any good resources for eye make up for hooded eyes? Especially like, fancy night out make up. I'm a somewhat regular make up user (and I don't fear falsies!) and I don't have issue with the day look but when I want to do something fancy I always am like What Do.

CelesJessa: yes! Once I get on my laptop I’ll hook you up!!

I too have hooded eyes, so it’s been a THING. Especially navigating winged liner.

bless, thank you! and ugh yes!! the struggle

Okay, for winged eyeliner for hooded eyes, I can't find the specific video, but these two give the general idea of what you need to do to get the "look" while creating the optical illusion:

EYELINER FOR HOODED EYES IN FIVE STEPS | Anna Jeanin...

These 3 Easy WINGED EYELINERS FOR HOODED EYES are a ...

HOODED EYE TIPS for DAY and NIGHT LOOK | MAC Trainin...

The blogger VintageOrTacky has hooded eyes iirc and her eyeshadow looks always looked great on me:

Sinderella

Especially that one

All of her makeup tutorials

Hooded Eyes Do's & Don'ts!

Personally, I tend to stick to pinks / near skintone for the eyeshadow, do a wing, and adjust my lipstick based on the time of day. I find that not doing too much to my eyes (or only doing a wing and mascara) makes them look wider and brighter.

but. Eyeshadow is fun, and not exclusive to non-hooded eyes. SO. >:3

Smokey Eye Makeup for Hooded or Asian Eyes Smokey look

As for falsies, Sugarpill was who I bought from when I wore them, but that was yeaaaars ago. I don't know what's good anymore, alas. But maybe someone out in Plurkland can recommend!

(The last video I linked is really good at explaining why techniques work)

I have an eyeliner question, my eyes always seem to hurt when I've had eyeliner on and I think it might be an issue with application pressure and not allergy

how hard do you generally have to work to make a strong, visible line with pencil?

it doesn't seem to make a difference if I use high quality brands or drug store quality :T

thank you so much

also how do you deal with liquid liner and straight lines because I just cannot manage it

The only solution I found was to use one with a felt tip

(which I kept calling a foam applicator)

Apply carefully, let dry before opening your eyes.

eyeliner is so goddamn hard lmao

i have the unfortunate combo of shit eyesight, shaky hands and hooded eyes so it's like

It IS difficult, for sure. It takes a lot of practice.

Oh, I Guess I'll Just Go Fuck Myself

:C

eyeliner is a lot of practice, the first time I put it on it was like 10 minutes of blinking uncontrollably. Also there are softer eyeliner pencils out there that shouldn't take too much pressure to get pigment on

I don't have the shaky hands problem, thank god (hahaha that would suck for my intended line of work) but it seems to be a common issue, so I'll gather resources for you guys in a bit

it's terrible because eyeliner is the thing where like, if I wanted to do just one thing that would be it

This Makeup Artist With Parkinson's Launched a Brand...

That, I mentioned earlier, though

I'm blind in one eye so doing my eyeliner for my good eye is 100% just muscle memory. One beauty tip I would offer is if you have a full length mirror and some time, sit down in front of it and just take some time to mess around there. Especially if you have nowhere to be, so no pressure on messing up.

shit, props to you for managing to do it!

and yes yes that's the secret to makeup and hair: sit and play with it until you get it good or "right" by your own definition!

Another secret conveyed to me by a friend: if you take drugstore cosmetics and pulverize them/powder them, and then reconstitute them with some alcohol, the pigmentation is brighter for some reason

hmm I guess it thins the product so pigment is better distributed

haha thanks! gotta make do. also as an aside this whole plurk is very good, thanks for being helpful!

I'm glad I could be!

With the caveat that none of this is universal, this is just my experience through trial and error, and there are probably or possibly better methods floating around

things that work for others that don't work for me, or vice versa etc etc

LonelyAura: Greasy skin doesn't need much moisturizer! It's more important to keep it clean.

Oily, rather.