Buying Beauty Products

Buying beauty products to change your look? You’ve got a lot to choose from. From concealers and moisturizers for the skin to lipstick and mascara to blush and lip liner, there are many different products available. Some are strictly about beauty, while others will help you look and feel healthier.

Lipsticks

Products for the skin

Foundation is the most basic kind of skin makeup and is available in powder and cream forms. When buying foundation, look for a shade that matches your skin as close as possible. Testing it on the back of your arm or the back of your hand (not the front, as the skin is lighter there) is a good idea. In addition to considering color, you will want to choose a variety of foundation that fits your skin type. People with dry skin should not use the same foundation as people with oily skin. Concealer is great for hiding blemishes such as acne scars or moles. Like foundation, it comes in many different colors to match one’s skin tone. You can often find concealer in convenient small packages that can be taken with you in your purse or wallet. Moisturizer is less of a cosmetic item than a health item; it keeps skin fresh and healthy. It is available in both tinted and untinted varieties, and like the rest, for many different skin types.

Concealers

Beauty for the eyes

Eyeshadow comes in two main kinds: powder and cream. Some people prefer the feel of powder over cream, or vice versa. You can find eyeshadow in just about any color you can think of. Classic colors include brown, gray, green, and dark purple. For a more creative look, you can try funky colors like blue, white, pink, or even orange or red. Finally, you will be able to find both matte (not shiny) or shiny shades. Eyeliner helps to define your eyes. You can find eyeliner in liquid or solid form and it can be applied with pencils or separate applicators. Eye liner is most commonly found in dark colors like black (also known as kohl), gray, eggplant, navy, or dark green. Brighter colors, however, are still available for the more adventurous. Eye liner is a must if you want to recreate the classic “smoky eye” look. Mascara helps define and length the eyelashes. The most common color of mascara is black, but brown and gray are also popular, and just as with other kinds of eye makeup, some manufacturers make mascara in funky colors. In addition to color, there are many different kinds of mascara: lengthening, volumizing, and curling, to name a few. All of these are available in waterproof varieties. Whichever kind you choose, make sure that it does not clump. Other beauty products for the eyes include automatic or mechanical eyelash curlers to shape the eyelashes, creams to prevent under-eye wrinkles or dark circles, and tweezers, waxing kits, and eyebrow brushes to shape one’s eyebrows and keep them tidy.

Mascara

Brightening up the cheeks

Blush gives your cheeks a rosy glow. Blush, like foundation and eyeshadow, can be found as powders and creams. While the standard color for blush is pink, you can find it in shades closer to red or brown as well. Don’t overdo blush! You want your cheeks to look natural, not clownish.

Beauty for the lips

Lipstick comes in any color imaginable, from classic reds, pinks, and browns to more adventurous shades. With so many colors available, it’s worth it to test lipstick before buying. Lip stains are less heavy than lipstick, but provide just as much color. It is available in all the colors that you can find lipstick in. Remember: with stains, less is more! Lip gloss isn’t just for teenagers anymore. It can be applied over lipstick to give lips an extra shiny touch. Normally lip gloss is clear, but some varieties are tinted. Some kinds of lip gloss have added glitter or other touches. Lip balm, often referred to by the brand name Chapstick, can be applied under other cosmetics or on its own to protect the lips. Normally it is clear, but some lip balms have added color. Many brands of lip balm include SPF to keep your lips from being damaged by the sun. Lip liner, while not strictly necessary, can help create a clean line around the edges of the lips, defining their shape. The lips themselves would be filled in with lipstick or other lip color in the same shade. Be sure, however, to pick a shade of lip liner that matches! Lip liner that does not match the color lipstick you use looks extremely tacky. Like eye liner, lip liner is available in pencil form or with separate applicators.

Lip Gloss

Miscellaneous beauty items

A good makeup brush is a great investment. It can be used for eye or skin makeup alike. Brushes come in various sizes, from smaller than your fingernail to about the size of a golf ball. Facial wipes and cleansers are necessary. Just as important as putting on makeup at the beginning of the day is removing it at the end of the day. Water works, of course, but there are also more specialized products for removing makeup. Be sure to check the labels on these. Many facial wipes and cleansers, for example, can irritate the eyes.

Makeup Brushes

Choosing beauty products

A lot of people forget about the expiration date when buying beauty products. Just like food, beauty products can expire. Once they’ve passed their expiration date, they can “go bad” and in some cases might even be harmful! Generally, powder cosmetics last longer than cream cosmetics. The shortest-lived beauty product, incidentally, is mascara, with a shelf life of only four months! No matter what you buy, keep an eye on it periodically to make sure it is still good, and don’t be afraid to throw away old products. Cost is also something to take into consideration. While you might read a lot about expensive brands of makeup in magazines and the like, keep in mind that less expensive makeup can be just as good. Since you’ll be replacing it periodically, furthermore, it will cost you less in the long run. The most important thing when buying beauty products, ultimately, is how the product looks on and how it feels. Don’t buy something that does not flatter you, or that irritates your skin. And if something looks and feels great, don’t hesitate to purchase it!