Cosmetic things that worked for me - sharing girly stuff

Claire_in_Seattle

Other tips.

Outdoor exercise does wonders for the complexion as well as the rest of me.  So cycling, walking, and still need to get out skiing.

Flattering colors with extra sparkle.  Flattering clothing too.  I am enjoying my new eBay Prada microfiber slacks.

Fresh, shiny haircolor equals more sparkle.  I use Feria.  Speaking of hair, a great cut.

All of this is reminding me that I need to get my tail over to the bike shop for a book signing (one mile walk each way) and wine/cheese party.  And yes, a lot of FUN to give you that extra spark.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. - Claire

barbe1958

Claire, what colours of eye shadow do you use? I have green eyes and can't get beyond browns and grays. Green is too much and purple looks sleazy...help!!

lago

apple I use anastesia brow duo for eyebrows. It looks so natural. My eyebrows are actually thinner now than they were on chemo This stuff lasts for ever.

For liner I actually use my eyeshadow from Boobie Brown, I mean Bobbie Brown. I just wet the brush and draw it on. I've always worn eyeliner so I'm pretty good at applying it.

For dark circles under the eyes I don't like anything to heavy. I use Mister Light Instant Light Corrective Pen by Givenchy (Sephora Exclusive). This is good for several months. A bit pricy but worth it. I buy in advance because they always run out.

I don't use foundation but I do use a powder bronzer. I think that's why I looked so healthy on chemo. I use Star-Bronzer-Poudre-Soleil by Lancome. This too will last about a year. It now comes in a square container. Some are shiny some are not.

BUT the2  best things you can do for your skin is drink lots of water and protect if from the sun.

Shrek4

The way I do it:

About 40 minutes before I need to put the make-up on, I clean my face thoroughly. And I mean thoroughly, I generally use as facial cleanser a baby shower gel, the kind that is hypo-allergenic, no fragrance,etc, and a fingernail brush. Then I rinse the face, apply a pore refiner, wait a minute or two and apply my normal face + eye cream. After about 30 minutes, to allow the cream to be well absorbed, I apply a primer then my Caron loose powder. Then I very gently wipe the excess with a babywipe. alternatively, if I use a foundation instead of the powder, I let it be for about a minute,then take an ice cube and gently rub it all over the face then pat with a baby wipe. This way any excess foundation is removed and you get that "I can't see any make-up" style.

As for the eyes, powder eye-shadow goes first, then pencil eye-liner, then liquid eye-liner, then the mascara.

Claire_in_Seattle

Eye shadow; I have eyes with brown centers and blue-green rims.  My big discovery is using an eye shadow base.  Right now, I am using a Chanel one, but I think it has been discontinued.  I also have one that is like a concealer.

Specific colors range from greys to blues to purples to bisque to greens and even some reds.  The trick is to blend.  I have a YSL quad that looks lurid, but is very subtle on.  I never would have guessed that.  I have my friend Lizzie at Nordstrom to help with these things.

Unlike a lot of women, I can do a "high contrast" look.  I think it is helpful to use the old "seasons" color advice as a guide.  I am a "Winter".  So really olive shades don't work on me, nor do pastels.

I vary eye and lip color according to my outfit and mood.  I think that wearing flattering colors is one of the best things any of us can do for ourselves.

I find that I usually do better with cosmetics made in France, and I think this is because I inherited my father's French coloring (French-Canadian background on that side).

Anyway, skin is glowing after walking about three miles in the drizzle and wet.

Reading your routine, Day.  Wow, you are a much better woman than I am.  But I had years of needing to catch a 6:54 AM train.  You get super FAST when faced with that one. - Claire

jankc

I have that Irish skin with rosacea, and although I didn't have chemo, the radiation and now the Arimidex bringing a rerun on hot flashes and new night sweats have really brought out spider veins on my cheeks and nose. My foundation application can be an "event" but the rest of it is a flash.

As far as tips, 1) the best thing I've found so far to clean my face with is a Wonder Cloth I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It's soft, perfect especially for rosacea but for anyone who'd rather not tug on their face with something rough 2) I always apply facial moisturizer while my face is damp. 3) For eyeshadow, I use a fat eyeshadow brush so it instantly blends my three colors and there's no lines of color. (I have blue eyes, Barbe, so I can't help with colors for green. But I've had sales ladies put purple on my eyes, too, and it makes them look bloodshot, like I just slugged down a quart of gin. Not a good look : ))

It's fun to read about everyone's routines and products besides something that's not about cancer Thanks for posting such a fun thread, Day!

lago

Colorwise I'm a winter like Claire. I have big golden brown eyes and although pale I do have olive skin. I too have rocacea but only my nose is slightly red. No one really notices. For eye colors I wear the purple-gray and dark plum. The dark plum I also uses as my eyeliner. On my upper lids (under the brow) I use a color just a tad brighter than my skin color.

I have heard blue liner can make the whites of your eyes seem whiter. I tried that for a while (Laura Mecer has a nice one) but it went on pretty dark so it looked like black on me.

barbe1958

I CANNOT do eyeliner without looking like a hooker!!!!!!! My entire life!!!

lago

Barbe you might be better off with a lighter color or a pencil so it doesn't go on so dark.

barbe1958

Good point, duh! But then what's the point? Sometimes I use eye shadow as liner. I guess that's the same thing....

I wash my face with water. I use an astrigent at night to clean it. I am blessed with oily skin!! I use foundation only when I'm working or at a party. I use anything that says "photo ready" as they have light-reflecting properties that REALLY make your complexion glow!! I always get comments when I use foundation. Can't remember if I've already told you that, but it IS worth repeating!

fredntan

what a great thread!

nothing much to add.

but I normally use baking powder for my scrub. I keep it in a little shaker by sink and usually mix it in with my cleanser. but havn't used it during chemo, cause I forgot to refill.

my eyelashes that are there are very short and sparse post chemo. I had a clear gel thing that was supposed to be for eyebrows-I added some mascara to it- then I will sometimes use that mixture on my tiny little lashes when I go out. doesnt give much definition. but give them just a little color

jankc

Lago, I've heard the same thing about blue liner, and although I use it, I can't say it makes the whites of my eyes look any whiter either.  Since my eyes are light blue, though,  it does provide a nice contrast and isn't as harsh as black.  (Black used to look great, but not so much in my late 50's.  I use Marine by Chanel now.)

...And all of that reminds me of a sort of tip, something that worked for me as a "duh" moment. A year and a half ago, I decided all my makeup looked "wrong", but this time, instead of wandering through the department store looking at the makeup, I looked at the sales people - who applied their makeup with the colors and intensity I like?  That omitted anyone with deep red or brownish lip color and overly dramatic eyes, (no matter that their job is to sell makeup and the different seasonal promotions), because i've found that 9 times out of 10 they'll go straight to the same colors and intensities for me regardless of how "off" they might be.  Long story short, that led me to a great Chanel artist and I've stuck with her ever since.     

barbe1958

I've heard it said that if you're wearing your make-up the same way you were 25 years ago then it's dated. But how else can you wear it?? My eyes are the same shape and colour....my lips are still there!!!

lago

I'm wearing my make up differently. I can't wear as bright or harsh as I did when I was 20. My blush goes on in a different place. I don't put mascara on my bottom lashes. I mean I'm trying to reduce dark circles so why would I want to add more dark on the bottom of my eyes… and sometimes the mascara can flake off then sit in that part of your eye that you are trying to remove the dark circle.

Yeah I have a few changes.

onvacation

Great thread!  I will start chemo in a couple weeks and have been wondering about "beauty" treatments.  I don't usually wear a lot of makeup now, powder, blush, liner mascara, but not very heavy.  I am thinking I may have to change that up as my skin changes or other reactions to the chemo.  

 Thanks for all the info!

lago

For all going through chemo look into the looks good feel better program. If there isn't one near  you the online site had all the information under the beauty section. Everything from make up, skin care, wigs, how to tie a scarf etc.

Claire_in_Seattle

On updating.....color palates change, we change, styles change, new products all the time.  One example is that there wasn't sheen in most products when I was a young woman.  Now, most have some sort of sparkle.

Then different moisturizers, and especially sunscreen.

The reason for makeovers is to stay current and to re-imagine yourself.  The counter personnel are trained to help and most spend a couple of days a year being trained in the new products.  One of the Chanel ladies at Nordstrom had breast cancer a couple of years ago.  She is almost 70 and looks just amazing. 

barbe1958

I've had a couple make-up jobs done over the years, but no one, NO ONE knows how to do my eyes!!! I HAVE to have a lighter colour in the inner corner with dark to the outside. They ALL put dark in my inner corner and I look like a zombie!! I am always excited to give anyone a chance, but no one has done it any better than me.

lago

Why do they put dark in your inner corner? What's that supposed to do?

I remember this cosmetic sales gal in Nordstrom telling me I should purchase this color eyeshadow for under my brow so I could "Open up my eyes." I looked at her with my really big brown eyes and said "Do you really think I have a small/closed eye problem?" Granted I did purchase it because it brightened me up. 

Sometimes they just go with the formula. Barb I don't understand why they're having problems but the best advice I got was at the looks good feels better program. 

barbe1958

Some people put dark across their entire lid. That closes my eyes in too much. Here is a one-year old photo of my avatar pic:

lago

Your eyes look pretty to me. Very jealous of all those lashes and brows. Mine fell out 5 weeks after chemo, thinned again but never came back. and WTF you have no wrinkles or sagging skin. I assumed that 1958 was your birth year but no way looking at that photo.

barbe1958

I was 53 in this pic, blessed with good skin and that foundation I wrote about above. I use the same brown eyeshadow to thicken my brows. As for mascara, I don't wash it off from one day to the next. It gently builds up as I touch it up or not each day. I find that less stressful on the lashes than washing them of the mascara every day.

But, you see how I have to have "lighter" at my inner eye? It opens them up. I can go all the way to black if I want on my outer eyelid.

onvacation

Beautiful lady barbe1958!  You look wonderful and such a great smle!

lago

Barb it must be something in the water up there in Canada. Great eye color. I have sh*t golden brown.  The spiky hair is fun too. I think you look fabulous. No need to change a thing.

I will admit I don't wear foundation. I have some unevenness/sun spots but I can only see them when my glasses are on. Yes I can put on my eyeliner without glasses but I'm not sure for how much longer.

LtotheK

Barbe, you are a mindblow.  That skin is unbelievable!!!

I have some updates to my beauty routine I'd love to share for the next gal who gets as much out of these boards as I do!

I use a Clarisonic, and I absolutely love it.  Worth every penny.

I found that Jojoba oil just wasn't doing the trick for my face.  I switched to Korres Yogurt Cream.  It's a little spendy, but it's non-toxic, and really emollient.  I like it for the face. I use Badger sunblock (most non-toxic after a lot of research) and mix it with the Korres.

I also found the Jojoba just doesn't cut it for dry winter skin.  I have switched to a scent-free, rich cream from the health food store which works great.

Sadly, my lashes and brows remain a wreck 1.5 years pfc.  I've stopped obsessing and just work with it for what it is.  I don't want to do Latisse, so I've started trying some castor oil.  I don't have high hopes, but hey.  It makes me feel proactive.

Smashbox makes a wonderful eyebrow pencil that doesn't have to be sharpened.  I absolutely love it, and find the color is better for me than the Anastasia brow powder.  It's got more rich browns in it, a bit more red than mousy.  I asked for something long-lasting, and it does the trick. The brows on my face are absolutely the most important part.  I can get away with no other makeup, but without the eyebrows, I look like a washed out maniac.

No question drinking more water helps.  I really hate it, though.  I hate glugging boring water all day!

CoolBreeze

Yay, a beauty thread!

I found a fantastic product for those who had skimpy lashes post-chemo.

First, I used latisse after my first chemo, which worked.  My lashes grew long and they never fell out again, as happens to so many women with chemo - they grow in, fall out, grow in again - latisse will prevent that.  For some reason though, I got really tired of brushing it on every night and I stopped requesting refills.  It's kind of expensive too - $100.00 but you can make it last three months rather than one if you use your own skinny brush.

But, for whatever reasons I stopped and when you do, your lashes go back to the way they were.  So I still have long lashes but they are kind of skimpy again.

The product I found is DivaDerm Lash Extender - lashes in a bottle.  You put on your eye makeup, and then you put a wet mascara on (not a waxy one) and then you roll these lash extensions onto your lashes.  They are little fibers and you put them on with what looks like a mascara wand, it's very easy.  The fibers stick to the wet mascara, you coat them with a dryer mascara, and voila!  You end up with very long, lush, real looking lashes!  I was really amazed at the product - it doesn't look like fake lashes, just like you have nice long ones.

I think I bought it for 10 bucks or so on Amazon and it's well worth the money.  You need to read the reviews there to learn how to apply it so you don't get the fibers in your cheeks or eyes but it's easy and doesn't take any more time in the morning than mascara.

Another product I love, for post-chemo nails, is SensationNail Gel Nail Color.  It took a long time for my nails to get strong again and once they did, they are kind of ridged and ugly. Since I work in a position where people see my nails, I like them to be nice but don't want to go salons since I'm always on some form of therapy.   Regular polish chips right off so I wanted a better solution.

So, this SensationNail is real gel polish that you set with a light.  It's a little pricey for the original package  but you get beautiful nails.  It takes a little practice - make sure you don't let it touch your cuticle and make sure you cap the ends, but then you have a polish that will last two weeks.  I love it!  And, I have a trick for taking it off - I have a hospital glove that I cut the finger tips off of, then I soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover, put that against the polish, put the glove tip over it and wrap it with silver foil.  The polish falls right off in 15 minutes without damaging your nail.

I use Benefit Brow wax for my eyebrows.  It's a tinted wax so you can brush it on for color and also to keep hairs in place.  

I used to do botox for a deep line between my brows, and I once tried a filler too.  I haven't done any of those things since I got cancer, but that line still does bother me.  It makes me look mad when I'm not.  Has anybody tried botox while undergoing treatment?  Since I will never be off treatment, I don't know if I should or not. 

Marple

I just discovered this thread.  I have no tips to offer........I am a makeup doufus.  But I sure do enjoy reading everyone else's suggestions.

lago

For the lines and between the brow and mouth "commas" I just draw a little lighter concealer in the crease… another trick I learned at the looks good feel better program.

onvacation

Lago - did you go to the looks good feel better program after you finished chemo or during?

CoolBreeze

I did Look Good Feel Better too, got tons of great makeup.

You can do it any time during your dx.  I did it before chemo, right after my mastectomy.  In my group there were women with and without hair.

I don't have a recommendation about which time might be best.