10 Things to Consider When Buying Makeup

When choosing make-up, it’s a good idea to consider all aspects of applying it, keeping it in place and how it looks on your face. With aisle upon aisle of make-up at the store, it can be overwhelming to look for and find precisely what you want and need. Thankfully, there are loads of experts out there just dying to share their tips. I’ve gleaned the best of them and am here to share some really valuable ways to be sure you’re getting exactly the products you want when choosing make-up.

Snapshot Survey

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Your voice matters to us. Happy reading!

Check Polls Results →

1

Your Palette

Let’s be honest – every color doesn’t look good on every girl. Once you realize that, it will be easier to find appropriate products when choosing make-up. Most make-up girls at department store cosmetic counters can give you a color assessment so you know what shades look best on your skin. Once you know what brings out your best features, you can easily hit up any store and stock up.

2

Skin Tone

When choosing foundation, it’s important to make sure you get a hue that matches your skin tone. Otherwise, you risk that dreaded line on your jaw that makes it obvious you picked the wrong make-up color. The best thing to do is to go to a make-up store or counter that has tester products so you can find the right foundation color. Test it on the back of your hand for the best match.

3

Test It out

Testing make-up applies to more than just your foundation. Be sure you buy from companies and stores that allow you to return products you don’t like. That way, if it turns out that your choice isn’t the perfect shade of brown, you can try something else without going broke. Keep the packaging as intact as possible since some places won’t let you return without it.

4

Complementary Colors

When choosing make-up, it’s a good idea to find products that complement each other. That way you won’t put on your full face only to find out that your eye color and your lip color don’t look good together. Again, you can get help with this at a make-up counter so you have the tools you need to make your own choices.

5

Versatile Products

If you’re the kind of girl who just wants to get the make-up on and be done, versatile products are a must. Look for those that can go from eye color to lip stain all in one package. That way you can slick it on in mere minutes and be ready to go looking fabulous.

6

Ease of Use

Nothing is more frustrating to me than trying to get liquid eyeliner applied evenly. I could spend hours and still not get it right. Instead, I use a bit of dark eye shadow blended along my lash line. It creates the same look, but is so much easier to get right. My point here is that you should definitely choose products that are easy to use and simple to get in place correctly. That way you can get done up without looking like your toddler applied your make-up for you.

7

Longevity

When it comes to make-up, you want it to last all day, right? Me too. When you’re out shopping for new products, look for those designed to last. This will be evident in products that are long-lasting, continuous wear or 24-hour. Finding these items can be super helpful if you don’t have time to reapply your look several times per day.

How do you choose make-up? What are favorite brands and products?

Want news and updates about this topic?

Sign up for updates

Email address

Please rate this article

☆

☆

☆

☆

☆

Comments

Dascha:

Oh no, not another article that tells us to pick our foundation to match our skin tone! We get it, we really do; can we move on now?

Dascha:

I don't understand why it should be perceived as either. I'm not trying to prevent anyone from reading the article, nor am I saying there's anything wrong with being new to makeup. I'm simply expressing my opinion on what I perceive as a changing direction in the site. Saying that my expressing my opinions is rude is just shutting down discussion because that means that any critical reaction is in and of itself rude, which is simply not true.

Anna:

@dascha Your first comment says you're tired of the same articles...yet you stay on it long enough to answer reader's questions? hmm...........

Beauty counters can be intimidating, but is there anything better than picking out a new mascara or lipstick? We think not, and these days, considering the amount of places (both on and offline) you can shop for beauty products, there’s nothing you can’t buy. Whether you’re looking for a new nail polish, you’re still searching for your perfect foundation match or you need to find a face wash that will clear up your skin, it’s highly unlikely that you won’t find something that works. It’s finding that exact product, though, that can be tough.

To help you navigate the vast and at times, overwhelming, waters of shopping for beauty products, we’re sharing 10 tips for shopping like a pro. Read on below!

1. Use the knowledge of salespeople: Most salespeople are well trained when it comes to the products at the makeup counter, and they’re there to help you. Ask the salespeople the difference between the brand’s powder and liquid foundation, inquire about which serum you should be using for your skin’s texture and ask their opinion about which lip color you should try.

2. Bring a friend: Always bring a friend while shopping for beauty products, and make sure she’s honest. Going solo means you won’t be able to hear whether a color looks great on you, or if an item is realistically far too expensive for your budget. Your best friend’s input will insure you’re getting the best products for your money.

MORE: 8 Things to Do Before Leaving the Beauty Counter

3. Use your smartphone while in the store: This tip is twofold. First, use your phone to look up product reviews on the item in question. Chances are, you’ll find out rather quickly how good (or terrible) a product is while looking at online reviews. Second, search the product online to see if you can find a lower price elsewhere. Many sites offer free shipping, and if you can get something for a lower price but see it in the store, you’ll get more bang for your buck.

4. Search Pinterest: Granted, you probably ended up at the makeup counter thanks to something you saw on Pinterest to begin with, but do a good old fashioned keyword search on the social site for proper color representation in real life. Often, people will Pin what a lipstick looks like while they’re wearing it, instead of just seeing what a product looks like in the tube.

5. Know your ingredient labels: Especially on skin care products, know what comes with certain ingredients. For example, if you’ve got dry skin, you should run in the opposite direction of benzoyl peroxide, which can cause excessive dryness, but works wonders for acne.

MORE: The Latest Beauty Ingredients and What You Need to Know

6. Sign up for rewards programs: Many companies have rewards programs, like Sephora’s VIB Insider program that rewards you on a point system based on purchases. If you’re going to be shopping makeup counters often, don’t miss out on the rewards! Plus, often times they’ll give you sneak peeks of products and send samples, so you’ll be able to try items before buying the full size.

7. Request samples first: Whether it’s from the store itself or directly from the cosmetics company, if you call and request samples, some companies are happy to send them along. Getting a free sample before committing to a purchase is the perfect way to wet your toes before you spend a huge chunk of change on an exfoliator that you’re allergic to.

8. Know your undertones: Once you know your skin’s undertones, shopping for color cosmetics is infinitely simpler. If you’ve got warm undertones (yellow, golden or peach), your foundation should be yellow or peach based. If you’ve got cool undertones (blue or red), your foundation should be neutral or pink-based.

MORE: How to Buy Perfume Online — Without Smelling It First

9. Go without wearing makeup: Brave the world and head to the store without wearing makeup so that you can test out products at the counter. Testing out of the products in store makes the decision to buy much, much easier. Make sure you’re using separate applicators for everything to avoid bacteria.

10. Know when to splurge and when to save: There are certain products that can be purchased at the drugstore, and there are others that should be splurged on. These may differ depending on which products are most valuable to you (if you wear foundation religiously but only wear lipstick once a month, foundation should be your quality item), but know what you’re willing to spend before stepping foot in the store.

Image via Getty Images