getting better

[Ralitsa]

I'm almost an expert now, I've put my onw make-up on 6 times so far and am practically perfect
Or maybe not.
But I do think I'm starting to figure a few things out. First I have to say that going to a make-up advisor was crucial. I would be totally confused about everything if she hadn't explained a few basic concepts. And this has convinced me that very many GG's don't have a clue what they are doing, but that's another story.
The key point about all of this is that I'm not trying to look like any particular thing, I just want to look a little better. It's kind of astonishing, after I on my make-up and I look in the mirror, I think: Hey, you're kind of cute! I love it!
Well there are still some points that need improvement, but generally I'm pretty happy with the results. For example, I've decided that the concealer that I got for my eyes is terrible, and makes me look more wrinkled and not less. I'm not completely happy with my eyes at all, I will have to keep working on that. My eyebrows....... it's an ongoing project.
The funny thing, I do all my make-up in about 20-30 minutes, and I read that others spend as much as 1 hour or more. So I wonder if I'm really messing up? Nobody has told me that I look like Frankenstien, but are they only being polite? It's true that I'm trying to keep it simple, because I can't handle complicated, but I really wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I'm thinking that I will try doing it myself and then take the results to my make-up advisor and ask for her judgement. I don't know what else to do.

[Carol Ann]

A lot of different factors go into a good look, the shape of your face, the style of wig you use, and most of all you.

After 45 years of dressing and makeup I still have to work at it, and yes eyebrows are my biggest problem. Keep up the good work hon

[DonnaT]

The funny thing, I do all my make-up in about 20-30 minutes, and I read that others spend as much as 1 hour or more. So I wonder if I'm really messing up? Nobody has told me that I look like Frankenstien, but are they only being polite?

Hey, if you like what you see in the mirror, that's all that matters. I imagine the help you got initially has gone a long way to prevent messing up.

[Absaroka]

My wife does it every morning in about 3 minutes. Of course she's had 45 years of practice.

[Davita]

The time you take on your make isn't all just your skill. Yes, good skill does improve speed, but if you have a few hundred layers of cement to apply, they take time.

For example, do you include shave time (or face grinding in my case) as part of your make up time? For me, let's say shave time is not included. My dermablend requires 15 minutes with it's setting powder before you are supposed to apply anything else to it. My dermablend foundation is applied with my finger - yeah finger - to get it to cover what it needs to and to be even all over. This is not a step to rush because you really can't correct it after you apply the rest of your makeup. My eyes used to be my slowest makeup to apply, but I have simplified it by not trying all the tricks in the glam mags. It's pretty much what other women do -- they do what they like and don't do all the rest. Some like liner but no shadow, some are mascara girls but no liner. You'll figure it out. My brows take all of no time at all since I just need to give them some existence. Mine are pale so they get color -- they are already shaped. Blush is a quickie application too. If I spend any time on it, then I will over do it -- simple. And for a final time taker, blending your makeup line with your non-made up face is important for the whole look. Again, rushing this is not one thing I want to do. To make all the make up look natural also means it has to blend in with everywhere it touches that doesn't have makeup.

So now y'all have an idea how I spend my makeup time. Hope it adds some insight to all the time we spend looking at out gorgeous selves in the mirror.

[Paula G]

It's such fun why would you want to rush? I can put on basic make up in a few minutes, but the more time generally the better the result, the thing is most GGs have been doing this all their lives, most of us only have an occasional opportunity to practise, and then usually need to get it right first time.

I think more time spent on prep is better, i,e, shaving, applying a moisturiser and then a primer. after that then it's just some foundation a bit of powder, mascara, eye shadow sometimes some bronzer and eyeliner for evening wear. finish of with a quick application of lippy and off we go. The bit I love but just can;t be rushed is nail varnish.

[Ralitsa]

Then I guess a major part of the answer to how long it takes, is when you start and stop the clock.
I don't include shaving time, because I do that when I'm in the bath shaving everything. Then I usually put on some lotion or moisturizer when I'm getting dressed so I don't do it again when putting on make-up. And I skip the whole derma-blend business so that's sounds like it's a big part of the process. Well I think I like my philosophy of not trying to look like a glamorous 25 year old, but trying only to look a little better than otherwise. It's really pretty easy for me to just look a little better, a brown paper bag works for that but it's hard to breathe. Trying to look like a glamorous 25 year old will never happen, so I guess I will stick with the easy route.
Actually it is kind of fun doing it, and I like to when I have the time. But I've only been putting it on before I go some specific place, out to dinner or something, and not just routinely doing it every morning. So then I'm usually eager to get going to where ever, and don't feel like spending a lot of time on it. I'm interested in seeing how this situation will evolve, I have a feeling it will get more complicated and time consuming as I go.

[Absaroka]

Reminds me of how my teenage daughters enjoyed doing this as it was still sort of new to them and they in fact had the option of not doing it.

Zari

[Anthony Simon]

Hey, if you like what you see in the mirror, that's all that matters. I imagine the help you got initially has gone a long way to prevent messing up.

I think that's a key point. I am pretty much satisfied by what I see in the mirror and it removes the motivation to do more. I mean although I'd like to get a photograph that reflects that, it feels like the complexity involved is beyond me. Because the thing that I wanted - seeing a woman looking back when I look in the mirror - has been satisfied. And there is no real drive to go beyond that.

Also I know the help I got here has stopped the whole thing falling apart at the drop of a hat.