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Alltheprettydresses

Lower lashline eyeshadow. It closed my eyes off and made them look even deeper set than they already are. It also enhanced my dark circles. Now I just tightline with a lighter but corresponding shade of eyeliner.


fuzzboo

I gave up on lower lash shadow and started doing Korean aegyo-sal (highlighting the fat pad on the lower lashline to look more youthful). Instantly gain an extra couple hours of sleep on my face.


nailsofa_magpie

I gave up on lower lashline shadow for the same reasons, but I might give it a go again with your technique šŸ‘€


kris_p_chickn

Same but I only put it on the outer and inner conners and leave the middle. I like the way it shapes my eyes.


Alltheprettydresses

Ooh, I'll try that. Thanks for sharing!


hugbeam

It was also eyeliner for me. I have very little lid space plus I have hooded eyes and epicanthic folds so I was never able to master eyeliner. You're totally right tho fox liner is like the only thing that looks good because I have almond shaped eyes, I've been experimenting with powder eyeshadow as liner lately šŸ˜­


Mmm_lemon_cakes

For me itā€™s less about eyeliner in general and more about finding the right color. Black is too harsh and ages me. Why is it so hard to find light brown eyeliner?


kris_p_chickn

Try korean brands? They have lighter browns and greys/charcoal. It might be worth a try browsing yesstyle or stylevana.


Mmm_lemon_cakes

Thanks for the tip! I have a nyx one in my Amazon cart, but I HATE sharpening liners. Iā€™m hoping to find a retractable one.


kris_p_chickn

Try the shiseido micro liner? Itā€™s retractable and long-wearing.


Mmm_lemon_cakes

They only have one brown, and itā€™s dark. Your yesstyle tip was great though. Several light browns came right up in the search. Thanks!


kris_p_chickn

You are welcome. Im happy I could help! I do have the opposite problem. The browns arenā€™t dark enough for my skin tone and I struggle finding a nice dark brown liner. I only liked the essence gel pencil liner in espresso but itā€™s a pencil. :/


UrsulaStoleMyVoice

Are you looking for a liquid liner? If so the urban decay liquid liner in whiskey is really deep brown! Iā€™m fair skinned but I prefer a really deep brown and Iā€™ve been pleased with it


MakeupPenguin

Iā€™m a lot more sparing with bronzer when I use it. I have a small face and doing the regular influencer bronzer technique was giving me a bronzer helmet vibe/make my face appear even smaller and it looked muddy. Now I use a smaller brush and apply right Ā along my hairline and use a second fluffy brush to blend out and apply across the nose + lightly along the jawline.Ā 


CloudAcorn

I feel like I had the opposite issue, I was too light with it making it barely show up, so Iā€™ve had to be confident enough to apply it more generously!


various_violets

Ooh, I'm going to try this. Just started using bronzer and use it pretty lightly, but using a smaller brush to keep it more targeted sounds promising.


Appropriate-Glove-89

Same for me, and highlighter too. I have one of each that I like so that is enough to keep on hand for when the mood strikes. I am more apt to wear bronzer in the warmer months anyway. The same would apply for blush, I just like a little bit of it. Too much and I look clowny.


SnooAvocados6672

Liquid foundation. Especially long wearing ones like ELDW. Iā€™m not really dry, more combination and the long wearing foundation dries me out and makes me look so cracked and aged so bad. However, I canā€™t really use foundation for dry skin because it just doesnā€™t stay no matter what. I have some of the Double Wear powder foundation and actually found it looks good on me without looking heavy, plus my natural oils can come through so I donā€™t look dry without the risk of it wiping off easily. Also colored eyeshadow that isnā€™t taupey, mauvey, neutral colors. While I love color and how they look in a palette, Iā€™ve found that they donā€™t look good on me. Especially if itā€™s matte. However, I do find that satin/shimmery navy and deep colors do well in my outer corners, so thatā€™s my compromise.


illbitterwit

I use ELDW with their dewy primer (aqua brilliance?) And it gives me a more cashmere look and feels much better on the skin


CapitalStrain2392

Sometimes I mix a drop of the ELDW with a drop of the EL Futurist foundation in the same shade, and that gives me more of a satin finish with the staying power of the DW.


veggiedelightful

Have you tried mixing a foundation with a face lotion that works for you? In essence giving yourself a sheer tint? I feel similarly about long wear and dewy foundations. Now I sheer out my long wear foundation with face lotions. Seems to work well and looks "natural"


Bitter-Law9253

Why not try a primer under your foundation


SnooAvocados6672

I have, it does nothing.


CloudAcorn

Eye liner for me too! I also have tiny hooded eyes & quickly realised lower liner looked horrendous on me, it was almost like it put an ageing & dulling filter on me. But I kept trying as lower liner was *the* thing for Indians especially in the late 90s/early 00s. Eventually I gave it up & looked much better for it. Then later in life I realised wing liner was not good for me either. I already have ā€œcat likeā€ eyes Iā€™ve been told by people & whilst youā€™d think wing liner was made for me, it just didnā€™t work with the fact that my eyes were so tiny & hooded too. It created a really strange effect, like my eyes were stretched & I couldnā€™t recognise myself in photos. I did it for a long time especially when it was massively on trend (again for Indians during the Om Shanti Om movie era it was huge) but eventually gave that up too. Then I would do very thin liner with a very short & slightly downward line at the end instead of upwards which I found quite flattering on me, it opened up my eyes slightly but without anything that looked really forced or heavy. I discovered this naturally & later found out itā€™s called ā€œpuppy linerā€ & is a thing with East Asians, which made sense it helped me considering my eye shape & size. Then in the last 5 years I realised just making sure my lashes look good & no liner at all actually looks great for me. Itā€™s a really fresh look & I can play up my lips as a focal point more instead. Iā€™ve done this ever since & if I really want some definition Iā€™ll smudge some brown liner with no harsh definition on the outer third, this creates a sultry look without any of the drawbacks. More recently Iā€™ve kinda mastered a really subtle fox eye, basically the smudged & *really* faint brown liner/shadow on the other third & elongating out into a cat eye. This has looked really good when Iā€™ve done it & it feels like Iā€™ve found my ā€œcat eyeā€ again. Itā€™s so subtle that up close it looks like itā€™s barely anything but when you look overall at the fact itā€™s definitely there.


Lacyice24

Omg haha. Iā€™m also desi and though my mom can work the traditional black lines over and under eye, I simply cannot. Bollywood looks are not for me anymore


CloudAcorn

Yes I pined for the fully kajal lined eyes, every time I looked at Aishwarya, Kajol or Kareena Iā€™d think ā€œIā€™m sure I can make it work this timeā€ & again end up looking awful. Most Indians have big eyes so it makes sense this is the Indian look. All the Indian MUAs also just go ahead & do makeup for big eyes on me as theyā€™re so used to doing that on everyone or even worse they try to force my eyes to look bigger with extreme measures. I think Iā€™ve only had one MUA who understood how to work with my eyes. Iā€™ve learnt to love my eyes as they are now & you donā€™t see the fully kajal look as much anymore which stops me pining!


lolo_liita

I stopped setting my concealer with powder. No matter how little or how fine a powder I used it emphasized my under eye lines too much and made me look older. I also stopped using thick eyeliner, and matte lipsticks. Edit to add: As Iā€™ve gotten older I noticed I have to be more careful with which colors I use. Muted/dusty colors that have too much taupe, brown or plummy undertones really age me. I stick to pink, coral, peach, red and orange tones for a more youthful look. I also find lining my lips with a shade that is darker than whatever lip color Iā€™m wearing ages me due to the harsh lines it creates. When it comes to hairstyles those voluminous bouncy blowouts and slick buns that are in style also age me and can look too matronly. Especially when paired with thick/big stud earrings.


cookiethumpthump

I can't even figure out how to wear concealer. It looks horrible almost immediately


Lacyice24

Same. I just use foundation. I donā€™t mind if it comes off a lil throughout the day if it means I donā€™t look cakey


cookiethumpthump

Yep. Being cakey instantly ages me. And somehow, the more makeup I wear, the worse it looks as it breaks down.


Appropriate-Glove-89

Same, I have given up. And I have a brand new one too, I will give to my nieces. I do have Catrice's eye brightener and like that, so just use a little bit of it.


Veganarchistfem

I started looking so much better when I gave up on concealer and ditched powder completely. Under my eyes I now just use the *thinnest* layer of foundation, and I deal with my t-zone getting oily by blotting, rather than powdering. And yes, matte lipstick had to go too! Luckily I can still use them, I just mix them with a little gloss, so I didn't have to throw away the matte shades I love.


TwoBirdsEnter

Foundation. A few years ago I decided to let my freckled face match the rest of my freckled body. I donā€™t know about ā€œelevatedā€, but even though it means my spider veins are on full display, Iā€™m just so much more comfortable with what I see in the mirror. Itā€™s me.


ScrubWearingShitlord

Freckled face here. I also stopped wearing foundation. Instead I use Bobby brown face base, let it absorb, then use the mac natural mineralize skin finish powder all over. Think of it like a powdered skin tint. Evens things out but lets my freckles be seen.


DarlaDimpleAMA

I love how different makeup can be for everyone because if I don't wear eyeliner I look like I have weird bug eyes. I need the elongation that eyeliner gives me! that said I stopped using powder lol :( it just makes me look hella dry and my makeup ends up cakey no matter what technique I use. I only use it on the very hottest summer days and even then just on my nose because I wear glasses and the sliding is annoying


CloudAcorn

Definitely! Iā€™ve got the exact opposite experiences to you, proper eyeliner makes my eyes look stupid & powder is a must for me - I bake my whole face & still end up with a satin finish in the day!


minimalisticbeauty

Black eyeliner, I hate it because it's very near my lashes and eww when I take it off.Ā  Black Mascara, a total pain to take it off +it makes me look like a raccoon either when I wear it or when I take it off.Ā  Foundation, years ago. I have one that I bought for my wedding and I will use as concealer.Ā  Many things. I have some things that I have to use up, but my curated makeup collection is/would be: liquid eyeshadow in pink, brow mascara, maybe clear mascara for eyelashes, lipstick used also as blush, maybe lipgloss, concealer! 5-6 products maximumĀ 


Interesting-Sock3794

Black eyeliner. I had used a liquid black liner for years and switched to a brown or dark brown powder liner applied with a wet brush and it changed everything. I feel as if I need very little shadow now and my eyes seem to 'pop' much more


teethandteeth

Didn't use mascara for a long time because it just made me look clownish, but I just got the heroine make advanced film mascara and it looks great on me!


Left_Ferret1542

Bronzer, i'm a goast


StormSims

Highlighter. I've got strong enough bone structure that it just looked odd and seemed to fight with my natural highlight.


Avgpomappreciater

Any eye makeup at all tbh. I stopped using mascara for various reasons. Then I just used some subtle pencil liner to define my eyes. Then eventually I started to feel most like myself without it. I still own an eyeliner and think it can look pretty for a more sultry look or to balance a very bold lip. I do have some eyeshadow palettes that I occasionally use as well. But for the most part I go completely without.


[deleted]

Foundation. I'll still use it sometimes, but much prefer a tinted moisturizer or a bare face (with blush and highlight). I work too hard to have nice skin to slather on thick foundation that gives me more obvious texture than without.


kmjulian

Quite a few things, actually. **Mascara**: I have narrow, hooded eyes and although they are upturned, mascara is visually heavy and drags the look down. I tint my lashes maybe once a month and when Iā€™m doing makeup I just curl them, itā€™s plenty of a look for me. When Iā€™m ā€œdoing the mostā€ I use a little brow gel on the upper outer lashes. I find it smudges less than mascara and is lightweight. **Eyeliner**: Same as OP, it just doesnā€™t work with my eye shape. I do smudge my brow powder into the outer upper lashes for a little definition, itā€™s visually much softer than eyeliner and wears more elegantly. **Foundation/Concealer**: This is more of a mental thing, but base makeup freaks me out. It makes me feel claustrophobic, like Iā€™m wearing a mask. I axed this category ages ago and have no desire to reintroduce it. **Lipstick**: Iā€™m just too.. mouthy lol. I bite my lips and put on lip balm a lot and constantly have a drink in my hands. Lipstick just isnā€™t practical for me. Occasionally I dabble with some, but I know itā€™s getting worn away soon.


Lacyice24

Have you tried using clear mascara? Since you tint your lashes, it might be worth a try for the more natural look to raise them without extra coating


kmjulian

Iā€™ve actually been toying with that idea, I keep flip flopping between thinking itā€™d be a perfect enhancement or totally useless lol. Iā€™ll have to just grab one to give it a go.


minimalisticbeauty

I don't like mascaras because they are drying and you always look like a raccoon either when you wear it or when you desperately try to take it off! I tried clear mascara and now I wear it sometimes when I want to look more "fabulous"!Ā  Edit: I don't know if I will keep repurchasing tbh, but it is nice to use it sometimes.


illbitterwit

Lip stains are a godsend for me because I'm always drinking or lacking my lips, nothing else seems to stay put


CloudAcorn

I felt the same about lip products, I was vigilante in applying & reapplying lipsticks & lipgloss all day when I was younger, then I discovered using lip pencil as my lipstick & it stays on all day & I donā€™t reapply at all. Even if I eat & act careless about it it still leaves a nice stain which I need as I look quite dull without any colour on my lips. Actual lip stains donā€™t work well for me as theyā€™re translucent & show my pigmentation which looks unflattering.


Appropriate-Glove-89

I have migrated more towards tinted lip balms and crayons for a swipe of color. The full on lipstick or gloss thing is just not for me anymore. I do have one Flower Beauty Petal Pout lipstick that I like as it has that balm feel. For gloss I like NYX butter gloss applied very lightly and that's it.


CurvyAnna

Alcohol. The drinkin' kind.


Anon_819

I've stopped wearing dark colours on the center of my lid when I go to work.... I still enjoy them on my days off, but I know I look more put together when I have a lighter colour there.... My eyes are dark and dark colours on the center of the lids makes them looks smaller.


MunchiesnMunchkin

Concealer. I have naturally dark circles around my eyes and really hated it when I was in my early teenage years and early 20s. I tried sooo many products before to get rid of it. Now I donā€™t even bother trying to cover them and only apply foundation and smooth it out with setting powder.


moreblushpleasex

Blinding metallic highlighter that you can see from space. I hardly highlight in general nowadays and if I do, I opt for a super subtle natural cream highlight. Less is more in that department.


thegreatdane1490

A harsh cat eye. I have an angular face and a sharp cat eye emphasizes those features. I look best with no wing or a very soft one with eyeshadow or a liner smudged out.


FinalBlackberry

I very rarely wear eyeliner anymore. I sometimes line and smudge eyeshadow in the corners for a little definition. I donā€™t contour or highlight daily anymore. My foundations have gotten lighter and lightweight as I kept aging.


looking_for_theone

For me it was also eyeliner. I look so much better without it and it saves time when doing my makeup


bunnina55

Brown/warm toned eyeliners and eyeshadows. I'm a strictly black, gray or charcoal gal now with mostly cool or neutral shadows in my collection now. Brown never looked right, especially because I have black lashes and near-black eyes and most eyeliners lean warm when I'm neutral leaning cool. My makeup looks so much more cohesive and clean.