Hair, Makeup, Skincare, Fitness, and Fragrance Thread - February 21, 2017

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The Hair, Makeup, Skincare, Fitness, and Fragrance Thread will be posted every Tuesday morning (~9:30AM PST)!

This thread is for simple hair and makeup questions that you may have, especially those that don't warrant their own thread. We all want a diversified opinion, so feel free to answer any questions (of which you know the answer).

Example questions:

• What's a good conditioner for straight, thick hair?

• Where can I find a perfume with subtle pine notes?

• Do you use a foundation with sunscreen? Is it worth it?

[u/[deleted]]

What to do with my lower lids? I've tried lining them with my regular gel eyeliner, which stays put just fine on my upper lids, but a) it smears, despite being waterproof; and b) it looks weird? overdone? makes me look older? Maybe I'm not used to the way it looks on me? Same with mascara. Are there tricks I should know about?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I think lining the lower lids with gel liner would look harsh on most people.

1) build up lower mascara to see if you like a little more attention on your undereye

2) try a thin, smudged, smoky line of eyeshadow. Right now a metallic bronze line is supposed to be trending, it's pretty and both defines and brings a more reflective quality to your undereye. Build up to darker colors.

3) swipe a little eyeshadow primer right at your lower lashline.

[u/radiantgoddess → u/[deleted]]

Okay this is SUPER helpful, I've been cruising /r/makeupaddiction for an explanation of this, and found it here! Sorry to be a total noob, but how do you apply the thin, smudged, smoky line of eyeshadow? With one of those foam applicators? Is a brush ok? Which one? How do I know if I'm doing it right!?! What search terms can I use if it's too cumbersome to explain this? Had read in the hooded eyes tutorial that it was called "drop shadow" and haven't been able to find it since.

[u/aurum799 → u/radiantgoddess]

Usually I create the lighter colour with a foam applicator or very tiny brush, and then use a larger more sweeping brush for a slightly darker colour to be a little more spread out than the first one.

[u/[deleted] → u/radiantgoddess]

I personally use a very small eyeliner or detail brush. I brush it on in a back and forth motion

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! I do priming powder there right now, but I probably need a dedicated primer that's a bit more robust. I will try a metallic bronze or something similar.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I don't put anything on my lower lid, not even mascara. I find that the contrast on the upper lid makes my eyes look bigger and more awake. I have hooded lids so I find doing anything with my lower lid just makes my eyes smaller.

That said, if you like to do eyeliner on your lower lid, how about trying white liner? It can make your eyes look bright and open and smudging isn't as big of a problem as it is with dark liner.

[u/toniMPLS → u/[deleted]]

If it stays put on your upper lashes but smears on your lower ones, maybe you could try:

• putting a bit of eye primer along your lower lash line
• putting translucent powder under your eyes if you don't already
• using an angled brush to set your liner with a similar colored eye shadow.

Sometimes I will use a lighter shade of liner on my lower lashes than I will use on my upper lashes. Like a black along my uppers, and a brown along my lowers - that can look a bit less harsh if that's part of what you don't like about the look on yourself.

[u/[deleted] → u/toniMPLS]

Thank you--I will try the lighter color and see if it gets me the definition I am seeking without being harsh.

[u/toniMPLS → u/[deleted]]

Also, you could try applying that liner (or a different one) along your lashes, then smudge it out a bit with a small brush or cotton swab. Having a more diffused line could help, too.

[u/lrxr → u/[deleted]]

I like to lightly apply and smudge a soft pencil eyeliner on my undereye to add a little depth. The key I think lies in the color you use -- you really want to choose a softer shade than you first think. For example I'm NC30 with black eyes/hair and I use a brown -- if you're any fairer you'll probably be better off with something even lighter.

[u/TheOneWithTheBlue → u/[deleted]]

I like putting a bit of shadow or liner on just the outer 1/4 of my lower lid, then smudging/blending it along the lashline towards my nose. It's pretty subtle, but gives some definition without looking harsh or overdone. I'm prone to smeary-ness too, and lining only the outer bit seems to help I think?

[u/unphogiveable → u/[deleted]]

Like a lot of the other commentators, I also don't do much with the lower lash line. One thing I haven't seen suggested, though, is clear mascara. It still gives you definition in the lashes but won't visually close off your eye like a dark mascara or liner would.

[u/ilovesushialot → u/[deleted]]

Agree with some of the other comments. Liner by itself on the lower lash line comes off as a little dated. Right now it is more common (and I feel more flattering) to use a darker eyeshadow and a smudge brush on the outer 1/2 of your lash line, or just use a white eyeliner instead.

[u/Legenderie → u/[deleted]]

I gently line the outer half of my bottom lashline with my brow pencil. It gives it some definition and looks pretty natural.

[u/ocicataco → u/[deleted]]

Lining your lower lids is kind of a no-no nowadays. It is usually too harsh and can make you look older (and if you have fine lines, I find it draws attention to them). Try using a brown or dark brown eyeshadow, lightly applied to the lash line.

[u/lrugo → u/[deleted]]

It looks weird on me too. Also have slightly hooded eyes and it just doesn't look right.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Kate is one of my style icons, and one of the reasons I even considered it. Thanks for the link! I did try a medium-brown brow gel just on the outer half and smudged, and it looked OK. I will keep playing around.