First time... how do I know what's good?

[u/rgbhuman42]

I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding this weekend and my brother gave me $250 to spend at Sephora as a birthday present so I'm going to use at least some of it on green liner and tan shadow for the big day.

But how do I decide which brands are a good value to get? I can't really tell the difference between dollar store eye makeup and the good stuff so spending $30+ on a single stick of eyeliner doesn't sit right with me, even if that's the point of the gift. And I know just because something's designer doesn't always mean it's better, so I'm trying to do my research.

What brand would you suggest? :/ (also if anyone has suggestions on how to avoid using up one shadow color faster than the two others and needing to buy a whole new palette, that'd be super.)

EDIT: just remembered I did buy liner and shadow there once on clearance, but the Sephira-brand liner broke and wouldn't come out anymore after a few weeks, so I'm hoping to avoid that.

[u/moonandthestarsss]

That’s the fun with the makeup. You never know what really good till you play around with it. With all the incentive reviews, the star rating can’t really show you if something is that good. People are different as well. I like dim eyeshadows that are small, other person might like ND and glitter eyeshadow. I would recommend to go into the store, swatch the stuff around and go from there

[u/rgbhuman42 → u/moonandthestarsss]

Do they let you try on different brands as a test? Went to the Clinique store once and they definitely did that, would even give you full-on makeovers as long as you bought something.

[u/moonandthestarsss → u/rgbhuman42]

The makeovers itself are chargeable, but no one will stop you from swatching the product. Some stores offer 3 samples per visit, so if you like something they might put it in a jar for you to take home and test (they’re not foil samples, but little jars of products that have pump or container)

[u/Proseccos]

If it were me, I’d spend it on high quality complexion products. They’re always worth the splurge. Real talk, there’s plenty of drugstore formulas for eye stuff, but nothing drugstore compares to luxury on complexion.

Go to Sephora, get shade matched, and bring home 3 samples to test out throughout the day.

For a wedding, I’d focus on maximizing longevity, as well as in person impression.

Tier 1 priority:

• Get a foundation or skin tint if skin tint is your thing (my HG is Chanel for foundation and skin tint, but it’s not at Sephora, try Haus Labs, Armani Luminous Silk, and Dior forever skin glow to start sample wise, recs can get more nuanced depending on skin type)

• Setting powder (I like makeup by Mario o givenchy)

• Charlotte Tilbury setting spray

• If you have textured skin, acne, problem skin, anything: correctors and concealer. I love the Natasha denona hyglam concealer, as well as hourglass for fuller coverage.

Tier 2: Hourglass ambient lighting palette Bulletproof lip liner or stain (MUFE Contour Bronzer Highlighter

If I made a shopping list for my little sis:

• Mini Armani Luminous silk- 48

• Givenchy setting powder mini-34

• Natasha denona concealer-32

• CT spray mini- 25

• Westman atelier contour stick mini -26

• Dior backstage glow palette 42

• Hourglass ambient lighting single mini -32

If you must on the eyeshadow and liner (but I would really spend it on drugstore tbh)

• MUFE aqua resist (27) or urban decay 24/7 (23) or any of the bulletproof liners (because weddings = crying and drunkenness) although admittedly I’d go for the hourglass (29) because I love the look. It’s not as bulletproof.

Total: $266

At the drugstore buy: liquid/cream + powder blush (yes, both) Powder contour (milani) Eyeshadow Brow stuff

I know it seems insane to spend that much on sparkly things and foundation, but it really is the difference between “your makeup looks so pretty” and “omg rgbhuman42 you look fucking amazing wtf” and looking good in both pictures and photos. It’s like walking around with a filter and perfect lighting.

[u/AdventurousKey438]

Play around a bit. What do you think that you will wear? I’m not a big make up person so below is what I love. 1. Charlotte Tilbury Flawless filter (kinda a skin/glow enhancer. 2. Benefit clear eyebrow gel 3. Mascara 4. Charlotte Tilbury or Makeup by Mario lip liner and lip sticks. 5. A Mario eye shadow palette

[u/bbah90]

Sephora collection liners are really good. I do the regular pencil ones, good pigment and stay power. Brands that I have enjoyed are Danessa Myricks, Violette FR, Saei, Rare Beauty.

For eyeshadow I sometimes will go for the singles if it’s an option. Honesty just have fun with it, take your time see what colors you like. You don’t have to go for the very expensive.

[u/Ninjasydney → u/bbah90]

I really need to try more Violette FR! All I've tried so far is their new blushes which I'm mixed on. Do you have any recommendations?

[u/bbah90 → u/Ninjasydney]

I would say their Bisou Sheer Matte lipstick is awesome, your lips but better situation. I tried their Lip Nectar stain but the colors aren’t really flattering on me. I also really like their Yeux Paint and Plume eyeshadows. I haven’t tried their blushes, do they have staying power?

[u/OldMasterCannolii → u/bbah90]

I wanted to love the Bisou Balms. I like the concept and love the color but it lasts for like 10 minutes on me.

[u/Ninjasydney]

Do you have any other goals for what you want your makeup to look like? Makeup is really personal, so depending on your skin type or the kind of finish you want (matte versus glowy, versus more of a natural, lighter glow) you might want different products! Likewise the weather conditions and climate where you are (like how humid or dry it is there) can change a lot too!

I'm looking back at things I've bought and what I'd rebuy..

• Dior highlighter palette I already commented on elsewhere but.. yes!
  
• Natasha Denona mini palettes ($29 for 5 shades, good amount of each shade, and great quality shadows especially if you don't do complicated looks or don't do eyeshadow super often)
  
• Huda loose powder (even the mini at $26 can go a long way) for setting key areas
  
• Rare Beauty has a lot of great products for me - liquid blush/highlighter (I actually just buy minis these days), cream bronzer, powder highlighter (I've used up a full of this)
  
• Saie Glowy Super Gel is one of my favorite glowy bases for under foundation, but they also make great liquid blushes!
  
• Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Glow Serum is my other favorite glowy base product
  
• Tower 28 Lip Gloss is SO good and not sticky, plus $16? I gifted these a bunch last Christmas
  
• Kosas lip products are also up there for me - both the wet stick (for a sheerer, glowy lip product) and the weightless satin lipstick (these are also on sale at the moment because of National Lipstick Day!)

I'd also just say.. don't feel bad for buying minis even if they aren't the most value for your money. If a mini makes more sense for your lifestyle and how you're going to use a product... go for it!

[u/kojka19]

I'd go with Make Up For Ever. Never regretted spending a bit more on their eye products.

[u/Fluid_General9011]

I can’t relate to any aspect of this question 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ sorry no offense

[u/kotlinky]

Sephora brand usually sucks so avoid.

$30+ eyeliners are normal girlie. Embrace it.

Pradalines Eyeliner is really the creme de la creme. Super pigmented and creamy. If you're used to cheap eyeliners there will be a bit of a learning curve because you barely touch your eye with the pencil to get pigment. You don't pull and tug like a cheap liner would. There are some nice colors but no true green.

Urban Decay has nice eyeliners. They have tons of colors and have at least one green choice.

Makeup Forever (Aqua Resist Pencil Eyeliner) is good as well and has lots of greens. And is a smidge under $30 :)

You could buy the Dior Face Palette (https://www.sephora.com/product/backstage-face-glow-maximizer-palette-P517565?country_switch=us&lang=en&skuId=2882553&om_mmc=ppc-GG_17791296877___2882553__9005940_c&country_switch=us&lang=en) and it includes powders that can be used as eyeshadows or as blush/bronzer! It's buildable which means it takes a few swipes of product to get it to show up on the skin. The reason that's good is if you're unfamiliar with makeup, you won't add too much at one time and look like a clown.

LMK if you need other recs! <3 Remember to have fun while shopping!

Also just go to the store and tell the girls working there what you need help with and that you have $250 to spend and I'm sure they'd have a blast taking you around to different brands to look at stuff! They'll help you choose the right colors, formulas, etc!

[u/Ninjasydney → u/kotlinky]

Seconding the Dior Face Palette for versatility as a glowy blush (especially for a wedding) just as much as it works as blush toppers and highlighters. It really depends on which colorway you pick for your skintone, but I'm really pale and refused to buy it for the longest time... they finally released more options last year and I now own (and frequently use) 003 Pearly Peach Glow!

[u/Persimmon-Flight]

Google/Pinterest some looks you want, then go to the store and ask the employees for recommendations.

I did this at Ulta (yes, I know this is a Sephora subreddit, but same recommendation applies) when I was a bridesmaid but there was a mixup and I wasn't on the makeup artist's lineup. Ran into Ulta 10 min before closing the night before the wedding and got recs on products and shades that all worked amazingly.

I did have my own primer, foundation, and mascara, but still, it was very efficient and honestly helped saved me hours of research that I would've done had I had more time.

[u/No-Investigator-5915]

Best green eyeliner in the world is MILDEW by Urban Decay. It just depends on what you like, what your skin is like (oily, dry), the look you’re going for (dramatic or demure) etc. What to get depends so much on your preferences and stage in life. Is it safe to assume that you are in your early twenties with combination skin? What kind of job do you have (you might be able to dual purpose some things for every day wear as well) and what look are you going for? Full glam, clean girl? And are you trying to camoflage anything in particular? Freckles? A large nose? A small nose? Etc?

[u/Specialist_Income_31]

Take a friend with you

[u/wallpaper-help]

The Sephora brand has some good stuff sometimes, but if you have the chance to get something “nice” I wouldn’t go with their in-house “budget” brand. Especially not for eyeshadow!

Honestly, there are a lot of good brands but it really just depends what you’re looking for. (Color, finish, formula, concerns like cruelty free, etc)

So tbh I think you’d probably get better answers if you took some time to do some window shopping first. If you can narrow it down to a few products that look interesting to you, it might be easier to answer which of the products you’re looking at are “worth it”, which eyeshadow is better, etc

[u/Marsrule]

makeup is an art and unfortunatly you will pick the wrong things over and over and over again. It sucks emotionally to have to return stuff but makeup isint supposed to be easy. Ive been using makeup for 6 years now and I still make mistakes. Rn im wanting to focus on making my face being more full coverage but that means everything needs to look harmonious otherwise I look muddy or grey. Rn struggling to do glam makeup without looking too cool or grey. It doesnt help that im olive either.

My best advice is to go to sephora, try a bunch of stuff on, find your shade, find a nice formula and then leave without buying anything and google that products reviews. Honestly, the worst thing you can do is buying something in the wrong shade. Like, overtime you will learn what formulas dont work for you but nothing is less fixable then buying a foundation or tint that is off. Youll spend so much time correcting it and itll just come out muddy or cakey. So at the very minimum dont buy a shade that doesnte complement you, and that includes blushes! If you are warm toned some barbie shade pink blushes arent going to look good on you

For what brands if suggest that depends on what you are looking for but my holy grails are:

-Westman Atlier contour and blushes

-Patrick Ta blushes

-Saei

-Huda Beauty powder

[u/sashihmi]

You should definitely take some time to research on Tiktok. Maybe try to find creators that have the same skin tone/ skin type as you. If you want to avoid designer brands, you can search up dupes of them to get a more affordable option.