Oh, I need help with MMU application.. :(

[Jessica]

Again, thank you ladies so much. Saying 'thank you' just isn't enough! I'm being patient tonight while applying my MMU. I did rush it quite a bit, so 'll see how it goes when buffed on top of a proper primer (I do have GOSH's velvet touch primer - I just didn't know where I put it! Found it now) Maybe I'll post pictures of my 'test make-up days,' especially while wearing my dress?

Sewwies, I sometimes do the aspirin face mask but got lazy lol. I can't use honey because applying I'm allergic to it (my face breaks out in red blotches when applied topically) so I used 100% aloe vera gel. I don't have it anymore but when I just use water it's so flaky and flecks off everywhere lol
I think I may need to snag some Smashbox samples! I've always wanted to try blue or purple primer as I heard they're the best for Asian skin. But only MUFE do a blue primer, and UK sucks for not having a MUFE MU stall here!

Kitten1711 - Oh, honey, thank you so much again for your post and answers you lovely lady I did another search for the waters at Boots and I found; http://www.boots.com/en/Bach-Original-F ... ml_843554/ http://www.boots.com/en/Neals-Yard-Reme ... ml_861835/ If those are the ones you are talking about, I hope the alcohol in it won't dry me. Oft, and I think Boots do pretty damn expensive spray bottles - £1.25 for a tiny bottle? (I'm spoiled from looking at all the cheaper American websites where they sell good quality bottles for $.70 lol!!)
The lid in question I am using actually belongs to my Rimmel Stay Matte transparent Mineral pressed powder!

Is concealer mainly used to cover blemishes or redness of the face? I'm wondering if that No7 will work for my skin colour - I'm quite a pale Asian!

Oh, and as for the de-gunking, is there anything special I need to do? E.g. wait # mins before applying moisturiser. I mean, if you're de-gunking by using clay masks and exfoliants/scrubs to clear out the pores, won't using moisturing just fill them back-in again? I have SN's pore refining serum so I assume I can use that after all of these sessions.

Thanks again ladies, I'm actually so happy ^^

PS: LOL OMG you actually get a mini puffer with the full sized Perfecting Powders?! Totally didn't know that. Wish I lived in America now so I could get my order ASAP lol!

[lcash]

Anything can function as a swirly bowl. I started out with a ramekin (we called them custard cups when I was growing up). You really need something that you can give the brush a good strong tap or two after swirling. A jar cover just won't do it. In a pinch, I've also used a piece of aluminum foil flat on the counter, then poured any leftover powder back into the jar. Sounds like you're getting lots of help here. You MUST post a picture of you all glammed up! Lauren

[karen]

You're getting some great advice! I don't have a whole lot to add...but my swirly bowl for foundation is a pint glass. I like the tall sides because I can really knock the brush around without making a mess. The other thing that I always do is just press my hands against my face right after I do foundation. The oils, warmth, and little bit of moisture helps set everything, blend it, knocks off the excess etc.

Also before a party I read fark.com so I have something topical and interesting to talk about. I get nervous in social situations too- so having a little something interesting to talk about is a nice crutch.

It looks like it's going to be a fun party!!! You're going to be gorgeous.

[Rhys]

Use SN's Pore Refining Toner to set your makeup. You don't want anything with alcohol in it. But usually you can get just plain rosewater, or orange water, or lavender water from a chemist shop - it's basically this stuff (Canadian site): Lavender Water. That, rose, and orange are the most common ones.

But the Pore Refining Toner is great - it's not got anything in it that'll dry you out, it's very refreshing, and it does double-duty setting make up.

Gorgeous dress! And I'm sure you'll look fab. It really really doesn't take a lot of foundation. Or a lot of moisturiser - put the moisturiser on (just a pea size should be enough) when your skin is still wet from the Pore Refining Toner, then let it dry well, and you should be good to start doing your makeup.

[AgnesONutter]

The dress, and the place, looks fantastic! I'm sure it will be a wonderful evening.

Taking your time is not a bad thing. I still like to take an hour, when I really aim for a flawless look.

As for the de-gunking sessions. If you do exfoliation with some kind of beads or a brush, you don't have to wait. If you do it with acids of some kind, you do have to wait. Usually instructions do come with the acids in question. As for masks of different kinds 15-20 minutes usually does the trick. They just need to dry really. Remove them with some lukewarm water and an old piece of cloth or even the soft side of an unused kitchen sponge.

Concealer is mainly used to cover what the foundation does not manage to cover. It can be broken veins, pimples, sun spots, just some redness. Anything, really. Since you are a fair asian, I think you will probably have an easier time finding a cheap concealer in the right tone than I had. Though, if you can get away with just foundation that is great since concealer does take some time to learn how to apply invisibly. If your main concern is some general redness in your skin due to sensitivities, you might consider a more heavy coverage foundation instead. I'm not too fond of colour correctors myself, unless you are dealing with serious colour discrepancies (I wear SN foundation in the heavy formula). The reason is that colour correctors when used correctly are wonderful, but are also easy to overdo. Once you overdo, it is hard to cover with your foundation. Then, you have to start all over again. So, a colour corrector may be the way to go if you have serious concerns with large areas being another colour. A concealer is for smaller flaws that the foundation does not tackle.

And yes, you do need to show us pictures, so we can admire just how gorgeous you will be.

[lilychemgirl]

You've got some great advice The only other thing I would mention, is sometimes mineral makeup will look a little bit powdery when first applied, but in 20 minutes or so when it has melded with the oil in your skin it looks a lot better, so make sure you give it a chance

Other than that have a great night

[Jessica]

Unfortunately I only have the sample size of the pore refining toner! If I act quick I can probably find some UK glycerin online and get it by this week! I'll still go about and search for floral water though

Btw Karen I don't know why but imagining you applying MMU out of a pint glass makes me laugh! Tee-hee I don't know, it's just cute that you use a pint glass, I guess! Maybe I can use a wine glass...

Since I'm so shy I actually don't like talking to people in-person sometimes I'm so nervous, and I really don't mean to be rude but I'd rather they weren't talking to me because I feel so anxious and stuff. I think I have a problem! I'm OK when I get used to people though

My friend is coming over tomorow to help me do my make-up and hair! We're doing a test make-up day because I'm rubbish at doing my utterly ridiculous long hair so she's practicing make-up methods on me for the big day! I promise to post pics! (Blaaahhh I need to tidy my room LOL)
Btw, it feels like I'm getting married or something... rofl, I'm going to be bricking it on the day if I feel like this over a silly social gathering!!

I just wanna say that I love you ladies oh so very much for your lovely, sweet, kind help and comments. I really want to give you a great big hug in real life!!

And in all honesty, this thread really does have some amazing advice for MMU application. I am so bookmarking this, and I hope it helps others and not just me!!

[Heathcliff79]

I think all of the above advice is great... but definitely try out different foundation formulas. Some just won't work for me and look exactly as you describe -- dusty, highlighting every possible imperfection, enlarging pores (and I generally don't have large pores). EDM is one formula that just does not work for me, even though there are other MMU foundations that I can wear very well, and give me the effect that I want. (Actually, EDM makes my skin *worse* over time -- making it extremely irritated -- probably b/c I have to do so much buffing...)

Anyway, I mean to say that you shouldn't give up on MMU, and it might not be because you're doing anything so very wrong. You might just have to try a few different companies so that you can identify a formula that is right for you ... and at this point, after trying a handful (or more) companies, I can definitely tell, just by looking at an ingredient list, if the foundation is likely going to work for me.

[lov2read68]

Jessica - I hope you have a wonderful evening! You are going to look just lovely! I'm glad you asked for assistance - I've gotten some good tips from this thread & I've been wearing mmu for over a year now!

[Rhys]

Jessica - if there's an Indian or Middle Eastern grocery near you, they're almost certain to have rosewater - it's used for food flavouring, too. And it won't be at Neal's Yard prices!