I would love some suggestions on where to start. I have been using Meow Cosmetics in Inquisitive Siamese. I tried tons of samples and that was the closest match for me. I ended up using the highest level of coverage because when I started, I hadn't really been taking care of my face. Plus, I have lupus, so I regularly end up with a very red rash across my nose and cheeks. I chose the makeup based on covering that rash and some scarring from cystic acne. Now that I've actually been taking care of my skin, the foundation isn't working out at all. Also, I recently changed my hair color from jet black to around level 4 brunette (which is basically my natural color), so that makes a big difference. Whereas before I liked looking very, very matte pale with dark hair, now I'd like to look a little less...severe?...most of the time.
The issue with the color is that while it looks fine in the yellow lighting I have through my house, it just doesn't work outdoors. If I'm in the sunlight, my face looks grey/chalky. I snapped a few shots, both with and without makeup on.
This is completely makeup-free, with just a serum and moisturizer, beside natural light. This is probably the best my skin has looked in years, and I think I can get away with lighter coverage and a little more dewy look, though I really do not like all the red/pink. I do need to go to slightly heavier coverage when my lupus flares up because I turn bright red across my nose and cheeks, but I figure if I'm mixing my own, that won't be a problem.
This is with the heaviest coverage level of Inquisitive Siamese, in yellow light.
However, this is what it looks like with flash. (Ignore the angry face.)
I realize flash doesn't give a realistic representation of the coloring, but under some lighting I feel it still has that weird chalky look. Again, I don't know if this is a color issue or the result of wearing too heavy coverage. Also, this was a really fast application, so you can see yellow poking out around my bottom lip and at my hairline. Again, when I feel like indulging my inner gothling, this is fine, but not so much for all the time.
What really has made me decide to switch is because my entire skincare routine is now SN products, and like I said, my skin looks better than it has in years. Even lower coverage levels of Meow makes me itch. If I happen to sweat, the skin underneath my eyes actually starts burning. And I live in Florida, so...yeah, that happens a lot.
Sorry for the rambling. Thanks for the help!