"I'm melting, I'm melting..." (eyeliner issues)

[LaughingWater]

I just discovered mineral makeup and have been enjoying all kinds of pretty new eyeshadow colors. I never use shadow on my lid ~ I only line the top of my eye with it.

Here's my problem: While it looks beautiful (the best is when I use two colors), it likes to melt and smudge. Grrr. So when I leave the house, my eyes look beautiful. 3 hours later, the color is either bleeding up to my eyelid or smudging beneath my eye (where, mind you, I don't even wear liner...so it's dropping from the top of my eye). I look nuts.

I'm very careful to tap off the excess powder. Applying it wet with water doesn't help too much either.

Lurking on a few make-up forums, I recently read about mixing the powder with eye drops instead of water, so I'm trying that today. Then I'll try using some light foundation as a base tomorrow.

Anyone else have this problem? In the end, I can just go back to pressed eyeshadow, but I'll miss all these beautiful, sparkly colors.

 

[Jasmin416]

1. I would make sure you are not using moisturizers around your eye area before applying eye makeup

2. I would definitely use an eyeshadow primer, maybe the mineral consmetics concealer all around your eyes. You can also use the mineral veil or similar powder before applying the shadow.

3. Then apply shadow either wet or dry.

See what happens after that but you definitely need to prep your eye area before applying shadows. I do it every morning and my makeup doesn't smear.

 

[Dela]

Although this does not really help your particular situation, I just thought I would share, that the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner, is hands down the best eyeliner I have ever used. All liners smudge on me, and end up in the crease to upper eyelid, but not this one! I did buy the fine eyeliner brush to go with it too. Sometimes I put some eyeshadow over it for a "smokier" look. I have it in 3 dark brown and black colors, but they make more vibrant colors too.

 

[princessbear]

I have problems with all eyemakeup EXCEPT for BareMinerals - shadows always crease and liner fades and/or smudges. Nothing ever stays put. For the liner, the woman at the BE store I went to gave me a trick that is FOOLPROOF. Mix a TINY bit of the eye primer with the liner (in the lid) instead of water... this keeps the liner in place for the entire day and then some. I put my makeup on at 7-ish am in the morning and for the eyes, I put primer on my lid before shadow, and then mix the primer with the liner and it is still as fresh at 9-10-11 p.m. as it was when I put it on!

 

[workout junkie]

I agree that the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner is the best. I wear mineral make-up foundation and blush (it's the only thing that doesn't break me out), but have given up using mineral eye make-up (shadows and liners). No matter what I do, it makes a mess. It ends up falling on my cheek, etc.

The BB lasts and applies great. I love it. I have 4 colors: bronze, chocolate shimmer, graphite shimmer, and black mauve. (I think I got all the names right.) Lots of options. Give them a try!!

 

[LaughingWater]

Thank you for all the helpful replies.

Mixing the shadow with the eye drops seems to have helped a bit ~ I've had it on since this morning, did an hour of weights, and even jumped in the shower (without washing my hair, of course), and so far it's behaving. One eye looks a teeny bit smudged, but nothing like the zombie look I was sportin' the other night.

I'm going to work with all of your suggestions. I've heard great things about Bobbi Brown's stuff. Urban Decay's Primer seems to be a favorite too.

 

[tanline]

makeupgeek.com

Check out makeupgeek.com.....she is excellent. Marlena also has tutorials on youtube and you can learn so much about makeup application. You have to use a primer on your lids and above. Marlena recommends the Painterly paint pot by MAC. And yes, gel liner by Bobbi Brown or mac is the best. I also just discovered Urban Decay eyeliner pencils....just fabulous. UD also has an eyelid primer that Marlena recommends. Also..... mac cosmetics is featuring 25% off everything online today!!

 

[EVCT]

I recently found a new eyeliner called Make Up For Ever at Sephora. It is the BEST I have ever used. But I do need a primer for my eyes.
Ellen

 

[booboo39]

Trish McEvoy makes a clear liquid liner that you can mix with any eyeshadow to make a long lasting eyeliner that stays put until you decide to wipe it off. I have been using at for about five or six years and it is the best product out there in terms of lasting liner.
Booboo

 

[kblover]

I also wear the bare minerals make up and I found that the bare escentuals "prime time eyelid primer" has done wonders for me. I haven't had any problems with creasing or color fading...I love it!

 

[Sunshine1528]

I bet putting powder underneath will help alot.

 

[Lynn M.]

I have to tell you that one of the best eyeliners I've found ( and its cheap) is Revlon's Colorstay. They have both liquid and pencil. I like the pencil best.

It stays on great all day, plus through major sweatfest workouts as well.

Take care, Lynn M

 

[LaughingWater]

Lynn, I'll have to check out Revlon. Thanks!

Today I experimented with mineral foundation first, then my heaviest black pigment mixed with eye drops. If things were gonna get ugly, they'd get ugly fast.

I'm happy to report that it's been 5 hours, and my liner hasn't budged. I really piled it on thick too, winging it for the extra challenge (the kids were a little startled when they first saw me). I had a little fall off under the eye early on, but nothing too scary. I think that's probably coming from liner that gets on my lashes.

Tomorrow, I play with the funky colors. Thanks for the help, everyone! If this works, I can go back to tartin' it up!