flirtation - I have finally found a shade of lipliner and lipstick out there that is actually offered regularly (no specials, seasonal, or one-timers!! YEAH!) Revlon "nudes" lipliner, and Almay "tan" lipstick work very well for me, and what is best is that they are offered in Walmart, Shopko, Target, etc.; anywhere where they sell Revlon and Almay products.

For a base make-up, I also use Neutrogena "classic porcelain 20" in both the skin clearing and the SPF 20 (I think it's 20), and in the summer, when I actually catch a bit of sun, I use the Neutrogena "buff 50" because the slightly yellow tone tends to even out the appearance of the redness and freckles. This can be found at any of the above mentioned department stores as well.

One thing I have found as a redhead with very dark auburn hair, very pale skin, and green eyes, is that there are only about 5 products that I can use that will look all right on me, and the darker lipstick shades actually look far better than the light shades. Since my hair is already quite a contrast to my skin, I have noticed that the lipstick shade ought to also be a contrast, and therefore I always go with the darker colors. A helpful hint there too, I already have very white teeth, and I think most redheads do too, but perhaps if you are a smoker, or have yellowed teeth for whatever reason, a darker shade of lipstick will make your teeth appear much whiter. Also, any blemishes on your skin will be less noticeable, as the attention will be more on your lips; the redness of the blemishes will not be the most outstanding color. One other helpful hint, I do not often use blush. I have found that since redheads have a reddish color already in their hair reflecting off of their cheeks, there isn't the necessary shading that you would need if you were a blonde or brunnette. Also, men who enjoy the "redhead look" often adore the whiteness of that pale skin, and exult in the freckles, and to cover it up with blush just makes it look like you are trying to be a blonde, lol. Typically, blush is supposed to show that "flush of the cheeks" coming from a healthy person, redheads have this naturally, and it isn't really necessary to enhance it any, especially with the "natural look" being all the rage right now.

Another product I use is "Rimmel 003 blond" eyebrow pencil, again, available at any local walmart or Shopko, Target, Kmart, etc. (Have you noticed I like the less expensive stuff..lol) A good hint on using eyebrow pencil, is that you NEVER "draw" on your line, you always lightly brush AGAINST the direction of the eyebrow hairs. Also, NEVER use a darker color than blonde, or it will look BAD! (Pluck out any that don't belong!! lol.) This makes certain that you are actually coloring the hairs, and not your skin, and once you have brushed your eyebrows back in place, it will look far more natural than a drawn line that can be smudged off or seen visibly. It also blends with your natural eyebrow color much better. I also use a brown eyeliner pencil from Avon, ("glimmersticks"), or one from Revlon, also "brown", and it is a twist up style, NOT the pencil type (those can snag at the eye, and tug delicate skin, making your eyes appear aged before their time.) I line my eyes just on the top (I don't care for that black-eye look and the smudging that goes with it when the bottom lash line of the eye is lined), and then use an eyeshadow-type applicator to blend it, so that there isn't a harsh line between the eyelid, and the mascara. I rarely if ever use any eyeshadow. I think the eyes are much more visible and noticable if they aren't covered in unnatural shades all around them (ie blue, white, black-rimmed, etc.).

As for mascara, I use any type of cheap, brown mascara I can find, lol. Usually whatever is closest to the neutrogena or revlon stand, and costs less. I might add here that a great part of any make-up routine is the scent that you use; it does no good to make yourself look lovely, and have a bad odor about you. So along with make-up, I always spritz a little perfume on (LIGHTLY, I might add), along with some antiperspirant.

Can I add the hair products in here too? Because I know that myself and all of my redheaded friends have discovered that our hair is somewhat wiry, and difficult to manage. So, I use the most wonderfully scented stuff called "Biosilk", which I get at JCPenny Hair Salon. You just use the shampoo and conditioner as usual, and then, once out of the shower, you towel your hair off, and massage in the Biosilk oil-like stuff. (It's actually a type of silicon.) That makes it so that even unmanageable wild curly red hair can be combed through, and feels soft and gorgeous (and smells heavenly to boot). Since I have curly hair, I also massage in some of the Biosilk hair gel after that. And if you want even more shine and highlights, (it literally makes your hair look like its glowing pennies and copper wires, and that's OUT of the sun!!!) try spritzing in a bit of "Biolage Hair Shine" ( also available at the JCPenny Hair Salon). I hope this helps, I have had great success with this routine, and its always great to be able to purchase make-up at a regular store! hehehe

Auburn & Copper Hair & Fair Skin :
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