Best makeup for clinicals?

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Hey, all. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for an oil-controlling makeup to wear during clinicals? For some reason, my face gets really oily when I'm working. My Dr also recently put me on a new med (CNS Stimulant) which causes me to sweat more than usual (lovely) and unfortunately, most of the sweating occurs around my hairline and on my forehead.

I am VERY fair skinned and need something to control oil as long as possible and doesn't melt off with sweat. It can't be too heavy or cakey looking. My skin is also really sensitive so I have to be careful about what I use. It should also be reasonably priced - I'm a poor nursing student and can't justify spending even $20 on one makeup product.

Has anyone tried Physician's Formula Mineral Wear? A friend suggested it. I'd like to hear from others if anyone has tried it. Most reviews I've read have said good things.

My skin is just out of control lately - makes me wonder if it's due to stress or something. I've never had oil problems like this, though my skin has always been oily. I've tried carrying around blotting papers, but I usually got through 3 or 4 of them, and I don't really have time to go into the bathroom and blot my face. Some kind of powder that I can just sweep on would be great - something light and translucent.

Thanks, guys!

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I did a little research and found some suggestions. Apparently, liquid foundation that dries to a matte finish, powder and mineral foundations are the best for oily skin. Correct me if Im wrong, but I think Aveeno is pretty good for sensitive skin and I believe that they have foundation/cover up. Maybe, try some cheaper varieties before pulling out the big guns. I am the opposite and have terrible dry skin, If I even think of using a powder on my face, my skin looks flaky. Hope you find something easy to apply, and easy on the wallet. Good luck.

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I've had good results with Almay's clear complexion foundation--it has salicylic acid in it. I still carry blotting tissues, though, as my upper lip sweats like crazy when/if I get stressed.

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I would get Bare Minerals, mineral makeup. It does cost about $60 for the starter kit, but it lasts forever!! I think if you don't want the whole kit you can get the foundation only for about $20.

Also, it is not messy, gloppy and it doesn't feel mask like on your face. It covers imperfections, but looks very natural.

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One step back from makeup - What kind of face wash are you using? Sometimes skin compensates for harsh detergents by producing more oil (essentially trying to protect itself).

My skin turned into a hot mess when I started NS - it had been flawless before that (lucky me ....). I switched from using an Aveeno face wash/micro scrub to Pond's cold cream. Cold cream is fat-based and feels like moisturizer when you wash with it. Seems counterintuitive to use it for oiliness and breakouts but it has worked wonders for me.

Also be sure to use a moisturizer after washing and before makeup. It will help make your skin less irritable.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

I agree--make sure you aren't overly drying out your skin, or you will be a puddle of oil. :)

Also, I use a primer underneath my foundation (which is a compact powder), and that does a great job of keeping any oil from my skin from mixing in with the foundation. It also keeps my skin pretty matte and smooth all day. I swear by primers--they put a little silicone barrier between your skin and your make up, so your make up doesn't end up sliding off half way through the day or settling into your pores and causing more breakouts. There are tons of primers on the market right now--drug store brands all the way to high end department store brands.

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I found a product I love....it's called Zuzu. I use the compact that is powder/foundation combo. It lasts all day and doesn't clog my pores.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

makeupalley.com, has reviews on everything you could possibly imagine. Nowadays, I don't buy anything without consulting it. Often, the users will recommend a drugstore substitution that mirrors a high end product. I think these are spot on. I can't justify paying $50 foundations and $25 mascaras.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Definitely agree with the suggestions to use mineral makeup and a primer. I have sensitive skin and can't wear many cosmetic lines but I can wear MAC. I wear Prep + Prime SPF 50 and mineralized powder foundation and it stays put through an entire shift. You might find something similar in a less expensive drugstore line. Maybe the Flirt line (one of the Estee Lauder companies) at Kohl's would have something in a reasonable price range.

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Thanks, everyone for your suggestions. For cleanser, I usually use a moisturizing one that doesn't foam...but I am SERIOUSLY considering switching to the Pond's Cold Cream. I really believe that my skin is just stressed out and using ANY kind of cleanser is just making it worse. I do moisturize as well...I use a moisturizer with salicylic acid in it during the day and Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid at night. If I have a bad zit, I will put Neosporin on it at night as well and that usually shrinks it or pretty much gets rid of it.

It's just for some reason, I keep getting breakouts! My skin used to be pretty close to flawless but now it's just awful. I haven't been wearing makeup at clinicals because I'm afraid my face will melt off and get on my whites. When I come home, my face is slicked with oil and sweat and it's SO not pretty. Last week, I tried to make myself feel better by just applying some mascara and waterproof liner. By the end of the day, the mascara was fine but the liner had smudged all over my lids - which leads me to believe that the problem is oily skin, not sweat, that is causing my makeup to smear, though I'm sure the sweating isn't helping.

I agree that mineral makeup and a primer is probably the best way to go. I just don't know which to use. I've tried bare minerals before and I don't really like it. It's too creamy or something - it usually ends up looking cakey by the end of the day. I've also tried Avon's mineral foundation and that stuff is AWFUL. I'd love to try the higher end makeup but I'm a student, a mom, and a wife and I'm not working at the minute so money is tight.

So can anyone recommend a drugstore/cheaper mineral foundation and primer? I would really appreciate it. Thanks, everyone for your replies.

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Thanks, everyone for your suggestions. For cleanser, I usually use a moisturizing one that doesn't foam...but I am SERIOUSLY considering switching to the Pond's Cold Cream. I really believe that my skin is just stressed out and using ANY kind of cleanser is just making it worse. I do moisturize as well...I use a moisturizer with salicylic acid in it during the day and Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid at night. If I have a bad zit, I will put Neosporin on it at night as well and that usually shrinks it or pretty much gets rid of it.

AAAAAAaaaagh stop using moisturizer with salicyclic acid every day ! S.A. is great for spot-treatments for pimples but long term use causes thinning skin and wrinkles and is probably irritating your skin majorly. It increases cell turnover, basically revving up your epithelial cells like would happen in inflammation/wound healing. I like SA in formulas like clearasil that you just dab on very locally as needed.

I use the Olay moisturizer as well, have for years. I only put it on right after I wash when my pores are nice and clean/open. Often after cold cream my face feels pretty soft so I don't moisturize at all. This may change with winter weather..

Consider the Pond's! You can get a little jar at CVS for 4 or 5 bucks. Try it for a week, you'll know pretty quickly if it's going to help.

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AAAAAAaaaagh stop using moisturizer with salicyclic acid every day ! S.A. is great for spot-treatments for pimples but long term use causes thinning skin and wrinkles and is probably irritating your skin majorly. It increases cell turnover, basically revving up your epithelial cells like would happen in inflammation/wound healing. I like SA in formulas like clearasil that you just dab on very locally as needed.

I use the Olay moisturizer as well, have for years. I only put it on right after I wash when my pores are nice and clean/open. Often after cold cream my face feels pretty soft so I don't moisturize at all. This may change with winter weather..

Consider the Pond's! You can get a little jar at CVS for 4 or 5 bucks. Try it for a week, you'll know pretty quickly if it's going to help.

Thanks. So what kind of moisturizer should I apply before makeup? I feel like the Olay is a little too greasy for daytime use...I also have Cetaphil (sp?) sensitive skin lotion but it's much too greasy. I need something thin and easily absorbed. Thanks so much!

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