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!

I don't wear makeup during clinicals. But maybe I am strange ;)

It's the only way I can make myself feel human at 5 in the morning ... eyeshadow in one hand, coffee in the other.

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Specializes in Oncology.
It's the only way I can make myself feel human at 5 in the morning ... eyeshadow in one hand, coffee in the other.

I can completely understand that.

I think that I used to wear make-up in order to hide what I perceived to be horrible flaws, and I had worn make-up for so long every single day that I couldn't imagine going without it - it was just part of my routine, this "putting on my face." However now I feel much better just washing my face in the morning and wearing chapstick. Although not every nurse/nursing student may wear this much, I find that the ones who wear a lot of make-up (heavy eyeliner, dark lids, dark lipstick, etc) just look like they are there for the wrong reasons. I enjoy make-up for when I'm going out with friends or on a date with my boyfriend, but it doesn't have a place for me personally at the hospital. I find it to be a distraction for male patients, and to put up a wall between me and female patients.

These are just my experiences, but I thought I would share a different point of view. I also have relatively clear skin, so make-up has a different purpose for me now that I'm less insecure about my appearance. Don't think I have it easy though - I struggle with a decent amount of facial hair! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Thanks again, everyone.

Nope, can't go to a dermatologist. No insurance. I live in a pretty small town and pretty much all employers around here are cutting back on benefits - including insurance. We used to have it through my husband's job but they lowered the amount that they contribute for it so we can no longer afford it.

I LOVE the coffee filters idea. I actually have some that I can't use because the coffee machine broke down and the new one uses different sized filters.

So I went out last night and bought some cold cream before the store closed and I used it last night and this morning. There was already a HUGE difference - usually when I wake up in the morning, my face is slick with oil - especially in the crevices around my nostrils. There was hardly any oil this morning! I used the cold cream and just applied my makeup without moisturizer or primer. I used Physician's Formula mineral makeup. This was at 0630. I haven't had to blot my face, apply powder, or anything! I didn't have clinicals today though, just lecture, so we'll find out how well it stands up tomorrow. I also really like the Physician's Formula mineral makeup. It doesn't seem to make my face irritated at all - the other brands I've used make my skin red and I usually have 1 or 2 more small zits by the end of the day. So far, I don't have any new breakouts and my skin seems calmer.

I really think this is the way to go. When I was a teenager, I would just use Phisoderm and that was enough. My face was really clear and I never had problems at all. But when I got into my 20's, I continued with a similar regimen - treating my acne and skin problems like I was still a teen. I think my skin changed and now it's breaking out because it's too dry and over-treated. My goal is to keep my acne at bay so I don't need to wear makeup - the only reason I wear it now is to cover up my blemishes. I feel self-conscious without it, like people are looking at my face. And I tend to pick at my blemishes and makeup prevents me from doing that.

Anyway, sorry for blabbering. Thanks again! Great advice everyone!

Well keep in mind that some of the office prices aren't to bad. I think the average here was 75bucks. That will get you a RX and a lot of the stuff they try are antibiotics which there are generics so the Rx ends up not being a lot. My skin was getting really bad, I wasn't used to it, I was getting like cystic type acne on my jaw and chin and stuff. Not tons of redness as much as it was under the skin and it was painful and I am a picker. I finally went in and they started me on a Rx and within 1 week my skin was clearing up. Within 4 weeks it was completely clear.

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Specializes in ED.

As a guy, I can't say much about the makeup part. But as a recent grad (meaning recent clinicals) and a newly hired grad, I can tell you about the sweating part.

I already sweat easier than most around me. Combine that with hard work, a warm environment, and nervousness (especially as a student in clinicals), there was plenty of sweat to go around. Embarrassing!

I did some research and discovered that professional speakers take Benadryl. I greatly curbs sweating, especially facial and forehead.

Now, I know Benadryl can make one sleepy, so I had to adjust the dose to just the right amount for me. Once done, I did not get sleepy, nor did I sweat anywhere near as much.

I hope this helps,

DC :)

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No makeup is the best makeup. Use astringent in the morning to close your pores. If you get oily during the day, take an ice cube and rub it all over your face. That will close the pores again and minimize the oil. Take care not to overdo it, or you will get red blotches.

Makeup on a sweaty face would only end up in a puddle.

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I used to be hooked on Bare Minerals, but recently switched to an independent mineral makeup company called Meow Cosmetics.

Not only is Meow WAY cheaper than Bare Minerals, they have a huge array of colors, and it's possible to find a perfect match. It takes a little trial and error with $1 samples of various colors, but once you find your match, it's amazing.

A "munchkin" sized jar of foundation lasts me almost 6 months (and I wear it every day), and it's only $15! I love their concealers too.

Just google Meow Cosmetics to find them. I can't recommend their products enough!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Bare Minerals is one of the best: it holds up through almost anything and is very kind to the skin. If you still need additional help, get their oil-control primer and use that underneath.

And since nothing annoys me more than students showing up for clinicals looking either like Lady Gaga or a drowned raccoon...as far as other makeup goes: waterproof waterproof WATERPROOF! And use a light hand while you're at it: the less you wear of any makeup (this includes foundation), the less there is of it to smear and run. Neverminding that too much makeup doesn't reflect well on you as a student, IMO.

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Bare Minerals is one of the best: it holds up through almost anything and is very kind to the skin. If you still need additional help, get their oil-control primer and use that underneath.

Also, Bare Minerals now has a MATTE version that is especially for oily skin.

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OP - do you have a sally beauty supply store near you? That's where I get all of my facial moisturizers.

Also, you should invest in Bare Minerals Primer. It is like $20, but it has lasted me well over 6 months. It really help control oil. Personally, I don't like their powder makeup, I use the really cheap Cover Girl Clean makeup. I'm pretty picky on my makeup and my skin is very sensitive, but I love that stuff. I also love Ulta stores. They have liquid mineral makeup that is quite nice too.

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I've used Bare Minerals for 5 years and liked it but just switched to another foundation that I've been using for 6 months and LOVE LOVE LOVE.

It's on the pricier side, but it's worth it to me (I'm on my 2rd bottle) - I use Makeup Forever Matte HD foundation and it works WONDERS. Stays on all day, keeps skin matte, doesn't break me out or bother my sensitive skin - I don't have to blot or reapply or powder or anything. Perfect coverage, not heavy but covers everything. I either wear it alone or mix it with Spf moisturizer. A primer always helps but I don't use it unless I go out for the night. Either way, HIGHLY recommended!

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I love Clinique products. I do not wear foundation, but I wear two different powders; one is your basic "skin" color powder and the other is yellow loose powder, which helps eliminate the redness I have.

I have sensitive and very oily skin. I have been using Proactive for about three months and my skin looks pretty, everyone says how young I look, minimal breakouts (if ever - it's only been 3 months).

Bare Minerals has never worked for me, it made the redness worse, and caused me to itch pretty bad. I stopped using it and the reaction stopped, too.

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I have also been put on a CNS stimulant (Nuvigil) and have found that I sweat like crazy under my arms even when I'm not hot. I also sweat around my hairline and upper lip, but have very little trouble since I started using Avon mineral makeup. I don't know if all of the mineral makeups are the same or not, but I have had very good results with this. Now, I am going to try some DrySol prescription antiperspirant under my arms and see if I get results with that. Good luck! I know how you feel!

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