I'm new to aromaleigh and I wanted to get some suggestions/advice before I go buying things all willy nilly. I've used both BE and Sheer Cover and now I'd like to try Aromaleigh.

My skin is dry and often feels tight after I put on other mineral makeups, but I hate the way liquids feel so I want to try something new. I have some redness, very dark circles under my eyes, splotchiness so I'll appreciate any help anyone can give choosing products. Also, other makeups, both mineral and liquid tend to look ashen and powdery when I put it on. I've yet to find a foundation that I put on and absolutely LOVE. I'm hoping this will be the one.

I'd like some color suggestions too. Eyes, cheeks, face.. It looks like my complexion is a little darker than most of the people I've seen post things so far, so I was wondering which colors might compliment a darker tone.

This is me fresh from the shower, just moisturized, sans makeup.

<img src="http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z4/BLJenkins1978/100_5834.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Hi, welcome to Aromaleigh!

I would definitely recommend sampling the Glissade foundation, that is a popular choice for many women with dry skin -- the mineral particles are coated so it may not be as drying for you. (You could also sample Voile if you like, but it is more like traditional mineral makeup.) You can also look into the Silk Primer Powder, which balances moisture -- it can add moisture to dry skin and mattify oily skin! The Setting Spray can also help give you a little moisture after applying your makeup. And of course use a good moisturizer underneath your makeup!

For foundation colors, since you've worn BE, check out the AL to BE Conversion Chart for starters.

For color suggestions, there are so many colors that would look good on you I don't know where to start! Are there any specific color families you're interested in or feel would look good on you? Bolder colors like green, teal, and purple often look great with dark brown eyes like yours, and with your dark skin you can pull of cheek and lip colors that may be too bold on someone more fair! A brighter blush (perhaps one of the Rocks blushes) applied sheerly would give you a lovely glow, I bet

Welcome!

Many women feel tight or itchy with other brands of mineral foundation, and it's quite often the bismuth oxychloride. Aromaleigh DOESN'T contain bismuth, so you should be ok!

I agree w/girl_geek, use a good moisturizer under your foundation. Apply and give it a couple of minutes to "sink in" before putting on your foundation. I also like the foundation primer, but I think it's temporarily out of stock. Not sure when it'll be available, but should hopefully be soon.

If your foundation looks ashy, my first guess is it's simply the wrong shade. I'm really awful with foundation recommendations, but offhand I'd say look in the level 3's. You also need to remember to put on as thin a layer as possible; putting it on too heavy will make it look cakey.

quote:

Originally posted by cinseven13:
If your foundation looks ashy, my first guess is it's simply the wrong shade.

Forgot to address this ... in my experience, when a foundation is too ashy, then it's either too muted (in Aromaleigh foundations, that corresponds to too much beige/Linen -- e.g. if you found 3YL ashy, try 3Y), or it could be too cool/pink, or too light. Not extremely helpful, I know

Miss B., my guess from your cute photo is that you are between level 3 and 4. I wear a level 3wl ion summer and 3YL in winter, and am much lighter complected than you. I see YL in your coloring but there is a lot of pink, too (to go with those pretty pink lips). May I suggest 50-50 3YL/4YL (if too dark lean more to level 3) with just a bit of 2/3P. I swatched some 3P on my 3YL wrist and it is quite peachy. so maybe a little 2P will work better. Sample, sample, sample in levels 3 and 4 is my suggestion. Kathy

Sorry, I have quite a light complexion so I can't give you a recommendation there, but I would say that if many foundations tend to look "ashey" don't use L (linen) in any of your foundations as girl_geek said. To my unexperienced eye, you seem to be a level 4

To decide whether to sample warm, cool, or neutral foundations, I would use Kristen's guide as a reference:

http://www.aromaleigh.com/whatcolarewa.html

You seem to have red undertones to your skin. So that would place you as a cool. To my eye, the "cool" colors on that link make your face look brighter, but not overly so. So I'd say sample 4C and 4N. Tell me what you think when you compare your complexion against those colors!

P.S. Which ever group of colors are right for you (warm or cool) will make your face look "bright" and "alive". The wrong group of colors will make you look like you are sick or pale/ashy.

Wow, thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. That's a lot of information to process, but I think I might be ready to try some samples now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Please let us know how trying the Glissade goes for you. I absolutely love the Glissade.

Hello! My mom is a level 3 and she is considerably lighter than you. I'd forget about the level 3's and go straight for the level 4's. Or maybe toss in a couple of 3's for mixing in case you're in between the levels. You're skin tone appears very warm in this photo so I would start with a 4W and 4N. Good luck!