Newbie!

[Ashanti]

Hi - I stumbled upon Silk Naturals when I accidentally bought a sampler on Ebay (thought it was Sheer Cover!). I'm THRILLED!! I love it - unbelievably light and sheer -- I am SO lazy with make up and I HATE foundation with a passion. But this stuff is GREAT!! So - for the big question(s?):

I mixed ebony and white (a lot of white) and found a good color. But I'm not entirely certain how the different products are supposed to be used. I have been using the foundation first and then the plain white perfecting powder (with a TINY bit of tan mixed in - can't remember what I used though!) as a "finishing" powder. ?? But I don't know what to do with the date bait, and do I need a primer?? Also, I'm wondering a bit about the heavier coverage versions -- I'm not unhappy with my current original stuff, but it doesn't cover all the evils either... ? And then there are the Bronzers and Glows.. Help! I've never worn anything but a bit of blush with loose powder over it. I'm clueless! How do I use - and mix - all this stuff?? Thanks.

Ashanti[/color}

[Rhys]

You're doing fine! Some people prefer different finishing powders, or you may want a different one at different times - so you could try the Date Bait instead of your mix of Love Lure and Perfecting Powder. Or use the Perfecting Powder by itself - there are no rules.

Do you need a primer? Some ladies like to use the Perfecting Powder under their make up as well as over it, and that's okay, too. Or you could try a primer sample. But it's not a requirement. It may help smooth over some imperfections, though.

Bronzers you use to highlight to look like you've got a bit of a tan - usually just a dusting across your cheekbones, your chin, down the bridge of your nose, and maybe your temples. if you want to get fancy, make a fish face and do a very light stroke of bronzer just under your cheekbone in a line, then put blush on the apples of your cheeks, and blend. (That one takes some practise).

The glows are highlight powders, at least if you're fair - some people wear them all over, but most of us use them at the top of cheekbones, just above the Cupid's bow of your lip, maybe for your browbone, or your shoulders, or anywhere you want a bit of sparkle.

Mostly - have fun with it!

I'm liking the medium coverage foundation because it's a little bit heavier than the original and covers more, but it isn't maskey. The heavy coverage is REALLY heavy - some folks like that, for me it's a bit too much. Or you could make some of the heavy and use it as a concealer.

Just some thoughts, and I'm glad you're enjoying the make up you've got!

[karen]

Date Bait, Tempt Tryst, Love Lure...they're all finishing powders (like Perfecting Powder). It's personal preference which one you use. If you're very pale you can also use them as bronzers, or on your lids, or just about anywhere.

The glow powders are the same- I like a little bit of Angel or Cherub dotted in the center of my lip-it makes them look bigger. I also use them as eye shadows, or very very lightly as a blush sometimes. Bronzers- what Rhys said- essentially where the sun would deepen your skin color is where you use them. I use it across the bridge of my nose, and blend out towards my cheek bones.

Primer...if you have oily skin, yes, it's a good idea, but if you don't have any issues with oil you can generally skip it. You can also use a fine layer of Perfecting Powder as a primer.

Have fun with it! There's really only about 10 different base ingredients in everything, so you can play and dabble to your heart's content.

[Ashanti]

Thanks Rhys and Karen! Guess I'll just jump in and see what I like best. I do SO love this make up!