Some Advice?

[AppleTee]

Hello ladies! I'm in need of some advice I've been doing my makeup off and on for about 10 years, however  within the last 3 I've been taking the process more serious. Slowly but surely I've been working my way up to the higher end brands. My problem is my application, it seems no matter how I put on my makeup it always looks waxy to me.  My face is always clean, and when I put on primer I wait a minute or two so it can set. I only color correct the spots that need it, and I put on my foundation then concealer. I do get confused on whether or not to contour before or after powder. I don't bake because it makes my face look super dry, I do have large pores and that just makes them look worse.

I believe I have combination skin, so I stay away from products with a dewy finish. I prefer a natural finish, or at the least a demi-matte finish. 

TBH I feel really frustrated, because I can't afford to continuously purchase higher end makeup so I don't want to waste what I have.   Case in point, Saturday night I took about two hours to do my makeup, I was going to film something with my camera. When I was done and I looked at the play back it was horrible! I don't know what I did wrong, but it upset me so much that I washed everything off and re-filmed the video completely bare faced. That's was 2 hours of work wasted! I'm at my wits end because I've tried different techniques, I watch other WOC on Youtube. I know that what works for them won't necessarily work for me, but after 3 years, one would think I'd have the hang of it by now.

Sorry if this is long, I'm just really frustrated and considering taking a break from makeup for a while. I'm at work now but I can provide pictures later if needed.

[SportyGirly125]

@AppleTee If it looks waxy then it could be the primer or foundation you are using isn't suited for your skin type.  For contouring, I contour after powder but I contour using powder products.  When I am doing more of a glam, I use cream to contour and then powder after.

[AppleTee]

I have thought about both points. 🤔 I normally use a pore blurring primer like Maybelline Baby Skin, or ELF Mineral primer. However lately I've been using the Milk Hyrdo Grip and with the picture attached I used the Farsali Blurring primer.  This is how my makeup comes out... 😥Every single time. I've tried this with both everyday products and my higher tier stuff. 

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[SportyGirly125]

@AppleTee I have combo skin so for me I use a mattifying primer on my t zone and a blur primer for the rest of my face.