Phasing out make-up, any tips?

[LDNmummy]

I am trying to stop wearing make-up daily and would love some tips on products I can use to minimise how much I wear.

I didn't wear any make-up at all till I was about 21 and my skin was lovely. I started wearing foundation and now can't leave the house without it!

I don't want to wear make-up any more except on some occasions and would love tips on products I can use daily to keep my face looking fresh and a little less tired.

I use foundation, blusher, concealer and eye-liner at the moment. I have already stopped using mascara for the past few weeks and am thinking of a tinted moisturiser for my face instead of foundation, any recommendations? I am not sure what I could use to lighten the dark circles under my eyes though.

[cyb]

Tinted moisturiser

get brows and lashes tinted

I cant do without blusher and lipppy personally

Nothing will lighten undereye shadows but make up will hide

[mrsmartin]

My favourite skin product is elemis tri enzyme facial wash - you use it after cleansing to get your skins' natural enzymes working properly. When I first started using it I used to have alot of spots and I found I could almost erase the new spots that were due to pop up. I would also suggest a clarisonic (or similar).

Make up - try a bb cream - it is like tinted moisturiser but a tad thicker (not sticky or cakey)so should be good for under eyes - would always advise getting two shades though. Also get a cheek/lip stain as you will still need colour in your cheeks. If you want your lashes to look luscious without mascara just blink them onto some vaseline - it makes them look lovely and glossy. If your skin is sorted then you can totally get away with that amount of make up.

[TheFarSide]

I weaned myself off makeup by moving from foundation to tinted moisturiser then to normal moisturiser with SFP which seems to cover up minor imperfections. I moved from lip stick to rose tinted lip salve then just to normal lip salve. I dye my eyelashes and eyebrows and keep my eyebrows neatly plucked. Exercise gives me a healthy glow, or if I can't exercise I slap my cheeks and bite my lips. I try to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water etc because I know I can't cover up with makeup. I chose to stop wearing makeup as I didn't want anyone to be shocked at seeing the real me, and because men don't wear makeup (or they didn't used to!). It's great being so low maintenance.

[mrsmartin]

oh - make sure you do your brows though...sable suits 90% of people

[choux]

I wear make up every day so can't help you de-cosmetic your life but am curious as to why you don't want to wear as much make up but feel you have dark circles and 'tiredness' to cover up?

For me makeup helps me feel good about myself. I'm in my 40s and it helps me look the way I feel on the inside!!! I do it for me and not because I think society expects me to or sexualises all women.

It does sound like for you concealer is a product you might want to retain. I never wear foundation but use lashings of moisturiser and then a dusting of powder to take off the shine. I am fair haired so need eyeliner / mascara to define my eyes but you might not need that.

[mrsmartin]

I can understand others not wanting to wear make up but I love it - make up is fun if nothing else :o

[LDNmummy]

Thank you for the info ladies!

choux I miss being low maintenance and I feel that make-up isn't good for you because of all the chemicals. I hate my DD brushing against me and getting foundation on her clothes or skin even though I don't even cake it on. I also would rather spend the money on other things. Mostly though, I don't like my dependency on it to feel good about my appearance. I want to feel good about myself leaving the house without it like I used to.

I totally get what you mean about how it makes you feel and I actually think makeup is great for expressing yourself and your style, I just don't think it should be a daily requirement. I will still wear it sometimes.

The ironic thing is that using makeup is actually what is making my skin look tired and grey (I have very sensitive skin), especially as I keep falling asleep with it on and waking up looking like a drunk panda. Its a vicious cycle ha ha!

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Mix a little moisturizer in with your foundation before applying - gradually change the ratio so that you are using more moisturizer and less foundation. If you have a foundation that suits you, there's no point buying a tinted moisturizer!

And ALWAYS remove your makeup - you can't wean yourself off makeup if you're not happy with your skin. Not removing makeup makes your skin look grey and patchy and more prone to spots....

[Pandsbear]

Dues to lots of eye issues and skin allergies that I developed I had to stop wearing make up about 4 years ago. Wasn't the entire disaster I imagined (felt like it was at the time truthfully) and now I can now tolerate the bare minimum - so yes yes yes to tinted moisturiser and I wear lipstick/balm. I can also manage without eyelash tinting as my lashes are dark. I try to look after my skin well as I can't really cover things up!

[Gillybobs]

Getting your eyelashes and eyebrows tinted regularly will def make a make-up free face look 10 times better imo. Just adds the definition you normally get from make up. I buy the "30 day mascara" stuff from Boots and do both myself

[LDNmummy]

butterflies I am going to do that with what's left of my foundation as there is still a fair amount in the bottle.

I know I should always remove my makeup and I used to do it religiously, but a new baby has meant no time or energy and it is making my skin look terrible.

I have never tried tinting my lashes or brows but will give it a go. If anyone can recommend a good brand of tint to do this I would be grateful.

Thanks again!

[Chickensinthekitchen]

Can i hijack how easy is it to tint your eyelashes? My eyes feel tired with mascara.
Thanks

[SinicalSanta]

Is it worth tinting your eyelashes if they're dark already? Mine are dark but a bit scanty - probably pointless, is it?

[LDNmummy]

Yup so did mine, so it was the first thing to go. I also had lashes falling out every other day.

I just had a look at this video and it looks worth doing even with dark lashes.

[Gillybobs]

I use "30 day mascara" in dark brown, I get it from Boots. DOes lashes and brows. My brows are already dark but there are a few lighter ones in there now (greys?? eeek) and tinting just makes them look so much more defined. It takes 2 mins, mix the colour and developer in the little tub, dab it on (I use a cotton bud) then wipe off a couple of mins later. So easy. It doesnt tint your skin or make a mess

[jumpinghoops]

Ah, Gillybobs, excellent- I started another thread today about brown mascara as I can't find a good one. Which brand is the 30 day Mascara by?

[jumpinghoops]

Also- would you mind reminding me the name of the BB lipstick you recommended as a natural for Springs?

Apologies for brief hi jack OP!

[Gillybobs]

jumping Its by colorsport. I still wear mascara as well though as tinting doesnt bulk them up or lengthen obviously. I think its more high impact on your brows, couldnt live without that

Lippy for Springs - hmm....was it BB Carnation? (I have loads) Its a coral/nude shade. I also like Clinique Dubonnet (coral red) and Max Factor Pink Brandy (coral pink).

[defineme]

Nivea tinted moisturiser won consumer tests and is very cheap-I love it.

[jumpinghoops]

Thanks Gilly- that's v helpful