Mumsnet Talk

I feel very plain. I am just back from the hairdressers after getting a rare cut and blow dry and I feel very plain. All the girls in the hairdressers obviously had nice hair but were all done up and tanned and I just felt like a right plain Jane. Sitting looking at myself in the mirror I realised that I am ridiculously pale. I have good skin and I cleanse, tone, moisturise most days. I think in the past I could get away with not wearing any make up but I think now at 35 I am going to have to make more of an effort. The problem is lack of time. I work full time and have small twins. Also I am pretty clueless when it comes to putting makeup on. On special occasions when I do make a bit of an effort I always feel a bit self conscious. I am always conscious of looking orange. I like very very natural. Any tips on were I should start??

maybe go to a salon where they can advise you on what suits you?or a make up counter,i find clinique to be good.

How about starting with a bb cream which is very natural, there are loads on the market so you should find one that suits, its less make upey than foundation, a good eyebrow wax can make your face look more groomed without really trying and an eyebrow pencil will help to frame your face, a really gentle blusher-une from boots is really good and blends very easily so doesn't look too done it will just give your skin a lift, a nice light mascara just to highlight your eyes would be good. I do a combination of the above or all most days and it takes less than five minutes, its a natural look to highlight your features rather than looking too done.

Have a look at some Lisa Eldridge videos, she has one about choosing the right foundation shade, and look in the 'everyday' section for some inspiration.

This is a 5 minute look. It will make such a difference to your confidence

Go to a make up counter and get them to give you a mini make over/make-up lesson. Most of them do it for free.

Be cheeky and ask them for testers to try out at home - you can usually get a couple of creams or serums off them and some foundation.

Like Amber, I like Clinique, they are good for a very natural look then once you get brave Mac for a more dramatic 'going out' look.

Please don't associate being pale with being plain! Though saying that, I am quite pale and often feel invisible compared to women with their fake tan/lashes/big hair. I use Dr Hauschka Translucent Make Up no. 00 to even out my complexion and Bare Minerals Stroke of Light (Luminous 1) under my eyes. I also use a brown mascara by Lavera as it is less harsh against my skin than black. I've started painting my nails every week to feel a bit more "done". I've found Sally Hansen have a varnish that supposedly doesn't need a base or top coat.

Most beauty counters are rubbish with pale skin - though it could just be that I'm currently living in Merseyside where an orange skin tone is the norm!

John Lewis sells Dr Hauschka so you could test it out there and buy online much cheaper. I find less well-known brands are much better for pale skin. I buy brands such as Dr Hauschka and Lavera in shops like Planet Organic in London or online from Lucy Rose

Hope that helps a bit

Ok, you are not plain! You were just sat in front of a mirror for an hour surrounded by people whose JOB it is to look groomed.

I never go to the hairdresser now unless my face is on because I feel like a plain hag.

Blusher is the friend of the alabaster.

If you have good skin why not try eyelash and eyebrow tinting ? I find cream blusher a good pick me up , also a shine control powder and tinted lip balm . Depending on your budget good powders could be rimmel for low budget or Chanel for higher one . Bobbi brown do good cream blushers or so do maybelline

I never feel so ugly as I do when at the hairdressers. There is something about having to sit staring at yourself in the mirror that means you start looking for flaws. I'm sure you actually really look great, and pale an interesting trumps trowelled on TOWIE everytime IMO!

Ah it's bad at the hairdresser, with that wrap around the shoulders and the wet hair.

Natural is much better. Just go with natural looking light make up. Mascara, maybe eyeliner, blush and lip cream. It you like you could do a tinted moisturiser like Laura Mercier.

I feel the same at the hairdressers. So it's the only time I really wear make up! I find foundations and bb creams get so little use that they go off. Really, blusher, mascara and lip gloss are all you need to brighten yourself up a bit. If you want to go a bit further I'd get eyeliner and highlighter. Apart from the mascara and the lip gloss, they'll all last ages. And the mascara and lip gloss can be got for £3-5 easily. If you are very pale a blusher in a bright ish pink can look nice, just use very sparingly.

And the lighting!
I defy anyone to look good in that! Except the salon girls who are made up with that in mind and probably look orange in daylight

Yep probably a bit like being on stage (not as much, but nearly). Need loads of make up looks overdone outside.

I don't think anyone looks good while having their hair done.

It rarely takes me more than 5 mins to put some make-up on, and most of mine is MAC after going to a counter and asking for advice and a makeover. For day time when I can be bothered, it may be some tinted moisturiser, some blusher, pale eyeshadow and some mascara: no time at all, and still v natural.

I agree with the comments about being in the hairdresser not making any of us look good. I've noticed that my over spending on cosmetics has a strong correlation with hair appointments. I come out of the hairdresser and head to Space NK or to a large department store and spend a fortune on make up. Every time I get my hair done.

You've had some great practical advice here to help with your look

I have an appointment next week that I've been putting off for a while because I know that I'll be a sad ball of self hatred after I've been sitting in that chair at the salon.

The mirrors in my salon are terrible! I actually cut myself some slack now I've realised this. (And don't even get me started on Next changing room mirrors, I could sob, so could my size 8 sister...they're brutal )

So wonders why salons and changing rooms have such harsh lighting - surely if they had better lighting would be more likely to revisit.