Why do I look like a clown with makeup?

[pepperjack]

I'm so used to not wearing any, I just look ridiculous. It's only a bit of mascara and a tinted moisturiser.

And is there a product for bags under your eyes. I've just started to notice this excess skin? It might have been there a while, but I don't look at myself that often. But I had a couple of nights out recently and had to put makeup on and I couldn't really disguise them.

[antimatter]

Do you live anywhere near any bigger department store? You can walk in and have one of the consultants to advise you on most suitable product.

[11yrgap]

Maybe you're just not used to seeing yourself with it. I'm the opposite,only wear a bit of mascara and foundation but if i dont wear it I feel like it must be really noticable and people must think I look rough.

I'm rubbish at beauty but I think the number one advice for skin always seems to be drink lots of water and sleep. I'm sure there are products out there that someone better than me knows about for eyes though!

[sizzledrizz]

I think mascara by itself looks a bit odd. I always fill in my eyebrows, apply nude shadow and mascara. A tinted lip balm might help to balance your face.

[ZacharyQuack]

The tinted moisturiser might be the wrong shade. If it's too pink or too yellow for your skin it will look odd.

Base products (Tinted moisturisers, foundations) can also "blank out" your features a bit by making your face one uniform colour. Some bronzer or blush might help give back some dimension.

Make up won't disguise eye bags, but it can help if you have shadows under your eyes, or darkness between the inner corner of your eye and the side of your nose. Some concealer (look for a lightweight illuminating concealer, rather than the heavier type that are better for blemishes) can help, but make sure that you apply it under any eye bags, not on top of them.

[Unobtainable]

Try the Bobby Brown or Laura Mercia counters in a department store. Ask for a makeover. Dont go to MAC though or you WILL end up looking like a clown.

You need the right shades and textures applied correctly in order for make up to be flattering.

[BF888]

You may just need a little help on how to apply and also getting used to seeing yourself in make up.

As someone else suggested I’d definitely fill in eyebrows, I have bold eyebrows anyway but if I have a full face and leave them it looks odd.

If your not comfortable going to a department store you could always have a look on YouTube ( they’re not all teens that do tutorials look at Goss Make Up) I also think sometimes doing it yourself and just practice, you’ll find what you like and then just keep doing it.

If you like a less is more approach then keep to a no make up, make up look. So good base, mascara, brow and just a bit of bronzer and blush. Then when you go out amp it up a bit.

Under eyes I use concealer and if they’re more puffy than usual I will have extra water and also under eye patches.

[pepperjack]

I have worn make up over the years, just not for the last couple of years, I just think it makes me look older and painted. It's not flattering. I just want a very natural look to even out skin tone and mascara to define my eyes. Eyeliner looks shocking, even soft blended. I have never done anything with my eyebrows, that really does make me feel like a clown.
Is there an age when you just shouldn't wear it?

[Bombardier25966]

Get your brows done. Just shaped, they're not going to make them any bigger just more defined.

Finding the right foundation is vital, but easier said than done. Go to the beauty counters and get a sample, but get several from different counters. I'm either a difficult shade to match or I get useless assistants, but I've got countless samples and am still looking!

[Floisme]

I've given up make up for January. (I've already said so on another thread but I think the more I repeat it, the more likely I am to stick to it.) I didn't wear that much but, like pepperjack I felt it was making me look painted rather than better. I'm 62 and no, I don't believe there's an age when you shouldn't wear it - I'm planning to resume after taking a break, hopefully with a better idea of where I've been going wrong. But your skin changes with age, just as your body does and I don't think my make up has taken account of that.

[alphaechokiwi]

Someone on here linked to a you tube demo which was called something like 'how to apply makeup like a French woman'. Totally changed how I apply makeup. It's much more understated and less clown like now.

[BlancheM]

You need to blend things about 1000 times more than you thought necessary. Use less than you think you need and master the eyebrows.

[Branleuse]

Just don't wear it off you don't think it suits you. It's not obligatory

[thinkingcapon]

Post a pic if you think that'd help? I'm a mua and could advise x

[veganrunnergirl]

I find that makeup doesn’t make me look any different unless it’s something really obvious like red lipstick or coloured eye makeup. I usually don’t bother but will put a nice lipstick on when I want to make a statement. My husband hates it when I wear foundation so I don’t bother

[Binkybix]

I’d love to know this - if I put lipstick on I look just like a child that’s raided my mum’s make up!!

[pepperjack]

Forget that
I took a photo tonight and I think I need to go out with a bag on my head

[mistressploppy]

I have this with eyebrows. Mine are getting a bit thin and middle-aged and I see all these lovely young things with their beetling brows but when I so much as pick up a brow pencil I look like the big sister out of Hey Arnold

[namechangedforanon]

People who work on beauty counters are typically sales driven, but maybe able to guide you on makeup and help you try out some different looks. I wouldn’t take skincare advice from them personally as I don’t believe many of the products are better than drugstore.

I’d recommend looking at a caffeine serum like one from the ordinary for the eye situation and a light moisturizer over it . Some people find putting too much product in the eye area makes eyes irritated and look worse .

[Cherrypie32]

Is it a case of you not being used to seeing yourself in make up so you feel clown like? I don’t get dressed up very much these days so always feel totally mutton dressed as lamb and uncomfortable but I don’t look any different to everyone else on a night out. A very small amount of make up could enhance your features, even out skin etc