To wonder what happened to the natural look?

[thefirstMrsDeVere]

Lighthearted thread for a Saturday (I hope, who knows, anything can happen on MNs).

When I say 'natural' I dont mean no makeup. I have faffing about with my hair and slapping on makeup since I was about 12.

When I was a school in the early 80s we were all rubbish at putting on makeup. It was all blue eyeshadow and tide marks. As I got older it was the fashion to pile on as much slap as you could possibly fit on your face.

Then it all started to relax a bit. Still makeup but at least it looked normal. I used to look at teenage girls and envy how well they did theirs. It was understated and well applied. They looked nice (if you think makeup looks nice).

I was out today and noticed that it seems to be on trend to wear a sort of airbrushed look. REALLY thick foundation and mineral blusher. Totally matt and mask looking. Not just a couple of girls but ALL of them.

I bought some powder from Boots last week in 'nude'. When I put it on it was orange! Is orange the new nude then?

What is going on? Or is it only in East London?

I wonder too.

The other day I caught a glimpse of Davina on This Morning. She looked so amazingly natural compared to Holly whatsit. And I watched a book programme presented by Mariella Frostrup (out on various locations, not in the studio) and the only makeup she appeared to be wearing was mascara. She looked good to me (am same age, so tend to compare) but out of sync with every other female tv presenter in the world.

When I look at slebs now, I mentally add up what cosmetic surgery they've had, what botox they've had, what cosmetic enhancements they are sporting (lashes/nails/extensions). I wonder if they really think we can't see through it.

Blimey, I think we're out of touch here. The de rigeur look at this time of year is 'just back from Meribel darling.'

In May it will switch to 'going to Cowdray this weekend' and in September it will be 'Toby and I are going up to Twickers on Saturday! I simply adore Ben Foden!'

Did anyone else use 'Nova' mousse and hairspray, 99p for ginourmous cans.

My friends and I all had perms, washed in the morning, liberal application of nova mousse then sprayed up our fringes with the hairspray.

In the winter bits used to freeze on the walk to school.

Lipsticks had to be coffee or heather shimmer or sometines the blackcherry one.

I don;t wear make up at all unless it's a special occasion I hate the way it makes my skin feel - all claggy

I don;t know how people can wear loads every day - their skin must be buggerd

At the moment I'm on Max Factor 'Second Skin' it feels really smooth. And doesn't sink into my skin.

MrsDeVere - Max Factor do a shade called Golden which is ideal for sallow skin, it's yellow based as opposed to rose/pink which is the norm.

Worth a look next time you're out?

I will defo have a look Mouse, ta.

pissedrightoff how well I remember the day a slightly older schoolfriend sneered at my Heather Shimmer before whipping out her Black Cherry lipstick. Ooh, I felt so unsophisticated and rushed out to buy my own the very next day

I love playing with make-up but I probably wouldn't if I'd ever felt compelled to wear it all the time. Being a slacker with a bare face 90% of the time makes it extra special when you choose to put some slap on

I have got a set of eyeshadows that I had when I was 12 (30 years ago). I still use it, and No, I've never caught an eyes infection from it.

eye infection

i've never worn foundation...wouldn't have a clue how to use the stuff. but do do eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss.

does foundation really make your skin look better? surely if you are spotty / blotchy it just looks like beige stuff smeared over spots / blotches - or is it just that i only notice it on people when it's been badly applied?

tell your daughters to never to pluck above the natural brow line.that's a given.and if they are lucky enough to have fair fine leg hair..tell them not to shave until well ..never..they won't listen..but at least you will have tried xx

Applied properly, a light coat of foundation can look lovely, regardless of the condition of your skin.

Just have to find the right one IME

mouseface - how do you know how to apply it properly or find the right one?

Get thee to a counter in Boots! They will help you.

kepler10b - as an addition to Panzee's recommendation: find someone there who is not 18, and is wearing a make-up 'look' that you could vaguely see on yourself. It's not reassuring to have an oompa loompa tell you what foundation to wear.

Oh yes, I stay away from the Benefit counter in our local one!