To wonder if it's too late for me to learn how to use make up?

[Honeybee79]

I have never really worn make up. My Mum didn't either so I never experimented with it as a youngster, perhaps because I had no one to show me the ropes, plus I have never had much interest in it. The most I do is put a bit of mascara on every few weeks if going out for a "smart" occasion.

I'm now 37 and, with two small kids, looking and feeling quite knackered. I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop mirror the other day and was a bit, erm, alarmed. I guess I would just like to wear a bit of make up to boost my confidence and brighten myself up - nothing that would take more than 5 mins or so to apply in the morning.

I am totally clueless as to the array of different products out there and how to use them. I cannot, for example, apply eyeliner or eyeshadow. I don't know where to start and I don't have much free time.

Is it too late to learn this stuff now and get into the habit of it? All my friends who wear make up have been wearing it since they were about 15 and have got it down to an art. They can do it in their sleep, basically. Same with hair (am also shit at that).

Thoughts?

I have a fairly simple makeup "routine" that takes me about two minutes:
Moisturiser (same one I use at night)
Foundation (the one I have is called "liquid mousse" - so you can just put a thin layer on - less is definitely more, if you use primers etc you can end up looking like you've really caked it on IMO)
Eyeliner (I'm too much of a spaz to do it with a pencil, so I use a very thin "lip liner" brush and black eyeshadow - if you have lighter colouring brown might be better)
Eyeshadow (a kind of shiny grey/brown colour)
Mascara (black, think layer just on the upper lashes)

Should have said - Rimmel is quite good for experimenting, they have a good range and are decent quality, but not too expensive.
Most of my make up is Rimmel, but I have a benefit mascara.

What's the best place to go for a good foundation?
I would just love for someone to teach me, I'm sure with the right make up I could look much better

scribbles - it really depends on your skin as to how thick/liquidy/moussey you should go for liquid foundation. it's trial and error, so you could buy a couple and see which one you like. how does it feel when you rub it in; does it sit in the pores or does it blend in nicely; does it last, etc etc - you will work that out after wearing it for a day or two!

i agree with user that a primer can look too much if you use a coloured one; however i recommend something like beauty flash balm or the benefit pores one as they are totally clear but just help the foundation sit better on the skin.

i always use a translucent pressed powder on the top, as it sets it and makes it last longer, that's v simple, just sweep it all over your face with a big brush!

as for where to go - a big boots will have decent makeup and ladies who know what they are talking about, or there's Debenhams, house of fraser, john lewis. they all have nice things and nice sales assistants who aren't scary :)

Thank you Applebite
But that is what I'm worried about. If I go to Mac, they will sell me their products and maybe their foundation isnt great for me. Would they say try clinique, boots??
I would describe my skin as old and wrinkled!

Another one who's never really worn make up - just the odd bit of mascara and lipstick if going out. DM barely wore make up either so I didn't have anyone to learn from. I'm 42 and have always had dark circles under my eyes but now with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, i feel I look awful. I haven't the energy to wear make up everyday but would like to wear some when I go out as I feel I might look better.

What is the minimum I can get away with? If I used moisturiser then foundation cream and mascara and lipstick (or lip gloss?) - would that be enough?

My MIL has just started wearing it in her late 50s.

It wasn't so good at first, but it certainly is now.

Honestly scribbles, I don't think they would. They do a range of moisturisers, so would try them all on you and see what works :)

I'm sure you're not old and wrinkled, but here is an article with some brands that have foundation for mature skin:

lifestyle.one/grazia/hair-beauty/skin/7-radiance-boosting-foundations-mature-skin/

As said before, try a makeup lesson at Bobbi Brown or Benefit. Both are usually very friendly and approachable.

I see make up as like colouring. No rules, nothing scary. I use a lip shade which is a stronger version of my own colour, so can't go wrong with that.

I define my eyes (fair and freckly so the most important bit for me) very roughly with a dark liner, then soften it with a chubby in a softer colour. So a bit of clumsily applied navy eyeliner, followed by a coat of pale pearly grey. Hides a multitude of mistakes!

Never too late. I think a lot of us 40 somethings never did. It wasn't a big thing to wear make up when I was 16/17..grunge was more in and natural was better.

I barely wear any (never really needed to) but now accept I'm quite scary looking. However, I have two small children and really don't have the time.

I think if you have the time, get on youtube and get a glass of wine, and sit and enjoy!

My best advice is that every foundation colour looks good in the shop. Always ask for a sample to try at home and look at it in different lights.

Also, if you are looking for budget makeup then the French brands such as Bourjois and L'oreal are very good quality for the price.

Just watched that youtube link that was posted - I think I could do that! Thank you to the poster!

It is v reassuring to know I'm not the only one who feels like this about make up!

IMO the most crucial and basic elements that make a huge difference are: a good foundation so go to a makeup counter- I like Clinique or Estee Lauder foundation, ask them for skin match and to apply it, tell them your skin type and type of coverage you'd like. Make sure to cleanse well so no open pores- I like clinique facial soap bar and lather up/rinse off with flannel, then apply a good moisturiser apply good layer over face. Then apply foundation over face, i use my fingers but blend in well. Then use an eyebrow pencil, I love Rimmel eyebrow pencisl (Hazel is their top seller and pretty good match for blonds and brunettes) make sure your eyebrows and neat and plucked and use this pencil to go over natural line and give more definition. Eyebrows are so important to overall look.
Curl eyelashes- Shu Umera by fay the best.
Add a quick slick of a lip crayon- much softer look and easier to apply than a lip liner or lipstick- Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Proudly Naked is a lovely warm, rosy pink that while looks natural makes a massive difference.
All done in under 10 mins but makes the WORLD of difference. needs not much skill, just the right products.

I was cursed (not serious, of course) with a mum who rarely wore makeup and who looked annoyingly radiant all the time, even when she was very ill. I take after my Dad . Watching with desperate interest.

I'd recommend getting some decent brushes to start with and getting a make up artist at the MAC or bobbi brown counter to show you how to do a good Base and simple eyes. You can pick up fancier stuff from YouTube

I recently found Beauty and The Boutique on Facebook - check her out. She does some great videos, incuding one about cheat 'no make-up make up look' with liquid blush and mascara - not much else.

I use a BB cream every day - its got SPF 20 so good protection and gives me a glow rather than a mask. Garnier do one which is not v expensive and pretty good or try Laura Mercier. I then use a powder on my brows (v blonde so need some definition) and brown kohl pencil just on upper lash line. A brown/black mascara ( I like Max Factor False Lash Effect) and a swirl of blusher. Done....takes 10 mins tops. Makes me look awake (instead of washed-out sleep deprived) but not over-done. Lipstick I never wear but sometimes a bit of gloss, so easy to apply, just like lip balm.

I'm 42 and also never really worn makeup. I've started wearing tinted moisturiser/bb cream more often and have bought some foundation, not a heavy one. It feels odd when you are not used to it. There is no way I'd be comfortable having a beauty counter make over.

I would suggest that you wander around the department stores and find a makeup artist who looks around your age and who has a look you like. If you go to MAC and you are made up by a 19 year old with many shiny colours, there is a good chance you will come out feeling like a parrot in drag. Lisa Eldridge and Pixiwoo do some great tutorials on youtube, but use the products mentioned as a guide - they tend to use high-end makeup, but there is so much good drugstore stuff available, I'd probably start there until I was confident that I knew what I liked.

I use bb cream rather than foundation, I have very dry skin and find it works better for me. I second Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, amazing stuff.

More important than the products is the technique.

For beginners, two best options for foundation are either a mineral foundation like Bare Minrrals set that includes the brush. Very easy to use.

Or else for liquid foundation, get a stipple brush or any flat-top large round brush, and learn the stipple technique - dip the bristles at. 90 degree angle into a little pool of foundation and then instead of 'painting' on the foundation, dab it on your skin by tapping the brush onto your face at the same 90 degree angle. Only at the very end do you blend it up. Much more foolproof than the paintbrush technique.

For really simple eyeliner that looks great, look up the 'close-lining' technique. This only works for those not squeamish about their eyes (contact lens wearers are good for this!). Use a very small brush and some dark non-sparkly eyeshadow. Lift your eyelid slightly by the eyelashes and use your brush to gently dab a little line of eyeshadow at the base of your upper lashes - beneath the lash. This way, you don't need to worry about getting a good line or trying to get close enough. It makes your lashes look lovely and thick and gives your eyes a nice shape.

I think some of the advice on here is a little advanced for a complete beginner. Good foundation technique, eyes lined as above, a little sweep of blusher, mascara and a neutral lip colour will give a simple polished look that you can't go wrong with. A few extra minutes to shape your brows with some eyeshadow or a pencil when you have the first bits mastered. As you get more confident, then learn more about blending shadows, priming, contouring etc.

Have fun!

My best tips - YSL Touche Eclat Foundation is FLAWLESS. Mix it with a little squeeze of moisturiser ( Cetaphil is good) , dot it around your face and blend in. ( The moisturiser makes it really easy to blend and stops it being patchy.
Take a sponge ( primary do big bags of little sponges for £1.50 and dab some concealer under eyes ( MAC ) and then also using a sponge press some translucent powder under the eyes and on the T zone.
Then fill in brows a little with pencil ( Anastasia Beverly hills is bomb), a flick of mascara, a tiny one swipe flick of liner at the corners of the eyes. brush a light brown or mauve shadow into the crease and add lip balm and a touch of blush :)