To ask for make up essentials...

[Cheekysquirrel]

I always look horrific and Ive had some Christmas money so can finally afford to buy some nice make up but it’s been so long I have no idea what I need or what brands are the best. Some seem really expensive - are they worth it? Also do I need like powder / bronzer / highlighter / blusher?

It’s been so long. I swear I used to just buy some foundation, blusher and mascara and be done with it! I was younger then though so probably could carry it off. Now I need help!

Beauty advice and make up essentials please...

Bare Minerals Original Foundation (get colour matched - at counter expensiveish but dewy and long lasting). Once you’ve a good base, you can go a little more budget eg ‘Sleek’ Highlighter pallet, NYX Worth The Hype Macara and Maybelline Master Drama Eyeliner (lasts for ages!). I would splash a bit on eye shadow (mac, Bobbi Brown or Charlotte Tilbury) - neutral pallets so you can build. I just use a cheap L’Oréal blush from boots BUT I apply it under my foundation for a more natural glow. Good luck and enjoy!

PS I’m sure you do NOT look horrific!!! Xx

It’s worth spending your money on the expensive shit where it matters, and that is:

1. Primer
2. Foundation
3. Setting powder

I really like nars or laura mercier for those. Get someone in the shop to colour match you! And make sure the primer and foundation are the same brand so they have the same base and don’t curdle.

Mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, bronzer etc don’t need to be expensive if the canvas is good!

Definitely a primer makes huge difference with foundation. Get some samples first and.find what suits.

Tbh everyday I just wear boots cc cream, concealer, solid blush and mascara as can't be arsed doing full face every morning while getting tribe ready.

Thanks.
I guess I will have to go to a make up counter. I feel worried they will laugh at me but I suppose they are used to seeing loads of different women.

"Some seem really expensive - are they worth it?"

Personally I don't think so, more about what suits you, pretty much all of my make up costs less than a tenner. Everyone is different though, my friend swears by Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation which is like 25 quid, but it just gave me spots!

"Also do I need like powder / bronzer / highlighter / blusher?"

For my "base" use a BB cream (L'oreal), under eye concealer (Maybelline), translucent powder (£3.99 from rimmel, love it!), and blusher (No.7). I have a highlighter powder but rarely use it.

Estée Lauder Double Wear is my can’t do without .....

Agree with PP who said spend more on base ie primer and foundation and less on the rest. As long as your blush or eyreshadow are not chalky they are fine.

Book yourself in for an appointment at your nearest bobbi brown. You can book it online. Bobbi brown is great for natural make up. There's a min spend of £30, you get your make up done and some lovely new make up. They do lovely highlighters and their foundations are pretty good.

As others have said , a decent primer is a must . I like benefit porefessional or if I'm feeling flush I absolutely love Bobbi Brown face base which is a moisturiser and primer in one .
I use Nars sheer glow foundation , it's not matte so looks lovely and natural whilst still having good coverage.
If you're after eyeshadows , urban decay have some lovely palettes that are neutral colours and can be used day or night .
It's definitely worth going to a department store and having a good browse to see what you like the look of ! Don't be afraid to ask for help at the makeup counters , is what they're there for .

The most important thing imo is foundation, I always spend the most on that as it’s your base. I use nars sheer glow or fenty foundation. I think fenty in particular is amazing, £25 which is very reasonable for high end foundation (only need like two pumps for full face) and not too thick so good for a lighter natural looking coverage. Also the shade range is amazing - I’m Asian and 10 years ago when I was a teen I used to mix four different foundations together to get something remotely near my skin tone!

Things like lipstick, mascara etc can be much cheaper from other shops. I’m quite snobby with makeup and my brushes but use my £1 primark lipliner the most!

I use primer, foundation, bronzer, all decent brands.

Then cheaper eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, blusher and lip gloss.

I don't use all of the everyday and the foundation lasts me a good 6 months.

If I were you I'd go to Boots or a department store, go round the different counters and ask them to match you with a foundation, ask for a free sample. Then decide at home which you like.

For foundation I like YSL touché eclat and Estée Lauder double wear.

Style and beauty is good for make up recommendations.

PS they won't laugh at you. I felt like that the first time I went to the make up counters, but it isn't as scary as you think.

Only thing is be firm that you want to try a sample before you buy, don't be railroaded into buying there and then.

When I chose my foundation I got samples of 5 different brands, 3 turned out to be awful on me.