To have reached 45 without knowing how to do make up

[Aibusadandhormonal]

And what can I do about it?

I'd quite like to look a bit more put together. Working from home for past 10 years and 2 kids means I've been only one step away from doing the school run in my pj's... I'd like to be more put together and I've made a start with clothing being a bit smarter but I think what would help me feel a bit more professional (looking for a new job and just wanting to grab a bit more of life).

But my make up ideas are either some BB cream slapped on or on a night out the same plus mascara...

How can I learn 1) what to use for a minimalist look but smart and 2) how ro apply it!

It’s just a kind of base that goes under foundation. I never used to bother but as my skin has got older and drier I’ve been using one.

Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. Really informative, good for mature skin, uses a range of products at different price points, lots of different looks from natural to glam. She does her own make up line too, I like the mascara and eyeliner, but the rest is average. I have been to one of her makeup counters and it wasn’t for me, I think they tend to go a bit heavy, but I was going out after so wanted a more make up look.

Lots of YouTube tutorials and Instagram pages. I would search for things like "light makeup", "minimal makeup look" or even "mature skin makeup" as your skin type may be different from a younger person :)
I would also suggest a makeup counter like Clinique where they focus on skincare as well as the makeup aspect - they do lots of different foundations etc dependent skin type. Good Luck! X

Look for make up artists on Instagram that are in your age range. Beauty and the Boutique is a good one that others have mentioned, I also really like Genevieve Turley too as she’s really normal and funny with it.

As mentioned by a pp, Trinny London is good. Most of it is cream-based which is more forgiving, both in terms of application and on mature skin. I swear by the Eye2Eye shade 'Wisdom' to look more pulled together without being overdone. I just smudge it on with a finger. There are lots of videos on the website too, to show different looks and application techniques. The other thing that really makes a difference is decent eyebrows.

This is me completely.

Some larger Boots have make up staff. You can book in to see them and they will help you find products & shades, do a little makeover etc. I took DD there before her prom. They start by asking what your preferred brands/budget are - for DD we used mainly elf so it doesn't have to be high end.

I've pretty much given up on eye make up at this point. I've never found any that doesn't irritate apart from clear mascara, which doesn't seem worth the effort, and eyeliner looks too strong on me as I'm not used to it.

Just go to a Charlotte tilbury counter, OP

I'm the same age and have only got to grips with it in the last couple of years. I always hated spending time doing it, hated the feel of it, felt it never quite looked right.

Start with good skincare. Cleanser, serum and moisturiser.

Treat yourself to a facial if you can. I have an occasional anti aging facial with dermaplaning. The facial is really hydrating and the dermaplaning removes any little bumps and dry patches as well as peach fuzz. This gives a really good base for makeup to sit smoothly on. If this is over budget, you can buy a dermaplaning tool and use the occasional hydrating mask at home.

I have a monthly lash lift and tint and brow tint. It makes an incredible difference, makes my eyes look so much bigger and brighter, but looks natural. And it means I don't need to bother with any eye make up, which I find hard to get right and not look overdone, and hate removing at night too.

So in terms of make up all I wear is:

Concealer - elf hydrating camo is nice. Just a little touch under my eyes. Dab it, don't rub it.

Foundation - I like Tropic mineral foundation, it comes in a powder form so you apply it with a chunky brush. i find it goes on more smoothly than cream or liquid ones which sit in my fine lines and make them worse. I usually just use a light dusting, but you can use as much or as little as you like.

Blush/bronzer - I use the Stila putty duo. If you feel the most prominent part of your cheekbone, high up and below the outer corner of your eye, this is where the blush goes. Just a light sweep. And bronzer only in the summer, but this is a light sweep slightly lower on your cheeks as well as across your forehead and down your nose.

Lipstick - Maybelline superstay vinyl ink is lovely, hydrating and lasts really well. I have a fairly natural looking one for every day and a couple of stronger colours for going out out.

I can do this in literally 2 minutes, I look like me but brighter, and I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup (whereas I've hated the feel of other foundation and lipstick).

I went to a makeup counter that had a “natural” looking woman on it! She showed me how to apply without looking like a clown! I, happily, bought from her and have used the makeup, not every day, but confidently when I needed to; business meetings, conferences, out with friends etc.
I’ve refreshed my “look” every 10 years since although I tend to use the very first “look” more than the others. I’m now in my 60s but stick to the “formulas” I’ve been shown.

My secret tip is Sensai Bronzing Gel in Soft Bronze. It's a very watery gel but you can put it on in the dark with your fingers and get a decent result that just makes a person (regardless of age, from 35 - 75) look instantly pulled together and healthy. However, it is not easy to find so you'll probably have to shop online. I think there's only one UK counter, in Harrods. Mascara, lip tint maybe some blusher and that's it.

You could try a freelance makeup artist. My daughter is one and I learned a lot of tips from her. They won’t hard sell products either. Just ask on FB.

You don't have to wear make up but if you want to get more confident with doing your own, it can be really overwhelming.

On instagram, I like @ selenamup - she's great for over 40s tips, looking glowy and well rather than overly made up, and moisturising! She's a bit funny and comes across as lovely which helps.

I also like @ katiejanehughes for tutorials and over 40s.

1. Find out your season
2. Try the loreal skin tint it's a step up from bb and looks really nice on mature skin goes on easy too
3. Cream blush ( have a play where to put it because it depends on face shape and aging )
4. Mascara you already know
5. Brows just have them nicely shaped then get a clear brow gel.

This should make you feel more put together if you don't already wear much make up then as you get comfortable progress to eyes and lips if you desire.

A lot of really helpful tips. Thank you! Ill start with some of the youtube/Instagram recommendations but I think I will end up heading to the makeup counters to find what works

I have never applied foundation- it worries me ill get the wrong shade and look like I'm wearing a mask. And blush sounds great but I again worry I'll look like an old lady trying to look like a child.

Luckily my skin isn't too bad but I just would like to put a bit more put together without looking overly made up.

59 and still clueless..if i try i look like CoCo the clown and i hate the feel of it...resigned to looking like a knackered bag of spanners! 🤣

How are you getting on op ?

Me too - generally don't wear it!

Thank you OP for this thread. I’ve booked an appointment at MAC (I’d never heard of them) because I’m also clueless. It’s not until the end of May though

Well folks I can totally recommend the MAC lesson, just been to the one in Meadowhall and it was absolutely fantastic. You don’t actually pay for the lesson, you just have to spend £60 (which isn’t hard!)

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