Make Up!

[Jodee]

OK, trivial question of the day. I will admit to you all that I can't leave the house without putting on foundation (and lipstick, but that's it) and for years I used an Elizabeth Arden Oilfree foundation which was fab. EA discontinued it - I hate it when they do that! I bought the 'alternative', it's called SmartWear, SPF15. The thing is, I'm sure it's bringing me out in zits, which I can do without.
I get the odd two or three anyway, I have that combination, t-zone skin, but I'm slapping on the Clearasil like there's no tomorrow at the moment.
Foundation is the only thing that I splash out on and I can't afford to make expensive make-up mistakes.
Anyone got any suggestions?

Hi Jodee, I swear by Clinique and I have similar skin to you by the sounds of it. Their super-balanced foundation really is the only thing I can wear -I've tried millions. Ask them for some samples first, or see if they can put some on you. It's quite reasonable really at about £16 and you don't need loads and loads. They've got loads of new ones out as well but, like you say, once you've found 'the one' you don't dare to change it -until they discontinue it. Strange how you say you wear foundation and lipstick for everyday - I do the exact opposite: eyes and cheeks but no lippy or base (except for a touch of concealer under my baggy eyes!)

By the way, if you need some spot zapping power while you're at the counter try Clinique's clarifying lotion, it really makes a difference to my skin - it gets rid of grime you never knew you had...(Do I sound like a cheap advertisement here or what!)

Hi Lizzer - I was thinking about Clinique, so you've encouraged me to give them a go. I went to the counter in Boots and asked for a couple of samples, as they have such a wide range to choose from, but the assistant said they don't do samples for foundation. But she was very helpful and I've ended up with one called Superfit - so maybe my face will be, but the rest of me is knackered!
Fingers crossed for a zit-free zone ...

Ah Jodee, was thinking of trying that one myself, let me know what you think of it and if it really makes you fit!

A cheaper good one is Nivea Visage in natural.

Oi! I am a professional make-up artist and everything else anyone want to ask any questions?

Kylie,
Where do I start! I haven't got a clue about makeup. I fact I can't rememebr the last time I bought any new (probably for my wedding 3.5 years ago) and it's all chucked together in an old pencil case and only comes out on special occassions!
Where can I go to get a complete makeup overhaul and lesson? Those posh cosmetics counters in department shops scare the living daylights out of me!

Batters and Hmonty, I'll know how to recognise you two then!

OK Kylie, my request - a lipstick that doesn't smudge, so when you're eating and drinking, you still look OK - even when getting into a party mood at Vinopolis!!

And when it inevitably fades, it fades evenly. Matte preferably. Lots of lippies come with this promise, but, I've found, few deliver.

PS Laughing to myself at the idea of a hoard of mumsnetters, slightly the worse for wear, invading the Harvey Nicks beauty counters!

Has anyone tried Avon lately? I got a really good lip liner/stick combo, some nice scent and excellent retractable eyeliner. Very reasonably priced and do lots of offers. Also, if you buy it and don't like (even if you've tried it) you can send it back. They do some nice childrens' products too.

Anyone know how to get an Avon Lady to call?? We're out in the sticks, and I'd love to see a nice lady on my doorstep one evening ready to sell her wares (esp if hubby is away on business and ds is in bed!!)

You could try their website, www.avon.uk.com - you might find one, or email them from there. I use Virgin now, wonderful stuff.
Sue

Fms - yes, try their website because I think you can get things by mail order. Look out for a really nice lipstick, not sure of the type but the shade is 'Twig'.

Does anyone have a recommendation of an eye cream or gel that works or more realistically has any effect whatsoever?! I half think they're all baloney so why fork out the extra dosh for an incey wincey little pot - but if anyone can say they've seen any improvement I'll try it!! I'm sure they're only laughter lines anyway (who am kidding!!) and show great character...but...

Hi Maras, I used to use Clinique's 'all about eyes', but recently switched to a cheaper one which I like just as much its by ROC, you can get it in Boots for about the £10 mark (it was on offer when I bought it for £7, which swung it for me!)Can't think of the name but I think its the only one in their range and it talks a lot about retinol and spf's in the blurb on the packaging! I am paranoid about my wrinkles, my eyes just gave up after having dd and I've got an almighty line right across my forehead through frowning, all my childless friends look about 10 yrs younger than me, its frightening!

Hi Lizzer - fab - I'm off to get some!! I also have the frown line! I was shocked the other day to see photos of myself after dd was born (no 2)- 2 years ago and I looked SO young! (I was 40) Suddenly over the last year (ie between 41 and 42) it's all gone to pot...four years of v little sleep has hit me all in one go. And now I've another on the way....Already feel some mums at school must think granny had come to collect ds!! Was reading about botox injections at the w'end - it's something I would NEVER CONTEMPLATE having done - really not THAT bothered - but the results did looked fantastic !!!!!

I can highly recommend Neals Yard Francinsense (sp?) Nourishing Cream for Mature (grrr) Skin. Its amazing, smells like furniture polish but I use it as a night cream and its really made a difference to my tired old wrinkly skin. I think eye creams are a load of old rubbish but I was bullied into buying a Clarins one when I last had a facial which I ocassionally use when I can be bothered. Other than that, Touche Eclat by YSL is amazing and covers up all my saggy bags and dazzles people so they don't notice the lines!!!!

I can also recommend the YSL Touche Eclat - its amazing. Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream is great too, you can use it for so much. I put it on my lips everyday and I have never had chapped lips since using it. I also use Clinique foundation which is great even the Clinique woman at the counter couldn't tell I had foundation on. Estee Lauder mascara is great too (and Maybelline in the pink and green tube). Oh I love all this posh make-up just don't get much chance to put it on nowadays or be able to buy it without feeling guilty. Does anyone else feel guilty when buying some devilishly expensive make-up/skincare? I always feel I should be buying ds something (don't know why as he has more clothes than me and more toys than he knows what to do with!)

Kylie, are you still out there?

Apart from tea bags, which I haven't tried as I'm paranoid about not being able to get the brown stains off, what else can anyone recommend for bags under the eyes? I've tried the obsure remedy called SLEEP but ds and dh keep putting a spanner in the works!

Lizzer, after a month of using Clique's Superfit foundation, it's definitely made a difference to my skin tone, and it's lovely and light to put on, not greasy at all. Still knackered though!

Under eye bags, and make -up tips, I think the best thing to do is to get someone who loves you all to buy a professional make-up lesson for you for Christmas. the thing with the under eye is this - there are usually two things going on, dark circles and puffiness, concelaers are great but they can make it worse if used incorrectly, concealer is to lighten, dark areas, so look into a mirror with your chin down - yuk, shows up all the dark bits, put a touch of concealer, you'll need a tiny brush for this, on the dark recessed parts - DO NOT PUT IT ON THE PUFFY BITS - so no putting all the way under the eye like the mags tell you to, because light brings forward so you'll make the puffy bits look puffy, this is a real fine art job, but if you master it it works brilliantly,estee lauder do a fab cream for dark circles under the eyes, laura mercier at space nk or website do fab concealers, beware of touch eclat if it is your skin colouring its fine, but you need a bit of yellow or peachy tones to negate the blue around the eyes.

Jodee, pleased to hear the foundation's good, may try it when I run out of super-balanced.
Selja and Enid, I soooo want touche eclat,have done for ages, think I'll ask Santa for some!
Great tips, Kylie!

Couldn't live without my 8 hour cream either and it goes so far, I think I've had my tube for about 2 years now...

Maras, hope you like it! I used to think botox was a bit extreme too, but I think my view will change as I get older. I have seen some not so great foreheads though - look like they've been ironed! Did you see Joan Rivers on Graham Norton? Think she's well overdone it. That said I'd love to have liposuction on every part of my body, and would do it if I won the lottery, in the blink of an eye. I wish I wasn't so vain, but I am, so there

Kylie, forgot to say - thanks too for the tips!
About the concealer, can you recommend a good 'cheapie' one? Gone a bit mad at Clinique on foundation and lippie (I blame you, Lizzer ! ) and most NOT indulge myself again! Also, cos I've got a few lines under my eyes now, putting concealer there tends to sit in them and clog them up making them show up even more - which I DON'T need - any more advice please?

But Jodee - remember, you ARE worth it!

(Hmm, wrong brand but never-the-less true!)

I've always used Givenchy's lip liner in no.1 (nude I think its called) but the last time I bought some there is no lip brush on the end and no pencil sharpener. What's that all about? I thought the lip brush on the end was a brilliant idea as I'm always losing things in the bottom of my bag. It was good to use on its own with lip gloss/vaseline/Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on top of as the colour was perfect (for me). Can also recommend Chanel Precision skincare it made my skin lovely and soft. Estee Lauder mascara is great too.

Awww, thanks Lizzer!

And maybe if I can work on dh - "daahling, I'm just trying to make myself more drop dead gorgeous for you, aren't I?" - I can get some extra pennies for my new Clinique addiction!