Can anyone reccomend some make-up for me ??

[nutcracker]

I really need to buy some new makeup.
At the mo i am using collection 2000 foundation, and seperate powder, but it often looks like i haven't put anything on at all as you can still see skin blemishes, old spot marks e.t.c.
It also makes me look pale so is obviously the wrong colour too.

Any make-up experts out there who can help me please

Could also do with a good mascara blusher and lippy too

And she made you spend £81!

It felt good though didn't it?!

Nutty I have just bought Boots No7 version of Touche Eclat - £12 and comes in two shades.

Best thing I ever bought. No more bags.
Also use Tescos make up. Can't remember the name of it but they do a brilliant shimmery moisturiser thing that you use under foundation.(or on its own if your skin regime for 1 month works!)
Clinique concealer good have lots of Estee Lauder / clinique freebies from work. Can highly recommend clinique foundation.
Also use bodyshop eyeshadows and lippy.

what about some mascara advice? i'd like some that does long but not thickening ..any ideas? not too pricey

I've got one of those where you put the white mascara on first then the black, and it works miracles for me.

but northerner, is it a chunky look or thin? i'd like thin (on my eyelashes, if nowhere else..)

Hmm it is quite chunky come to think of it. So you want long, thin and elegant?

if only....and I'm a contact lens wearer, so no flaky bits please.

Brilliant post, Branster .

I'd agree with others that it is worth investing in a good foundation - cheap ones can make you look worse than nothing at all IMO. However, it can be very hard to buy the right one - really, you need to take samples home, but most brands don't offer that. My advice would be to go in with a bare face, put some onto your jawline, then check it in a mirror in natural daylight. The one you want will disappear into your natural skintone, and make your skin feel comfortable and soft, not oily or dry. Since you're young, why not try a tinted moisturiser? Most women don't need heavy coverage, and I find a tinted moisturiser (I use Laura Mercier - pricey but SO worth it) is much more flattering. For powder, make sure you go for translucent or yellow-toned: avoid pink-toned powders like the plague (Ruby & Millie is a good range).

Don't think it's worth paying out loads for lipstick or mascara, in my book; unless you fancy a treat. Best mascaras are by Lancome, but Rimmel also very good. Clinique do fantastic lipsticks, but plenty of cheap ranges also very good. Concealer - I find Touche Eclat brings me out in a rash, but many women swear by it. My concealer is from No 17 and it's good; Tesco range also do a great one.

Blush - try a sheer gel or cream rather than a powder. Very flattering.

I agree with all the other messages re. skincare being more important than make-up. Eve Lom is brilliant, but Marks & Spencer do a cheap version in a glass jar that is nearly as good. There are lots of good moisturisers for around £10. Oh, but make sure you get one with a SPF of 15 or above - it really is the best investment you can make in your skin.

I LOVE this thread - could talk about make-up all day!

Thanks guys

Am going to pop to the shops tommorow and have a look around at some different products. Will have Ds and Dd2 with me though so probably won't get much chance to really investigate.

Will let you know how i get on.

Has anyony tried Revlon Colourstay mascara- the one that claims you can wear it for 3 days!!
Thought that would be good, don't have much time for make up now, ds is 5 ans my dd of 2.9 (who has Down Syndrome) keep me sooo busy.
I'm doing a run for fundraising on Sunday, tried this miraculous mascara that i thought I might even be able to wear on the day, whether hot and sweaty or soaking wet with rain.
Tried it but it seems to stay tacky on your lashes, it is still put in the morning but all clogs together,leaving me looking like I have squashed spiders on my eyes!!!

nutty - I have various skin and make up freebies from all my purchases at Clinique/Dior/Arden etc. what sort of colouring are you and if I have anything suitable I could send to you

Another thumbs up for Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. Estee Lauder counters, I'm not sure if it is just some or all, will give you little sample bottles (decanted from a large bottle) of foundation to try at home. I got one recently and it lasted ages before I bought the full size one. A great way to be sure that the colour is right. That was in Beales, Ealing Broadway. Lovely consultant. It is the first time that I have been offered this service so not sure if it is new or something they don't push.

I have no idea when it comes to make up but this weekend I when to House of Fraser and the lady at the Benefit counter stopped me and said would I like a make over, well I thought why not.

I have to say I feel like a new woman. The products she used were wonderful and I confess I did buy quite a bit (husband freaked out when I told him how much it cost) So I recommend Benefit! But if you're not sure I would definately get a make over from one of the department stores, it's free as long as you don't get sucked into buying everything

'estee lauder complete cover lighweight makeup' is my favourite. it was originally developed for post op face lifts to cover the scarring/blemishes but its in a gel form so its nice and light but brilliant cover

sorry nutcracker, didn't see your earlier question...
it's not 'better' to drink warm water it just seems (to me at least) that it is easier to drink more warm water rather than cold. i don't mean hot, just warm. I boil the kettle, put some cold water in a glass(about 1/2) then add hot water from the kettle on top and get the rightish temeperature for me.

Oooooh Jampot could you really.

I have paleish skin, dark hair and brown eyes.
Samples would be great if you have any

Branster - I will try the warm water, not sure i could stand it but i'll try.

Shrub - That sounds good, will look out for that.

Wellsie - What is Benefit ? I've not heard of it until this thread.

Nutty - I've sorted out a box of stuff for you to try. do you have msn so I can arrange delivery?

Yep i do

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The only bit of make up I spend money on is my foundation, I am pale with a slightly red nose and a habit of getting red in the cheeks, I get blotches and occasional spots and dry patches...(gosh don't I sound attractive!)

"Helena Rubinstein Spectacular Make up Foundation" is fab! Expensive but worth every penny and lasts me about 6 months and I wear it every other day. I then use L'Oreal translucent powder to seal the foundation 10 minutes after applying it, 24 hours later and my skin still looks flawless.

Any make up sits on this stuff brilliantly!

artjoe, your skin sound very like mine. Do you have freckles too? I find that most foundations block mine out and I look a bit daft.

Saying that, I have some Estee Lauder Equaliser foundation which is OK.

But the Helena Rubenstein stuff sounds good..

God, this a great thread!

Pretty much everything seems to have been covered but just thought I'd add my top tip. After years of trying and failing to cover my under eye bags with Touche Eclat, a makeup artist told me you shouldn't think of it as a concealer - it's more a "reflector". So now I conceal blackness with brilliant MAC concealer 9comes in a tube and I apply with a little brush), and then apply my "reflector" Much, much better thab Touche Eclat is the new Laura Mercier Instant Brightener - it is amazing.

Finally, one thing no one's said is it really does make a difference if you use decent brushes. I think you can get away with a cheaper one for blusher (even a MAC makeup artist told me so), but for applying concealer, eye shadow and eye liner, it really pays to pay more. Initial outlay high, but you only need to do it once. I've been using the same Bobbi Brown brushes (I have 3 different ones and that pretty much does everything) for over 10 years now.

Oh - and this really IS the final thing , Giorgio Armani cosmetics are wonderful. I only have one or two items as can't get to London easily but if you can get to a Selfridges or Harvey Nicks, go and have a fiddle. Last time I went to get one eyeshadow and the lovely girl on the counter completely made me over and left me looking fantastic (well, a bit less like a cadaver, anyway!) The Sheer Fluids are great for adding radiance to your skin.

Mascara - Maz Factor

Nutcracker, neither had I until I went into House of Fraser.
It's costmetics that have been set up and launched by 2 friends. The products are quite funky - the base stuff is called "Dr Feelgood", the blusher is called "Dandelion" and the concealer is called "Boi-ing" Apparently they've been going for about 7yrs and are in all the House of Fraser stores and some Boots stores. I have to say I'm in love with their stuff, however if I shopped around I'm sure I could have found equally good make-up without having taken out a 2nd mortgage DH But I don't treat myself EVER so I figured WHY NOT!!

You can buy benefit makeup on ebay at quite a discount (and other makes too). I got a benefit lip pencil for £2.99 (rrp about £12) so it's well worth a look.

Dr Feelgood isn't actually a base, it's a sort of alternative to face powder - it's like a wax that you apply under or over makeup with a sponge and it mattifies your complexion.