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Style and beauty

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Original poster

make up advice

23 replies

queenrollo · 02/02/2011 08:17

i don't often wear make-up. I pencil in my eyebrows for a bit of definition and sometimes wear mascara if i look particularly washed out.
I'm getting married on the 26th, and i'll be doing my own make-up. I've decided to wear foundation for the day, as i go blotchy when i cry - and I will cry.

I'm going to go to a local dept store and see what the girls at the beauty counter have to offer but i'd like to be armed with a bit of knowledge first as I don't want to be overwhelmed.

So can I have recommendations please?

foundation - which i havent worn since my late teens. I have pretty good skin tone , don't want anything too heavy but something that will even out the worst of the blotchiness until it fades.

mascara - is there really one that doesn't smudge or run? i've tried several waterproof mascaras and none of them really were. I'm willing to push the boat on price for this item.....i really don't want panda eyes!

I have a trusty red lipstick already.

OP posts:
mum295 · 02/02/2011 08:33

Do you have a friend whose opinion you trust who you could take with you? Or your Mum or sister?

I went to a make-up counter before my wedding and I did buy the products they suggested but they CAKED it on me, it looked appalling. My friend came with me and she did my make-up on the day, much more naturally.

I wonder if you could try a slightly less "popular" brand like Bobbi Brown or Benefit, if your dept store has those?

Good luck and congrats on your wedding!

Original poster
queenrollo · 02/02/2011 12:45

unfortunately i'm flying solo on this one - my mum would be no use at all!

Having worked in retail/sales for years i'm not easily pushed into buying things unless i'm really sure so i think i'll pop along and see what advice i can get, and then make my own mind up!

OP posts:
KikiJane · 02/02/2011 12:50

Estée Lauder Double Wear is brilliant (they also do a 'lighter cover' one in that range). Do make sure you take the mirror outside to natural light, though, when they've put the testers on your jawline. What appears invisible under the shop lights might be giant orange streaks in daylight!

Estée Lauder will also give you tiny little tester bottles which will give you a couple of days' wear, so that you can try them at home. You need to ask for those, though.

KikiJane · 02/02/2011 12:51

(I don't work for them, honestly!)

Also, they're usually pretty helpful on the make-up counters in dept stores. Tell them exactly what you want/don't want, and they should be able to find you something suitable.

rubyrubyruby · 02/02/2011 12:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mum295 · 02/02/2011 13:32

I do use Estee Lauder Double Wear Light and love it, easily the best foundation I've used, and have been through a few in my time.

For mascara I've been using Estee Lauder Double Wear but it can get a bit clumpy.

Lancome Hypnose mascara has been highly-rated on MN threads recently and I bought it yesterday (Boots has a fab Lancome offer at the moment BTW - free gift with 2 items plus £10 of points if you buy 3 items, one to be skincare). But have only used it for the first time today so can't really comment. And not sure if it's waterproof, sorry!

RamblingRosa · 02/02/2011 13:37

Laura Mercier to a bridal make over thingy. I've been with a couple of friends who were getting married.

They do your make up how you want it (you can say you want it natural and not caked on) and then you buy a couple of the products (I think the make over is redeemable against buying some products IYSWIM).

Not cheap but v nice.

charlieandlola · 02/02/2011 13:40

chanel vitalumiere is great for light coverage.

rubyrubyruby · 02/02/2011 13:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

miche8 · 02/02/2011 13:46

I'd get your makeup done at a few counters, over several days, take photos, get it done in the morning and see how it wears throughout the day. I always pick the girl with the most natural makeup. I do think they are taught to pile on loads of products so be firm.

Today i had my foundation done x2 at chanel both colours were too pale and felt matt, did think she listened to what i wanted.

Then i went across to clinique and the kind lady took my makeup off and picked me the perfect foundation and concealer, it still looks good, she told me to see how it wore and if i liked it to come back next week when it was bonus time.

I've also had a nice make over done at bobbi brown.

KikiJane · 02/02/2011 13:49

Lots of the higher-end brands will give you samples. My absolute favourite was one I got from Creme de la Mer, but I just can't justify the price.

2old4thislark · 02/02/2011 13:59

I love MAC makeup. It really stays on - I used to end up with Eye make up all over my face by the end of the day. With MAC makeup I look exactly the same at the end of the day.

I use their PLUSH LASH mascara and it stays on and is the only one that my sensitive eyes/skin will tolerate. Go to one of their counters and I'm sure they'll be happy to help. I got some help covereing a small facial scar recently and the girl didn't try the hard sell at all.

I can also recommend Olay's tinted moisturiser if you don't fancy foundation. Can be bought cheaply in Wilkinsons.

Original poster
queenrollo · 02/02/2011 14:09

Thank you this is all great advice.

I did used to wear make-up daily and also used to spend hours messing about with new looks, natural/outrageous etc. I just got out of practice, so i think i need to have a few afternoons just playing around with samples and see how i get one.

OP posts:
slug · 02/02/2011 14:30

I had a chat with the Laura mercier person at Space NK just before I got married. I walked away with the lippy they recommended, nothing else. There was no pressure to buy and they gave me lots of tips.

slug · 02/02/2011 14:32

Justin case, Lily Lo do sample sizes of foundation for £1.29. They are easily big enough to last a few weeks worth of applications, so may be a good budget option.

Woodhen · 02/02/2011 14:40

oooh where do you live? My brother works as a make up artist for Chanel in House of Fraser on Oxford st - he's good at not troweling it onto customers!!

Mac do a very good foundation that is quite heavy but it lasts brilliantly and stays matte - the problem with going for something to light is it wont help with blotchyness when it appears.

Personaly I would go for a really good base foundation even if it feels a bit thick and make sure the rest is nice and subtle - that way it should last all day and not look too heavy iyswim & remember the effects of makeup are often lost in photos and when flashes go off so a good idea to take a picture of the finished result.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 02/02/2011 16:05

Double wear light is fab - stays put allll day and good coverage. A primer is also good under wedding makeup.

Mascara - expensive is not always better! My personal test is to ho round a shop armed with a small bottle of water and a lot of tissues, swipe the mascara on my hand, let it dry and rub with a damp tissue to see if it comes off!

Put loose powder beneath your eyes so if heaven forbid your mascara does run it won't ruin all your make-up.

If you're in Birmingham I recommend Estee Lauder at house of Fraser and Laura mercier at Selfridges.

littleomar · 02/02/2011 16:11

i love benefit base - i've never worn foundation in my life but they do a great tinted moisturiser (in two shades) and various things that go underneath to polyfilla in the cracks.

their cream eyeshadows are great too - last for ages and don't crease.

i don't rate their mascara though and they will plaster you with yucky pink blusher.

waffling a bit... so, for you, they have free makeup lessons - i have booked one for my own wedding. we're getting married in the afternoon and hopefully doing drinks/photos outside so i don't want anything too orange dramatic

Original poster
queenrollo · 02/02/2011 16:29

i'm in rural Lincolnshire so my options are a bit limited. Going to try my nearest (small) dept store and might have to make a trip into Lincoln itself and have a trawl round.
There's some good advice here though, i think maybe going for a heavier base might be a good option. We're getting married at 11.15 so the make up has to stay put until tea-time when we'll heading home after the piss up reception.

OP posts:
eyebrowqueen · 02/02/2011 18:19

You have got some really good advice here. Lily Lolo is very good mineral makeup. But it is website buying so you would have to get samples before to try. Also mineral makeup takes a little bit of getting used to but once you get it it is great. It definitely lasts a long time and you can reapply it without having to entirely redo your face and you won't feel like you are clagging your skin up either. But it is not for everyone and you need to get the right brush...

So as the others say, trying a foundation is a really good idea. Estee Lauder double wear seems to last forever but it is really heavy. Laura Mercier does lovely makeup and the reps tend not to cake it on but it is pricey and I don't really think their foundations are best for longevity.

Clinique special curling mascara is what I always recommend for weddings. I have no idea why it is called curling as that bit seems irrelevant but it is very good at giving a bit of volume and lasting all day and not smudging. It only comes off in the shower with warm water.

Good luck with it!

RamblingRosa · 03/02/2011 10:13

I'm a bit mineral make up fan and I use LilyLolo but I was advised by a Laura Mercier make up artist (who was doing a friend's wedding make up) not to use mineral make up for weddings because it doesn't photograph well (too light reflective or something).

Just thought I should pass that on!

AllThreeWays · 03/02/2011 10:17

In regard to waterproof mascara, I find Max Factor Aqua lash looks great and is budgeproof

eyebrowqueen · 03/02/2011 10:19

Rosa, I don't know about that to be honest - I think its a bit of an anti marketing campaign. We use mineral makeup in high definition filming and some mineral makeup has more shimmer than others (Lily Lolo not too much). Do stay away from touche eclat though as that does give panda eyes

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