Advice on serums, primer, eye cream & makeup pls from worn-out 41yo mum of 4

[accessorizequeen]

I know I need some stuff as I look rubbish, but no idea what to buy. I don't like boots/high street stuff as I don't want parabens etc on my skin so narrows the choice a little bit.
I have v.pale sensitive skin, dry in patches and am v.prone to redness. Skin is alright, pretty firm so far but I think I look dull and tired all the time (I am tired all the time, but was hoping to cover it up). I'm using Dear John moisturiser by Benefit because I got it for my birthday and don't have anything else. Had Origins white tea before and LE superskin, both lovely. Have used LE C&P which I loved but have run out of so haven't washed my face at all for a while eek. Don't use eye cream or serum or primer because no idea if I need them/what to buy. I wear LilyLolo mineral foundation or Lancome on a bad day with some mascara, possibly sheer lipstick. That's it. But I went to work last week with no makeup on at all and was surprised that I didn't look that much different (I looked crap but obviously makeup not doing much for me!) I have never worn blusher or eyeliner, no idea what to do and any time someone's made me up I look weird.

I need to lose quite a lot of weight and struggling with PND so it would help if my face looked alright. when I make effort to wear eyeshadow like today I look 200% better so thought if I wore blusher and primer or something too I would look waaaay better! I want to look done instead of patchy if that makes sense. Please help!

do you have a good girlfriend whose opinion you trust that you could ask for her honest opinion? obviously someone who wears a bit of makeup.
Also if you want more natural makeup, you could try the mineral makeups available now, such as pure escentuals, they do eye shadows and blushers as well as foundations

also, I think eye-cream is an essential. I dont wear moisturiser as I have oily skin, but I'll always always put on eyecream morning and night, just to keep the crows feet at bay. Look for one that suits your needs, eg if you have shadows or bags, get one to suit. I just use a moisturising one

I have pale, sensitive skin that is prone to redness and I am in love with this and all the associated range of creams.

I normally only wear minimal make-up (but always some!) and have made a bit more of an effort this morning with eyeliner, lipstick and foundation (minerals) and feel wonderful!

There is a really good website here that has amazing video clips of how to put on make-up for all different types of scenarios / looks. Also, she uses a range of products so not all £££.

I use the Estee Lauder advanced night repair eye serum here which is really good.

Bobbi Brown is fairly natural make-up so a good place to try before you buy!

Hope you get some more responses

Also - if you look tired all the time, try dyeing your eyelashes (Dylash at Boots) and using eyebrow pencil and gel (Benefit) for added eye definition. Really easy and really effective!

I think Bobbi Brown is a good reccomendation - very natural make-up - the tinted balm, which is like a tinted moisturiser might be good for you. I like it.

They also do skincare which is simple but, whenever I've tried, good. It includes an eye serum, which I do think would be worth trying. There are other excellent makes of these of course, including Clinique and the Estee Lauder one mentioned.

Why not book in for a consultation at Bobbi Brown and perhaps Clinique too.

Space NK is also an excellent source of advice and not all their lines are very highly priced. They have good mid-market ones like Nuxe, Ren, and Caudalie.

Eyebrow and eyelash tinting also good ideas, I think. I get mine done professionally, but only because I'm not practical enough to do it myself.

'Recommendation', not reccomendation'!!

Thanks all! I did try some estee Lauder stuff like the one mentioned ages ago and it was fab. I'm not that keen on all the chemicals in a lot of this stuff tho which is why I moved to mineral foundation. Hadn't thought of the mineral blusher so will try lily lolo. Got one of their eyeshadows and it looks good. I do feel a bit papery tho, but avoid glowing-type things because of the redness.
Eyelash and eyebrows might b worth concentrating on with some cream or serum. Eyes are good feature.
Is primer underneath mineral foundation going to help? Don't wear concealer although benefit one was ok. Not sure how full of nasty stuff is benefit though?

accessorizequeen

If you're keen to avoid parabens, edta and such like, you should take a look at Neals Yard for moisturisers. There is also currently another thread in style and beauty on here with best organic/natural beauty products which would be helpful

As you're already using mineral makeup, you avoid a lot of gunk there too.

Lilylolo do concealers too. Very good. Easy t apply.

I suffer from rosacea so have quite a red face.

I found that using oil cleansing method but WITHOUT castor oil and just using grapeseed oil, jojoba or almond (if very dry) had helped and am now just sort of pink on the cheeks and alittle on my chin. Much much better. If I am still dry on the cheeks after wiping/rinsing off the oil, I apply a couple of drops and let it sink in. OCM with castor oil was too hard and drying for me. I buy the oils either from Neals Yard or Planet Organic.

I have been using Lilylolo and their shades of foundation are fab during the summer but in winter I struggle to get it right. So recently I have tried Elemental Beauty's mineral Foundation and the shades work better for me. Goes on really nicely and feels less drying than Lilylolo. I think its because EB main ingredient is titanium dioxide rather than mica. www.elementalbeauty.co.uk/

I found, being fairly red faced, that most of the Lilylolo mineral blushers were a bit too pink or red except the peach one (Peach Blush) which is subtle and nice during winter. Their matte bronzer is really great in the summer and does help hide redness.

Lilylolo eyeshadows are great. As are Neals Yards new mineral eyeshadows and pencils.

You can get mineral mascara on Lucy Rose Organics along with lots of organic/natural make up and skin care www.lucyrose.biz/bm-beauty-mineral-cosmetics-336-c.asp

HTH

Hi, I don't really wear much makeup, I have pale skin and look a bit like a ghost most days! I've found soap and glory bright here bright now really helps brighten up my skin without looking like you're wearing full makeup, a bit like a primer / tinted foundation, it was £10 from boots. Also good for if you would prefer to save full make up for particular occasions rather than using foundation everyday, iyswim?

Am finding clarins eye cream pretty good too!

hth's

neals yard/liz earle both very good for natural ingredients and between them cover what you have mentioned

typing with one hand as feeding so scuse lack of capitals etc!

the answer is:
skin: doublebase gel - an emollient, affordable, available at boots, much better than anything else i've tried including creme de la mer etc

eyes: kiehls avocado eye cream

make up - bare minerals - I have eczema and this totally covers up (and nourishes!) dry patches. application takes a bit of practice but totally worth it. since i started using this, literally ALL my friends have converted their make up bags.

good luck!

Shu uemura make a primer called Stage Performer, you don't need moisturiser underneath and it's fab alone or under foundation.

thanks all! I shall have a look at all the brands mentioned esp organic/no nasties ones as I think my skin would respond better to those. Do fancy some high-tech anti wrinkle serum but trying to resist.
I do find the LilyLolo seems to dry me out a bit in winter, guess that's why I'm kind of papery at present. Lancome is too heavy really although good coverage, would prefer something in between. Shall look at other mineral brands. Don't want to go and spend a fortune on all of this maybe I'll pick a few and buy samples that will last a month.
Don't know anything about oil cleaning method, shall go and google that! I don't think I have particularly dry skin though, just normal, dry on cheeks and sensitive with redness.
you are all very kind, I feel much more upbeat today thinking at least my face will look better soon even if body trashed...

Sali Hughes I think her name is has a column on the guardian website every week and highly recommends Liz Earle. www.guardian.co.uk/profile/sali-hughes
I have to say I have her hand cream and it is lovely. Is the body shop too uncool these days? they will always do you a mini makeover for free if you ask. :)