Please help a make up virgin!

[littlelamb]

Quite how I have managed to reach the grand old age of 22 without a clue how to 'do' makeup is beyond me, and now I have decided to take the plunge. I literally need you to tell me what to do with make up I only wear foundation and mascara, and I'm fed up of looking like a walking corpse. I need some colour to my face but don't want to look a mess as I really have no idea what I'm doing. I have hazel eyes, brown hair and a pale olive complexion if thats any help. And I don't want it to look too obvious. What should I buy, in what colours, and what do I do with it?!

Bodyshop do free make up sessions, might be worth popping in and getting somebody actually show you. Nothing worse than make up incorrectly applied.

how about getting your make-up done at a department store cosmetics counter. Mac and Bobbi Brown are both v nice IMHO. They will be able to suggest the right colours and give you advice about applying it (they can tend to trowel it on a bit, but you'll be able to tone down the effect when you do it yourself).

Things to buy are probably:
concealer and powder to go with the foundation (concealer to hide spots and dark rings under your eyes, powder to set it all)
eye pencil, eye shadow (try a nice warm brown for both to start with)
blusher - you can get creams, powders, moussey ones. Make sure it suits your skin tone (i.e. it isn't a bluey shade of pink). Put this on the apples of your cheeks and blend well.
Lipstick! or gloss in a tube.

If you can possibly afford it, or ask for it for Christmas, a make up lesson would be a great help as they would show you techniques and colours that suit you. Many beauty salons do them, or a mobile beautician would probably be cheaper.

If not, Furball's idea is good - BeneFit counters will also do a mini makeover for free, as do various other places, although I think the understanding is that you buy something at the end.

Would it be very cheeky to go to one of these counters then just say afterwards that I'm just popping to the bank....then never return I just need an idea, then I'll go and buy cheaper alternatives!

Nobody says YOU HAVE to buy anything. I suppose it's just everyones politeness where we feel we ought to, like when you go to somebodys tupperware party IYSWIM. Just say you like it and ask them to write down the colours etc. so you know whats what and could maybe work to your own budget. Thats sort of why I suggested the Bodyshop as they are not OTT when it comes to the price.

Go to a counter, get made up and ask for a sample of foundation to take away with you "to see if it suits your skin/allergies/etc." Most counters will do this for you and if they're really nice then they throw in a few freebies as well.

lol, read thread title as
'Please help make me a virgin'....

was expecting tips on hymen reattachments...lol

But will they make me feel stupid?! It actually makes me cringe to think of someone doing my make up for me, seeing my horrible skin in close up!

Its like when I go to the hairdressers though, and I get embarassed when they ask what my regime is and what products I use, and I just reply 'whatever's in the shower' I'm not a very girly girl, and the sight of the women at beauty counters with every single product slapped on to their face makes me want to laugh!

I did this recently. I NEVER wore makeup, except some not v well chosen struff for occasional goings out.

I decided I needed to know (and i'd got to 26, so i'm worse than you lol) how and what!!!

So my mum took me to selfridges. we decided on clarins and they did a fab job, explaining over again how they were doing it, what I Really needed and what would not fit in with my lifestyle and needs.

My mum did buy me stuff (it was my birthday that day) but as others have said you could take ideas elsewhere.

I then, a couple of months later was with a friend up in Newcastle and decided I wanted some more everyday stuff (the clarins stuff i have decided suits mainly best, smart, feeling extra good) so i went to Prescriptives (there are not many counters around- in London they're in selfridges and harrods). Not cheap but ever so lovely. i still wear a bare face with either lip balm or lip gloss most of the time but once or twice a week i'll put on my stuff, and feel great esp knowing that i know how!!!!!!

hth