People who do wear makeup...

[bakedpotatooooowoooh]

How do you do it?
Top tips for novices, please
Brands, techniques, dos and don'ts

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put it on on the train
it saves time

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don't use mascara - get your eyelashes tinted instead.

Don't do full slap! Just lip gloss and mascara and a bit of blushy stuff

(or sometimes just pinch my cheeks lol!)

Wear only what you need. I have a shiny face so like foundation and a bit of cream blusher. Then eyelashes need doing not because they're pale but to make my eyes look bigger and less piggy.
Very rarely wear lipstick and feel too dressed up with it.
Some people however look great with just lippy.

dont put foundation all over your face, just on the middle part and blotches then blend blend blend

A good quality tinted moisturiser is brilliant for novices. I recommend Dior Hydra Move, expensive but excellent.

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good blending

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you really dont need it all over if you have good skin. I have freckles so look as though I have a mask on with too thick all over foundation.

go and get one of those concrete-faced women at the Benefits make-up counter to do your eyes for starters.

Don't feel like you have to buy anything - at the end, just say

'That's lovely, I'm going to give it a couple of hours to really find out what I like about this look, then I'll be back to maybe make a couple of purchases'

They will at the very least be able to give you application hints and ideas of colours to suit you.

What does foundation feel like? Does it sink in like a moisturiser, or is it stiffish?

A nice thinnish one shouldn't feel like a mask. I like (but am a cheapskate) Bourjois.

It could take ages to find the perfect foundation. For me it is as much about texture as colour matching. I like it to be really smooth and glide on. Plus it has to be light and not at all chalky. I like to feel my skin can still breathe!
I used to think you have to spend money to get a good foundation but am currently loving a No7 one recommended by other mumsnetters.
It's Intelligent Colour Foundation in Light. Really lovely and smooth and no hint of orange.
I don't really need a really heavy foundation and thought I could get away without one but am so converted now. It just evens out your skin tone and you look that little bit more polished.

Estee Lauder foundation - ask for the lightest one if you are not used to wearing make-up.#

L'oreal mascara volumiser - easy to apply.

Mac eyeshadow - use a light pink or creamy colour for starters, just dust over eyelid.

Lipgloss - any. But Lancome juicy tubes are nice, bit sticky if yoiu have long hair.

That is plenty for starters if you are not used to wearing make-up.

My recommendation is go to Debenhams when Estee Lauder are having an offer ie buy two items and get loads of wee freebies. Then book a make-up consultation. They will make you up. Buy two items. I recommend a foundation and a powder from them. You will get a free mascara and lipstick in the pack.

That should set you up nicely it will cost you about £40 - £50 for the two products but their foundations are second to none.

Agree about the No 7 one as well.

cod, mavis wears blusher too
annie and claribel prefer the natural look

Dermalogica, clarins or Laura Mercia tinted moisturiser better than foundation if a make-up virgin.
blemishes and eyebags - estee lauder cover stuff blended with YSL touche eclat (or Boots No 7 cheaper version)

lots of cheaper stuff ie lippy, eyeshadow and mascara from Tesco, Bodyshop or clinique freebies.

I agree re getting eyelashes tinted. It's really quite a quick and cheap treatment at a Beauty salon.

Laura Mercier has the best foundations...I just use a tinted moisturiser and this concealer called Secret camouflage that you can blend yourself to the perfect shade.
Def. agree about the blending!

Any eyeshadow but Mac ones don't bleed into the creases as much, I've found.

Use a lash comb to avoid clumps in mascara. Stephane Marais does one with a comb as the applicator but it's bldy expensive

Go to www.makeupalley.com to get peoples opinions on best of everything.

I use a toothbrush for eyelashes!

God, I never thought of that! I wonder if ds would notice if i "borrowed" his toothbrush (perfect size as milk teeth one...)