Where to start with skincare/makeup?

[RudolphMinusRedNose]

I'm about to turn 35 and feeling down about it.

I've never really worn much make-up - concealer under eyes for dark circles and red not bright lipstick - darker when going out. I've not been doing that for a while as 3 young DC and a DH away during the week.

I've had alot of rude blunt comments form locals I see. I have recently lost nearly 2 st, could do with losing another stone and half to get into correct bmi range, and got rid of nursing bras and bra shopped at brassimov. That plus few nice new suitable tops I thought I'd be feeling better.

I know my hair and eye brows need work but I have no idea what I should be doing with my skin and time and money are both tight. I'm never by myself - 6 am till 8 pm I have between 1 and 3 DC with me except at weekends thought we try and pack alot into those so not often I get time then either.

Generally have very pale but clear skin - except when I get big red spots at certain times of month, though recently had some red scaly skin round mouth that I think was trigger by stress and has cleared up with Christmas break.

Any ideas where I should start?

When's your birthday? Can yo ask for vouchers for a dept store then make an appt at one of the make up counters and get them to do you a whole 'face'. You can then choose to buy just the most important bits with your vouchers. They will normally give you free samples of other bits as well if you are buying something. Don't buy everything from the expensive counter though,just a couple of key items. Note the products used, rough colours etc, then buy a much cheaper similar version from the chemists.

It's not long now - mentioned idea to DH whose made some none committal noises.

Good idea though - thanks.

Well done on the weight loss!

With regard to skincare and make-up, what are you hoping to achieve?

I would aim to be using a quick foaming cleanser morning and night, followed by a moisturiser with SPF (you don't need the SPF at night, but there's no real harm in it as a starting point). You could get a scrub or mask for using on the weekend when you have a bit more time?

Make up wise, mascara and tinted lip balm or gloss (there's a nice moisturising lip gloss by claims that I rate) is a good started, maybe a tinted moisturiser?

mrsbossyboots - thanks

I look awful at the moment so guess want to look more presentable - less tired and therefore not as old but everyday presentable rather than wow and it would have to be quick to apply - there not much time in the mornings.

Thanks Hopefully - lots to put in a list for DH and for me to get later- the tinted lip balm rather than lipstick sounds a good idea as DH will buy very bright ones and many days lipstick feels too much. Though perhaps that the issue I'm at school gates, toddler groups and local shops and that's about it - but not making an effort is getting me down now.

Congratulations on losing weight!! Quick make-up to make you look good is concealer, blusher, lipstick and mascara. Clinique do good concealer. CleanSe with vit e wash and cloth - super drug and their moisturiser. Keep up your good work x

Congratulations! Don't feel too discouraged! I was last year in about the same situation you are now (38, 2 very small DC, pale, worn-out, clothes not fitting post weight loss). I've systematically redone my entire look and look fabulous - everybody says so. Key things: I persisted maintaining the weight loss, I got my hair highlighted. I invested in lighter and more fitting makeup (moisturizers clogged my skin up and were too heavy - serum was the key thing for me). And I got my colors done.

It's small steps that count. Give yourself time! Enjoy every little step (and each new makeup item). By giving a few minutes to yourself each day you are telling yourself that you care about yourself, that you value yourself. Try, if at all possible, to keep your mind positive. (And don't get discouraged by the inevitable small setbacks). Do you have a friend who does her makeup well and dresses well? Could you take her along when you go shopping? If not, S&B and Makeupalley and beauty blogs are full of good advice and tutorials. Please ask your DH for vouchers - if he does the shopping, he will be inevitably be drawn to flashy colors and fancy packaging and pick items that won't suit you. It seems that you are after subtle everyday neutrals.

Just to give you an idea, these are my subtle daily neutrals (I'm very pale with highlighted blond hair and gray-green eyes): Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum, Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation in Ivory, Shiseido brow pencil in Natural Black, Chanel Prelude eye shadow, Chanel eye pencil in silver or platinum khaki, Chanel Joues Contrastes blusher in Rose Ecrin, Chanel Coco Rouge in Organdi Rose. All that makeup goes on in about 10 minutes. It doesn't look like I'm wearing a full face of slap - I just look fresher, more awake and more polished. You could easily get most of the items in cheaper ranges, eg. Bourjois, Max Factor etc - just swatch and match - and probably with your good skin you can skip foundation and eye shadow is not a must (and you'd might to want to wear mascara). My must items are lipstick, blusher and eyeliner - they give instant color and definition to my pale face. And I wash and quickly hotbrush my hair every 2 days (+ 15-20 minutes).

If you have girls, they can stay with you while you do your makeup. My 1- and 3-y-olds hang out with me in bathroom every morning. While I do my face, they put on some Hello Kitty lip balm and a drop of perfume from pink perfume sample and brush their teeth and hair.

Good luck with the transformation!

Oh, and I forgot to mention: I go for makeup that doesn't need a touch-up during the day (hence many of the items are longwearing). If you are getting a makeover, tell the person at the counter that you are a busy mom and won't have time to touch up. My only addition is a new layer of lipstick after lunch. My makeup stays on and looks pretty flawless until I remove it at night (usually with wipes and creamy cleanser). The serum keeps my dry/normal skin well hydrated, if it's very dry I add a night cream (Garnier does cheap and decent ones, the red "Lift" is nice). I use a SPF moisturizer as a base during the sunnier months but not now, SPF tends to block my skin.

Congratulations on the weight loss! I have 2 DDs - 3yo & 10 weeks - so I don't have time for loads of shopping or leisurely make up application either.

I used to use Dermalogica but have switched to oil cleansing method. My skin is as good as it was using the expensive stuff and it's quicker.

I have just switched to moisturisers with AHAs in rather than using moisturiser and exfoliator (someone linked Beautypedia on here and that seemed to be the recommendation there). Olay regenerist range gets good ratings on there.

If you're not confident with make up application then search for Lisa Eldridge tutorials on YouTube.

I use Estee Lauder Longwear foundation, it gets great reviews and blends nicely so it just looks like my skin but better. I use a liquid blusher (by Benefit boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/benefit-posietint_122414/). I get compliments when wearing it which I think is because it blends into my skin rather than sits on it like a powder so I just look healthy.

I use a neutral eyeshadow by MAC or Estee Lauder, curl my eyelashes and use mascara.

I have my eyebrows threaded which makes a huge difference to my face. They are so symmetrical and neat. I look more awake and younger when I've had them done once the redness subsides

I am still searching for a lipstick that suits me but at the moment I am using one which tints depending on your own lip colour. I can't remember who makes it, I will check.

I agree that getting your hair done in a style and colour that suits you will help. I am still at the tying-it-back-every-day stage of motherhood though.

Good luck

Here's my lip colour:

Dior Lip Glow

I'm turning 35 next year too! I like to attack things from inside out though,

I drink a 2ltrs of smartprice fizzy water a day, one cup ot tea early morning. This has made a huge difference to my skin and I have more energy too, it's hard to get into but worth it (and cheap).

I take brewers yeast, I don't spread it out over the day like it says because I will forget so I take it early morning. It contains selenium and chromium which is good for dieting and b vitamins (except b12) for energy, if you are stressed you use more b vits.

I also take sea kelp for weight management, and hair and skin.

I make my hair appt as I leave the salon so I don't go over 8 weeks and look shabby.

I get my brows threaded, so much better than waxing.

I use liz earle skin care incl the toner, I can tell a difference when I run out. I hadn't used toner for years before I found her toner.

I'm pale but with very dark hair so I use clinique city block SPF 40 with no powder or anything and then I use my garnier caffiene under eye concealed on any blemishes and under my eyes.

Long lashes are youthful so I use a lash serum from loreal which has been discontinued but amazon sells loads of them with reviews.

Thank you so much for the replies and the really great advice.

I've just read and then tried the oil cleaning method - as we had grapeseed oil in - so will see if that works for me.

I was thinking of getting my eye brows threaded - so good to hear that's the way to go.

I'm making careful notes about everything else suggested - DH agreed to get me a BaByliss 2775U Big Hair Rotating Styler which should help with the hair - so will have think hard about what else to put down if he won't go with gift card idea - think he wants DC to help pick stuff up which could be disastrous interesting.

DonaAna
Give yourself time! Enjoy every little step

That is great advice - especially as I can't rush out and get everything immediately or get quickly competent with new items. Last year it was weight, bra, tops and some jewellery this year some of the rest .

Thank you

Eyebrow threading is definitely worth it and you can use tweezers to keep them tidied up in between if you can be bothered. I get mine threaded every 4-5 weeks and don't really bother to tweeze but if you do you could probably leave it longer.

For skin care I use Clinique and would really recommend it to everyone. My skin looks so much brighter when using it. Go to a counter, have a chat and they will help you find stuff to suit your needs (if you don't want to turn up totally clueless they have a little test on their website which should give you an idea of your skin type). On the cheaper end of the scale, I think Boots Botanics range is actually great for the price and they have quite a wide range of products.

For the scaly skin, it might sound weird but you could try some over the counter anti-histimines. This was recommended to me by a pharmacist at Boots when I had a little bit of this by my mouth and on an eye lid. The tablets cost about 2 quid and cleared it up immediately.

For good make up but not too expensive try the Body Shop. Nice stuff and the sales assistants there are often v friendly and willing to help.

Congrats on the weight loss and good luck finding some products you like :)

Actually the anti-histimines make sense - I have lots of allergies and recently diagnosed with asthma as well all of which get worse with stress and recently there has been alot of that.

DH is around at minute and helping with DC and house so I've had a break and it has cleared up. If it comes back when he's off again - that would definitely be worth a try - thanks.

Hey, just to add i would highly recommend sali hughes' column on the guardian website. She does articles on different products along with videos advising on make up application. I have bought a few products on her recommendation (liz earle cleanse and polish, estee lauder double wear mascara) and they have been fantastic. And her video on how to do liquid eyeliner is amazing, she has a foolproof method! It's a good place to go if you want to build up a collection of trusted products.

Ok, so if your DH won't go for gift vouchers I'd ask him to get to a Liz Earle counter and ask for a starter kit. Honestly, its such a simple routine and if your skin is a little sensitive it will be perfect.

Agree with Dona re a simple make up routine. Clear out any old make up and just have the things you use every day in your make up bag. Eyeliner can be transforming, I like Mac Blooz which is a blacky-blue colour. Practise in the evenings at home, and you'll soon get used to it and get a good technique going.

I use DC's bath time for doing a bit of grooming. Get them in the bath and then in the bathroom you can tidy eyebrows, paint toenails and I take my make up off at this point.

Eyebrow threading is fab - will give you a good shape that you can tidy in between.

The Babyliss BH will help too, rough dry your hair by 90% before you use it. But I find 5 mins with it really 'polishes' my hair. Also, I recommend having a few toys in your bedroom that you could get out for the DC's whilst you get ready. Or if you can bear it, get up 15 mins before everyone and get as ready as you can.

Good luck, and congratulations on the weight loss!

I will definetely check out sali hughes' column - I've never got on with eye so it may be time to try again.

I definetly need to think about managing my time a bit better - so I have bit of time for me and still get everything else done.

Thanks .