I need make up advice. Please help me.

[bagelmonkey]

I've never been into make up. I experimented briefly as a teenager, but never really got the hang of it. Someone else did my make up for me when I got married & I don't own any.
I'm pretty happy without make up most of the time, but I'm starting to become more aware of my slightly blotchy red cheeks & I was hoping for some suggestions for an easy to apply foundation/cover-up type thing to make my complexion look smoother. The make up equivalent of airbrushing? Does that exist? It must do. Please tell me that everyone else's perfect faces aren't natural.
So, any suggestions? (not too many & not too expensive, or my head will explode) Please don't tell me to go to a make up counter. They're too intimidating & I tried it once & left painted up like a clown.
Thank you.

Thank everyone.
Sarf I think you're right re: translucent powder and keeping it simple. I really just want one product to try to look a bit less blotchy.
I'll give the BB cream ago if I get the free sample, if not, I'll probably try powder first.

Eyeliner is great for drawing attention to your eyes and away from any other features you might not love so much. You can do super neat lines with a liquid liner ( I like the body shops ones for upper lids) or use a kohl pencil for a more smudgy rock chick look (which requires less expertise). Eyeliner can make you look more beautiful and slightly more mean when necessary. It would definitely be my product of choice. Try grey to start with if black feels too dramatic. I could never get on with brown for some reason but lots of folk swear by it.

Use a damp sponge when applying foundation as it makes it dewy looking.

xx

Benefit is IMO the best quality make-up I have ever used! And considering Chanel/Mac prices it's pretty good value..

If you're not used to using make-up I'd recommend Hello Flawless compact powder - I use mine every single day and it lasts 4-6 months depending on how much I use. For a powder it gives amazing coverage and I like you have slightly red blotching on my cheeks, due to the more yellow colour in the powder it cancels the red out :)

Another thing I find absolutely fabulous when I have zero time and can't be bothered to make an effort is Watts Up also by Benefit I just put a couple of lines along my cheekbones or where they'd be if I were skinny and rub in. It instantly lifts my whole face and brightens and covers any blemishes!

OP if you have very pale skin maybe you should look at Nicola Roberts' Dainty Doll range? I don't really know anything about it other than it's for pale skintones but it might be worth a look

No7 goes on really well if you like liquids. If you like or are happy for a little more money try Estee Lauder. Its got a very good selection.

Green counter acts red. Many brands do a cover stick in green to help which you would put under your foundation cream.

Also try mineral make up. Theres a brand in House of Fraser called Barely There (I think) they do starter packs of it for approx £40 which has a base, eye make up and blushers in several colour ways. I can recommend this too.

Garnier Beauty products are on offer at Boots at the moment - Miracle Beauty Balm (Think that's its name) £7.50 today instead of £9.99.

Bodyshop is quite nice (except for lipsticks, too waxy). But lovely foundations and eyeshadows. Quality good and v. reasonable . The assistants are usually great (not intimidating) and you can have some fun! But does take time to buy the right products. Don't rush or you will waste your money!

Lavera every time.

Get a makeover/ make-up lesson from somebody who isn't trying to sell you stuff.

I find that even a moisturiser with sunscreen leaves my face looking much more even toned. I have some cream blush and some concealer, and some aldi eye area moisturiser, and after that eyeshadow and mascara plus carmex lip salve and maybe a bit of lipstick do the trick. I use my dark grey eyeshadow as eyeliner.

Under eye concealer/corrector - i am still struggling to find one I like that does not cost £25 a pop but i really have to have something under my eyes to soften the darkness. Whether you need this depends on how heavy your eyes look.

I have the 'by terry' one which is fab, but I also find myself more and more reach for my Rimmel 'match perfection' skin tone adapting concealer which is in a tube with a brush end and is just the right mix of concealer and highlighter and just the right consistency for under eyes... In really impressed with it and it's only £4 or so!

oh thanks for that concealer tip knitknack ! I will give it a try. I have tried No.7, used to be good, but now gives me reverse panda eyes. Clinique just did not do much, Benefit erase paste was probably the best but too dark and heavy for normal every day use, tried some others, currently using maybelline but its too much highlighter, luckily I have very heavy framed glasses!

If you can bear to- try the Bobbi Brown counter and book a make over. They will give you a natural look, or if it's all too much just ask them to colour match you for foundation and blusher. I hate being made up in a shop but found them very helpful.

right

IMO, all you need is this:

1. a good primer. am using the revlon photofinish one at the mo but can also highly recommend avon's MagicX

2. a good concealer. YSL touche eclat or the similar clarins one are both excellent.

3. a good mascara, the loreal false lash one is excellent

4. and a cheek tint if you feel brave enough! i use benefit "benetint" gives a healthy glow and makes it look like i have cheekbones.

use the primer a couple of minutes after your moisturiser. then stick some mascara on. then use the concealer under your eyes and also round your nose and lips as shadows form there too. then put a bit of the cheek tint on.

takes about five minutes. and you won't look "made up" but just a bit healthier and prettier.

Re foundation - it's not cheap but Prescriptives custom blend is amazing. I got mine done at John Lewis and they keep your blend on file so that if you run out it's easy to make up another bottle.

I third Lily Lolo. And they send you cheap sample pots so you can try before you buy.

Though mineral make up might be an issue if you have dry skin in places.

I know you balk at the idea, but if you can get to a Mac counter (Debenhams usually has a concession) then ask them to put their face and body foundation on you. I use it in the summer. It's really light and not heavy coverage, but makes my skin glow. I also use it on my legs when I get them out. I find it amazing but it's not for everyone as coverage isn't heavy.

The BB creams on the market now are also quite good. Boots No7 do a nice one.

Eyeshadow- I love Coastal Scents. (US brand) which I get on Amazon or eBay. High pigment, similar quality to Mac but at a tenth of the cost. (If you google it you can see the cult following)

Oh, and the Aldi touch eclait is great...

Can I just thank the person who suggested Lisa Eldridge. I find her videos quite hypnotic and my make up actually looked different for a night out yesterday. Win! I'm also going to check out the Aldi touché éclat

www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/product_range/product_range_13706.htm

And the Aldi Q10 night cream is fantastic. Smells a bit bleuuurrrgh but I did see a marked reduction in fine lines.

I should add that I'm not an employee of Aldi but I am obsessed with the place....

I would have said a mineral foundation or tinted moisturiser (depending how good your skin is), mascara and blusher. Plus I define my eyebrows.

But as you have said you are looking for just one product, I'd probably go for one of those primers you can wear either on their own or under foundation -one with basically no colour. Sort of smoothes everything out without giving the washed out effect of a foundation without mascara. I'm using an ok Avon one at the moment, but I'm sure people will know others. That might be more effective than just powder. I think Benefit do a £££ one which some people rate - Dr Feelgood?

But if you can be bothered, definitely mascara as well. It makes a massive difference and lifts your whole face. Learning from DD1 (when I was completely bare faced), when DD2 was born I managed to put just mascara and blusher on for the next few days. As a result, the first few days of photos look much better .

I went to a very expensive make-up shop a couple of years ago. They gave me a handful of free samples (Dior, Clinique, Clarins - all good brands). I am still using them now.

I've always hated putting make up on.

uneven skin tone now so can't get away with the bare look anymore.

I have tried lots of foundations and eventually decided that liquid is best.The real revelation tough is using a large flat (japanese style) brush to apply it rather than a sponge or fingertips.
And apply it just seconds after your moisturizer before it has completely been absorbed.
A piece of cake. perfectly blends in.
A good piece of advice is to start brushing on uneven toned areas first (as you would with a concealer) then blend in using large strokes.

On this base I'll usually stick to the the 2 basic looks of highlighting either eyes or lips.