If you are mid 30s what makeup do you wear?

[TreacleSoda]

I've been, er, sprucing myself up over the past few months. Have smartened up my clothes, am planning a major haircut shortly and have lost weight and am feeling pretty good about all that, more like 'me'. So far so good.

So, next on the list is makeup. I nearly always wear makeup, but its basically mineral foundation to even out my skin, mascara, and blusher. That's it. I loved makeup when I was younger but have lost my confidence now. I'm lucky that I still have firm skin round the eyes, so its not wrinkles that bother me, its the fear of putting my makeup on and looking like I have slipped back to 1995.

So what does the mid 30s makeup liking woman wear on her face these days? (everyday makeup, not glam nights out).

TBH, my everyday sounds a lot like yours! I wear either a light foundation or BB cream, plus under eye concealer (I havd terrible black rings) and cover up for any stray spots. Then just some mascara and blush.

Sometimes I do a black flicky eye liner too, but don't pair it with anything on the lips unless going out.

For evenings, I tend to opt for smoky eyes, or a big slick of red lippy to go with flicky eyes.

I wear a small the following:

small/medium amount of foundation either around my eyes/nose or all over depending on my mood - Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation or Chanel Teint Lumiere.

Wee bit of blush - NARS Deep Throat, dusting of Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick.

Then I fill in my brows with MAC Satin Taupe

Lids with some MAC - forget the name - whitish cream matte somethingorother, and a dusting of either MAC Satin Taupe again (best e/s ever) or MAC Juxt (pale green), shaded with a slightly darker (Bark? Espresso?) MAC e/s towards the socket. MAC Teddy (fabulous dark dark brown with a tiny shimmer) eyeliner pencil, often dusted over with a bit of MAC Bark/Espresso (I can't remember which is is because it's all depotted) e/s over to soften it (no Kate Middleton rims here!)

Chanel Inimitable Intense or Giorgio Armani Maestro mascara

A touch of Chanel loose powder under the eyes if need be.

Sounds like a lot, but takes less than five mins. That's the "full works" for daytime for me if I'm going to work. If I'm working at home/weekends/can't be arsed, it's less of course.

I used to be REALLY into MAC colours for eyeshadow. Less so now. Humid is still the loveliest dark green e/s I have ever used though. Just rediscovered it the other day and had a really dark dramatic eye (hello 90's!) at a party on Friday. :)

On an everyday basis all I use is some eyeliner and mascara. If I'm going out I'll add foundation, blusher, eyeshadow and lipstick, but all are very subtle. I think as you get older, less is definitely more. There are some good tutorials on the internet about choosing makeup to suit your age and features. Just have a browse.

Thanks! Sounds like I'm doing ok after all, I was worried about the dreaded frump factor.

Was wondering about adding some lip colour into the mix - I have never really worn anything on my lips even when I was younger, because I have no idea how to choose a colour that suits. Also I have big pouty lips and don't want to look over the top.

Should I just google makeup tutorials, or are there any particularly good sites you would recommend?

I'm 35, and usually wear a Maybelline foundation for oily skin, then maybelline cream blush in a pink/rose colour. On my lips I use Benefit gloss in a variety of shades, depending on my mood, and I usually use a brown eyeshadow on my lids, a Benefit black eyeliner on my lower eyelids, and brown mascara.

If you're keen on lip colour that's not "too much" then definitely have a look at the MAC Lip Glass range - they've every colour under the sun, and the staff there are really good at finding something to your taste that suits.

Otherwise, why not just look for a matt nude lipstick to start with and then maybe experiment a bit from there?

I wear Bobbi Brown BB cream or Bare Minerals base; then Bobbi Brown blush, then a neutral satin eyeshadow like that Bourjois little round pot in an almondy cream/MAC Shroom, then a flick of black eyeliner, and lots of Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara. From that I can either emphasise the eyes with a dark eyeshadow in the crease, or the lips with a red lipstick.

Lisa Eldridge does excellent video tutorials on Youtube, or are you near a MAC shop/concession? I don't often bother doing dramatic make-up these days, unless I'm going somewhere, but some of the best tips I've learned have been from a couple of makeovers I had in MAC on the Kings Road. Bobbi Brown counters are also excellent for makeovers and aren't usually too pushy about buying everything they've used on you.

I had never heard of Lisa Eldridge before, but I've started watching one of her videos and I am hooked, that is exactly the sort of advice i was looking for. Thank you!

35 and soon to be 36 here!
Day to day, I wear clinique super double face powder as I don't like the feel of a heavy foundation. I wear a touch of Maybelline mascara, a peachy Bourjois blush and a clinique lip gloss or chubby stick colour.
For going out of an evening, I use a Bourjois shadow and use more mascara than for day. I also go for a stronger lip colour.
It sounds to me like you're doing fine! Have also lost weight, toned up, sorted out my clothes and committed to regular hair cuts in the last year. Feels good doesn't it!!!

I wear Liz Earle sheer skin tint, BB pot rouge on my cheeks, LE light reflective concealer under my eyes, BB powder under eyes to set concealer, Armani mascara (can't remember name) and a bit of whatever lipgloss is lying around, or Chanel La Ravissante lipstick if I want to look a bit more polished.

Mainly mac. Studiotech foundation, mac primer, mac lipsticks and eyeshadow and eyeliner.

Have been using mineral foundation for a bit but think I'm going back to studio tech.

I use no.7 moisturiser.

I am mid thirties. I don't wear foundation. I use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm to make my face look fresh, ysl touch eclat under the eyes etc, then I use Mac eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, cheek blush and a nice peachy blush.

Peachy lipgloss I meant.

I use no7 cleanser, toner, moisturer too. Good luck with the revamp :)

Lisa Eldridge is really great - she designs the seasonal 'collections' for Boots No7, and although she's obvs a Top Make-Up Artist, she doesn't just use expensive brands. She regularly does round-ups of high street favourites, and what to get in pharmacies abroad; she regularly recommends Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, as well as some Boots stuff. And she makes it all look so easy! (Damn her.)

Wonder what age she is? I thought she looked about late 20s but then it said on her website that she had over 20 years experience in the industry. So either she must have started young, or she is really really good at what she does!

tinted moisturiser/ light foundation depending on zit factor. Under eye concealer, peachy blusher, mascara, and [[http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Metallic-Cream-Eyeshadow_1243457/ these cheap eyeshadows] are great, foolproof smush it on with your finger and wear really well.

I need to google the Elridge woman, I am afraid of lipstick, I only wear nudes.

Definition helps me feel more put together, specially now I'm thirty. So well plucked brows plus eyebrow pencil, and a bit of light eyeliner (I use a dark taupey colour, we're not talking black lines here) as well as tinted moisturiser, powder, blusher, and usually a neutral eyeshadow.

Lip colour also makes me feel more done but I'm rubbish at remembering to reapply.

Thanks for the Lisa Eldridge tip- her website is great- watched about an hour of tutourials last night!

Most days = No7 foundation, Benefit Boing no2 concealor for spots and erase paste for under eyes. Cream blush (have a few), a creamy neutral benefit eyeshadow (no idea which one) and black Max Factor Masterpiece mascara.

I do worry that my mascara looks a little harsh but I never feel "done" with a less obvious one. I sometimes wear a tinted lip balm but generally don't like the feel of lipsticks or glosses.

38 and I don't
never have so don't intend to start my only concession is simple the one with the sunblock. The so called age resisting one.

Check out Sali Hughes videos on the guardian website. She's brilliant