Help - I have not bought any new make up since I was 18 (I'm 41)!

[wadadlis]

OK, that's not entirely true, but I have only bought the occasional lipstick and mascara, which I very rarely wear (only if going to a wedding/at Xmas or maybe if going out with DH). The rest - which I still have - was bought when I was at university (ashamed to say I still use it).

Feel it is time for me to stick on some slap - where should I start? I am SAHM with a dog to walk, so would look ridiculous in anything really obvious...

Please, no expensive brands, I am on a budget. Is Boots stuff any good?

Was thinking of some sort of tinted moisturiser (can't stand caked-on foundation), mascara, maybe eye liner, maybe lipstick (but it always comes off??), does blusher still exist? And how can I get it to last a full day??

Help urgently needed!

I don't really wear make-up and don't really know what to do with it. But last year I got a Bare Minerals starter kit for £50. It's really straightforward to put on. I don't use it all the time, but I do wear make-up a lot more than I ever did and the pack is still going strong.

I like it so much that a few months back I got the eye/lips/cheeks kit as well.

Oh goodness, it all looks like such a faff, can't believe I need to watch a DVD to do it.

Reckon I know what goes where and how not to look tangoed.

I asked about Boots as I have next Tuesday child-free (a rare occurrence) and was hoping to buy something then...

But maybe I need to go right back to basics as feelingfull suggests...

I got the bare minerals set today. It does look great and is nice on the skin.

How about going to the No7 counter in boots and asking them to show you and demonstrate a few products?

I did this, but at the Benefit counter as I was feeling a bit flush and they showed me some lovely products and how to use them. Give it a go!

Had thought of that, but always imagined it would feel very conspicuous at the counter.

Perhaps I just need to be brave. Part of the problem is that the girls on those make-up counters always look so plastic - that's really not the look I am after!

I really like Benefit. Go have a trial and see what you like (then buy it on eBay!)

What you need is BB cream - not as heavy as moisturiser and made by all the main brands so not expensive you can try a free sample here

I didn't get on well with bare minerals stuff too faffy for my liking, I am loving my BB cream because it glides on like moisturiser and doesn't feel heavy.

Then I would go for eyeliner, cream blusher and some light mascara.To be honest I spend quite a lot on make up so I'm not entirely sure which budget brands are best. Boots makeup is quite expensive, if you want much cheapness how about seeing if anyone local does Avon saves you having to go to the shops and you can experiment without spending too much.

I love make up but get bored with lipstick getting on mugs and wiping off on tops so I tend to use a pink tinted lip balm which costs about £2 also good to stop your lips getting chapped when out for long walks.

As for getting it to stay on all day well I'm afraid I have no idea. Don't put on too much and then it won't make much difference.

Sorry don't know why that link didn't work but sure you get the idea.

Someone please tell me what cream blusher is?!!

Something like this uk.lizearle.com/cheeks/healthy-glow-cream-blush.html?cmp=google_colour_blush&kw=cream+blush+b&gclid=CN_zyYDckrICFSTHtAodjBsATQ ( hope this link works )

Sorry know its outside your price range but I do like the Liz Earle stuff

oh gawd, it's all so complicated.

will see what Boots have, thanks for the tips

Bourjois make up is great. I've tried expensive stuff and lots of cheaper stuff, and Bourjois is a great budget brand ( not the cheapest though ), and available in Boots.

If you want a light tinted moisturiser type coverage, their 10 hour sleep effect foundation is awesome. Their Healthy Mix foundation is a bit more coverage and also awesome. All about a tenner.

I recommend their Ultra Glamour mascara too.

They often have 3 for 2 offers, so you could pick up a blusher maybe too.

For a lip product, I'd recommend the Revlon just bitten kissable lip balm. Which is like a giant crayon. These actually stain your lips, so the colour is quite long wearing. Cherish is a good natural looking colour, if brights are out of your comfort zone.

If I were starting from scratch and buying the basics, from Boots, that's what I'd go for. You can always add more to your makeup repetoire if you want to later on ( for example, I never leave the house without doing my eyebrows! )

Have a look at the loreal Nude Magique bb cream.Its actually a white runny liquid but it goes on lovely- i am actually loving it more than my usual Clinique foundation- it is very natural and just makes you look like a better version of yourself as opposed to very made up. About a tenner but there are always offers on.

Or don't buy any moisturiser/foundation? If you've got good skin, just slap on a bit of concealer where you need it? Try Bobbi Brown pink-toned concealer - it covers up a whole load of stuff if you're pale skinned or Benefit do a yellow toned one if you have more, er, yellowish.

I get by mostly with a gel eyeliner from Bobbi Brown with a thin brush (and this lasts alll day), a waterproof mascara, a cream blusher and a lightweight lipstick. I rarely wear foundation and have tried lots - if you don't want a faff you might not get on even with BB cream (which can be pretty cakey and drying in my experience).

You can get all day lipsticks now which tend to be kinda permanent until you use a good make up remover. They tend to set and be dry but you can use a gloss over them. I'm not keen as they seem to ruin my lips. Lipstains are OK too if you don't want hassle - Superdrug's upmarket brand (forgotten the name) does one that is pretty cheap.

I think you should go to a counter or two and get them to experiment on you!

The good news is that make-up today is way better than it was when you were 18

I agree with others that BB cream or tinted moisturiser is the way to go. I am a few years older than you and my everyday make-up is tinted moisturiser, concealer (as you get older you need less foundation and more concealer, IME), cream blush, a little brown eyeliner on my top lid, a neutral eyeshadow smudged over that, and brown mascara. Lipstick IS a faff to keep reapplying: if you like a strong colour, you could try a lipstain. I haven't found one I like, and prefer to use a tinted lipbalm.

That's all you need. Boots will have everything you need. If necessary, it's worth paying a little more to get the right tinted moisturiser and concealer. It's not worth paying out loads for mascara, lipbalm, cream blush or eyeshadow - I always buy Rimmel mascara.

I have recently discovered the MUA range at Superdrug! Really cheap but just as good as Smashbox etc. It's the future :)

No7 bb cream is awesome. I can't praise it enough.

Thanks for all the tips, will go into Boots armed with a little more knowledge, though perhaps not as much courage as you ladies!