Make up bag - starting from scratch

[AlphabetiSpaghetti]

Hello! I've recently gone back to work and I'm trying to make myself feel and look a bit more presentable. Baby sick chic my be fine at toddler group but is frowned upon in the office! I've managed to cull my wardrobe and I've recycled said outfits/those that don't fit my motherly hips etc. hurrah for me!

My make up bag, however, is a dark, barren place, full of crusty mascara, freebies from ancient magazines and an actual pot of Barry M dazzle dust from my student days in the 90s.

So, starting afresh, what do I need? I have limited time in the mornings due to DS and leaving very early for work. Background info: I have dark hair, dark eyes, glasses (no contacts for medical reasons) and combination skin with breakouts.

Make me beautiful MN (or, failing that, at least vaguely presentable!)

Oh, I also don't mind spending if it's worth it

Mac for foundation. Decide if you want full Matt coverage, flexible firm coverage or light etc.
Whether you want a liquid and brush or all in one powder compact

Blusher can't go wrong with a bourjois pot

Eyeshadow - a pencil type in a nude type colour to slick over lids at speed

I personally prefer expensive mascara Dior show and only bother with top lashes.

I also swear by Chanel quad eyeshadow. Lots to choose from, last ages

Shu umera is to die for if you are city based. I go to selfridges for it.

Start with the basics and a quick, simple routine in the morning and go from there.

I'd invest in a good foundation or, if you just want light coverage, a tinted moisturiser + concealer if you suffer from dark circles or spots. I use Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturiser or Estee Lauder Double Wear Light if I want more coverage, and Touche Eclat to conceal ( lots will say 'its a highlighter, not a concealer' but it works forme).

I need a bit of colour in the morning so use a cream blusher by Nars.

A good mascara. The holy grail and I still havent found a The Perfect Mascara, but currently using Loreal Telescopic in carbon black.

I wear a little bit of kohl eyeliner to define my eyes, but snudge it in with a make up brush sots not too hard or OTT for daywear.

A completely neutral lipliner to seal in colour ( love the Stila ones) and some lip stain (Clinique chubby sticks are good) or lip balm ( cliique superbalm is excellent)

Thats me done, takes 5 minutes.

Invest in a regular eyebrow shape, too!

Touché éclat is a must!

A No7 eyeliner

A Bobbi Brown blusher

A mascara (black)

A lip balm

If you want some sort of cover go for a tinted moisturiser, so quick and can't go wrong.

A powder (I like No7 loose)

Blimey, you lot are gooood! I'm actually looking forward to shopping now!

scoose you are not only brilliant on the weekly drunk thread but a style guru too.

Oh try BB cream
It's like am all in one miracle cream tinted foundation. I have a Clinique one which is good, but not tried others yet

Ok heres mine:
Barbara Daily primer £10
YSL Perfect Touch Foundation £30 (the one with a brush, its amazing)
Cheap eyeshawdows of various colours depending on outfit
Chanel mascara £28 (best ive found, never dries up or gets clumpy)
YSL Touche Eclat
YSL Creme Blusher £30 (expensive but lasts ages ive had in 10 months and still loads left)
Elizabeth Arden Lip Protectant

BB?? What's that. Lord, I'm so out of the loop!

Thanks alphabetti I will also add urban decay eyeshadow the naked 2 palette is brilliant! And also invest in a decent make up primer I use Lancôme la base it keeps your foundation looking fresh all day!.

Excellent. Just told DH I'm going to spend a ludicrous amount of cash on make up. He looked perplexed. I poured him more wine. He's now almost asleep watching grand designs. But I managed to extract the credit card from his pocket pre-doze. Ha!!

A good foundation and concealer are essential if you suffer from break outs! Expensive mascara is the one thing you can actually skimp on imo. Max factor 2000 calorie is good, Bourjois do a generally good range of make up. Blusher is essential if don't have much colour in your cheeks, helps avoid looking like a zombie.
Good luck going back to work :).

I find a mineral foundation is great when getting ready fast with small children. Once you get the hang of it you can do it without a mirror if you need to. And at no point are your hands sticky if you need to pause suddenly!

I do foundation. Blush. Brow. Mascara. Concealer on bad days. Eye shadow and eye liner only once in a while.

this

in fact any of these

I bought the garnier bb cream and have had an allergic reaction to it :-( i've never reacted to make up before.

I love my bobbi brown blusher. I also like clarins eyeliners, they come with a smudger on the end so I put a little bit in the corner of my eye and smudge it along for a more subtle look than a defined line. I like estee lauder projectionist mascara.

I can't comment on foundation because my skin is dry.

The mascara you want (in black) is They're Real by benefit. I dont bother with any of the other benefit make up, but this mascara is fab!

Bourjois is good for eye shadow and blusher. - It is the Chanel of cheaper brand make up.

I use Decleor tinted moisturiser for most days or Estee Lauder double wear light for more coverage. No 7 do good loose powder and a 'nude' blusher.

I've got it down to Clinique Superbalanced foundation, Benefit Georgia Peach powder, Touche Eclat, Mac blusher, Clinique ivory eyeshadow, Benefit eyeliner in a bluey grey and Benefit Yes They're Real mascara.

Five minute face.

I put on makeup at 06:30 and it still looks fresh at 21:00! Here's what I use:
Estee Lauder Double Wear (but the new service at No7 Boots where they scan your face and THE EXACT colour is brilliant and they do a cheaper alternative to DW for £14). I use 2 coats on spots and I don't need a concealer

Bobbi brown pot rouge blusher
Lose powder (mac, by really any transluscent powder will do)
Lancome artliner eyeliner (you will need eye definition if you wear glasses and this one will not smudge. Guaranteed)
Cheap, standard mascara (currently max factor false lashes)
Lipstick (mac, bobbi brown, or clinique chubby stick as I have very dry lips)
Eyeshadow only if I have time

Got get a make over at both Bobbi Brown and Mac to choose colours. Personally I wouldnt buy foundation from either of them, but they are brilliant in choosing eye, cheeck, and lip colours.

Also get your eyebrows done (at Blink if you are near one) before you get a make over.

Good luck with the return to work!

My 2 min daily face:

Moisturiser after shower, run around like loon for a bit getting dressed / chasing DS around

When moisturiser soaked in, retreat back to bathroom and lock door.

1. Two pumps of Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation serum smoothed all over face - gives a fab finish, light but perfecting and makes me look awake and healthy
2. Clinique stick blusher - swipe blend, swipe blend, done (makes me look awake and healthy, pattern emerging)
3. One shade of eyeshadow applied with fingers and blended like mad - currently MUA pearly darkish brown - £1!

(I am a weirdo who doesn't wear mascara as am blonde with dark eyes)

Lippies kept in handbag, apply one on way to work. Ta-dah

I would go for:
Base - depends on your skin - if you don't need it then go with a good concealer (a long lasting one like Maybelline)
If you want a base, try a BB cream? (I've got Garnier)
If you are a bit shiny, and want a bit of cover then Max factor Creme Puff is a classic for a reason but buy a good sponge for it
Looking a bit tired? Go for Benefit Dandelion swept all over
Blusher - A Bourjois is the best, good round shape for twirling your brush round
Mascara - I'm still looking for the best but Benefit Bad Gal is good
If you like a bit of lip colour, go for a lip tint and a shiny lip balm / gloss on top
Eyelash curlers are an absolute must too

have fun shopping!