Make-up basics - please I'm struggling!

[XBenedict]

What should I be wearing every day minimum. Off shopping tomorrow so recommend away - I need some over 40 help!

Well, I love makeup, and do wear it, but there is no 'should' about makeup. You wear what you want!

Do you want to wear makeup? Do you wear any now? What look, effect are you trying for?

Have a look at the Lisa Eldridge videos. They are very good

There's no right or wrong.

U might like a concealer only, rimmel do nice cheapies.

U might want to emphasise lashes - no7 or benefit do good ones reasonably

A grey eyeliner is very multi tasking for light outlines and smoky eyes - rimmel again

A bb cream works wonders if more coverage is needed than concealer but not very thickly - various in boots

A lip stain for colour - Clinique chubby is PERFECT

If ur looking to splurge go to debenhams etc and dior/Chanel as pigments quite intense. But as u don't wear much I'd start as above and get used to it

In winter I wear foundation but if you don't like to, maybe a tinted moisturiser or bb cream. Under eye concealer, blusher or bronzer or both, mascara and gel liner. You don't have to bother with eye shadow if you want to keep it to a minimum and maybe a lip tint or stain.

Yes I do want to wear make up but not loads. Want a natural look but look like I've made an effort with my appearance - does that make sense? In my 20's I wouldn't leave the house without some make up on and my contact lenses in but after 3 DCs that standard understandably slipped but now I do nothing and I feel really about it. Just want to look fresh and natural

Thanks for the tips - like the sound of lip tints! I am very fair so my eye lashes are almost invisible!

If you are going from nothing to wearing it everyday then I would start with a lip gloss and mascara and get used to wearing it every day and then add more if you feel you need to.

Mascara, blusher, lip tint/gloss, to start with. I've gone from wearing no makeup, aged 33 to wearing a full face every day, four years later. It was a gradual process.

Bourjois do nice blushers, Revlon do lip butters, which are a sheer balmy lipstick. Or yes, if you want to pay out, Clinique chubby sticks are subtle. Could recommend you endless mascara's. If you're very fair, perhaps start with a dark brown one, rather than black.

Which brand Quinn?

I like lily lolo eye shadows. They have a lovely lilac gold shimmer one which I wear at night but was thinking you might like the one I use for day time. That's called vanilla sugar and is a lovely beige pink which is very easy to blend. Think website is www.lilylolo.co.uk eyeshadow about £6 but are mineral based powders and last ages. Another nice neutral one is a cream eyeshadow by benefit, apply with a small brush, it's called RSVP. Agree about grey eyeliner being a good choice. Hope that helps.

OMG there are loads of chubby stick colours!

If you're very fair, you might want to think about having your eyelashes and possibly eyebrows tinted - it will give you a bit of definition and it makes it easier to do your mascara (tint will only colour, it won't lengthen or thicken so you'll still want mascara) as you won't need to be too careful to reach down to the roots.

You cannot go wrong with a light brush over with mineral foundation and blusher.

I add a bit of brown slightly shiny sparkly eyeshadow and mascara. Takes 4 mins.

I just had a make up lesson . I did this (well, got it for Xmas as I just struggled and never really had any help from my mother or anything). So, now late 30's I finally "get it". Its a major breakthrough! - changed my life in 15 minutes.

The top advice I got from the lady was:

• Its not so much the make up as good hydrated skin - sleep (ha!), water, and a good moisturiser. She said you absolutely can't beat "Simple" moisturiser (as in the brand). Thats cut my potions bill!
• Which is ok as her next piece of advice is "spend your money on foundation - the one I was recommended was £55!!!!! but I got another brand (Dior Nude) in Debenhams for a mere £25! (the Guardian make up lady has a video on how to apply it properly!).
  *Everything else you can skimp on if you need to. Always with neutral eye shadows (she recommended Bobby brown, I got Bourjeois which she also said was good for the price and helpfully is on 3 for 2 in boots at the moment! I got a trio eyeshadow, bronzer for cheeks and a lip tint for £15.
  She always ends up back with Max Factor 2000 calorie mascara (about 7.99 I think). No eyeliner except for evenings.
  *Touche Eclat if you want to (read: are feeling flush).

I started this new regime 10 days ago, in the first week at work everyone to a person came up to me and told me one of the following ... I was a) looking really well b) have I lost weight) c) have I had my hair done d) do I have new glasses?

I am so glad I did this. I finally feel like I am doing something right and get make up!!! She did talk me through the colours I'd been using. She was very down to earth with me and looked at the colours I had ... "have you ever looked at a bruise travail she said ....... look at the colours you have there and think about a bruise.

Oh god, no wonder I got compliments - I've been walking around looking like a bruise for years!!!

ooh, sorry - got a bit carried away there!

Great post travail

OP I recommend getting the colour match thing done in Boots - I am using their 'Lift and Luminate' foundation which gives medium cover without looking at all heavy - generally i get told I look well and people are surprised when i say I am wearing foundation. Bit of bobbi brown concealer around my nose and under eyes and small amount of blusher - I use a No 7 blush too.

That's usually enough for day time for me, some vaseline rose balm or some lipstick if I am feeling like I need a boost.

Mascara, eyeshadow, liner etc only if going out for the night which only happens about 3 times a year!

Fantastic tips thank you so much