Help me be a non-shocking looking bridesmaid!

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Next month I have to look presentable in photos over the course of about 14 hours at my pal's wedding. I have eczema AND spots, a shiny nose and chin, dark undereye circles and - as you can tell - am a general all round fitty.

What specific make-up should I be resorting to in my desperation? Can anyone recommend long lasting foundation/powder to stop me gleaming? what about blusher/bronzer? lipstick? I have dark hair and vaguely sallow skin. The bride is one of those natural beauty types and will probably just chuck on some mascara and be ready to go so I need to a) not ruin the photographs with my hideousity and b) not look like an overcooked drag queen next to her.

Help?

I think I'd start looking at diet first. You've a few weeks to sort some of those issues out.

Then I'd go to the makeup counters either in somewhere like spacenk or a dept store and talk to them. Many of them would do your makeup beforehand if you've time.
Or you could arrange a makeup artist to come to your friends house in the morning a do you both, would make a lovely gift.

If you're not used to wearing makeup, I'd check out videos by Lisa Eldridge - she's a makeup artist and she's pretty good at doing natural looking makeup that's flattering - and not drag-like.

She mentions the products she likes (but she tends to say that you should just use what you have already instead of buying the exact products she uses) - you could see what you already have, what might work for you and then go out to get samples - and when you've found products that work for you, then buy them.

Here are a couple of guides for very natural and simple looks:
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/25599/quick-brightening-make-up/
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/13375/a-first-date-look/
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/17770/no-make-up-make-up/
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/8825/an-everyday-make-up-look/
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/22118/minimal-product-make-up-pink-flush/

Alternatively, go to a good makeup store/counter and get them to help you. I personally like the help they provide in MAC, especially if going at a time where they aren't too busy.

No matter what, make sure you test the products before you buy - especially foundation and concealer.

If your skin isn't perfect all over, I recommend that you use a light to medium foundation for the good skin and only use concealer in the areas that need concealing. A lot of people use a full coverage foundation all over the face, even if they only have a small area of skin that needs concealing - and it just doesn't look natural.
There's a really good video about that here: www.lisaeldridge.com/video/12764/acneblemish-covering-make-up/
It makes a massive difference - I've used that method when my skin has been spotty and red, and it just looks so much better than the full coverage look.

There's a trick to doing foundation when you have skin issues, and Vibbe is right in saying that the "less is more" approach is crucial.

Products:

La Roche Posay foundation (very full coverage, good reviews);
Avene Skin Recovery Cream (great for sensitive skin, useful for diluting foundation without making it greasy);
Benefit Boi-ing concealer;
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush;
Any powder brush;
Translucent finishing powder (any brand will do - No7 is great for sensitive sin).

Technique:

1. Mix half-and-half foundation and cream on the back of your hand, using foundation brush;
2. Using a VERY light hand, apply foundation sparingly to the areas of your skin which need the most coverage, blending out over the areas of "good skin" so that the coverage is minimal where your skin is best (and aiming to keep the middle of your face, hairline and creases as lightly covered as possible);
3. IF NECESSARY Mix 3 parts foundation to 1 part cream (very small total amount) and stipple this onto any particularly bad patches (mild discolouration will be taken care of later with concealer);
4. Take some concealer on your finger and transfer to the patch of skin which has the thin layer of almost-dry foundation residue left on it (so that the colours mix);
5. Using your ring finger, pat concealer onto any areas which need more coverage, and blend using your brush;
6. Lightly buff all of your work with your brush, to ensure no streaks remain (being v careful on the problem areas);
7. Swirl your powder brush in the powder, tap off excess, and dab all over face.

NB - Use nothing with SPF, it will show in photos. Make sure all products match your skin tone as well - nothing worse than looking like an airbrushed orange.

Also, forgot to say - the Lisa Eldridge videos are very useful, and La Roche Posay is just a suggestion as I know they do a high-coverage foundation without SPF (which is quite hard to find now).

Oh and (sorry for triple-posting) you may want to use a primer to make everything last longer. I don't dare put one on my very temperamental skin, so somebody else will have to advise you there!

Ah you are all such stars! I do wear makeup day to day but I don't really care that it slides off after a couple of hours because I'm unlikely to be captured for posterity while working/cooking dinner/having a cuppa. I feel (probably a bit too) responsible for not being the red faced/shiny/ rudolfesque/spotty bridesmaid that ruins the pictures.

I will definitely look all these up but one question - what about a red nose? I tend to get a red, shiny, sleigh-ready nose after a while - promise I am not an alcoholic. Any advice?

What about blusher/cheek stuff? I hate glittery stuff but don't want to look too deathly.

Pixiwoo have just done a video about bridal makeup for summer/hot climates - might be worth having a look at that for tips on long lasting makeup in the heat.
It's this one:

Karbea - when you say diet to help out these issues, what do you suggest? Lots of water, fruit & veg? Anything else?

OP - sorry for hijacking, I have similar issues and am returning to work after 6 years as a SAHM, SO watching this thread closely.

With regards to blush, every brands will have some without glitter and shimmer. Depending on budget, I'd recommend MAC or Sleek. Sleek is from superdrug. You do have to be a bit more light-handed with the blushes from Sleek, as they are more pigmented.

With regards to the red nose, maybe it could be caused by rosacea? If so, I'd go to Clinique and ask for a sample of their redness solutions cream to see if that could help. Or find other brands with rosacea-products for a sample.

The redness can probably be hidden by foundation and concealer. And the shine can be dealt with by using powder.

You might want to try cutting out diary, processed foods, gluten, sugar and see if any of these have a positive effect.

When I cut these out totally for 5 weeks my skin changed beyond recognition.

Sorry it's taken me a while to get back. Thanks all for the advice. The technique of light coverage with heavier foundation over blemishes is a real winner, isn't it? Brilliant stuff, really appreciate the tip.

Which powders are good at staying on?

Interesting that stuff with a SPF "shows up" on film - how do you mean?

SPF gives a flashback effect when photographed with a flash - so you can end up with white/very bright areas (you may have seen actresses with white patches on their faces).
It's simply down to ingredients which are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (smaller amounts are usually fine). HD powders (silica powders) can also cause flashback.
Mineral makeup with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide doesn't seem to cause this kind of problem as often, however, it can happen.

I like MAC Select Sheer pressed powder.