39 and clueless about work makeup

[PiratePanda]

All my working life I've not needed to wear makeup to work. I was blessed with a clear complexion and don't work in a profession where it's required. So other than a tiny bit of eyeliner/mascara to enhance smallish eyes, and full slap to posh evening events, I've never bothered.

Recently though, after the birth of DS 3 and nearing 40, I've noticed my skin looks tired and a bit blotchy and greyish. I think makeup would help - but I have no idea where to start with makeup that basically looks like you don't have any on, while covering up the blemishes.

Where should I start? Am assuming foundation, concealer, blush, eyeliner, mascara and lip-coloured lipstick, but what are the tricks to maje it look natural? And what brands? Value for money is key - I'm willing to pay a bit more for a product if it is unbeatably brilliant but I'm not going to turn my nose up at a great budget secret either.

I don't have time for a full-on beauty regimen, and I'm a mid-career professional if that helps narrow things down.

Hi
I'm fairly low maintainance but, like you, about to turn 40 and need a bit of make up. I like the Max Factor one - Liquid Miracle I think? - it's solid and creamy, goes on really easily and has a concealer built in. Plus it's not expensive and you can use it sparingly or more liberally. Normally the £13 pot does me a few months.That and a bit of blusher and mascara is enough to look good, plus maybe a bit of lip balm or lip gloss to finish off?

Fwiw, I don't think eyeliner looks great on anyone over about 21 . Unless you really know what you're doing. Nicely plucked eybrows help.

It's worth investing in a really good foundation that lasts all day. I think
Christian Dior, Chanel are two of the best.

Nars does some really good natural looking blush shades.

Christian Dior & Lancôme do great mascaras.

Personally I use lip gloss rather than lipstick as it looks more natural & is easier to reapply. YSL do great lipglosses...

Why not spend a Saturday morning at your local department store, choosing the right colours etc. Or you could book an appointment with a makeup artist to try out different things & get some tips.

I do wonder whether I should book an appointment with a professional, actually; even my evening look is a bit, err, stuck in the 90s I think (though it suits me).

I have a gorgeous professional foundation from Kyrolan but it's a bit OTT for day wear (and £££)

A good base - tinted moisturiser or foundation - is key. You need to get samples and try them at home before you buy, as you might find that the products don't work for your skin/don't last all day/oxidise/colour doesn't match. I'd personally ask for samples from Laura Mercier, Dior, Mac and also have a look at Bourjois (Healthy Mix Foundation/Healthy Mix Serum are great and not that expensive).

You might need a powder - it depends on your skin type and preferences. I'd personally go for a pressed powder as you can then take it with you and do touch-ups during the day.

I don't use concealer, but I've heard that Secret Camouflage from Laura Mercier is great.

Sleek do good and cheap blushers. More expensive brands that I like are Mac and Chanel. I match my blusher to my lipstick as I find that it ties everything together very well.

You can get mascaras from all brands - it's all about what you like and how much you want to spend on them. I don't personally like Mac's mascaras as they tend to make my lashes very stiff and brittle.

I like the gel eyeliner from Maybelline, but I don't wear it much. You could also go for a powder (I use Mac Mystery) and use a push brush.

For lipstick, I'd recommend a "my lips but better" kind of colour. I have one from Laura Mercier called Pink Pout. It's just a tone darker than my own lips and is very natural. I've had to get it for my mum as well and she loves it as well.

If you want eyeshadows, I'd recommend going for neutral colours like beige/sand/brown colours. There are loads of palettes with those colours at the moment.

If you need brushes, I recommend Real Techniques or Mac. I'd go for an angled brush (for eyeliner and brows), a Mac 217 which is a fluffy brush for eyeshadow and a blusher brush.
If you buy a loose powder, you'll probably need a brush for powder.
For foundation you can use fingers or a brush. The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is good.

Know that tired grey skin thing.

Things that work for me are:

• investing in a really good cleanser (Elemis radiant skin cream cleanser and wash cloth do it for me. Other people like Liz Earle).
• an illuminating base before foundation (recent convert to Elemis illuminating balm, but have also used Clarins flash balm).
• light reflecting concealer, especially around eyes - good ones from Cargo and Benefit (Fake-up).
• illuminating foundation - like both the cheapo Botanics BB cream and Bobbi Brown illuminating treatment foundation (worth it as skin looks great even after you take it off!).
• bit of bronzer plus cream blush on apples of cheeks ( Bobbi Brown illuminating bronzer/Maybelline mousse in apricot are both v natural).
• not doing the whole scouse thing, but filling out sparse brows a bit (Mally/Benefit).

Mixed views on lipstick at work: this month's Marie Claire has a big beauty at work feature and says avoid reds and strong pinks and stink pinky brown neutrals. But a work coach once recommended wearing a stronger lip, as part of an 'authoritative' look . Like Revlon lip butters as a way of wearing brighter colours (and currently on offer at Boots).

Sorry: 'stick to' not 'stink'.

Thanks ladies!

Yes I totally forgot primer - I also use Clarins 'beauty flash balm' & their 'instant light complexion perfector'. Primer makes a huge difference to how smoothly foundation goes on...