Make up - practically a beginner

[Zamboni]

I don't usually wear make up, mainly because I never really learned how to put it on so I have no idea what suits me and what I should do. I have a mascara which is about 6 years old and that really is the extent of my make up bag.

I want to start wearing a little bit because I feel sort of un-polished and want to look more like I make an effort, especially at work.

My lovely DSis, whose make up always looks understated and very nice, has bought me a sort of starter kit but told me it would need supplementing. But I don't know with what!

She has bought me:
Lancôme eyeliner
Benefit mascara
Christian Dior eyeshadows
Benefit pore cream
Benefit complexion enhancer.

I have tweezers already for my eyebrows.

I have a few freckles, good skin and a fat face. I don't
want to wear concealer/foundation/powder. I'd like my eyes enhancing, but wear glasses. I wouldn't have a clue what to do with my lips - they are lucky to see Vaseline from time to time.

What, if anything, do I need to add to this?

And I imagine this lot wasn't very cheap - what could I get her if she likes those products to say thanks?

Thanks in advance.

she's bought you some nice stuff but am not familiar with the Benefit face stuff.

I think some nice blusher is a must- it really wakes the face up. If you are worried about using it maybe try some cream blush first- something cheap like Bourjois- or Liz Earle is quite nice if there is a colour to suit.

I'm assuming the complexion enhancer is some kind of tinted moisturiser or BB/CC cream? If not then you might like to try one of those for a hint of colour and to even out your skin a little.

Lippie- go with lip glosses or semi-lipsticks like Revlon Butter stuff, Clinique do a 'Butter' one too, and buy cheapish stuff to practise with- Rimmel, MUA, L'oreal etc.

Thanks, will definitely take a look at those you mentioned.

Even if you don't want to wear foundation etc, a neat trick I learned from my sis is to wear a little concealer or touché éclat (or dab a tiny bit of foundation) around the eye area, sides of the nose, chin area, to brighten the skin/dark shadows around the eyes and cover any red areas around the nose/chin. Doing this means your skin still shines through and can breathe, though blusher is a must.

Check out Lisa Eldridge.com. There are some fantastic vids on there to teach you how to apply different looks - even very subtle if that is what you want.

I swear her site changed my life!

Perhaps book yourself to see a make-up artist at some of the counters like MAC, Laura Mercier, Benefit etc. whilst they show you products they will also show you now to put it on, the brushes to use etc.

I learnt this way and also watching youtube videos.

Your sisters means supplementing your makeup by perhaps adding new eyeshadow shades etc.

I am like you I don't like lipstick I don't think it suits me however I found this really nice understated colour that adds a little something without being overpowering - a make-up artist at Laura Mercier helped me find a nice shade.

Good rule to stick by is you like to accentuate your eyes then don't wear a bold lipstick colour as it makes you look over done. Similarly if you wear a bold lipstick shade e.g. red then keep your eyeshadow neutral.

I don't like wearing foundation as it clogs my pores and gives me spots but Laura Mercier do this nice tinted moisturiser which gives me some light coverage and lets my skin breathe, this way my skin looks a bit nicer - lol can you tell I love Laura Mercier.

Buy a good set of brushes - it makes a huge difference to application. The brushes in the make-up compacts are far too small.

Tweezers- don't go overboard with them eyes up own butchered eyebrows sadly. I did use eyelash and eyebrow serum which was very good but of course it needs to be ongoing as the hairs replace themselves.

And 6 year old mascara Tsk Tsk

Your sister is lovely, she's bought you some great products. I wear glasses and I think the most effective thing you can do is to define your eyebrows, Mascara and eyeliner on top lashes only, concealer under eyes and blusher.

Your eyebrows 'frame' your glasses and if they are nicely defined it helps stop your features from disappearing behind your glasses. Likewise with defining your top lash line. And your undereye area is also framed by your glasses, so concealer here can really help.

I don't go nuts with elaborate eyeshadow, as I think that can get lost behind your glasses.

Your sister sounds lovely.

Eyebrows and eyeliner are the priorities for me. I use hd brows palatte

Get a regular tint if you prefer. I don't use blusher but I do use bronzer

zach has given you some great advice.

there's a fab benefit product that's perfect to use as a blusher and a lip tint, Benetint I think it's called, that could be your ideal product as it doesn't overwhelm you with many more items

Thank you all, will def check out all your recommendations. Am excited now instead of a little bit petrified.

70IsA I know

If you don't like to wear foundation then you could try a BB cream which would give a very light coverage without looking too 'made up' iykwim. I would recommend going to the make up counters in Boots or Debenhams or John Lewis as they will demonstrate their products for you. If you buy anything it's worth asking if they have any free samples as they'll often chuck a couple of things in with your purchase. Estee Lauder do a gift time every so often where if you buy two items then you get a bag containing eye shadow, lipstick and mascara etc. I haven't bought mascara in years, I just use the free samples - cheapskate that I am!

Am with littlemiss on Laura mercier. I don't wear loads but lm tinted moisturiser, bit of lm blush and benefit high beam is my basic every day. Takes 3 mins. They are brilliant at the lm counter. Have fun!

Like you, I hate wearing foundation. I use Origins Vitazing tinted moisturiser. It comes out of the tube looking a bit grey and then blends to the tone of your skin. You just slap it on with your fingers and it melts into your skin leaving a very light coverage and a bit of a glow. Where I need more coverage I blend it with a bit of Touché Éclat. It's not cheap, but it saves you buying a daytime moisturiser and it has SPF 15.

As she's bought you lots of benefit, does thy mean there's a benefit counter nearby? If yes, they have a "brow bar" where they'll do your brows for you. If this is your first time in a while I'd recommend taking a pain-killer an hour beforehand. Whilst you're there you could also open your new make-up bag and say "please help me learn how to use these".

Lucky you! I love make-up.

OP, you asked for suggestions for a gift for your sister? It sounds like she's into makeup, so she might like one of these lovely things:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - this also comes in a palette of three shades, which is gorgeous but might be tricky to find.

Or HQHair have some Urban Decay christmas sets on sale:
Eye pencil set
Eyeshadow and blush set

I agree with Keepthechange - check out Lisa Eldridge's website. You can even search by product so you can possibly find how to use the exact products you've been purchased. Failing that just search on YouTube "Dior eyeshadow" & the name of your compact & I bet you'll find someone giving you tips on how to use it.

You've got some great products but good brushes & tools are essential too.

I didn't read all the other posts so sorry if I'm duplicating but I'd also recommend visiting a few make up counters in Boots, John Lewis, Debenhams or the like & ask for tips. I'd start at Benefit & be honest & tell her you are a beginner who has been bought the following & don't feel like you have to buy anything from them after (easier said than done!)

Good luck OP!

Dangodays - its brill my tinted moisturiser lasts me at leaat 8 - 10 months and I use it everyday but a little goes a long way so its extremely cost effective. I find I don't spend so much on makeup now.

I use loreal mascara I want to try their buterfly effect one but will wait until its on offer

OP, I wear glasses at work (contact lenses the rest of the time) and feel my eyes definitely need liner, eyeshadow and mascara when I wear them, otherwise I feel underdone. Depending on boldness of glasses frames, you may need a lip colour to balance them, if that makes sense. If I don't fancy using lipstick I might use a little soap and glory mother pucker lip gloss.

Yes, I agree with PP, I wear contact lenses mostly but when I wear my glasses I definitely need to make my eyes a bit bolder or they seem to get a bit "lost" IYSWIM.