Scared of buying make-up, need help ...

[dumbquestionbut]

I've never really worn make-up - mostly because I never learned to use it properly, and was scared of looking ridiculous, and also because I was one of those slightly grungy alternative teenagers who thought make-up was uncool.

Anyway, now that I'm in my 40s, and have 2 DCs, I'm starting to think I should make the most of what little beauty I have left. I read an article about Bobbi Brown's make-up collection in an airline magazine, and it seems like the sort of natural look that would tick the right boxes for me.

But how do I work out what I need? I don't want to waste lots of money on the wrong thing. I've always been the sort of person who walks quickly through the make-up department of stores, avoiding the over-made-up sales assistants, but presumably I'm now going to need their help? Do I just walk in and say "please can you help me choose the right shade?". As a first timer I'm a bit scared, so need some hand holding. Any advice gratefully received!

Where do you live? It's often all about getting the right person to show you what you need and how to apply, I work for Benefit and could possibly recommend a sales assistant or even one of our senior make up artists depending on location...

I normally shop in Kingston-upon-Thames, so was planning to go to John Lewis.

dumb I'm the type that runs through the make-up counter like someone running the gaunlet too

I don't wear alot of make-up but at the moment, I have streamlined my make-up drawer to a couple of the Sleek eye-palettes (about £8 and contain 12 colours each. ) Some collections are very wearable, some , erm NOT . Tesco and Superdrug stock them.
The lip palettes have four colours each

You need brushes ( I have a rogues gallery of brushes from Barbara Daley to very old Body Shop) Real Techniques are supposed to be good.

Mascara - (this is where I love the Benefits Counter ) I love They're Real and Bad Gal )I have black but I don't like the Plum, it runs)

I bought a little pack of mini sizes in Boots (about £10) it had a Bad Gal mascara, a Porefessional and a Posi Tint in small sizes to try out.

I'm using a Sleek mascara at the moment but I'm always returning to my They're Real.

lisaloulou are Benefit planning to do an Advent Calender this year? I missed last years.

Obviously any insider information is confidential but you can tell us

I leave in a few weeks as not going back after mat leave so yes I can, though I think it's on Facebook already. Yes they are, and lots more available Christmas gifts are all really cute actually. OP, I'll get a recommendation for you....

in my opinion, get a decent foundation, i prefer mac and a decent mascara and then you can play about with everything else

I'm in the same position - always considered myself too feminist for make up when I was in my 20's with flawless skin but now I'm over 40 my feminist principles tell me that I can do what I want - and I want to cover up my blotchy skin!

Yesterday I threw myself on the mercy of the nice overly-made-up lady at the clinique counter. I'd been recommended clinique by a friend who knows her make up.

I bought their Even Better foundation which I really like, and also a lipstick which is a bit on the dark side but not as goth as I might have worn in the 90's.

I already had some powder from Bare Essentials which I bought earlier in the year, but hadn't used because I didn't own a brush!

I didn't buy the Clinique brushes because they were £££ so I just bought some of Boots own on a 3 for 2.

Oh and I also bought a Touche Eclat from YSL.

All in all a very expensive trip to Boots but I tried it all out last night and got two separate compliments that I looked well! And I could really see that I did look better. Also it really didn't take that long to put on, so Monday morning will be the test - to see if I can do it before work.

The only challenge left is the eyes. I'm still completely clueless about mascara and eye shadow. I've never worn it in my life. One step at a time though.

Well done TittyNotSusan If you can do it then so can I!

I won't be doing eyes though. They get irritated too easily by dust, pollen, pollution etc, and make-up would be just another trigger. Plus, I wear glasses, which will dominate my look whatever I do (I did wear contacts for a while - but they irritated my eyes )