Can you help me with basic make up essentials?

[EustaciaVye]

I only really wear make up when I go out in the evening. All of my make up is old and us probably a health hazard.

Can you recommend what I need for an essential make up bag? I am thinking:

• all in onecream compact powder thing
• eye shadow
• eye liner
• mascara
• lipstick
• do I need blusher?

My daughter has been looking at YouTube to learn how to do eyeshadow. I feel uneducated and ill - equipped so any tips/advice is welcome.

I'd add under eye concealor and lipbalm for under lip colour.

Yes to blusher or bronzer.

Also a lot of compact foundations don't last long and revlon discontinued theirs.

You also don't need eyeshadow but a nice pallette or 2-3 neutrals (MAC shroom good base or highlighter) is good.

So if I don't use a compact foundatio do I have to use liquid foundation and a powder? my skin can be quite dry and pretty rosy so I have to be careful.

feel free to link to any must haves

You could use maybelline mousse or a liquid and powder. I'm not an expert on dry skin or rosy skin foundations but there are heavier liquids.

Just if it's for everyday then you'll use it up quickly (Bobbi brown site says that). Actually they do a stick foundation you may like.

Nighttime then it'll last.

You generally do need blusher/bronzer to add colour and balance the face.

I think you can get away with:
Bb cream
benetint (does cheeks and lips)
Eyeliner pencil (does eyes and brows)
Mascara

Maxfactor do a nice compact foundation called FaceFinity which might be good if you don't want to faff with liquid foundation and a powder everyday. It's a bit easier just to use where you need it for everyday wear if you see what I mean.

Boots have 3 for 2 across all ranges so it's a good place to start. Bourjois is generally good quality and nice natural colours. The healthy balance compact is nice, as are the little pots of eyeshadow and blusher. Also the bronzer that is shaped like a bar of chocolate is lovely and gives a nice healthy glow. Sleek in Boots has brighter more exciting colours but still affordable.

Have you looked at Lisa Eldridge videos? I've found her great for explaining things v clearly.

I'm an occasional makeup wearer and use Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser - no need for primer or powder, Clinique airbrush concealer for under eyes and Dermablend concealer for more obvious spots.

Boots No 7 mascara - the one in the gold tube - after recommendations on here. Stays all day, waterproof and then just falls off with warm water on a cotton pad.

Can't do eye liner to save my life, seem to be OK without it.

You definitely need blush - maybe a Bourjois pot?

I've developed a Clinique Chubby Stick obsession (another recommendation from here) and love that I can reapply without needing a mirror. And you can use them as blush. Now considering buying some of the eye sticks instead of shadow as I'm not that competent with a brush.

All very useful ideas to give me a start.

Is it worth going to a makeup counter or will they try and bankrupt me?

If you do go to a makeup counter Bobbi brown are best as they can do makeovers/makeup bag refresh etc and they don't do a hard sell. In my experience anyway!

Go to a make up counter and get a good foundation.

Other than that my essentials are:

Tweezers
Eyebrow pencil (can use brown eyeliner pencil) to fill in gaps in brows
Clear mascara/eyebrow gel (get at body shop)
Eyelash curlers
The right mascara for you (ie do you want/need lengthening or thickening) experiment with a few- the premium brands aren't necessarily better. My favourite is max factor 2000 calorie

An eyeshadow compact with 3 shades- put lightest under brows, darkest at crease, middle on lid

Lip liner (slightly lighter than lipstick) this is essential to stop lipstick bleeding, sometimes I cover whole lips with it and just put lip balm over it

A lipstick that goes with skin and hair colour. (Pink makes teeth look whiter and goes well with blond hair. Lighter colours make lips look bigger.)

Yes, the Max factor Facefinity compact is very good.

If you decide to go for a liquid foundation, I find it goes on better with a brush.

Collection 2000 do an excellent concealer and is cheap as chips

Ask for samples for whatever you can at the counters ....... The Benetint, for example, loads of folk rave about but I have never got on with it - and I'm someone with a make-up bag worth more than my house! You need to find what works with & for you, not just what we all rave about :-)

Try some of the chubby (crayon-style) pencils for eyeliner ..... You can make the line as thin or thick as you like, if you go for a thicker line you may not need eye shadow immediately. I like MAC Paintpots as a base for eyes - pick a nude colour to start with.

Thank you. I have some thick crayons I got in a gift set last Christmas so will try them out before I look at some decent ones.

Are eyelash curlers easy to use? I have always been a bit scared to try them. I have short lashes though so probably a good idea.

I haven't used concealer since my teens. It would cover shadows and my spots though wouldn't it. I feel like this is all so obvious so how come I haven't kept up with it?!

Tbh OP I don't bother with eyeliner and eye shadow.
I use bare minerals face powder, concealer if I need it, max factor waterproof mascara and lip liner. I use Vaseline on my dry lips.
My skin is quite dehydrated and I find that as long as I use decent serum, moisturiser and primer my make up lasts and looks ok.

totally agree with max factor facefinity

Light bronzer and blush

grey eye pencil

mascara -

I would spend money on a good brow kit such as benefit - I always put this on regardless - makes such a nice difference

lip tint

dermablend compact is absolutely brilliant for acne coverage and quite natural.

I also love the naked eyeshadows. last donkeys.. or go for a single pinky eyeshadow. Really nice this time of year.

Another vote for Facefiity Compact, I've repurchased it about 6 times. I apply it with Real Techniques Powder Brush. I brush it on all over and then add more where I need more coverage and it's so easy to touch up through the day, doesn't cake or go patchy.
I was using Clinique Redness Solutions pressed powder underneath to tone down redness but I've ran out now. Will probably buy that again.
Avon do a good mascara, Supershock Max.

Agree with MrsTeddy grey eyeliner is good natural collection do a nice one. For blue eyes body shop navy eyeliner is good.

Lipliner? I never use it! Nor brow pencil but I've got good brows. Clinique do a nice brow pencil.

I agree with someone else re mascara do you want lengthening, curling etc then how much £££ to spend.

Sometimes Clinique or Lancôme give away as gift with purchase or i've got when asked mini mascaras. Great way of trying their formulas!

Thanks everyone.

My eyebrows aren't too bad. I have them threaded every now and again and don't have any big gaps.

I have never used lip liner but don't recall a problem with lipstick bleeding.

I have an eyeliner pen/brush that I like. My mascara has all dried out and wasn't very good anyway.

I have been using Max Factor miracle touch foundation compact thing but will look for Face Finity.

So I need a good concealer, mascara, blusher and eyeshadow. We have a big Boots and Debenhams so I will go and have a look.