I want to wear make up. Where do I start?!

[longdiling]

I never wear make up but as I get older (nearly 40) I must reluctantly admit that I look more and more crap without it. I ony wear it when I go out so don't have much of a stash.

I'm never going to plaster it on - I can't imagine I'm going to start 'contouring' or anything but I think a light foundation and some mascara at least??

My eyes get sore if I wear mascara for more than a couple of days on the trot though so how do I get round that?

I think you need to be really careful if you have potential allergies - eyes getting sore etc.

My friend has this problem and she swears by Clinique but I wear Estee Lauder double wear myself, which really wouldn't suit someone who wants a light foundation

I think you should go to a decent sized Boots or department store with a trusted friend who will stop you being easy prey to over zealous sales assistants. I would suggest House Of Fraser on Oxford Street if you are anywhere near London?

I'm nowhere near London - but thanks, that's a good idea. I could go and approach the least heavily made up assistant! I don't have a lot of money to spare on it though...are budget brands like Rimmel/Maybelline any good?

I used to wear make up all the time...then over the years and parenthood clean is good enough..

After the make up free posts I thought it was time I would look better with a bit on...I went to boots and got the skin test at no.7 for shade of foundation and quite a neutral colour lipstick.. that is as far as I have gone but it makes a difference...

shall watch thread with interest

Mineral foundation is good if you don't like foundation I think, mascara and some lipstick .

I have really thin lips, I struggle to find lipstick that suits...bright colours make them disappear into thin little lines.

I think Rimmel and Maybelline are fine, but I am worried about your mascara issues.

Which mascara have you been using that has caused a problem? Which brand? Is it waterproof? I think you may need to spend slightly more on the mascara.

For cheaper brands I love Max Factor.

I do generally use Maybelline. Non waterproof because I struggle to get the bloody stuff off if it's waterproof!

Is there a brand that does a sensitive eyes mascara? I don't mind spending more on one item for a good reason.

It sounds like you may have developed an allergy to mascara? You could try a 'tubing' mascara ie one which comes off with warm water. No 7 Stay Perfect in the gold tube is really good.

Watching with interest.

Re mascara, when did you last replace it?
When my mascara gets a bit 'stale' and old it can irritate my eyes, and if you've had any kind of eye infection you should replace your mascara..

And maybe a cheaper version of Clinique chubby sticks for lips. Not as full on as a lipstick but quite sheer and shouldn't bleed.

How is your skin? depends is you gave issues. I have dry skin. can get flaky in winter as it dries out. I sort that out 1st.

clinique foundation when I have money. otherwise Max Factor. agree with taking a clued up pal with you. boots is great to start out.

I'm not sure when I replaced the mascara to be honest, a few months ago maybe? My skin is quite dry too - especially in winter. I have no kind of skincare routine really. Wash with soap and water and moisturise.

Maybe try a bb cream first, no7 is good, some others can be a bit orangey...no7 for mascara

Rimmel etc are good but more teenage so have brighter colours and I dont think the quality is as good. Its not grown up make-up to me

Try a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick, I use the Body Shop Born Lippy in the tube not the pot and use the plum shade and pomegranate shade. They look scarily dark in the tube but go on very sheer.

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Get a cleanser, a lotion or cream rather than a foaming one and maybe a new moisturizer if you have used the same brand for years

I use lidl/aldi moisturiser...is that terrible?! I have no idea what bb cream is. I'll google it now...

No it sounds fine

Bb cream is a middle ground between tinted moisturizer and foundation, more forgiving in its application and a lighter coverage than foundation

I used Aldi till I found Avon Reversalist. wont change that now. it gives me a dewy look.

I would have a good think about what you want to achieve from makeup.
There are two aims as a rule, covering up flaws and/or accentuating your best features.

There's no need to over invest in products or feel as though you have to do anything you don't want to.

A nice, simple skin care routine would be a good start, not going through the motions but actually addressing your skin's needs. Maybe a little bit of light and non sparkly blusher?

Could you investigate whether having your eyelashes dyed would be a good idea? A salon should carry out a test for sensitivity.

Other than that something light and soft on your lips with a plumping action?

Tell us what you fancy and how you want your every day look to be and people can advise accordingly. It needn't be costly.

I like the Aldi moisturiser. Their serum is also very good and cheap.

I've just got the new Superdrug B mascara which is a tubing one. It's great, just washes off with water and is the first one I've used for ages which doesn't give me panda eyes. It was £4.99. You don't necessarily have to switch to pricier brands as a lot of the drugstore brands are very good, but some products are better than others. Some Rimmel products are excellent - e.g. the brow pencil and stay matte powder. Use makeupalley for reviews - there will be hundreds for the more widely available products and often they're quite detailed according to the reviewer's skin tone/type.

Have a look at Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. She has some great tutorials.

Have you had your colours done? The colour clothes you wear might be affecting how washed out your face looks too. I believe they suggest good makeup colours for you, someone else here will know more about that.

Ooh might try that mascara Roxie thanks

Thank you so much for all the advice, it's really helpful. Enrique, I guess I want to cover up flaws - I have shadows under my eyes and quite a florid complexion, especially on my nose, chin and cheeks. I also would like to accentuate my eyes a bit as I think they're my best feature. I have thought about getting my eyelashes dyed actually but maintainance costs put me off a bit

Never had my colours done no, maybe I should look into it.

I'm very nearly 40 aghh I'm finding a nice hot wash cleanser removes make up well. I like Liz Earle but superdrug do a nice hot cloth cleanser for a cheaper option.

I can't live without my boots No7 moisturiser and I've started using a bodyshop oil before my moisturiser that helps give my skin some extra glow.

I have to wear concealer now blast you 3 DC I like a mabelline one I buy in Asda and then a bodyshop BB foundation - I need to up the game on my foundation because my red veins and wrinkles are still shining through.

I have sensitive eyes but have found the benefit mascara primer works well and doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing too much make up.

I have to remeber to do the make up off routine of a night time a lidl do a nice night cream.

I've just bough some pixie glow from M&S so I can report back because that is meant to be good for our age I'm actually going to concentrate on moisturising my legs for 2016, any tips?

Ooh, I like the idea of a hot cloth cleanser. I'll look into that too! I want to go shopping right this minute for all this stuff.