I want to 'gradually' start wearing make-up, where do I start?

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I am in my late-30s and I have never worn proper make-up.

I wear foundation and powder, and if I'm really getting glammed up I will risk some lip gloss and clear mascara. The one time I did try eyeliner I looked like I'd been in a fight so never tried it again.

Now I have some disposable income I want to spend some of it on decent make-up and start wearing it regularly. I don't want to go all out and suddenly turn up one day at work with full on make-up (I think my colleagues would die of shock).

Is there any particular brand or style I should be leaning towards, or does anyone have any advice as to where to start please?

Don't worry about eyeliner just yet. Do you wear blusher? You need some decent neutral eyeshadows - Bobbi Brown or Urban Decay Naked. What colour are your lashes? Go for brown or black mascara - no need to spend loads on mascara just replace it frequently and go for a light formula - nothing 'false lash effect'. Lip gloss is a tricky look to rock. Go to Mac and get a neutral lip liner and ask for advice on a natural lipstick - Kinda Sexy suits virtually everyone. How are your brows? Get them professionally done then maintain them yourself.

Have a look at lisa eldridge's YouTube videos for a starting point. She has some great every day looks that you can replicate.

If you've got the budget I'd have look at laura mercier or bobbi brown counters.

Go to Benefit and get a free make over (or any beauty counter). Ignore the sales patter, and ask them how to apply. But start with mascara, brown (looks more natural than black). Concealer where/if you need it . Don't just buy any random colour, test it on your face (not your hand, your hand is totally different colour from face) and see if it blends. Look on youtube for basic makeup tutorials. Eye brown shaping and colour (if you need it, you might have perfectly lovely eyebrows already). Foundation, blusher, bronzer, lip sticks, eyeliner, eyeshadows etc all of that, can come when you are ready. It's all about the application- learn how to apply properly, and it will be easy. You will need decent make up brushes to do that.

I'd add a line of eyeshadow, worn like eyeliner on your top lids. Make it as thin as you can with a firm slanted brush.
Next I'd add mascara, blusher in a pale shade and then a sheer lipstick in a colour a bit darker than your lips. Most ranges do sheer lipsticks, I like the no.7 ones. Natural collection also do natural (!) coloured lipsticks and they are super cheap, so you could buy three and work out what suits you best.

I'd start with a mascara but not black unless your hair and lashes are naturally dark. I don't wear black unless I'm going out for the evening because I'm blonde and pale skinned and black just looks wrong on me as a daytime look.

Clinique do a feathering mascara in chocolate that may work for you as it's not attempting to look like fake lashes.

You might also find that something like their chubby stick lip crayons work for you.

I've recently decided to do the same! I feel like I need a bit of help to look bright, but equally am nervous about being obviously made up. I've just ordered this set to try out different colours/looks as it seems a bargain. m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=%2Fen%2FElizabeth-Arden-Blockbuster-Fall-Color-Palette_1757684%2F%3Fcm_mmc%3Dbmm--google--PLAs-_-Boots%2520Shopping%2520-%2520Category%2520-%2520Beauty sorry about the long link!

Book a make up lesson with MAC - it costs £50 but at the end of the session you get that £50 to spend on make up. Best thing I ever did. I learnt so many techniques and their make up is excellent.