New to make-up

[Geraniumred]

I'm in my early 40s and have never bothered much with make-up apart from nights out. But now I think a little might be fun. What would you advise for a novice? I have quite dark rings under my eyes and freckled skin. I have large eyes too.

Get a highlighter cream, a brown pencil eyeliner and some concealer.
No7 do all this mid range so you can practice.
Stick to creams and avoid powders as they can be easily over applied and look odd/ageing.
pink cream blush and eyelash curlers are also great anti agers.
Go easy until you are confident.
Make up is a lot of fun but I never got the hang of lipstick.

I would go to a Bobbi Brown counter and ask for advice/a lesson. They recommended an under eye serum that covers and corrects in one. Make it clear form the start that you are looking for ideas and advice and they should lay off the hard sell.

For undereyes I definitely recommend Bobbi Brown. Their under eye corrector is really good, you put it on the dark circles then put foundation or concealer over the top. The one in the flat round compact is best. The serum one is a nice idea but doesn't cover dark circles well at all.

Lipsticks and blushers are fun and easier to master than complicated eyeshadow/eyeliner etc combos. Maybe try a few different counters and see if you like what they suggest. Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are gorgeous and Bobbi Brown does a really nice blusher stick that is quite sheer so easy to put on without it looking too much.

I would have a look at YouTube tutorials.

I'm the same age as you, and I really rate Wayne Goss & Stephanie Lange.

They'll give you an idea of looks you like, and you can then buy some products based on that

Thank you all. I will have fun experimenting.