Make up for a 40 year old beginner

[plotmissinginaction]

I've never worn it. But I currently look like a sack of tatties. An elderly sack of tatties. I think the time has come. However I have no clue and am crap at stuff like this (which is why I've never bothered in the past). I know you can go get a tutorial at Mac, would this be the best way to go do you think? Or watch stuff on Youtube? I don't want much, just something quite simple and natural and easy peasy but there seems to be a lot out there.

I did the same after feeling like you and visited benefits and I hated it. Didn't like the made up look at all. That said, I bought some products but I am a very light and natural make up user. This is my regime:

1. Cleans and moisturise face.
2. Body shop concealer crayon. Lasts ages (buy the sharpener).
3. Benefits hoola, light sweeps.
4. Benefits Dandelion, light sweeps.

Face is glowy with a subtle colour.

1. Mascara.
2. Eyebrow pencil.
3. Eyeliner - I buy the light brown from Aveda - vegetable oil based and really gentle.

Depends on your colouring of course.

give this video a watch and see if it helps, these women are amazing make up artists and do a complete variety of make up lessons.

I would avoid mac they can seem quite snobby, the no7 stand in boots is good, everytime I've been in there the women at the counter have always been so helpful and I don't feel awkward with them

It was mostly for the tutorial, I have no idea what I'm doing!

I'd suggest Bobbi Brown or SpaceNK if you have some money to buy a few bits. They will both give you a (good) tutorial and I think it's worth spending money on just a few things in either of those places - particularly a nice tinted moisturiser (love the Laura Mercier ones that you can get at Space NK). Then concealer on any spots/pigmented patches/dark circles. There are some good cheaper concealers but a creamy under eye one is good (am the same age! - don't want anything too solid around the eyes at it doesn't do anything for wrinkles) (Nars Radiant one is amazing but expensive - Bobbi Brown do nice ones). Benefit do good concealers too and are a bit cheaper (can get in bigger Boots and department stores).

Then a nice cream blusher - depending on your skin tone so take advice from somebody at Bobbi Brown or SpaceNK. I like 'nectar' from Bobbi Brown but it's quite peachy (and a powder actually). Nars 'Orgasm' is a nice creamy blusher (actually you can get it as a powder too) but is peachy again and has some sparkle in. It's not obviously sparkly, don't worry. They have other great blusters too - Nars is v good for cheeks!

All I'd do next would be mascara at the weekend in the day. I wear black as I have dark eyebrows and lashes but if you're blonde, dark brown might look better. (Don't need to spend money on mascara! Although I do like the Benefit one, by Maybelline ones are good.)

I find as you get older if you wear foundation avoid the thick orange stuff, I get a light tint that matches my skin followed by a dusting of powder and some colour on my cheeks, ususally very light pink put on with a big brusk. That all looks very natural.
Neutral eyeshadow, eyeliner for top lid and nothing on bottom lid as it looks too fake, mascara and some lipstick, I always use neutral/pink not LOOK AT ME shades.
That's enough for a beginner.
Check out youtube loads of good tips for makeup for women over 40.

Get a light coverage foundation?
What budget you going for?
Bourjois city radiance applied with a damp beauty sponge is lovely. Depends on your colouring though as Bourjois are rubbish at offering deeper shades!
A light reflecting concealer for undereye. Blend with sponge.
A cream blusher blended out. Mac is lovely. A soft peach/pink.
Use a brow powder lightly
Lightly apply setting powder in the T zone if you need it.
A quad of 3/4 taupe/neutral eye shadows. No7 are nice also buy a brush. You can use the darkest shade as a liner too.
Mascara
Tinted lip crayon like Clinique chubby sticks.

For a beginner Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown would be the go to counters or Space NK if you are feeling spendy

I was basically a beginner and eyeliner remains beyond me and Lisa Eldridge's youtube videos are amazing. She has a series on basics which is excellent and a lot of looks with minimal products.

I would go for a start:
Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser + concealer - can go on with fingers
Blush of some description
Clinique chubby sticks for lips can be used as blusher and blended with fingers
Mascara - I find tubing the easiest, use a Boots No 7 which everyone on hear recommended. Brown black if you are v pale.
Benefit Gimme brow - requires no skill to apply, looks natural, just like your brows are a bit better.

That's it basically for a basic, I just look better than I normally do look.

I really want to try the laura mercier but I am no where near a counter and I don't know which shade to get. I might be going through to the city at the end of Feb though so I will try and seek it out then. Once I know what to get I can get it online. There is a debenhams not to far away, they might have Bobbi Brown. I am happy to spend a bit of money on a few simple things. It needs to be fairly idiot proof to be honest! I wish I had done all this when I was a teenager. Makes me feel about twelve.

Watch SugarPuffandFluff on you tube.
A mature lady with fantastic make up skills. She also explains products really well, and is very sweet.
I also like Pixiwoo. There is nothing like watching someone demonstrate makeup application for hints and tips.
I also spend too much time watching Patrick Starr, he's my guilty pleasure!

Bobbi Brown tutorials are great

Hi plotmissinginaction!
My advice to you is to first discover what type of skin do you have and than see what kind of makeup would you like to use! It's always better to use more quality makeup, it costs a bit more, but it's more lasting and it nurtures your skin. For years I've used Youngblood cosmetics (you can buy it here: www.facialco.com.au/brand/youngblood.html?cat=9999634 - they ship worldwide) and I'd recommend it to everyone! They contain natural minerals that protects your skin.
On the other hand, you have to figure it out what do you wanna do with your makeup. For work and everyday life, I always go "natural", but when I go out I go a bit bolder :) Nice lipstick and a bit more mascara with eyeliner and you are ready :)
Good luck!

Mac and Benefit made me up to look like a drag queen. They're not going to give you a simple understated barely there look. Try having make up applied by older more traditional brands like lancome or clinique. Theyre less likely to go all Kardashian on you.

There's no point spending a penny till you know what result you want tbh.

Do you want glowy skin? Switch to an illuminating moisturiser or buy an illuminator (like the L'oreal Lumi one) and whack over your regular moisturiser.

Do you want to erase dark circles? Loads of options, there have been a myriad of threads here, search for threads about undereye concealers.

Ditto with pigmentation/spots.

Do you actually want to wear foundation at all? With concealer you may not need to.

If you do want to try it, what finish do you want - glowy or matte? Or somewhere in between (satin finish)

Do you want to go the whole hog and try eyeshadow and mascara?

Gosh, I don't know! I think I want something pretty simple that stops me looking so haggard and tired and evens out my complexion and makes me look like I've had more sleep then I clearly have! I went to my nearest Debenhams yesterday but they didn't have a Bobbi Brown counter. I did try the Benifit one but I didn't like the result so that's a no. I get through to Edinburgh on the 17th of Feb so I guess I will find a Space NK there. I think I would prefer a tinted moisturiser to a foundation and yes I will need an under eye concealer so I will go and search for threads on that thanks!

If you can get to London, I would encourage you to try www.cosmeticsalacarte.com/services/personalised-lessons/

Having always felt like a clown in makeup, for my 50th birthday, I had a lesson with Laura. It was really great, and I ended up looking exactly like me, but a flawless, lovely version of me. They take everything into account, your kind of skin and colouring, also how much time and patience you have to spend on make up every day. I wanted a very, very natural look, only better. I have since learned an evening version of 'my' look for ( very occasional) big, dress up occasions.

Other people use them for hard to match skin colours, even fantasy stage makeup is often using their products. Everything is customised, so the same person who does extreme fantasy ( think dr who scary monster) did an entirely natural look for me. Having hated make up for ever, and always feeling uncomfortable in it, I am now quietly comfortable in wearing 'my' makeup.

I especially like that there is absolutely no to buy, the artists are absolutely not on commission. Their focus is on you and what works for you. Hope you find what works for you.

I'm not good with make up - I'm very fair and find that getting my eyelashes and eyebrows dyed one a month makes a huge difference.

M&S Autograph have an illuminating tinted moisturiser which is a great alternative to the Laura Mercier. They also do great eyeshadow crayons which are foolproof.

I'd recommend Lisa Eldridge's videos on YouTube

Find a nice counter, they'll help you there. I've got on well with a Bobbi Brown counter in John Lewis, they were lovely. But if you don't want to spend a fortune, a No 7 counter is good too. Most of us use products from different brands, but you have to start somewhere. Best thing you can do is go in store for colour matching. And if you don't like the look they give you, do say, don't feel pressured into spending too much or more than you're happy with.

plot - love the username!

"I wish I had done all this when I was a teenager. Makes me feel about twelve."

nah. I just started as well. think how much money we have saved through only starting now.

staff at local Boots and Superdrug were nice. If you want pricier brands QVC will actually let you use the product and send it back but of course there's costs involved in that. I have a couple of friends living in the countryside who say it's no more than the train into town would have cost to try a few products at leisure.

MUA at superdrug is good and v. cheap.

Finally here - may i ask which lessin you had. I would love to do that!

Space NK is in George Street in Edinburgh.
My tip is to start now drinking more water, aim for at least a litre a day.
Get a gentle cleansing lotion, an alcohol free toner and splash out on a excellent moisturiser, the best you can afford. Same with your hair with good mild shampoo and splash out on a good quality conditioner
Same with make up, spend on a good quality foundation, blusher and mascara, those are your basic items, but good skin care is more important imho.

margarita I think I started with the refresh www.cosmeticsalacarte.com/services/personalised-lessons/

I had 'my makeup' base made specially for me I now have a different one for summer and winter.

Since then I have booked the edit then I just arrange an appointment with Laura and we sort out whatever is required. I have seen people come in without an appointment but it's a bit of a risk. I travel in specially.

As a special treat I have had makeup done on the way out to a 'do' which felt especially glamorous.

Let me know if you do go. I'd love to hear how you get on.

I'm not in London (live in Spain at the moment) but I do go at least once a year and I think I will book one next time. I have just developed rosacea and I am fed up of feeling crap about it. I was wondering if you had to get the full £220 works to start off with but if the one you linked to is a good start I can afford that as a treat.

Ohh, look forward to hearing about it. All the best.