Where to start with make up?

[Synecdoche]

I'm Maid of Honour for my DS's wedding in September and she wants me to wear make up for the photos etc.

I have never worn make up before and own approximately 0 make up products, so I need help o wise MNetters as I have no clue where to start!

Bearing in mind I have a completely illogical 'aversion' to any foundations/creams that are skin coloured, I can't countenance wearing lipstick and I'd like a very light and natural look, what products would you recommend I need and how should I use them?

Please help!

It's not clear, are you actually willing to wear foundation/concealer/powder etc?

Not much point in recommending stuff you wouldn't use.

Is she having a make up artist? If she is could they do yours too?

Sorry not to be clear Elspeth, but please treat me as an absolute simpleton! Out of those three you've mention I wouldn't wear a foundation cream - think I would be okay with a powder. I don't know about concealer options but if it was a cream (like a foundation) I wouldn't be happy with that.

Get your make up done for the wedding by a professional. Then you won't be buyin products you will never wear again.

Diazepam Unfortunately not as that would be the easiest solution! And I can't afford to hire one myself so I'm going to have to DIY...

I think you need to go to a big Boots and get colour matched for lippy and powder and buy some Volume Intense waterproof mascara as that really stays put. Explain the situation and that you need some help.

If you don't have anything to cover up (blemishes, redness) you could just use a face powder. Stay Matte by Rimmel is good, And they have a lovely selection of blush and lipstick shades. You just want to look like you but better. Enhance your good features like eyes or lips. You don't want to be wearing loads of makeup if you're not used to it

Ok powder and mascara...I can do that! So it is okay for powder to just go directly on the skin? Thanks Diazepam

Maud You're right but the cheapest artist I can find (in London...) charges £40 and I think I should be able to get my own products for less than that?

I'm not able to get out of the house much so am unable to go to a counter to ask for help so much appreciated online

I can definitely recommend products if you tell me what type of skin you have and what type of look you want.
But... having your make up applied isn't expensive. Not where I am anyway. About £20 for airbrush make up, which lasts all day. Or you could speak to someone on a beauty counter (Clarins are lovely) explain what you want and they will show you how to apply. If you are really lucky they may even do it on the day for you.

Do you know your skin type? Oily/dry/combination? That would be a good place to start so that you don't buy the wrong products.

Do you wear moisturiser? A basic NIVEA one for the face will be all you need.

1. Primer - good base for makeup. Doesn't have to be fancy. If you think you have large pores then a silicone based primer will be good - a good drugstore product for this is Maybelline babyskin.

2. Foundation - as other posters have said, would get this matched at somewhere like Boots so you don't buy the wrong shade.
   Are you sure you're not keen on a foundation cream? Used sparingly a well matched one will look very natural.

Get these base products sorted and then you can look at things like... bronzer, mascara, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow.

Sorry I xposted with you op.

Sorry have just read post that you can't go into store and get foundation matched.

I think L'Oréal do an online matching thingy, will have a look

If you are not used to makeup I would suggest a bit of blusher, a natural eyeshadow (creamy colours )and some mascara with a pale lipstick or even just clear gloss :)

Exactly apple! Thank you

Maud and happiness I have dry skin. Currently use a body shop hemp moisturiser when my skin gets really dry. My skin is usually clear of redness/blemishes etc but I am prone to dry patches. Lovely.

I love that moisturiser op. It's in a little tin, yes? It sorted my dry elbows for me
I would go less is more. My friend doesn't wear make up ever and I did her face for a night out she hated the feel and look of the products. If I where you. I'd let someone do your face for the pics and then take it off after.

Can you get away with just stealing your DSis's make up. It is expensive stuff and it seems wrong to have to buy some for just one day.
Or get some samples as you wont be needing much?

I agree. Samples are the way to go so you don't waste £££'s on things that will never see the light of day again.
If you can, and I understand this is difficult for you, get to a department store and ask to be matched for foundation. Try YSL touché eclat and ask for a sample. They will give you plenty. Then go to superdrug or boots and pick up a cheap mascara, blush, eyeshadow.

Pestilentialone (Sorry I feel like I'm drip feeding now!) That would be ideal but DS and I are getting ready in different locations before the wedding as her flat is not accessible for me. But getting samples is an excellent idea, thank you.

Maud That's the stuff! I think I'm very similar to your friend. Taking it off after the photos...now you're talking. I hadn't thought of that!

Lisa Eldridge has some tutorials on the basics which might be useful to acquaint you with what you may or may not require.

You can use powder on bare skin as long as your moisturiser isn't too tacky feeling or it will look cakey. Make sure it's sunk in.

The Rimmel one is excellent but has no sponge or brush. It kinda assumes you have a powder brush already. But others like the L'oreal True Match powder comes with a sponge and that covers a lot. Not sure whether the Maybelline Fit Me powder comes with a sponge. NYX Stay Matte But not Flat definitely does. Not sure about the Max Factor ones.

Be aware powder can make you look too blank, which is why people use blusher over.

As for lips, just use tinted lip balm - Nivea do lovely ones, cheap as chips.

I'm thinking of fool proof eyeshadows Synecdoche sorry
Gosh pencils are creamy and easy to blend. I've just had a look at mine. They are gosh forever eyeshadow and cost about £5/6
I have two. One is called light copper and I love it.

spinster Thanks - I'll look her up

Thank you for the recommendations Elspeth - that sounds good for me. Relieved that a tinted lip balm will do!

My dress is rose gold and I've got brown hair and eyes so they sound perfect maud

Oh definitely. There's one Nivea do called a touch of cherry or something that's a beautiful reddish shade. Smells like cherries too! I think they have a couple of shades.

If you're doing blusher Bourjois have wee round ones that come with a tiny but useful brush. I have one in Rose D'or that's light and unobtrusive and impossible to fuck up.

Also remember ASOS do a lot of make up and deliver to your door. And will take it as returns if you hate it.

The other one is called beige. Sounds boring, but it's not. Put it on the inner corners of your eye. Wow. It open's them up. Beautiful peepers

L'Oréal false lash telescopic is brilliant. It has a really thin brush and you can get right into the lashes with it.

I hope you are taking notes