Starting a makeup bag from scratch, help please!

[SundayLunchHappy]

Hello,

I've been wearing make up most days for the last 15 years, however pregnancy has altered my skin beyond recognition and I've been "bare faced" for the duration (now 25 weeks).

My makeup bag is a sad little collection of old products that I've continued to buy because I don't know any different.

Using as follows:

Cleanser: The Body Shop Camomile Butter (staying!)
Moisturiser : Clinique thirst quench (non negotiable)
Primer: Estée Lauder the Mattifier
Concealer: Estée Lauder double wear stay in place
Foundation: Estée Lauder double wear
Applicator: The Body Shop foundation brush
Blusher: Estée Lauder pure colour envy
Mascara: Estée Lauder sumptuous bold volume in black
Lipsticks: Clinique/Lauder/Mac have problems with flaking.
Finishing Powder: Clinique neutral transparency loose powder

Would love an overhaul and some advise of makeup that a, I can hopefully get hold of easily (have access to a HoF and JL). A basic list of useful brushes as mine is old and rather yuck, prone to coming off the stick!

I am very fair with pink skin tones, dark hair and dry skin... gorgeous right!

I know going in and trying is useful but I'd like a bit of advise first because I find makeup counters more intimidating than board rooms and often come away feeling like I'm about to star in the panto!

I apply my foundation with my fingers and then use a real techniques blending sponge. I find it's quicker than using a brush and I can control the amount of make-up better - I found I was using quite a lot of foundation when I used a brush.

Do you need DW for days? It's very full coverage. On quick days when I just need to look 'not dead' I use a tinted moisturiser - normally Clinque City Skin SPF40 and then a sweep of powder to de-shine. For daytimes when I need a bit more I use Chanel Les Beiges which is a medium coverage. I'd use DW for night times or for when I need the big guns for coverage!

Brush wise, I like MAC's eyebrow brush for helping fill out eyebrow gaps - I use a powder rather than a pencil as I find the powder looks more natural and less harsh. For remaining brushes I have quite a few of the real techniques ones and I quite like them. The only one I didn't rate was the silicone tipped one which is designed for applying liquid or gel eyeliner - it was rubbish!

In terms of mascara you will prise Max Factor's Masterpiece out of my cold, dead hands! I've tried every mascara out there and this is the one I keep going back to for daytime wear - it's very easy to apply and looks very natural. For more oomph I use L'Oreal Lash Architect - it can be a bit clumpy but I use the Max Factor wand over it and it combs everything out quite nicely.

Finishing powders vary - I sometimes use the Bare Minerals powder if I need a bit more coverage (say on a tinted moisturiser day), otherwise I tend to stick to Soap & Glory's powder. Easy and cheap. I find the thing that helps stop my makeup sliding off my face is to use layers of setting spray. My favourite is the Body Shop Vitamin E spray, which can also be used for setting makeup. I apply tinted moisturiser/foundation and then a layer of spray and let it dry. Then powder and concealer and a layer of spray and let it dry. Then a final quick sweep of powder for any extra shiny bits and carry on with blusher etc. and a final spray before doing my mascara last.

I'd suggest you go the the Bobbi Brown counter for a make over.

Your foundation sounds very heavy. Maybe look at something lighter? Bobbi Brown stick foundation? Dior Star?

I can only tell you what I use which may or may not suit you.

Dior Star foundation in ivory (101)
Bobbi Brown creamy concealer
B Brown powder blusher
Lancome Hypnose mascara
Eye liner- Bobbi Brown or Clinique (pencil types)
Eye shadow- Bobbi Brown in grey, taupe shades. Their stick long wear eye shadow is nice too.
Lippy- (guess) Bobbi Brown
I also use Bobbi Brown illuminating powder which is really fine and gives a bit of a glow - not sparkle.

Brushes- all Bobbi Brown. Expensive but last. Have blusher, foundation, eye shadow and concealer. I tend to wait for JL to do offers with at least 10% off (think they have now.)

Oh and I use Clinique City Block spf 40 as a primer and sunscreen which is what it's for (it's not a moisturiser, I use one under it.)

Oh and if you're looking for a budget-friendly concealer then the Collection creamy concealer is very good. Only a couple of quid, not drying, covers well - IME it wins hands down against Touche Eclat, which I found to be quite chalky and drying.

BTW agree re: Clinique Polly - I've got a 'proper' moisturiser as a completely separate part of my skincare routine. I only ever use tinted moisturiser as makeup!

You will soon have a baby and it will be about survival.

If you are time strapped (if!) , I would concentrate on your skin care with just maybe concealer on your( inevitable ) dark circles when the baby arrives!

Thank you for the recommendations. I've never tried Bobbi Brown. Reading the list it does sound like I trowel it on! However that lot lasts me well over a year (which then means it's enevitably past it's best).

Very interested in the idea of the vit E setting spray idea.

The reason I use double wear is because I have red blotching which I've unfortunately inherited from my mums side. We've tried all the yellow/green powders for "balancing" but I always go back to a layered method with liquid foundations.

Anyone tried Charlotte Tilbury? Keeps popping up on fb and I feel very old/out of touch having nil clue what it is all about.

If I can get a more affordable mascara that would be ace, they always dry out before I've used a whole tube so something that is less heartbreaking to chuck out half full would be an added bonus!

Thanks again for everyone's input.

As for surviving when baby arrives, my friend's with little ones are much more put together than I am! I don't think it can hurt to get a new beauty regime in place before bump makes an entrance.

I haven't got any CT items. I wandered over to a counter and had a look at a couple of things when she first launched. Nothing caught my eye as being of particular interest; it all seems quite expensive for what it is. Having done further research on it there are lots of poor reviews so I would steer clear unless you have money to burn.

Having just been into Kiko this morning (after a recommendation for a red lipstick from another poster on another S&B thread), I was quite impressed by them. The makeup is competitively priced, shops are laid out well and the staff were helpful. I'd visit again.