Where can I learn about makeup?

[scrappydappydoo]

I'm mid forties and have never worn makeup except for a bit of lipstick on the odd occasion like weddings etc. My face has become really blotchy with age and I'm thinking that i should grow up and maybe wearing a little might help but I literally have no clue what to buy or how to apply it. Those really made up sales ladies in boots & debenhams terrify me and I suspect their stuff is v. expensive and they'll sell me stuff I don't need. Help!!

YouTube videos are your friend - you can learn so much! Check out Pixiwoo and Lisa Eldridge for classic, simple looks. Be warned - they are addictive!

Try Hannah Martin’s videos on YouTube. She works for Bobbi Brown so just uses their products, but is really useful for general make-up application tips too.

Also, there was a thread on here the other day about the best makeup ‘dupes’ - cheaper versions of the really expensive stuff but still good. My advice would be to spend a bit on a good foundation and concealer but you can go to boots/superdrug for colour

What about attending a make up session. Many salons and make up artists offer this. Where are you in the country, I may be able to recommend.

Book freelance makeup artist to come to your home and give you a lesson, most stock all ranges of products so can advise on budget too

I popped into Bobbi Brown before Christmas to help demystify make up for me. A make up artist spent about half an hour showing me how to. She wrote down what products she used and in what shade, showed me how to apply and let me have a go.

No hard sell on the products just advice. And she kept it simple. Everything was applied without brushes - tinted moisturiser, cream blusher and cream eyeshadow.

And best of all, the lesson was free.

I'm guessing these free make up lessons are actually selling opportunities but the woman I saw didn't do the hard sell. In fact she stepped away while I examined the results and looked at what products she's used.

I loved it so much I went back two more times and want to book another to help me with concealer and eyeshadow.

I don't work for or get paid by Bobbi Brown btw I just personally had a great experience. I'm pretty sure other make up shops do the same such as mac. Also now that I'm less scared of the whole thing I feel able to talk to staff at make up counters. Had a discussion on colour correction. Me!! Who's always been intimidated by make up!

Google Sali Hughes. Also her first book, Pretty Honest will be great for you.

YOUTUBE IS ALL YOU NEED!!!

I missed where you are supposed to do experimenting with make up in teens and barely wore any in 20s.

When I turned 30 I spent a Sunday afternoon watching Sali Hughes's videos and followed up with her columns for product recommendations.

I still keep it very simple but helped me.

YouTube is your friend for this.

Youtube :)

I'd go to a make up artist, it's more private than a make up counter & you can book a couple of hours with them.

The problem with YouTube is I found it not overwhelming. They use products I've never heard of, conflict with each other on how to do it right, often use a ton of products and can't answer any questions I might have. The make up artist who helped me listened to me discuss my reservations, looked at my skin and face shape and eye shape. Turns out my skin is fine for moisture but dehydrated. I have mature skin, downturned eyes and many tutorials on youtube aren't a good fit for me not to mention that YouTube can't tell me what shade of concealer I need.

A make up artist to your house is probably the best I think. Make up shop next best and YouTube to supplement once you know a bit more.

I would also advise to start looking at your skin care routine. Good skin will instantly make you look better and make applying makeup easier and less complicated.

Another vote for Youtube! I'd suggest investing in a good primer and foundation as your first port of call.

Youtube is good, but be aware that it has its own beauty culture which can be a bit removed from how most women actually wear makeup in real life.

Occasionally I'll someone with youtube-esque makeup on the tube etc, and it always looks excessive and strange.

So much of online beauty culture is focussed on makeup which works for filming/photos, not real life.

Well obviously you have to choose YTers whose looks you like, take notes from the YT videos on products you liked the look of and then get advice on specific products (if you are buying high end) from the counter, AND add a good dollop of common sense.

But I am in my 40s and totally overhauled my makeup last year and all the best advice ime was on YT. They will tell you the best brands for concealer, powder etc, whether the dupes are any good or you need the branded one etc. They will give you precise demos of make up applications inc for hooded eyes.

Wayne Goss is short and snappy and has great tips

PixieWoo have huge variety of looks and are heading towards 40
Lisa Eldridge more classic looks, also 40ish

Tati (US) will tell you exactly how to apply on that hooded eye, as will

HotandFlashy (also US) (terrible name I know)

amodelrecommends has some good tutorials actually, but she is more lifestyle I think, than pure makeup.

They are the ones I go back to a lot but if you are searching on a specific problem plenty of others will have hooded eye videos and sometimes you have to watch a variety on a specific issue or technique before you get it. Practice NB. There were people who would do one side badly and the other side well, and those videos actually taught me a lot.

You definitely need to know your own face and skin. Are you cool toned or warm? Dry or dehydrated? There's videos on that stuff too.

You don’t need to complicate things with lessons etc. Just go and get some Maybelline matte mousse foundation. It covers over all blemishes without caking or feeling like you are wearing anything. You don’t need primer or powder-it does it all. It’s amazing stuff.

Re other make-up-if you can describe your colouring I can make some recommendations.

I tried a make up artist and she ended up doing the hard sell on me as she worked for Arbonne. Products were ok but I hadn't realised that was what her other job was!

Whenever I've had a make-up artist do my make up (e.g. for a special occasion) I've always felt pressured into buying the (very expensive) make-up they stock.

I recently went into a big Boots (the one in Guildford, in case you're in that neck of the woods) to pick up some basics and found their No.7 counter really good. The woman helped me find a concealer that matched my skin perfectly (they have some hi-tech gizmo to do it!) and I like the stuff of theirs I ended up buying and it's not too pricey. The lady wasn't scary at all and I didn't feel intimidated even though I'm not a 'make-up' person at all and I often do feel awkward at the dept store make-up counters.

I wear very little make-up, I'm also in my 40s. I wear the following:

• either a 'powder foundation' (e.g. Max Factor Facefinity or Mac StudioFix if you want to spend a bit more) or a 'BB' cream (I bought some No.7 which was recommended on here, haven't tried it yet. I also have a sample of the Ren one, which I like, but it's more pricey). Both you can just chuck on and they even out your skin tone.
• Possibly a bit of concealer if I've got a spot
• An eyebrow gel to help define and shape brows
• Mascara (I use a brown one as black looks too harsh)
• A bit of eyeliner under my eye (basic brown kohl liner)
• A dash of bronzer to give me a bit of life
• tinted lip balm

That's it! Takes me about 3 minutes and makes me feel presentable.

Thanks all - I really don't want to look 'made up' as I hate when people make comments about my appearance (I don't wear skirts and dresses for the same reason). I just want to look 'presentable' and not all blotchy. I don't want to blend, shape or contour anything. I'll have a look on YouTube this weekend and try and pick up some tips...

Hi scrappydappydoo

If you are on FB, it is well worth looking up Mrs Gloss and the Goss-lots of regular folks varying from complete make-up novices to supreme make-up artists. All very down to earth advice and super friendly. It is a closed group so a comfortable way of finding lots of recommendations for skincare, make-up products, tips and tricks. Will also introduce you to some fab little brands that might help you on your way without breaking the bank.

Best of luck and enjoy-make-up should be fun x

If you are worried by your skin being blotchy, Mary be it's more skin care you should look at?

My skin v reactive, I find la Roche Posay vg. The people on the skincare thread v friendly and give great advice. Botemp has sheets of tips I think too. I'll go get a link...

here it is!