I want to buy some make up and have no idea what to buy.

[cece]

OK I have hit 40 and the last time I bought make up was 8 years ago for my wedding. Hardly ever wear it but want to start wearing a bit - not too much.

What should I get? look out for? Makes to buy?

Please help I have no idea.

agree with anniemac.
I have used bobbi brown stuff for yrs and would recommend,they will give you a nice natural look.

Where would I find these counters? Department sotres? The women who serve on these things always seem so intimidating! Think I might be too scared to go up to one...

littelapin

OMG that is a long list... currently have one lipstick, one mascara, one eyeliner and some powder stuff?

I think I need to start off simple.
Which one thing would make the biggest difference?

What's your budget? My fave all-time, suits every occasion, goes with everything eyeshadow is Diamond Lil by Stila (kind of very subtly shimmering taupe colour) but it is £12 or so.

I'm a bit like you (heading for 40, don't wear a lot of make-up) and other brands I find suit me are Boots No 7, Bourjois, Benefit (their Dandelion blusher is fab for pale skin, though also not cheap) and Maybelline. Also love Lancome Juicy Tubes lip gloss.

If I wear make-up, my basic kit is a concealer for spots/redness, my diamond Lil eyeshadow plus sometimes a paler cream or beige eye colour, Benefit Dandelion, Juicy tubes in a neutral pink, and for a special occasion, mascara.

Are you in a city? I went to Space NK recently and was offered a free makeover and they were very friendly. Have also found MAC staff super-friendly and nice.

The best foundation is clinique superbalanced and there pressed powder is really good ,YLS concealer
Mac blushers and lipsticks
also bobby brown blusher are good to

I would go to a dept store and book a consultation. Thery are very good at finding out what will suit your life style and skin type.
My sister works for Stila as a make up artist so obviously I would recommend them!!

Agree with everything said, go and get some advice. If you're looking for natural makeup - Clarins does wonderful toners/cleaners etc. All smells delicious and although expensive lasts a long time. I'm 41 and don't wear foundation but have a marvellous mascara and natural coloured lipsticks for daytime and brights pinks and reds for nights out. Enjoy being pampered. Oh and get a great moisturiser preferably with spf.

She says the one thing you always need is blusher, changes your face instantly.

Look at the women behind the counter,
if they have fabulous make-up they probably know what they are talking about

Because I don't normally know what I am doing I usually buy cheapo stuff so I don't waste my money. However, I think my older skin now needs something more luxurious to cover it up.

I am a bit nervous about eyeshadow... The only time I wore it was for my wedding... and I had a make up srtist do it for me...

Think I qwould like

a) my skin to look better (red and bltchy in places)
b) my friends have nice shiny natural looking lips - how do they do that?
c) my eyes are my best feature so something to enhance them.

Basically I want to look like I am not wearing make up iyswim - a better version of me.

Actually my top make-up session tip would be find a counter with a lovely camp male make-up artist to help you - they're generally much less intimidating for me than an orange 20-something

lancome do great mascaras ,and elizabeth arden for eye pencils
a good lip pencil for everyday is by mac and its called spice it suits all worn with lipgloss

i don't have a clue anymore about how to put make-up on now that my face is older

OK now feeling inspired. DS in nursery tomorrow morning so may pop into local Debenhams or Boots and have a browse. See if I can plusk up courage to ask for some help...

Thnaks

My fave juicy tubes in number 19 "lychee" and it gives the shiny/natural look you describe, though you have to be OK with the feel of it (I like it, some don't.) Neutral brown, taupe, beige and cream eyeshadows will help with that "better version of you" look as will a really good foundation and concealer - Chanel for top quality, MAC also good, I like No 7 and Bourjois foundations and concealer too. Subtle blusher will bring the look to life.

I think go to a counter that is known for that kind of look - Stila, Bobbi Brown are two - and tell them everything you've said here. You don't have to buy all their stuff - they'll help you find what works and you can get some items cheaper.

IME it's worth paying more for foundation, eyeshadow and lipstick/gloss. Other things such as mascara and blusher can be equally good in cheap brands.

there is another type called clinique almost makeup its lovely and light it evens your skin out and you dont feel like you are wearing it

dollyk - that sounds perfect! I really don't like the way it feels on my face, hence I don't wear it at mo! Also feel like everyone is looking at me and laughing! I must admit to feeling self conscious if I even jsut wear lipstick.

sounds too complicated

cece-natural look = bobbi brown!!

OK ggirl!

Will try to find in Debenhams tomorrow!