Looking Polished

[WhatOnEarthDoIDoNow]

I figure that while I lose weight (lost almost 2st since Sep) I can get a decent haircut and learn to use makeup as I don't want to buy a load of new clothing while losing weight.

How do I learn to use makeup and what 'looks' suit me when I've never used any myself before. I'm worried about going out and buying makeup as I've such sensitive skin the only time I've been ok with it was when I was a bridesmaid and at prom when a MAC makeup person was paid to come out and do it for me.

I don't want anything flash, just to learn how to make myself look more 'polished' and 'put together'.

Congrats on the weight loss! I think less is more with day to day make up. Lots of make up counters will offer to put a little on you. Especially if they aren't busy. As long as you're looking to buy a product or two maybe you could get them to put some on you? You could explain you have sensitive skin and see if they can offer some samples. A touch of make up and neat hair and you'll look fab.

@London91, Thanks, I've not done anything special or dieted really, just thought more about what I'm eating and only eating if I'm hungry and only eating till I'm no longer hungry rather than eating till I'm full.

I don't want a full face of makeup or a load of different products. I feel like that some mascara and maybe some lipstick day today is enough but I don't know if it'll make me look washed out if I don't have anything on my face, but I'm wary about having products caked on as my skin is very sensitive and it's only just starting to clear up.

My hair at the moment is too long and the longer it is the thinner and wispier it looks, which just makes me look untidy.

Mascara shouldn’t make you washed out, just define your eyes a bit.

Lip colour it would be worth getting some advice on colour or experimenting a bit.

You could always go to boots or debenhams and just ask for some advice on lipstick colours to suit you. Or just go and pick a few and experiment with them and see what you like.

Graduated bobs can look nice and make hair look a bit thicker.

@Lumene and @London91, I'll most likely head into town to boots or somewhere for advice on lipsticks after the sales. Don't really fancy fighting through the crowds.

Not sure what I'm going to do with my hair tbh, most likely I'll just have it chopped off to just above shoulder length, mum has a bob and I already look like her enough without a matching hairstyle especially considering shes almost 70 and I'm just about to turn 24. I just want something that looks smart and is easy to maintain.

Have a look at make up artists in your area most do one to one lessons these days for reasonable and can teach you a basic look, an will often give you genuine advice rather than sell you products you don't need.

A eyebrow/eyelash tint is also good to keep a groomed look for days when you can't be bothered.

I would buy one good outfit now that fits well. It doesn't have to be expensive. When I was in the middle of losing weight last year I bought one pair of Sainsburys jeans and one shirt from Peacocks - yes they are now too big but they helped me feel good for several months and I don't see that as a waste of money.

Regarding make-up, you could try the Boots foundation match service, they use a little machine to determine skin tone and then recommend you foundation and lipstick based on that. You don't have to buy anything. If you go to a specific make-up counter they will want to sell you their products rather than what suits you best.

Hi op,
Basics are to get your eyebrows tidy (full look is youthful) and tinted along with your eyelashes.
Avoid foundation unless needed and use a cc cream. I love erborian (in shade Clair) which evens out your skin tone and gives you a slight glow.
A little bit of rosy blusher and a lipstick that suits you (a brighter one is great at this time of year as it can lift the face)
That’s all you need to begin with

Erborian cc cream is excellent.

@Pearlgrey1, oh I hadn't thought of doing that, that might be more useful to me. I don't think I need to tint my eyelashes or eyebrows. They fit with my natural colouring I think and seem to be ok.

@CatherineMaitland, I have some nice shirts that I wear (some are now too big) and some smart dark trousers/jeans/leggings as well as two slightly dressier outfits that fit quite well. I'm a little wary though about wearing one of them though as it's quite low cut and I don't really like the attention I get when I wear it. But I'll most likely wear it when I go out for my b-day next month. I think that going to boots and using the service will most likely be something I do. Once I have the product I can learn how to use it.

@Halftermcoming, other than the occasional plucking of a stray hair my eyebrows are fine without messing with them (much to the annoyance of my very style conscious sisters). Got to be honest though I don't understand the need for tinting them when they're the evenly coloured and match my natural colouring. My eyelashes should be fine with mascara when I want to look nicer so I don't want to get into something that needs constant maintenance.

@Halftermcoming and @Lumene, I have no idea what CC cream is or what it's used for. I know my sister has commented that I can carry different shades of lipstick easily because of my colouring. I'm very pale with freckles, and have what she calls 'warm' blonde/brown hair. But I'd probably stick closer to natural or slightly pinker/redder tones than anything particularly adventurous. I just want to improve my day to day look so I look less dishevelled student and more like I know what I'm doing with my life

Cc cream just evens out your skin tone and lifts your skin a bit.

If your eyebrows are full then you may not need them tinting. I like tinting my eyelashes so I then don’t bother with mascara in the day (no smudging etc)

@Halftermcoming, I'll have to look into CC cream then. I've been blessed with the sort of complexion that is often inconsistent and prone to blushing unevenly. My eyebrows aren't full but they're not thin, they're right for my face I think. I doubt they'd look particularly good tinted. That makes sense about getting eyelashes tinted. I'll have to look into it more as it may be more convenient to do that than faff around with mascara tbh. Plus I'm prone to subconsciously rubbing my eyes which won't help matters.

Seconding the recommendation for Erborian.