Please help me not look kn****red

[Numberonecook]

Ladies (and gents if there’s any reading) I need you! I’m fed up of looking crap. I have spent 16 years raising kids, living in leggings, no makeup and hair scraped into a bun/ponytail. I don’t go out much (last time 2 years ago) and I guess I’ve just not bothered. I have no close friends to ask for advice. I had kids young so throughout my adult life I feel I haven’t had ‘proper’ make up or beauty routines.

I’d like to look a bit fresher and put together. Please could you give me skin care and make up recommendations? I’m 35 with dry skin. Blue eyes, brown hair. I work with heat so nothing too heavy. Any videos online you like with tips? I really need to start from scratch.

I have Debenhams vouchers so things from there would be extra brownie points!

Following

I think haircut and eyebrows make a big difference

I'm not an expert at all but I noticed a huge difference in my skin when I started using glycolic acid pads. I'm still working on the rest

No idea, but why did you use s?

Youtube tutorial from Lisa Potter-Dixon

Quick fix makeup for when you're shattered and have no time!

I Love Lancome Ultra Wear foundation applied with a brush. It's very natural looking but makes me look vaguely alive after very little sleep, and it's hard wearing. Go to the Lancome counter at Debenhams and they'll give you a makeover. Although they will try to sell you blusher/lipstick/eyeshadow etc so you have to be strong and say no if you want ro stick to the natural look!

Start with a decent skincare routine. I like Clinique but The Ordinary is really popular now and much cheaper but I don't like change. 😄

What the previous poster said about a good haircut and good brows is spot on, it really will make a difference. If you know someone with good hair, ask them where they get it done.

Go to Debenhams as you've got vouchers and have a couple of make up consultations. They will try and sell you everything so be strong. Benefit are good and I've never come out looking like a clown unlike other counters.

I spend more on concealer, foundation and mascara then buy cheaper eye shadow, powder etc

No7 are good and they do colour matching. I really like their foundations.

I agree with the above a great hair cut/colour and eyebrows make so much difference. If you don't want too much high maintenance ask your hairdresser for a style that can be wash and go or really simple styling. A good hairdresser should be able to advise.

I'm a fan of a hd brow although I appreciate they are not for everyone. A simple shaping really does change your face.

A simple moisturiser once a day makes the skin look great and if you do wear make up make sure at the end of the day to take it off and moisturise.

Give up drinking for a while.
I was feeling that my skin was very dry before Christmas, I had big dark circles under my eyes and just looked tired. I wasn’t drinking that much normally, never over the recommended maximum weekly units.
I’m doing dry January and have actually managed to stick to it so far. Already my skin feels much softer and my cheeks feel plumper somehow. I’m sleeping much better too which makes me look fresher.
After January I’m going to keep my alcohol consumption quite low.

Make up wise - Groomed eyebrows, a blusher that makes you look like you've been a walk, lip tint and gloss, mascara and eyelash curlers.

How is your skin? try a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid in it, plumps up your skin.

Oh thank you everyone some great ideas! My hair is in good condition and the cut suits me well (I think). Good point about my brows I do get them ‘done’ but maybe not as often as I should . I like the idea of glowt skin and blushed cheeks I don’t drink so my skins pretty ok apart from it being on the dry side. I don’t think I drink as much water as I should. I don’t get breakouts xx

I can’t figure out what the word in the title is meant to be

Me either @userblablabla

It's Knackered!

Why all the *?

Some type of glowy primer or powder. I like M & S Rosie for Autograph Radiance Cream but for a cheaper alternative Asda sell N'spa Radiance balm. If you feel like splurging, Hourglass Diffused Light ambient powder - or for a cheaper alternative try Revolution or ELF powders in Superdrug.

(Other good glowy primers are Soap & Glory Hocus Pocus, or Becca Backlit. Other powders - Beauty Pie Soft Soul or MUA Pixel from Superdrug.)

I have decent skin and hair but look truly knackered without makeup. Mostly I think due to my very pale skin and visible veins around my eyes. I'm pregnant and lately my midwife thinks I have an iron issue when she sees me without makeup. When she sees me with makeup she says how wonderful and radiant I'm looking.
What has worked for me
Eyelash growth serum , this one is good
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007R6FZQY/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8
Eyelash and brow dye. For eyelash I use 1000 hour dye and for eyebrows I use "just for men" beard dye in light brown.
Eyelash curler a must or invest in a lash lift every couple of months

Those things give me a good base to start with.

Makeup I would keep it basic as it's easy to do a 5 min routine consistently.
Lightweight Foundation , Estée Lauder double wear light is good and stays in place. Benefit has great mascaras, eyeshadow kits and brow gels. Worth visiting that counter for your eye makeup.

Illuminator on cheeks really make me look healthy and radiant. I've tried hourglass diffused light but I prefer a more balmy highlighter for a real glow. I use BEcca skin love glaze glow stick, it's amazing! No glitter at all so my skin has that real glow without shimmer. Definitely concealer if you have dark circles. Nars radiant creamy concealer is good.

Why all the asterisks in the title though? Do you think the word knackered is offensive or something?

Facial scrubs (loreal sugar scrubs are good), night cream (liddl own brand blue pot my favourite in quality and price.....in term of cosmetics I spend a lot, this is genuinely the best for me regardless of price). The vitamin c glow peel from body shop is good imo. After that a good blush (sugar bomb from benefit my fav) and eyebrows are a must. Concealer for dark circles; cc cream from bourgeois is quite good at hiding a lot of sins around eyes and face.

Good point actually, what's up with the word knackered?

I wouldn’t find the word knackered offensive but this is mumsnet and someone somewhere might.

Thanks you for all your suggestions, some common themes to look for. I’m going to look like a lost puppy when I go shopping lol

I went to bare minerals as the woman had the most natural looking make up! I also booked a personal shopper...it’s free. That was brilliant.

Also, some exercise makes a huge difference....

Moisturise in the morning,after you've taken your make up off then again before bed.It really makes a difference

My mum never liked us using the word 'knackered' as its to do with killing horses.

More on topic:
Eyebrows shaped/tinted if necessary
Eyelash tint (to save on mascara)

Moisturiser
BB cream instead of heavy foundation but helps to even out skin
Mascara
Concealer for spots, under eyes
Setting powder to sweep over the face and set your foundation/bb cream, concealer
Blusher on the cheeks

Take makeup off at end of the day and put a night moisturiser on over night.

Drink water

What's your diet like, op? That's super important too