Where to start with make up

[Embarrassedtohavetoask]

Just that really, sorry for v long post.
I've got to 35 and am still utterly clueless so sometimes wear foundation and mascara but know it's not quite right. I've tried watching videos online but they disagree on the order to use concealer/foundation/bb cream etc.

I have cystic acne scars along my jawline, dark circles below my eyes and melasma on my upper lip so am very self conscious but have never had anyone to ask for help and have always been too embarrassed to have something done at a counter in boots to find out.
What are the basics you'd recommend to get decent cover for my face that I won't sweat off? And how do i get the colour right because trying on my hand never seems to work? I'd like to go out and feel better about myself for once so would be grateful for any help.

I’m no expert but I would say please don’t be embarrassed to go to a counter in boots to ask for advice. You have as much right to that advice as anyone else and you shouldn’t be embarrassed about asking here, or anywhere else.

My tip would be check foundation on the pulse point of your wrist, not the back of your hand.

Is sweating make up off a particular problem you’ve found? For me, if I wear a primer first, then a medium coverage matt foundation, then a powder on top it stays on. It is heavy coverage though.

I would also say when it comes to make up that practice makes perfect. When I first got into it, I would practice eyeliner every evening before I cleaned my face for bed.

Finally don’t underestimate the importance of eyebrows in enhancing your face - someone on a make up counter once told me they are like if your face was a picture they’re the frame you put your face in. Places like Superdrug do threading for about £7, and you can get brow kits which are quite easy to use eg browzings by benefit but there are cheaper options.

I’m sure you are lovely as you are and don’t need make up - I’ve answered as you specifically asked - but don’t be afraid to experiment, practice and ask people on the counters for advice

Also dark circles - I put concealer on after foundation personally. BB cream before foundation.

But just experiment and see what works for you - there’s no official right or wrong!

Go to Boots No7 counter for a colour match, they use a machine so they don't spend long looking at you. That would give you a good starting point, if the foundation is 'cool' something or 'warm' something that will tell you if your colouring is cool or warm, another clue as to what might suit you.
Boots will also find you a blusher and lipstick that should suit. I've not used either so no idea if it's any good.
I'd go tactily as well, eg if you just want a colour match go when they are busy, if you want more help go on quiet days. As with all sales people some are more knowledgeable and helpful than others.
Lisa Eldridge is worth looking at for more ideas as is Caroline Barnes, both on YouTube. They are both professional make up artists with lots of experience.

To get the best colour match you need to try several shades on your cheek, the right one should 'disappear'. Only your face though, your arm/hand is very different, at a pinch you could try neck but that's normally paler than face.

I disagree with the Boots above though, the Colour Match is awful on me but the products themselves are good if I choose the colour myself.

If you want good coverage but to not look too made up Boots are selling mini IT Cosmetics CC creams for £13, there's only a few shades to match with but always gets amazing reviews.

What are you hoping to get OP? If just 'yourself but better' I recommend getting made-over at a Bobbi Brown counter. If you want more noticeable make up then MAC always good.

I also give the Beauty and the Boutique videos very good as are the products she sells, and if you go to the Daniel Sandler website you can buy tiny blush samples to try colours.

Videos on YouTube are actually really good, you can do quite specific searches as well eg easy to apply medium/full coverage make up tutorial. It depends how much you want to spend as well, there's some really good foundations etc for reasonable prices now. Personally I put a primer on first (currently using Smashbox Photo Finish but this is expensive, Revolution do some really nice primers), followed by a Rimmel foundation which I blend with a sponge, liquid concealer by Barry M which I apply in triangles below my eyes and anywhere else it's needed and blend, and then Revolution banana powder. This gives a strong medium coverage. Primark also have some really good dupes for expensive brands, so it might be worth trying some of those and seeing what you like before spending a bit more money? I agree about eyebrows as well, I always let mine get unruly and as soon as they're done remember how much better they look; I agree with a PP who said about threading at Superdrug.

I've been taught to match my foundation to my chest/ neck as you want these to be the same colour. Then you can add warmth and depth back to your face using bronzer and blusher.

Use a concealer the same shade as your foundation for covering discolouration on other parts of your face. Use a concealer 1 or 2 shades lighter than your foundation to conceal dark under eye circles. You can do it on top or underneath your foundation. On top will look brighter, underneath will be more muted. I actually avoid putting foundation under my eyes tbh as just the concealer does a good enough job and you dont have too much product there.

BB cream is a light all in one product (moisturiser, sunscreen and light coverage) used on its own so I wouldn't use that under foundation. I would recommend Estee Lauder doublewear foundation. It's medium to full matte coverage but feels light on the face and doesn't budge. It comes in lots of colours and you can make it more dewy if you wish.

OP I am exactly the same, in my late 30's and still feel clueless about make up. I really need to learn some tricks to cover the dark circles and bags under my eyes, and I have patches of pigmentation from sun damage. Everyone else seems to know what they're doing, feel I really need to learn some make up skills to help as I get older and am looking so tired and washed out all the time.

Can't believe how skilled and clued up young girls are with make up these days from so early on, maybe due to YouTube tutorials? So many young women I see that can create pro looking make up like the Kardashians or Love Island ladies!

I would say take some time to experiment. This is actually what I did as a teenager. Would sneak into my sister's room while she was out and borrow her make-up and just try different things. Eventually I worked out what worked. I still do it from time to time with different eye make-up and lip colour! I agree on getting some advice about decent foundation but you can pick up some cheap blush/bronzer, eye shadows, pencils and lip colour and just try a few things out. Once you've worked out what suits you you can start working out your preferred brands. I don't actually wear a lot of make up day to day, but I know how to dress it up when I need to.

Thank you everyone for your help. I think "myself but better" is a great way to describe what I'm after. Think im going to bite the bullet and ask for advice from one of the counters and then practise and watch some more videos. Thanks for your help.