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Original poster

I can’t wear makeup in work anymore but I look like the living dead -help!!

30 replies

StarSpangled372 · 21/08/2020 11:52

What products can I use that aren’t technically makeup but will make me look less dead?!! I already use a gradual tanner, I think I can get away with a bit of concealer under my eyes but is there a base product that will help my skin that isn’t pigmented?

Many thanks.

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonO · 21/08/2020 11:54

Tinted moisturiser? Why aren't you allowed wear make-up - seems a bit odd if you were previously.

Sasuma · 21/08/2020 12:08

What about Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi? It can be added to moisturiser and evens tone out and brightens but doesn’t look like make up. I’d be doing things like eye lash/brow tint etc.

RunningFromInsanity · 21/08/2020 12:15

Lash and brow tint definitely.
BB cream? Less obvious than foundation

022828MAN · 21/08/2020 12:17

I use bare minerals tinted moisturiser and think it's great!

Original poster
StarSpangled372 · 21/08/2020 12:25

Thanks everyone. Off to do some gooogling of the products you’ve all suggested. My eyebrows are quite thick and dark, I think a lash tint would help though.

OchonAgusOchonO just a change in protocol.

OP posts:
DannyGlickWindowTapping · 21/08/2020 12:30

Some primers are good at mattifying, making tone more even etc. I like Porefessional from Benefit, and you can get it in small tubes to try before splashing the cash on a big tube.

WouldBeGood · 21/08/2020 12:37

You can get makeup tattoed on. I know during who used to do that and it looked great.

kimmyst · 21/08/2020 12:56

This stuff is absolutely amazing! I have been avoiding foundation on my face, and this gives such a nice glow I don't need to use anything else.

I can’t wear makeup in work anymore but I look like the living dead -help!!
MovinOnUp · 21/08/2020 13:50

What an odd rule!

I would get HD brows and an lvl lash lift to begin with.
Then find a good tinted moisturiser/BB cream and lip balm (I can recommend the baume de rose from By Terry)

JMAngel1 · 21/08/2020 15:06

L'oreal do a similar cheaper rosy glow day cream.

A good face massage in the morning, lots of pinching of cheeks to stimulate a flush.
Eye brow/lash dye
Mix day cream with primer to "fill in"
A lip balm that leaves a subtle tint behind but couldn't be identified as make up.
2 different shades of fake tan - darker on the forehead, temples, cheeks ,jaw to contour? Not sure how that would work but worth a shot on a weekend trial.
Vaseline on eye lids to create a sheen?

emma6776 · 21/08/2020 17:00

I’m ex forces and wasn’t allowed makeup when in uniform. Get your lashes dyed and either permed or use a curler - makes such a difference even if they’re already black. Yes to using some sort of facial tanner. And, being completely honest in very bad face days I would cheat with a tinted moisturiser- Estée Lauder daywear and their CC cream are both completely seamless - no telltale chin mark.

LunaLoveFood · 21/08/2020 17:06

Heliocare 360 is your answer. It's SPF 50 and makes you look fresh faced. No idea how it works but my skin looks amazing when I put it on. I missed to get it from beauty and the boutique but they have stopped selling it (their concealer from the no make up make up is amazing) I now get it from Amazon.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/08/2020 17:50

If this is infection control don’t risk any makeup.

thethoughtfox · 21/08/2020 18:06

Becca have brought out a 0 pigment foundation that perfects your skin. It seems to have good reviews.

Herja · 21/08/2020 18:12

I completely gave up wearing make up 6 months ago. I did continue looking like the living dead for a while, bit I am now used to my natural face and also my skin is far, far brighter and healthier looking. No more zombie face. I'd just go for it, perhaps with a lash tint if your eye lashes are very fair.

Genuinely, I haven't looked this nice without make up since I first started wearing it, I'm all even and rosy again now.

KatyS36 · 21/08/2020 18:16

Tinted eye lashes, ideally done by a professional. Makes a huge difference. If you're medical this is no different to hair dye re infection control etc

HowFastIsTooFast · 21/08/2020 18:21

Garnier do a decent tinted moisturiser that comes in a choice of shades, and as pps have suggested definitely get your lashes and/or brows tinted.

Original poster
StarSpangled372 · 21/08/2020 18:56

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I’m thinking lash tint and lift, concealer (I really can’t not wear it, I’ve got awful dark circles), the rosey glow moisturiser and some kind of primer to matify.

Is there any such thing as a blusher that’s the same as a gradual tanner? So you rub it on the apples of your checks and it stays put? Maybe I’ve invented something there!

OP posts:
Capsulate · 21/08/2020 18:59

You could try a colour corrector under your eyes? I think yellow counters dark circles, but not sure.

I have never heard of the blusher, sorry. The good news is, we might see you on Dragon's Den with that a few years from now Grin.

Hardbackwriter · 21/08/2020 18:59

@StarSpangled372

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I’m thinking lash tint and lift, concealer (I really can’t not wear it, I’ve got awful dark circles), the rosey glow moisturiser and some kind of primer to matify.

Is there any such thing as a blusher that’s the same as a gradual tanner? So you rub it on the apples of your checks and it stays put? Maybe I’ve invented something there!

You are definitely going to look like you have make-up on with all that, so I'd be cautious depending on why they've changed the rule and how strictly you think it'll be enforced
nancyjuice7 · 21/08/2020 19:01

Get a lash lift! Officially done by LVL I think?

Most beauty salons do them. Makes my lashes look like I have mascara on and curves them up for around 12 weeks

Original poster
StarSpangled372 · 21/08/2020 19:04

Herja that’s interesting, I’ve worn makeup since I was a teenager (I’m now in my 40’s). I do wonder if it’s just that I’m not used to seeing myself without it that’s the problem and maybe I’ll get used to it.

I’m going on holiday next week so I might try the whole week with just gradual tan and concealer, maybe by the end of the week I won’t scare myself when I look in the mirror!

OP posts:
Herja · 21/08/2020 19:17

I reckon it took about a month of no make up at all to improve my skin and 2 months to be used to myself make up free.

What's the job (or area) out of interest? I'm assuming something medical or military? All my jobs have had compulsory make up (though all high end retail and often beauty, so makes sense I guess) !

DianaT1969 · 21/08/2020 19:22

Marula oil from The Ordinary hydrates well and Nip+Fab hyaluronic serum plumps the skin.
Benefit used to do a red liquid tint that could be used on lips and cheeks. I'm not sure if that would look too much like make up though.
I haven't used it, but some people recommend The Ordinary caffeine products for under eye darkness and I have seen results using their vitamin C on sun spots.

Herja · 21/08/2020 19:34

Oh! And cheek stain is a thing. I don't know where you'd get it now, but I definitely used to have a cheek and lip stain that just stayed put. You rubbed a small drop (on fingers first) over your cheeks or lips. The one I used came from the Body Shop years ago.