Q&A with professional makeup artist, Donna May - Ask your questions to Donna May and she will share her tips and tricks

[BexleyMumsnet]

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Q&A thread with Donna May!

This thread is now closed for questions, and Donna is busy answering all of your questions! She will be posting her answers for you this Friday 10 December.

Thanks!

From lipstick to lifestyle, clothes to contouring, Donna May’s taste is perfection - but never elitist. As a professional makeup artist and the head of makeup and hair for ITV, Donna really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to makeup.

We are excited to welcome Donna May to this special Q&A where she will answer all your makeup and beauty questions. You have from today, Wednesday 24th November until Monday 6th December to post any makeup or beauty related question that you would like Donna May’s to answer!

Donna May will then get to answering all of your questions, and on Friday 10th December she will start to reply to your posts.

And for everyone who has posted a question or viewed this thread, do not forget about our exclusive deal for Mumsnet members, where you can get 20% off of selected Donna May London products, including the award-winning lay-flat makeup bag! Simply go to our deals page and follow the instructions, then you can enjoy your savings!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

@Passthewinebottle

Ooh this is a great Q&A idea! 👏🏼

So, if I get my make up done by an MUA, it can stay on for 12 hours or more, I mean that it looks freshly done (aside from lips maybe) - is there a key tip or 2 to achieve this myself?

Secondly, I think I noticed that eyes are done first with no foundation or any product under - is that right? Or maybe they use a lid primer?

Thanks!

Ok, so we layer the makeup more than you do, so its lasts longer, but you could use the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting spray - everyone swears by this! I always use foundation/powder on eyes first it even outs any discolouring and makes the shadow last longer x

@FreshFaceTime

What lipstick are you wearing in that photo? It's lovely.

It was Lady Danger by Mac x a fave!

@tinkywinkyshandbag

How can I stop my make up from "disappearing" through the day? I start off okay but by lunchtime it's all faded and looks as if I'm not wearing anyway.

There are so many variables to this, age, products, hormones, skin type. But generally try using products that say 'long lasting' on them and set with a super fine powder like the Laura mercier Trans powder.

@purplesequins

about hair removal and make up: how does one best use make up or technique to minimise showing up differences in skin texture around the beard mouth are.

There's a brand called Dermablend which is brilliant for any scaring, shadows etc you may need to use a darker base all over to get an even tone. check out Dermablend website. x

@Bubbleyum

Would you prefer to live in a world where people accept themselves as they rather than continually striving to look different?

I think Makeup is a fun way to 'add' to your look, not change it - a little like choosing a different colour jumper to wear everyday...we would be bored wearing one colour all the time...I think Makeup is a way to liven things up. x

@Horsemad

Hello, can you recommend the best concealer/foundation to disguise thread veins please? Mine always sinks into the skin throughout the day. 🤨

I think you need a more solid concealer, one that you can 'pat' onto the vein - try looking at Bobbi Brow Full coverage concealer, BUT only pat your little finger into it and onto the vein, don't use it anywhere else or it will look to heavy x

@NuckingFightmare

How to apply eyeliner for idiots? I've tried every type I think, and I can't bloody do it! Also as a pp asked, why do mua videos do eye makeup first? Doesn't applying foundation after muck it up a bit?

As I said above, this is a never ending question...it all depends on your eye shape and what you are using. I'd suggest you use a pencil rather than a liquid liner if you have wobbly hands or find it difficult - this way it's easy to correct mistakes. Draw the line right ON the lash line, touching the actual lashes, and then use a small tight brush to drag the colour outwards, this can be easier than trying to get a super neat line. OR you could do a new thing called... Tightlining!! You use a khol pencil to draw a line on the upper waterline and then just add a teeny flick at the end by using a angled eyebrow brush ( rub this on the khol or into a dark eyeshadow) I've done a few IGs on this technique and people love it x Regarding applying the foundation after the eyeshadow, if you are using a really dark shadow and there's some droppage, it's easier to clean away on bare skin then on foundation. Lots of MUAS work this way (I don't!) xx

@MuthaHubbard

Foundation - other than a BB type cream, foundation always seems to look cakey/flakey on me and just doesn't sit right. Recently had my make up done by an mua and it was amazing - it didn't feel like she did a lot but what's she doing/using that's different?

Did you ask her what she used on you? ALWAYS ask! Try looking for foundations that say, illuminating, light - you don't need a heavy foundation for nice coverage these days. My Fave foundation ever is Chanel Vitaluminer...its light, glossy, but medium coverage. Armanit illuminous silk is also a winner.

@GrandPrismatic

Another eyeliner question…I’ve always used liquid liner on my top lashes. Not quite full on batwing but right up against the lashes. As I’ve got older and my eyelids have gotten wrinklier, it often looks uneven and bitty instead of a nice smooth line. Am gutted! How can I recreate the look with my wrinkly eyes! I have always pulled the skin taut to apply but I think this makes my wrinkles worse!

I know what you mean. You now need to go backwards over the line, not just in one direction...otherwise you miss those bits of skin that are hiding under the creases . It used to be so each, one smooth line, in one direction and a nice sharp line appeared....Now we have to go back and forth until we get it covered. Try that. x

@goose1964

I wear glasses and even if I wear eyeshadow it's not really that visible. I also have a similar problem with blusher as my glasses sit just above my cheekbone .

Any idea how I could solve this.

If you wear glasses, you need to take things a step further and be slightly bolder - using a darker colour eyeshadow, or a coloured eyeliner so that it stands out. Kiko have some Fab eyeliner colours. If you aren't sure what colour to chose, go for a purple/ plum colour - it suits all eye colours. Blusher should be placed on the apple of your cheeks, not your high cheek bones - move the blusher to here and it shouldn't touch your glasses. It also looks fresher and younger placed here.

@triflinpud

…Another eyeliner question!

What technique/product is best for naturally enhancing the eyes, without using mascara? I’ve lined my eyes (lower and upper lashes, fading towards the inner corner) since my teens but it doesn’t quite look right anymore - seems too obvious rather than a natural enhancement - and I don’t like wearing mascara. I just want to look slightly more awake than when I have no make up

I wonder why you don't like mascara? As we get older a liner can look harsh and close your eyes up., Have you tried using a softer/lighter liner instead, maybe a light brown, or soft plum colour? Adding some concealer to the inner corners of your eyes can also 'open' & 'brighten' your eyes. x

@Cottagepieandpeas

Eye makeup for over 50s? I just don’t know how to do it and what products are best. Also similar to previous poster I wear glasses all the time so make up often doesn’t show.

Jump onto my YouTube account and watch my tutorials with my mum, There's lot of options for you, it just takes some courage and knowing some knew products to buy. The easiest solution is to purchase a Mid Brown cream eyeshadow stick and a teardrop shaped eye socket blending brush - you can create a easy, but professional look with these. I like Kiko cream eyeshadow sticks and usually id suggest my own range of brushes but we are sold out. Studio 10m do a lovely eye blender brush.

@nutmegsteddytoes

I have greasy eye lids and under eye. When I wear khohl eye liner on my inner eyes ,it always migrates leaving me with panda eyes Is there an eyeliner that stays put?

Firstly, we all have oily lids, so use a translucent powder before applying any makeup, also if you use moisturiser, it can stick to your eyelashes and make makeup drop/ smudge, so apply it at least an hour before. Also look for waterproof liners - Stila, Urban Decay , or Pixi have some good ones.

@Doyouknowthe

Hi Donna, do you have any advice for using concealer on the under eye area please? My makeup seems to settle into all the creases and wrinkles no matter what I try! When I cover the dark shadows in my under eye area, it just makes it look worse. I've tried different ideas - moisturizer, primer, foundation, different types of concealer, powder, beauty blender, brushes, It all settles into the wrinkles! And to top it all, I now have very sensitive eyes, so often products make my eyes really water during the day. So, watery wrinkley eye area means that I just skip the whole thing. Any tips at all, please?

Oh dear - I hear you! personally I don't use concealer for all the reasons you have just stated. I use a little more of my foundation/ tinted moisturiser instead and find that it's enough to cover any darkness' or ' shadows' without overloading it. Use your ring finger to 'tap' it onto the area, the warmth of your finger will blend it in adequately x

@PinkJellyandCustard

Echoing *@Doyouknowthe* question and also how can I achieve a glow with pale winter skin?

Using a product like 'studio 10's' Glowplexion product either alone or mixed with your foundation will give you that 'glow' x

@cheapskatemum

I'm 60, with good skin. I don't usually wear make up. I love putting it on for special occasions, but always feel it looks too obvious and somehow fake. I can't work out if this is because I'm so unused to seeing my face made up, or I'm doing it all wrong. Any tips for more natural looking make up? I'm fair skinned & rosy cheeked (think English rose complexion) with grey eyes & light brown hair going white/grey round my face.

What Base are you using? I think a tinted moisturiser ( which is like a sheer foundation) would be best for you especially if you have good skin. Sometimes it's the heaviness of the base that makes us feel too made up. Ones that I recommend are, Tropic Beauty Booster, Bareminerals Complexion Rescue, and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser. Also use a cream blusher rather than a powder one, Trinny has some Great colours and so does Stila (shade Lillium). Less powder products are always best as we get older.

@AdoraBell

I have developed a hollow on one side of my face, like hollow cheeks. When I use foundation it looks like I’ve applied the darkest shade possible in one spot while the rest of my face is balanced with the right shade.

Try adding some concealer in a shade lighter to the hollowness, it will help 'lift' the darkness.

@JetBlackSteed

My work has held a menopause awareness / helpfulness call. The consultant said that dry eye aka watering eye is a classic symptom, who knew? I don't have time to replenish eye make up between calls, so apart from not putting eyeliner / mascara on lower lash how do I deal with this?

My first tip would be to use sensitive skin/ hypoallergenic makeup for your eyes, so you aren't giving them any more reasons to run. Look at Inika or La Roche posay brands . Make sure your eye make hasn't expired there is normally a little number on it with an 'm' next to it - to tell you how many months its lasts. Hope this helps x

@LemonDrizzles

Let's assume I have good lighting and a good video camera, do you have any zoom make up hints? I want to look professional, neutral, but still like I have some make up on...

Ok -Lighting needs to directly on your face, not above or below - this will only create shadows. Cameras always make you look washed out, so add a little more than normal blusher/ bronzer and some brighter lipstick. Wearing white is always a good tip to, it reflects the light onto your face!

@IsThisTheEndo

How do I stop eye liner transferring from where it should sit (next to my eyelashes!) into my crease? Thank you!

Powder your eyelid/lashes first - they are too oily. And don't use moisturiser before applying!

@YogaRebel

Tips on long hair for women over 50 ? Yes or no - I don't want to look witchy. I think about cutting it but close friends and family go no ! Love your long hair - it's very thick too !

If it's thick and shiny, keep it. If its dry and wispy ( however thick) cut it! I'd always suggest having layers on long hair, for some movement and body (which also keeps it from looking witchy!)

@Leftbutcameback

I have heavy pigmentation around my eyes. It's not dark circles, and it affects the whole area around my eyes not just below. Would you recommend a different product to a standard concealer (I have to use a lot of it) thanks!

This sound like Vitaligo. Dermablend and Vichy have some great coverage products for this. These are specialist products, I'd try these rather then high street brands.

@rifling

Any tips for choosing the right lipstick shade? I really want to start wearing lipstick but I never seem to choose one I like and then when I put it on I end up smudging it. Lipstick 101 needed here, thanks.

With so many types of lipsticks to choose from these days, I appreciate the difficulty in choosing one! Try a Matte lippy to start with , it lasts longer, isn't sticky or too glossy and is harder to budge. Colour wise, depends on skin tone... but the key to choosing a 'safe'; option is to choose a natural colour with a hint of pink in. A great all rounder is ''Wanderlust' by Code 8 or 'Tearose' by Studio 10 .

@Fudgemonkeys

Another lady who wears glasses but would like eye makeup to be seen

I mentioned this in another comment, but will repeat it again here for you!

If you wear glasses, you need to take things a step further and be slightly bolder - using a darker colour eyeshadow, or a coloured eyeliner so that it stands out. Kiko have some Fab eyeliner colours. If you aren't sure what colour to chose, go for a purple/ plum colour - it suits all eye colours. Blusher should be placed on the apple of your cheeks, not your high cheek bones - move the blusher to here and it shouldn't touch your glasses. It also looks fresher and younger placed here.

@Tirtytreeandaturd

I have horrible lines above my upper lip . A legacy from my smoking years I guess . I use a blurring wrinkle filler which I guess is akin to Polyfilla . It definitely helps but I need a more long lasting remedy as I continue to age ( early 60’s) . I’m reluctant to go down the Botox route . Help please

I'm afraid no makeup will help this, in fact too much makeup will only accentuate it . We call this a 'Frill'...its a prettier name then a wrinkly top lip! sorry to be the bearer of bad news, either learn to love your 'frill' or look at more permanent remedies.