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

@poopyface

Best make up tips for hooded eyes please - don’t feel like I can do anything with my eyes bar mascara

If you want to wear eye shadow, you need to create a 'fake' crease on the hooded eyelid. Look 'straight' into the mirror while doing this ( don't close your eyes) and use a soft eyeshadow blender brush to put the eyeshadow where the crease 'should be', just keep blending and take the colour down onto the whole lid. x I have tutorials on my IG and website for this x

@Drybird2020

Can you recommend techniques to reduce the appearance of under eye bags? Not shadows, but huge bags, genetic rather than lifestyle related. I've been told the only solution is surgery but I would so much rather take a non-surgical option!

You need to try and trace the line of the bags (not the whole area) with concealer , once you 'lift' the shadow that the bag has created it will stop the bags from looking to obvious.

@RedLipsAndRosyCheeks

I'd like some help with tight lining on my upper lashes. It doesn't seem to matter if I use expensive (NARS) or bog standard (Rimmel) eye liner, it always smudges onto my lower lids. What am I doing wrong?

You need a Waterproof liner - try the Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Legend eyeliner is great!

@FlosCampi

Please could you reccomend a range/ brand/shade of foundation that could replicate No7 serum foundation in Soft Rose ( that shade now sadly discontinued)? It wasn't so much the texture ( though that was nice) but a cool toned foundation with pink undertones? Not too pale but still fair ( Irish complexion, green eyes, very dark hair). Happy to pay up to 35- 40 pounds

Have a look at Mac cosmetic Studio fix Foundations in their NW range - all made for pink undertones. The Mac girls are brilliant at matching complexions with the right shades, find a MAC store to visit though rather than a concession.

@Sittinginthesand

Another one for hooded wrinkly eyelids please! I had another go recently and the eyeshadow revealed a whole load of tiny wrinkles and gave a marbled effect.

Ummm - try a cream shadow, it's easier to push into the creases, make sure you sweep the brush back and forth, not just on one direction x

@Hissugar

Hi Donna. Please what can you recommend for discolouration around the nose and mouth ( I’m dark skinned and I use colour corrector but it doesn’t seem to work) also what’s the best face make up products for dry skin, what’s the best way to apply false eyelashes, I can never do it myself. What’s the product you must have in your makeup bag. Thank you

Using a foundation that has the words 'serum' or 'moisturising' in are best for dry skin, pretty much most brands have them these days and they help counteract the look of dry skin. Stay away from anything that is 'Matte". To be honest you need to deal with why your skin is dry in the first place, what's your skin care routine? Are you using soap? It's easy to use makeup to cover these things up, but try and get to the real reason first.

@Olinguito

What is the best product to use for covering dark circles under the eyes - I'm never sure whether to use colour corrector, concealer or foundation. Also, like others I'd like to know how to stop it accentuating fine lines under the eyes.

Always apply your usual foundation first - you can then see if any extra coverage is needed - you don't want to overload the area unless completely necessary or it really will sit in the lines. If you need more coverage, either use a little more of your foundation ( tap it on the darker areas - don't sweep it or you just rub it off!) this sometimes is enough but if you feel you need more and are very blue under your eyes, you can try a peach or yellow concealer ( I like the Boutique range at Sainsburys Or the brand NYX, for bigger budgets Sisley do one called Phyto Cernes Eclat with peach undertones ) these colours counteract the blue and brightening the area at the same time.

@TooBigForMyBoots

I'm nearly 50. What can I do about by hooded, crepey eyes, my tear troughs and dark bags.

TLDR: What can I do about my aging peepers?👀

See reply above for dark circles . For your hooded eyes...use a nice mid brown colour to add some depth ( don't use a light shade) and sweep the eyeshadow brush across the eyelid where the eye socket 'should' be...basically you are then faking a socket line, more depth and lifted looking eyes. it's sometimes easier to use a cream eyeshadow to do this, they blend and move easier. I like the Kiko Long lasting eyeshadow sticks, great price and great product.

@Wilma55

Is less really best for over 65s? What can I do about lines above lips?

Instant smooth by Clarins is great at filling the lines, most makeup on its own will only make it look more obvious, so sweep some of the Clarins over the lip area, let it dry and then apply your makeup.

@Takeoutyourhen

Another request for tips for oily eyelids and under eye areas and mascara smudges and make up for glasses wearers -eyelids and cheeks. Thank you

Try sweeping your eyelids and lashes ( as these hold moisturiser) with a really light weight powder like the Laura Mercia powder or Invisible blotting powder by Mishel and then applying your makeup as usual this should give your makeup some staying power.

@BackBackBack

Under eye bags - not just dark shadows but properly soft baggy skin as well, which means that concealers always look rubbish. Would like some way of not always looking like I've been on a 48 hour bender!!!!

Oh I feel your pain. Makeup can really accentuate eye bags, so it's best to deal with the lymphatic drainage that's needed. There is a tool called Ice Globe - you keep it in the fridge and roll them over your bags to help de-puff them and to tighten the area. Do this before makeup application . xx

@Whycantibetangy

I’m pushing 50 and have enormous pores that make my foundation look spotty when I apply as it just sits in them. What would you recommend to shrink them back?

Try a pore Minimiser - Benefit have one called PORE, it literally fills the pores up so that your foundation, or tinted moisturiser glides over the top x

These answers are great! You must be typing so fast!

Thank you @DonnaMayLondon.

Thank you! I'm off to but the urban decay eyeliner now

Thank you for the advice! 👍

Thanks so much for your useful answers!

Thank you. Have found the answers on here really interesting.

These answers are v helpful - thank you so much!

Thank you Donna 😄

Thank you Donna. I was using a foundation rather than a tinted moisturiser, so will try the ones you've recommended. Tropic skincare was mentioned on Gransnet too, I've never heard of the brand before!

hi

Hi there. New to the forum. My daughter has been in hospital for a week. She has a terrible cough. The cough starts anytime between 4 in the afternoon and 7 at night and lasts for 10 to 12 hours. Has anyone else experienced this. We are at a loss and so are the doctors

Hi, just wondering about the rules on nasal flu vaccination. I did NOT give consent to the school to get my daughter the nasal flu vaccination. She has been ill on the date of the first vaccination and bugs were coming and going. She could go to school, but was not well100%. She came home yesterday that she had the vaccination without me signing the consent form. Do not have to add that she coughing like hell and ill. No sleep all night .. I am completely angry!

Hello

First time on here and I’m really keen for some help/advice please.

For the past 10 months I’ve been trying to get my GP to take by possible early menopause symptoms seriously. I’m 42 convinced our only child 3 years ago through IVF and my family have a history of early menopause.

This is devastating for us as we always wanted more children.

Anyway we also decided to keep trying to convince naturally, miracles can happen!

Over the past week I felt that my typical pre period symptoms were different I know it’s crazy but I just feel pregnant. Given it was NYE and Everyone was going to be drinkng I thought I’ll just do a pregnancy test to be certain it’s safe to drink. To my shock it was positive. So were the next 3 over the next 24 hours.

However I have since read that in perimemopuase HCG can spike giving false positives. I had no idea.

Does anyone have experience of this either way please? I’m so desperate to be pregnant but feel this could be a cruel side effect. My minds in bits as both have similar symptoms.

Period due in two days.