Need to buy all new make up - where to go that won’t break the bank?

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

I don’t regularly wear make up and can’t remember the last time I bought any.

I have a posh wedding to go to soon and really ought to make the effort! I don’t really know what I’m doing with it all though! In the past I had a kind of pressed powder foundation from Virgin Vie that was dead easy to put on and never looked too much. Is there anything like that available now?

I don’t want to spend a huge amount as it won’t get used often. Where can you recommend to buy the basics that are easy to apply without costing me a fortune?

Makeup revolution is really good!! Good high end quality (foundations in a glass bottle etc) but high street prices. Sold in boots. It's really good stuff.

Revolution is brilliant. The CC powder is the best I've used. Ditto Essence mascara.

Superdrug is good value for money.

I like NYX

Foundation, mascara, lipstick will make you look minimally done on the day. Don't think you need all the primers, eyeliners, eyeshadows, concealers unless you want to buy all that lot too.

You could try Avon cream to powder foundation (£7-10). Lots of shades and it is terrifically easy to put on with the sponge in the bottom of the container.
I would use a bit of cream blusher to "lift" the look .
I'm a bit fed up of liquid foundations at the mo so this is my preferred option.
Autograph colour balm lip shine pencil from M & S (£10) is soft and easy to wear. Collection lash surge mascara is about £5 and it is not unlike Lancome . Good luck @Muchtoomuchtodo and enjoy the wedding!

Superdrug tends to be best value. Here's what I'd get:

Maybelline 4 in 1 Instant Perfector as a light foolproof base
Maybelline Age Rewind concealer for where you need a bit of extra coverage
An ELF eyeshadow quad
Any L'Oréal or Maybelline mascara depending on what effect you want. Waterproof is less smudgy.
An ELF putty blush - cream so easy to apply with fingers
A L'Oréal or Rimmel lipstick in whatever colour you fancy but a browny pink neutral like (Rimmel Nude Pink is great)

I really like kiko milani Really good products and not too expensve

I would focus on getting a good base. That doesn't necessarily mean foundation or loads of £££ but that's the bit that it's worth spending time getting right. If you're not a foundation person, you could try a tinted moisturiser or BB cream.
TBH, loads of cheaper brands are really good. Could you go to a big Boots or Superdrug when they've got a 3 for 2 deal? You could get some advice at the No7 counter in a bigger Boots. Explain that you don't usually wear much make up so you're not looking for a fully made up look, you just want some tinted moisturiser/powder, a mascara and a lipstick or tinted lip/cheek balm or whatever. They'll be able to help you find colours that suit you.

Have you thought about not wearing any? If you've got smart hair and a smart outfit, you really don't need make up. I haven't worn it since I was 13 and I'm now 57.

I came on to say the Avon cream to powder but @Elodie09 beat me to it! Very good and easy to apply. That with blusher, Avon Glimmerstick eye pencil and mascara and a lippie and you’re good to go. I like Boots no 7 - they might have a 3 for 2 if you’re lucky. Maybelline Sky High mascara is a good buy as well.

You could get a seven day foundation sample from Clinique at any counter. Their even better foundation is excellent. Superdrug or boots for mascara and an eyebrow pencil. You can get travel size ones if you won't use them much. I would then buy a cream blush stuck that double up as a lipstick. Two in one kind of thing. Clinique again or Max Factor pot rouge.

Cream blush stick! Not stuck!

I used Virgin Vie One Step Face Base (friends too) & when it stopped being made we moved on to Max Factor Facefinity Compact Powder foundation - perfect dupe

www.boots.com/max-factor-facefinity-compact-foundation-10242250

Thanks everyone for being understanding of my complete ineptitude!

I’m heading into our nearest big city this week where there is a big Boots and Superdrug so I’ll pluck up courage and go in!

@MsGrumpytrousers i’m bare faced every day but do feel that if I’m making the effort with my outfit and hair, a small amount of make up will help to finish the look.

I prefer the Body Shop's face base to the Max factor as a replacement for for the VV.

Face base

Online all the colours say out of stock, but I was in the physical shop this afternoon and they had the full range.

Wish me luck, I’m heading into the big smoke today!

What did you get @Muchtoomuchtodo ?

@Muchtoomuchtodo does the schedule of the wedding allow you to go to a makeup counter in the morning and get your makeup done there?
A decent foundation, mascara and lipstick are all you need. Lipstick in a colour that can also work as a blusher.

Elf is good if on a budget, also good old Max Factor, the facefinity powder foundation, as others have mentioned is great. Their cream blush is good too but I also recommend the Elf multistick - cheap as chips and you can use it on your eyes, lips and cheeks for a speedy, pulled together look.

So I went for a Max Factor FaceFinity Compact Matte Foundation, a Max Factor concealer, a no 17 clear mascara, and a Rimmel Nude Pink lipstick.

With the remnants of what I have I think that will be fine.

@Pancakeorcrepe unfortunately nowhere will be open on the day of the wedding (for hair or make up). I’ll have a few practice runs to make sure it all looks natural.