Which make up? (For a beginner)

[OldGrannyish]

I'm 42. I do have some makeup, it's 16 years old and I bought it for my wedding. I haven't work any makeup since about 3 years after when DH commented that badly done make up is worse than no make up.
However, I have to go to a party soon and would very much like not to be the shiny beacon in the corner. Nothing outlandish, as natural looking as possible and fool-proof to apply.

I did go to a counter a few years ago, but the seemed to want to sell me anything and everything and their 'light' make up looked anything but.

I only wear face powder and lipstick. I also get my lashes and brows tinted.

I agree with your DH fwiw (but I hope it wasn't a mean comment about your wedding make up) and I don't actually like myself with a full face of make up. I'm 39 and I got ID'ed the other day when wearing no make up at all, so I'm telling myself I look more youthful without it.

Nobody ruin my delusion please 😂

A company called Glossier do "no makeup makeup" very well. If I was getting a starter kit from them I'd get stretch concealer as you can apply it with your fingers and blend it out really well and if your skin is in good shape you might well not need anything else, their Boy Brow (if you're unsure about colours get the lighter of the two), and a Cloud Paint cream blush (get the lightest one that you think will show up on your skin tone - their website shows various models with different skin tones) and see how you get on with that. If you get a lipstick get a brownish nude imo - Leo/Cake in the mattes, or something similar in the Ultralip (more glossy).

Different brand but Nars do a lipstick called Dolce Vita (I have the matte pencil version but it comes in a few different finishes) which suits a huge range of people.

Do not go to Charlotte Tilbury. She makes everyone look the same (very shiny WAG) and you need to do the whole look for any of it to work.

Matt primer as a start, then put a light foundation on top.
This one is good
https://amzn.to/3V7jNPd

AYU is fantastic,nice and natural and lots of videos online.

Trinny London is a great place to start. The range is designed to applied with fingers and easy to use. The BFF de-stress serum gives very light coverage - enough to give your skin a nice glow but still look like your skin. The highlighters and blushers are creamy and easy to use. The website has a "match to me" section which suggests colours for your skin/hair colour and Trinny has lots of videos on social media to show how to apply.

I'd go with a bb cream as a base, very natural with slight coverage. Also, stick to cream products to make it look as natural as possible and nice and dewy, a little cream blush and bronzer to put on your cheeks. Then a nice lipstick of your choice and a little mascara for your lashes. Would take no more than 5 mins and so easy to apply everything.