Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

What make up do you wear on a daily basis if any? And how do you find the time/inclination to put it on?

135 replies

bubbleandsqueak · 28/02/2008 14:06

Hi all, I have decided that I am in dire need of a make over, I am 42 years old and only ever wear make up when I am out for an evening and even then its a bit sparce, a bit of mascara and lippy.

I admire people who are not as lazy as me and make up every day, how can I motivate myself to get up that little bit earlier?

I have a fair colouring and blonde hair " whats hot and what not" for one such as I.

OP posts:
Lulumama · 01/03/2008 15:18

if i don;t i look ill!!

all in one powder foundation

concealer

cream blush

black liquid eyeliner

black mascara, top and bottom lashes

lipstick with gloss over the top, a nude colour

takes less than 5 minutes,

also, wash, dry and straighten hair every morning or i look horrendous

soopermum1 · 01/03/2008 15:20

eyeliner and mascara and something to cover up my spots when required, for work. if i didn't work i'd never wear makeup, like the effect but hate putting it on and taking it off and not being able to give my eyes a good rub for fear of panda effect

worley · 01/03/2008 16:21

for the past few years i have only been bothering with concealer and mascara everyday, but then last week i had my hair done and sat in the chair looking at my self and thought "oh my god, what do i look like!!" i was so pale and needed a good facial i think. so after having my hair done i went straight into boots and brought new max factor mascara and cream foundation/powder (all in one) stuff, and got a free lipgloss thing with it all. and have worn it everday so far. not sure how long it will last though!!

dp wasnt happy and wanted to know who im trying to impress , he cant understand that im doing it for my self to try and makemy self feel a bit better...

musicgirl · 01/03/2008 16:22

bubbleandsqueak - if you want an expert opinion on makeup that will make you look good then I'd suggest paying about 50 pounds and having a one hour session with a makeup artist or spa beauty therapist.

It's not cheap but works out more cost effective in the long run as you don't waste your money on buying products that won't suit you. They'll also teach you how to put on eyeliner correctly to suit your eyes and different looks for day and evening.

Wilkie · 01/03/2008 16:36

I have to say, my confidence increases ten thousandfold once i have my 'face' on. I look wan and tired without it, I am very pasty without make-up and have a few acne marks that go purple when it's cold if I don't conceal them.

I also agree with Lulumama - I have to wash, dry and straighten my hair every day too - make up I can handle but hair styling EVERY bloody day does my head in!

VanillaPumpkin · 01/03/2008 16:49

A year ago I just wore blusher and touche eclat.
Now I am in my thirties and wear
Touche eclat
Cream to powder foundation
Blusher
Eyeshadow
Lip gloss /tint
EVERY DAY
And eyeliner if I remember.
Mascara is only for nights out as I hate taking the stuff off.
It is all quite natural looking though. I love doing my evening make up, but rarely have the opportunity .
I also have to wash and straighten my hair every day. I have a good routine now though and straightening hair and make up can be done in 10 mins really, just before I leave the house.

blackrock · 01/03/2008 20:51

Rarely! A bit of clarin's beauty flash balm ,always gives me the impression i looking great! It's a great feel good cream!

Hulababy · 01/03/2008 20:54

I avoid wearing much make up for work as i work in a male prison, so being all made up wouldn't really be appropriate.

So for work I wear:

  • VV's one step face base
  • Bodyshop's lip and cheek tint
  • a touch of mascara

Takes about 2 minutes to apply max.

I wear a bit more makeup if going out somewhere in particular in the day, and more again for nights out.

iamdingdong · 01/03/2008 20:58

I nearly always wear mascara, plus for work, light foundation (lancome color ideal) with a bit of dandelion powder for colour and some boing concealer under the eyes, but very little 'proper' make up

llareggub · 01/03/2008 21:02

I wear Clarins Perfection Perfector, foundation, a cream blusher thing, lipstick and gloss and a touch of mascara.

Without it I look very tired. With make up I just look tired.

carmenelectra · 01/03/2008 22:28

I also swear by Revlon Skinlights. Ive been using it for a few yrs, its lovely and lasts ages. As is Clarins beauty flash balm.

And im another who always straightens hair every morning. I deally id like to wash it every day but i normaly do it every other, unless it needs cutting, then i do it everyday.

I actually love putting on my makeup, especially when i have plenty of time. I have so much of the stuff and i love deciding what to wear!

mum2sons · 01/03/2008 23:04

I wear make up everyday. I love putting it on and find it relaxing and me time. Doesn't take long but makes me feel good when friends say how "well" I look for someone with no sleep (have 5 week old baby, toddler and teen).Touche eclat covers those dark cicrles v well!!! I am quite a podge so make up gives me a self esteem boost!

threestars · 02/03/2008 10:13

The last year (I'm 36) I've found I HAVE to wear make up every day or I look really blotchy.
I use foundation & powder (Bobby Brown) and mascara.
If I'm looking a bit wiped out, I'll put on Clarins beauty flash balm, which makes my skin look really smooth, and YSL Touche Eclat underneath it.
And for evenings, liquid eyeliner.

If I ever wear lipstick/gloss, the wind will immediately blow my hair over my lips then drag it across my cheeks, making it look like my 3 year old had a go at my makeover...

And straighting hair helps me look together and grown up too.

PetitFilou1 · 02/03/2008 10:29

I wear everything - except lipstick as I found I was kissing it off on the children all the time.

I'd love to be able to go out with less on but am so used to it now I would find it hard. I don't like the look of myself without it. My skin is good as a result though as it has always been protected from the sun!

I will probably have to learn to wear less when dc3 arrives though and dh has to get to work for 8am.

carmenelectra · 02/03/2008 14:53

Threestars,

I continually have the problem with lipgloss and hair blowing across my face. Makes me cross. My hair has to be tied up on such windy days as i cannot live without my lipgloss.

frumpygrumpy · 02/03/2008 15:02

For daily wear, I cleanse in the shower (i.e shove my face under water!), tone and moisturise just after and quickly chuck on under eye concealer, tiny fast dab of powder, bit of blusher, curl and mascara my lashes and finish with vaseline on the lips. Takes minutes.

The inclination is that I look really miserable and hideous without it. Vaseline gives a bit of mild shine and is not just as sticky as lipgloss.

frumpygrumpy · 02/03/2008 15:04

And IMHO, everyone should wear some makeup every day. Unless they are 16 and blessed with perfect skin. Even a tiny bit makes a massive difference. Your face looks instantly fresh and smiley.

carmenelectra · 02/03/2008 15:07

True frumpy. Most people (unless they are young like you say)who dont wear it usualyy need to.

frumpygrumpy · 02/03/2008 15:12

Make up really should be the law.

Mind you, I really, truly wish I could show you the face of the girl at the Clinique counter..........OMG I must have looked like this

She was young. I couldn't see her skin because her make up must have been about 2 inches thick. It was orange and her eyelashes were about 2 inches wide and thick. The lipgloss deserved an Oscar nomination in its own category. I couldn't take my eyes off her face. Maybe thats the idea. Slightly Joan Crawford

carmenelectra · 02/03/2008 15:15

Make up is law in my house. My make up bag is the size of a small suitcase.

Know what you mean about some of those girls on the counter though. Dont think im quite that bad yet. SLIGHT orange, but theirs is always so bloomin thick. Proper trowel job.

peacelily · 02/03/2008 19:58

eyeliner, mascara, lipstick/gloss and clarins beauty flash balm for work.

Foundation eyeshadow and blusher too for going out.

I wear make-up everyday my eyea look really small and horrible without it and I've got no colour in my lips either. No make-up=no confidence for me.

micra · 02/03/2008 21:02

Boots Translucent powder - on shiny nose/forehead.
Boots Soft Damson blusher
Boots Innocent eyeshadow (natural skin colour)
Eyeliner (any soft pencil, pos match what i'm wearning)
Boots Waterproof mascara
lip pencil
Boots Time-delay lip-plumping lip goss

  • sometimes Lipstick + Lipcote on top to keep it there.

Sounds loads but takes 2 mins, sheer habit now, can do most without a mirror at same time as egging children on to get dressed etc. Look 10 years younger with it, ancient old hag without.

micra · 02/03/2008 21:05

PS - Am 45 - having kids, therefore lack of sleep, helped make face look tired and saggy and colourless. For night out, would wear Boots Intelligent colour foundation, and maybe Touche Eclat or other own brand light reflecting concealer.

Chipstick · 02/03/2008 21:15

Clarins beauty flash balm,
Lancome full coverage foundation,
Eyeshadow, Liquid Eye Liner, Mascara
Lipstick,
Powder throughout day if shiney.

Takes roughly ten minutes

threestars · 02/03/2008 21:34

Carmenelectra, glad I'm not the only one! If I wear my hair in a ponytail, DS says "don't be mum, be mummy" and pulls the hair band out. Apparently a hairstyle-change warrants a name change in his opinion.

Swipe left for the next trending thread