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Original poster

Basic makeup help

17 replies

PurpleSweetPeas · 31/12/2023 10:14

I'm in desperate need of basic make up help.
I wear make up most days - foundation (No7), concealer(No7), eyebrow pencil(no specific brand), mascara (Benefit Bang Bang) and some lip stuff like Vaseline.

But I'm getting married in 2024 and can't justify the massive cost asked by the MUA's here. Yes, I know they are probably worth it but I also thought it was probably a good time to get a grip on being able to properly apply makeup as well.

I'm 44 with really sensitive skin.
What products do I need? I can't cope with too many options as then get overwhelmed and give up.
I can apply the basic stuff okay. But it doesn't last. I think I need a primer and setter but really hesitant due to my overly sensitive skin.
I also need to be able to do eye makeup better.
Any suggestions for items. And any suggestions for tutorials that are really basic?
Just can someone take me gently by the hand and point me in the right direction?

OP posts:
Thisishard93 · 31/12/2023 10:18

Make up counters such as MAC and Charlotte Tilbury do one on one lessons, they charge for it but you then spend the charge on their products (e.g if the lesson is £60 you then spend £60 on their products). You can ask them to talk you through each step and write a list of everything they have used, you could then buy a few of their items and Google some cheaper ‘dupes’ from other brands to build a kit. They’ve always been very friendly and not intimidating when I have gone

Ewoklady · 31/12/2023 10:20

I would invest in something good for your brows. Do you tiny them ! I do my own and it makes a massive difference. I have semi permanent make up but my go to are Essence False Lash mascara. Stay on lipstick (like the maybelline one)
I also use water tanning spray each night for colour. So I don’t need as much make up and it doesn’t wear off

Original poster
PurpleSweetPeas · 31/12/2023 10:43

Thisishard93 · 31/12/2023 10:18

Make up counters such as MAC and Charlotte Tilbury do one on one lessons, they charge for it but you then spend the charge on their products (e.g if the lesson is £60 you then spend £60 on their products). You can ask them to talk you through each step and write a list of everything they have used, you could then buy a few of their items and Google some cheaper ‘dupes’ from other brands to build a kit. They’ve always been very friendly and not intimidating when I have gone

Ah, okay. I was put off the make up counters as always feel a bit pushed into it. I also don't live near anywhere large enough so would have to be a special visit. Are they the brands you would suggest? I like the natural, non OTT look.

OP posts:
Groovee · 31/12/2023 10:44

We have a few local salons where they do make up lessons to suit you. It may be worth looking into something like that.

Original poster
PurpleSweetPeas · 31/12/2023 10:45

Ewoklady · 31/12/2023 10:20

I would invest in something good for your brows. Do you tiny them ! I do my own and it makes a massive difference. I have semi permanent make up but my go to are Essence False Lash mascara. Stay on lipstick (like the maybelline one)
I also use water tanning spray each night for colour. So I don’t need as much make up and it doesn’t wear off

My brows are virtually non existent but I do tidy the occasional rouge hair!
What water tanning spray do you use? Didn't know that sort of thing existed!

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleSweetPeas · 31/12/2023 10:45

Groovee · 31/12/2023 10:44

We have a few local salons where they do make up lessons to suit you. It may be worth looking into something like that.

Ours all charge extortionate prices!

OP posts:
Thisishard93 · 31/12/2023 11:30

Charlotte Tilbury do a really nice glowy look, if you check their websites out I think they do some video tutorials on there which might give you a bit of a feel to start off

Original poster
PurpleSweetPeas · 31/12/2023 11:41

Thisishard93 · 31/12/2023 11:30

Charlotte Tilbury do a really nice glowy look, if you check their websites out I think they do some video tutorials on there which might give you a bit of a feel to start off

Thank you - will take a look Smile

OP posts:
Deathraystare · 31/12/2023 17:25

Also check out Lisa Eldridge on you tube

learieonthewildmoor · 31/12/2023 17:50

If you Google things like “how to apply blush” you’ll get dozens of tutorials.
If you like a natural look, just one eyeshadow colour will be enough to give you an uplifted look and is simple enough to whack on.
Clinique makes a Light reflecting primer which should help hold things in place. I don’t use a setter because sensitive skin.
If you get a blush and a highlighter that will be enough to make you look made up.

AnnaMagnani · 31/12/2023 17:54

When I got married I did my own makeup using a Lisa Eldridge wedding makeup video.

Great look, didn't require loads of expensive products. Or technical eye makeup skills

SparrowFeet · 31/12/2023 18:23

I 3rd Lisa Eldridge videos. When I got married I did my own and practiced first using her videos. She has a really lovely good one - something like makeup for meeting an ex boyfriend which funnily enough is good for a wedding look. Like effortlessly stunning. You but on a brilliant day- that's what I think is a really nice wedding look.

AnnaMagnani · 31/12/2023 19:46

If you watch enough of her videos it becomes obvious what her fave products are - a lot of the videos are before her own brand. She'll use something that was clearly trendy at the time and then never use it again. While the same concealer comes out over and over again.

Rina66 · 31/12/2023 20:46

I know what you're saying about a MUA, but they do such a good job and you deserve to be pampered on your wedding day, save on something else, treat yourself. Every bride I've seen that's been 'done' looks beautiful and photographs so well.
If you really can't justify it then take a pic of how you want to look to a booked MAC session, they will recreate it and then you can buy the products - I've done both, having a MUA is so much less stress!

Original poster
PurpleSweetPeas · 01/01/2024 22:10

Thank you for all the Lisa Eldridge recommendations, I will take a look.

Anyone have any make up brands or specific product recommendations besides Charlotte Tibury?

OP posts:
DaisyJ6 · 01/01/2024 22:57

Congratulations OP!

Bobbi Brown are quite 'natural', and they offer both online and in person tutorials - some are free and some are paid for (although when I did the wedding one, and paid for it, I'm sure I then got some sort of discount when I bought the skincare products she'd used in the tutorial).

You can see if there are any near you here: www.bobbibrown.co.uk/book-appointment

If you do make a special visit to somewhere with a department store, I've always found that when you're inevitably asked "do you need any help?" when you're browsing, if you have a particular focus area in mind then they'll often give a lot of advice, including some hands on tips about how to apply, then and there (this applies to most make up counters, not just BB).

suki1964 · 02/01/2024 01:27

I wasnt far off your age when I got married on a very tight budget, so hair and make up was done myself

I went to a Colour me Beautiful consultant to find the colours that suited me and for the application tips. Dead cheap in the great scheme of things and I only bought the two eye shadow colours which took a long time in matching, and the blusher which was coloured matched

Best thing was, it wasnt done in a store with people walking by, it was done in her home studio . No pressure to buy whatsoever

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