Must have minimal makeup products

[blueberrycherubandbump]

I've just realised I probably haven't bought makeup in over 2 years. Yuck. Looking to start again with a natural, light coverage capsule kit.

I don't wear it that much, but that's mostly because I don't enjoy it. Often I find my face feels greasy by the end of the day. Main problem areas are very prominent dark circles, large pores and mild redness/sensitivity.

Currently I use low-mid level stuff (ELF, Glossier, no7). Happy to splurge if it's worth it, but have found designer products too rich or heavily perfumed which is another pet peeve of mine.

@babasaclover yep, they go in a white wash in the machine. They're definitely not as white and sparkly as they used to be, but they're clean!

If I had to keep one thing from my make up it would def be my Garnier BB cream.
I have dark circles and also freckles (and not cute little freckles, mine are all over and just kinda make my face look mucky!!LOL). I find just a light coverage really makes me look better.
Also a bright lip colour that suits you helps.....people instantly think 'oh, shes made an effort' if they see lipstick!😂

The 'must have' makeup is zero. There's no compulsory minimum.

I don't wear it that much, but that's mostly because I don't enjoy it. If you admit yourself that you don't like makeup, why are you asking for more of it? Do you feel like you can't be out in public without wearing it, in certain situations? What's driving you?

There are a few John Lewis stores which do have this service - Cambridge being one. They go to the different counters for you and you give info in advance about what you are looking for. I did it before my wedding and had a great experience. www.johnlewis.com/our-services/beauty-society

I use No7 illuminating concealer under my eyes and despite occasionally trying more expensive alternatives they’ve never been as good and I’ve come back to that one. Light hand, and it doesn’t crease on me.

Try looking at Code Beautiful website. Honest products, slightly pricey but they do what they say on the tin. Studio 10 is good too. I've stopped wearing foundation as it makes me look older. I use No7 tinted moisturiser, Code lift lid enhancer above and below eyes and Code mascara. Any lipstick or gloss but favourites are Bobbi Brown gloss, Studio 10 lipliner. I don't wear blush as have some rosacea but sometimes use No7 bronzing powder in Caramel for a bit of colour. I have tons mor makeup but those are my go to products.

😭 none near me sadly. I need this!

Space NK will do this. Their range of brands isn’t quite as wide as a John Lewis but they have enough in most stores.

Typo on my behalf. I meant 'must haves'. As in the best products, rather than I MUST own makeup.

I regularly go out without makeup, which explains why I've just realised how old my stuff is. I don't think I've worn anything all summer.

I want it mostly for work, I occasionally go into the office and although it's relaxed dress code everyone looks so well put together and I am the haggard toddler mum slumped in the corner, hammering the free caffeine 😂 but it'd be nice if I actually liked it enough to want to make a bit of effort occasionally day to day.

I did also previously enjoy makeup when I was younger and it was more for fun. Tbh if nothing else, I could do with a bit of self care to perk me up before winter blues hit.

I recommend garnier BB cream. It's a tinted moisturiser so very light but good coverage and leaves you glowing!

Large pores - salicylic acid will help will also help the oily skin along with oil cleansing .

LRP efficlar duo is a good moisturiser with salicylic acid in it and for oily skin

Boots do an affordable very good oil cleanser it's called superfacialist but C+ oil cleanser

Nice foundation for oily skin is water kaider double wear it's high coverage but apply it with a damp beauty blander and it will give less coverage and also set oily skin with powder , I love Laura mercer loose powder .

A good primer - ELFS power grip primer is really good

I'd recommend having a look at the Trinny London products. The BFF cream feels like skin care rather than make up and just evens the skin a little - it's not heavy coverage at all.

Amazing, thank you. I would call this. 'Clean dirt' lol it's been washed but looks a bit grubby but does the job?

I feel like we are make up twins as I basically do exactly the same as you!

Love love love the Erborian range, I have the water one & CC cream.

I don’t look like I have any make up & it doesn’t feel like I do but I just look like a slightly better version of myself

Another vote her for the Trinny London BFF de-stress tinted serum. Really light and dewy with buildable coverage.

I’m off to order this!

I was about to recommend the little Trinny pots of bronzer and blush. Really nice formula to just swipe over my cheeks for a bit of colour.

My go to is tinted moisturiser, plus mascara (Glossier), brow stuff (Benefit gimme brow), little bit of concealer for the dark circles (Laura Mercier), some Trinny swiped on my cheekbones, and some lippie (swear by all things Lisa Eldridge).

Try laura geller balance and brighten, similar to bare minerals but not as messy, I love it over a tinted spf which doesn't give enough coverage, or sometimes I use it on its own

I agree with a PP above- get some appropriate skin care first. I used to have oily skin and large pores but niacinamide with 10% zinc has really shrunk my pores and drastically reduced the oil albeit I have been using it for a few years now. It can also help fade dark circles; combine it with a Vit C serum for better results plus Vit C will help your complexion too.The best Niacinamide I have found is by The Ordinary, it's not at all expensive and you can buy it in Boots now. I always have a bottle in. Vit C serums are all over the place now, no need to spend a fortune either. I have just used up a bottle of Simple Vit C, E and F serum, 6 Euros from Boots and I liked it!
As for make-up, you'll need an oil free foundation, a nice mascara, a palette of neutral eyeshadows, blusher, bronzer, a neutral lipstick ( I like Rimmel's Asia) , an eyebrow product ( I like Catrice's eyebrow mascara, it work really well on my eyebrows because it defines them and glues 'em down as well! I really like Catrice's products; they work well for me and are very easy on the pocket!) and either a waterproof eyeliner or a black or dark grey eyeshadow applied with a narrow brush, which is what I do. Do you have a set of brushes and sponge applicators OP? Aldi or maybe Lidl have them in at the moment here in Ireland and Penney's/Primark have a big selection of brushes and whatnot that I find good. You don't have to spend a fortune.

Completely agree.

P.S. I also use a home-made face powder OP. All it is is cocoa powder and cornflower. Just add enough cocoa to match your skintone; it's good for your skin as it's full of anti-oxidants and the cornflower will help absorb oil. People with dry skin can substitute it with arrowroot powder but even though my skins not really oily anymore, I prefer the cornflower because it's gives a bit of a blurry finish!
You just need a shaker pot to put it in (I used an old Cornsilk powder pot that I washed out) and apply it with a stubby kabuki brush! Try it out OP , it's dead cheap to make and totally natural!

Perhaps try a BB cream instead then OP? Garnier used to do an oil-free one which I preferred to the original, which was too greasy and yellow for me. The other one I tried and loved was a Korean one, Skin 79'S Pink one. You can get in on Ebay, it's not at all greasy, evens out the skintone and has a buildable coverage but looks natural and is full of natural ingredients that are good for your skin! It's gone a bit pricy for me now, probably because it became so popular but if you can spare the money, try it out!

Is this the Lift and Luminate or the Hydraluminous? Struggling to find one called illuminating

Sorry it’s called instant radiance concealer, I got the name very wrong!

Nars concealer or Laura Mercier.
Clinique Light reflecting primer or Stila colour corrector or tinted moisturiser.

Bobbi Brown crushed lip colour - staying power of lipstick, comfortable like a balm, natural colours.
Cream blush or bronzer and mascara
Niacinamide or green tea serum under a light oil free moisturiser for your oil and pore issues.

Space NK will do this for you.