I think I look better when I don't make an effort?

[Undercoverstory]

I've never been one for spending a lot of time on hair and make up, but I do some foundation, light eye makeup, lip colour and blusher for a night out. I've had some make up lessons recently, so have been making a bot more of an effort.

This weekend I've been out on two daytime things and two evenings out. Friends have shared photos of me at each event.

In the evenings, you can see my eyes more, my hair looks "done", my face and lips have more colour, but I think I look much younger in the natural ones (just tinted moisturiser).

Obviously it's all a bit pointless because I'm not going to share the photos, but anyone else or am I just a bit rubbish at it?

I like a natural look and I think it's always more flattering, but that to me is more about using natural shades and not exaggerate features too much. It's the same with fillers, botox, fake lashes and such things, it just looks like you are trying to cover something up. I think makeup can enhance features and that can be very flattering and make you look more awake. However, I wouldn't say looking younger is always the same as looking better. A lot of people look better with age.

I look odd with a lot of makeup on. I look better with just a tinted moisturiser, tiny bit of cream blush, mascara just on top line so I look like me rather than made up. I put lots of make up for a passport photo but I look dreadful. I wonder if my features are not as even as I age and makeup draws the eye and accentuates

Some foundations just don’t photograph well, though — Estée Lauder Double Wear is notorious for looking mask-like when photographed in artificial light. Also, it sounds as if you’re comparing photos in natural light to photos by artificial light?

Me too - I have not made an effort for decades!!

Well that's a good outcome!

Agree about the different light as well.

My experience of makeovers and make up input is that they always, always put on too much. Why not strip it right back and rebuild? What does 'making an effort' mean to you?

I would personally say most beauty regimes benefit from being 90% skin and hair, 10% makeup.

Interesting. I always thought foundation was "necessary" to look good in photos

I wouldn't say "not making an effort" is the way forward! But if you have taken makeup lessons then they have probably given you lots of products and taught you techniques that really only look natural in a photo taken in controlled conditions with careful lighting and maybe some filter. In real life it can veer towards drag queen, especially if you are old enough to have any lines.

I would put the effort into fewer but good products.

It's a style choice. If you prefer a natural look just go with that.

For me I find that I have to make quite a lot of effort to look like I haven't made an effort.