Total beginner to make-up, marrying (late 40s). Help please!

[Albatrossing]

Hello! I've never worn make-up, but think i'd like to wear some on my wedding day (partly as I'm wearing a dress that's probably bit young for me, and I'm afraid I'll look like Miss Haversham in the photos!). I have no idea where to start -- my main concern is getting the right concealer and maybe some kind of tinted moisturiser/light foundation... Where should i go to get help working out what colour i need? I don't want to look orange or vampiric! Thanks for any advice.
ps am not getting my make-up done professionally as budget is very tight

If you can afford it book a make up artist.

I was about to suggest investing in the

Selfridges beauty concierge service

in advance, so you know what to use and how to use it. (A MUA would spend an hour building a personalised look for you, using items from whichever brands suit best.) But it may be more than you want to spend.

And, more importantly - if you’ve never worn make up before you’d be mad to attempt to do it yourself first for your wedding. Unless you have at least six months to practise? Think of the nerves and exhaustion - and the photos. I would seriously think hard about who amongst your family or friends likes you and consistently looks lovely in make up. Ask them to do it for you.

Oh sorry I’ve seen budget doesn’t allow. Ooos

Go to your nearest department store or branch of big Boots and find out which cosmetic beauty stands do free makeovers. And I mean free, not ones that charge and then deduct the cost from purchases. Go to several, explain your exact situation and you’ll be surprised how helpful they can be.

Thank you all! Yes, i might be biting off more than i can chew by doing my own make-up... good idea to ask a friend to help.
And thank you for the suggestions re Boots and Selfridges. really helpful!

I would visit a Bobbi Brown counter. Their makeup is lovely and natural; just makes for a more polished version of us which is ideal for wedding makeup.

You will likely pay as much for the products you want to use (and never use again?), as you would for a professional make up artist.

don’t risk it, especially if you have never done your own makeup before.

im pretty sure Boots No7 counters do a trial of their products though? It used to be free a few years ago, not sure about now. They also do 3for2 etc on most items.

this is a really good thought re price. I'm in an expensive part of the country and just did a quick search... it was £200 to have someone come do my make up (gulp). I'll try the No 7 counter though -- good idea! our Boots is pretty big...

A light coverage foundation (applied with fingers), a touch of under eye concealer, a swish of pressed powder, a hint of blush and some mascara will be enough to make you look like a polished version of you. Especially since you don’t wear make up day to day. Brands like Maybelline or L’Oréal are fine since you’re unlikely to use it again. Round here it’s about £35 for makeup by a professional, but over double the cost for a bride and you’d want a trial too.

Would also recommend getting your eyebrows waxed and tinted.

Avoid contouring, eyeshadow, eyeliner, false lashes etc. They’re far too tricky to get right on your own.

I did a no7 trial at boots before my sister's wedding. It's free and she showed me how to apply, she did one eye then I did the other! I took loads of photos as I went along too.

Although it was free I then spent around £100 on products but I am still using them. I was really pleased with it

this is great -- thank you! I'll look at Maybelline and L'Oreal. Also, great tip re fingers, as I've never used make-up brushes!

i've just looked this up, and they've got lots of appointments, so i think i'll book and see how i get on. Thank you!

I had a makeover done at a local salon. It was a mix of their own Clarins product and my Estee Lauder foundation. They are currently £45. Just don't say it is for a wedding or the price immediately shoots up !

Go to a make up counter - boots number 7 is a good option but look for a counter with an older sales assistant and ask for advice. The lovely lady at number 7 in Oxford boots (shout out to her!) helped me get the right make up to suit me and brilliant deal on it too if I got an advantage card. No cost except the make up which was around £80

Do you have a good friend who might do it? I don't really do makeup either. I got married recently aged 60 and my best friend did mine. We had a couple of try outs and it looked lovely.

Gosh. £200! I take back what I said.

Lisa Eldridge on YouTube might be helpful!!

The Hannah Martin Make Up book is brilliant - step by step guide plus recommendations of good products. I got mine as an Amazon used copy so pretty cheap.

She also does good tutorials on Insta 😃

Congratulations btw 🎉

I'd say that if you don't usually wear any make-up, having a 'makeover' will mean you won't look much like you. I'd stick to a good tinted moisturiser, nude/light pink lipgloss and some mascara and you'll just be a slightly more polished version of yourself.

Second this.

Tiktok and youtube are your friends here if you're going to do your own. Pick a look you like and find some tutorials, then practice, practice, practice!

Don't skimp on products, a good quality foundation is important.

Some good influencers now online .
Look at ones that focus on beginners around your age . There are lots of good ones out there now .
Makegoodyourmakeup is for the very beginner I think and doesn't use loads of expensive product .

I don’t usually wear any makeup and was persuaded to wear light makeup for my wedding. I actually regret it - I didn’t look totally like me. I would really recommend going very very light - a natural looking lipstick, a basic mascara. Don’t be persuaded to not look like you on your wedding day!

This.
I weal Bobbi Brown make up
I went to a destination wedding and although I have worn make up before I wanted to refresh my make up and get advice on applying.
I booked a slot at Bobbi Brown Selfridges London.
If you are able to get there I would advise you to book an appointment with them (you can book over their Instagram account.) The MUA there are excellent. Don't bother with the John Lewis Bobbi Brown counter I find they are not as skilled nor really interested in helping you. I say this as I have tried various Bobbi Brown counters in John Lewis as they are closer to me then Selfridges and have always come away disappointed and not really having learned how to apply so if I just need to top up or just have a look I would go to John Lewis. If I want a lesson I make sure I go to Selfridges.