can someone give me make-up advice?

[goingslowlymad]

I never wear make-up, but hate my rosy red complexion. I'm about to attach a pic to my profile thingymajiggy and was wondering if someone could help me with what I should buy and use. I have to say that I really am a make-up virgin. My mum never wore it so I never really got the gist of it.

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ooh you are pretty. must say it is a little hard to see the redness BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST. you have lovely pink cheeks and it might be better if you weren't blending your hair into your kitchen cupboards.

can see what you are on about but a decent lipstick will make a difference.

i wear glasses too and have fairly heavy eye makeup, you could do that?

Thanks DA. I will bite the bullet and go and ask for advice. Do you think I need to ring and make an appointment or just turn up?

fishie I wouldn't even know where to start to apply eye make-up lol. I struggle with a mascara ;) What colour and type of lipstick do you recommend? The trouble I have is that I get over-whelmed with choice and leave with nothing

Just turn up, but if you can, try to pick a time when there aren't going to be huge crowds around, ie probably not a weekend. Then they'll have a bit more time to talk to you. And be very specific about what you want - you don't want to look made up, you just want to even out your complexion a bit, without caking on loads of makeup. ANd ask for testers to try out too.

You look lovely! Not chavvy in the slightest and it just looks like you're wearing blusher! I think going to a dept store with one item in mind is a good idea - not too daunting and when you get chatting with the consultant you can take it further from there.
Good luck

am ROFL at blending in with the kitchen cupboards. I match my house and I hadn't even noticed

I would use a treatment for the redness rather than a make up.

There are two that spring to mind - Jurlique calendula cream and chamomile mist

or ella bache creme tomate

Both will actually treat the redness and rebalance your skin rather than just cover up the problem.

GSM, I have to agree with a previous poster that you don't look red, just rosy cheeked. I don't think you're a roseacea sufferer.

You have lovely skin. I personally would second displacement activity's advice and go to those store ladies. (I wish I could do it for you, I lur, lur, LURVE makeup). I'd keep it REALLY basic, mascara, lip gloss, and maybe the lightest of foundations or powder depending on whether you want a natural or matte (50's film star) finish.

Don't be worrying about the moisturiser, you (me and everybody!) need to wear UVA and UVB sun cream everyday, irrespective of whether it's sunny or bucketing down (at least factor 15). That's the only thing that stands between a woman and a face like an old mans scrotum!

Oh! Reason for keeping it basic, you wear glasses and so your eyes are the main feature! If you do stray into eyeshadow make it a nude shade so it doesn't look as if it's there (but why spend the money? just don't bother)

you ar epretty!

just try tinted moisturiser, mascara and lip gloss to start with. and when you go and buy something new, get them to put it on you.

and lip gloss. - juicy tube melon is good and v easy.

i wouldn't bother with the green stuff - you are not that rosy, just healthy looking!

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Try this with this over the top.

Space NK?

It seems expensive but you get what you pay for i.e. make up that doesn't drag your skin, make up that has a better finish when applied and the bonus is that they will just pick the brands they have in store that suit you.

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I like really shiny lips. I know it is quite naff now, but I have nice lips so it's my thing. The Mac one is good too. I love make-up.

i went into body shop i have ok skin and have had no reason to wear make up just bit of mascara and they talked through everything with me were really helpful

and didnt expect me to buy lots of things i did get the foundation and glow enhancer not the make up pads as i got a whole pack for there price of one

but was friendly and comfortable

I think you look lovely and certainly not in need of make-up but it can give you a boost so here are my recommendations:

Tinted moisturiser - I like Laura Mercier and Stila

Mascara - Clinique Long Pretty Lashes is nice for every day, Lancome Hypnose is great for a more vampy look

Concealer - Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat for under your eyes and Mac concealer for anywhere you need more coverage

Eyeshadow - I love Stila "Kitten" (a gorgeous shimmery beige, like a crushed pearl, seems to flatter everyone) or else Bourgois Beige Rose which is similar

Blusher - I didn't wear any for years but it's amazing what a healthy bloom it can give to your face. Bobbi Brown's shimmerbrick compact in beige is fab for a healthy, tanned look - swirl a brush over cheekbones, nose, forehead. For a healthy bloom, go for Benefit's Dandelion or Nars Orgasm - swirl lightly over the apples of your cheeks.

Never line the inner rim of your lower eyelids without lining the top as well. I like a soft grey eyeliner (or maybe brown with your colouring) as black can be a bit harsh. Bobbi Brown does gel eyeliners which have amazing staying power and don't smudge once you get the hang of them (they come in a little pot and you paint them along the lash line with a little brush). Someone at the counter could show you how to do it.

L'occitane do lovely lipglosses - not too gloopy. Laura Mercier has some lovely sheer lipsticks (available from Space NK)called Stickgloss which are fab.

I think you said you don't use moisturiser - if you're interested have a look at Liz Earle's range which is available from QVC where you get a 30 day money back guarantee. I know people snigger at QVC but it's a great chance to try something for a wole month with no risk if you don't like it. I can heartily recommend the Skin Repair moisturiser and the eye serum and eye cream. It is simple and not overpriced and very comforting to the skin.

I know that some of the brands I've suggested above are expensive but you might even like to approach the counters for ideas even if you don't buy - might give you an idea of where to start.