How do you learn to apply makeup - and other beauty related questions

[HurdyGurdy19]

Sorry if this becomes very long, but there's so much I need to know!

I am in my mid-60s and have never worn makeup. I do not have an artistic bone in my body, and whenever I tried as a younger woman, I just looked absolutely dreadful.

Then through marriage/children, I couldn't afford to indulge in skincare or cosmetics, so just used soap and water to cleanse.

Now, when I look in the mirror, it's just a huge heap of awfulness that's looking back at me.

I can now afford to spend some money on myself, but I have absolutely no idea where to start.

I would love to just be able to "lift" my face a bit. I don't want to end up wearing the entire Boots make up counter, with false lashes etc, but just to look better than I do now.

I have no idea where to start. No idea what cosmetic products to use, no idea what skincare products to use. Not a clue.

Where can I begin? I feel like I need ongoing lessons in this. I assume there are some kind of online tutorials, but I feel these would be more directed towards much younger women, and those with at least some kind of knowledge.

Can anyone recommend anywhere I can start looking, or how I would go about choosing products to use? (I do have Instagram, but I'm such a luddite, I can't even work out how to use it, despite my son showing me AT LEAST half a dozen times. I use TikTok (lots of funny babies, cute puppies and kittens and birds of prey sanctuaries mainly) and Facebook.

Go to John Lewis. Have a look online first to see which make up brands are in your price range. Then find the counter in the shop, and ask the lady there for some help! They’re generally very enthusiastic and helpful.

Don't go to a makeup counter in a department store.The women there are on commission and not necessarily helpful.
Have a look in magazines, or go on YouTube. There are lots of tutorials. You could go to Superdrug or Boots and have a look at the different brands. They have mirrors and samples you can try. Trial and error without wasting money!

Definitely use John Lewis and even a large Boots . They both have lots of make up counters . Boots number 7 is affordable and has everything you need to start out . Don’t be persuaded into things like serums and fancy skincare steps initially. All you really need to make a start is tinted moisturiser a day and night cream. Mascara light eyeshadow a blusher and a lipstick. At the beginning they’re all you need to. Once you get confident you can expand.

Department store make up people are terrible. They always cake on products with a trowel and I don’t know anyone who would want to look like them. Avoid!

The best advice I’ve ever received was via the instagram page of a professional make up artist (Katie Jane Hughes). She showed how to apply foundation in such a light-touch way to make it look natural and skin like. Still provides coverage but so much better.

I can’t find the exact video but these are some technique reels from her instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6dquALlR4/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DITlFqIxgwl/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEKGggpsQ5Y/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5CI6guL-3O/?hl=en

(There’s also quite a lot of “strong” looks on her page but plenty of practical advice in there too).

Have you searched in tik tok as there are quite a few creators doing make up and skincare tutorials for over 50’s ? They would show skincare routines and what products to use.

Beauty and the Boutique has great tutorial videos and sells the products. All aimed at women over 40.

https://beautyandtheboutique.com/collections/frontpage?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22651143307&utm_term=179332791014&utm_content=756665050515&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22651143307&gbraid=0AAAAADssodsJNxkxOpyuN2yf84-0uCKgg&gclid=Cj0KCQjw35bIBhDqARIsAGjd-cZmkl7M0KUDimunkbsl32pYBPgYcueW0_Ve6cF3bVi0fohzi0CegpMaAlYwEALw_wcB

Lisa Eldridge tutorials online

Ahhhh, thank you so much. Lots to explore there.

Will watch some tutorials, and then go shopping next weekend.

I'm feeling quite motivated 😄

I would also recommend Wayne Goss on YouTube. He’s fantastic.

I actually had a great experience at John Lewis. I went to Dior and found it very helpful. Their Forever foundation is very good for a start

I found No7 really good,they use a camera thing to match your colouring to make up. No hard sell either.

Beauty counters can feel overwhelming complicated.

At our age start simple. Less can definitely be more as we age. I'd suggest

• a glowy product like Beauty Flash Balm and a light foundation or BB cream.
• tinted eyebrows . Get these done professionally but it's quite easy to do yourself after a while.
• mascara. Max Factor 1000 calories is good.
• lipstick/ gloss . You can experiment a bit gere as to whether you want something quite neutral or a splash of colour. Mac lipstick is lovely.
• Blush/ eye shadow is optional!! But I've worn that less as I've aged.