Wanting to look put together - where to start?

[Pumpkindice]

I've tried looking online for this eg video tutorials but there's so much information out there I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and don't really know where to start! If anyone could give me some pointers I'd really appreciate it.

I've never really been into make up, and never learned the basics. I'm aware that the basics have moved on a lot from my era, of putting on a bit of orangey foundation with your fingers and adding one colour of eyeshadow + a bit of lipstick.

I'm in my forties and in photos I've realised I'm looking pretty washed out. I'd like to learn a basic routine to look a bit more put together, but everything seems so complicated, and expensive if you get it wrong! Can anyone give me some tips on people to look up, or what you'd consider basic essential products to get started with, for a fairly natural looking routine? I'm especially at a loss as to what skin products to use for older skin (I'm guessing dream matt mousse is no longer a thing lol!)

If it helps to narrow things down, I'm white, pale, sensitive skin/rosacea prone and have hooded eyes, so anyone can point me to tutorials or products that could be good for me I'd really appreciate a starting point. And especially if anyone knows what to do for pale ashy eyebrows - too dark for blonde products and the wrong tone for brunette, I've tried and binned so many!

Cerave face wash
ZO hydrating creme
Retinal
Lisa Eldridge skin tint - go to a makeup counter
Ditto for everything else because you will want to get professional advice and not waste money

I had powder brows at 57, and I love them. Not overpowering slugs; they are always done without me worrying.

I can't use retinol unfortunately, they're usually too strong for rosacea.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but who would you go to for a professional? I've had my make up done a couple of times by professionals in the past, eg for weddings and events, but can't say I've ever felt it was good. It was always as part of a group though so I know that's different to individual attention.

What? Not for OP, this is completely the wrong routine.

I've just googled what that is, and the examples look great but I think I'd want to try with make up to decide what style/shape I'd like before going for something semi permanent. I'll bear it in mind for future though!

Hey OP! I used to love some dream matte mousse too!

If you have a SpaceNK near you, book in for a Makeup Masterclass there. They can take you through the basics and you also get to practice applying it yourself. I was in the same position as you and it totally changed my makeup routine, especially the base. They will also be able to test eyebrow pencils on you.

And a skincare routine which works for your skin (I used Facetheory's skin quiz and started with their products which I really liked. When I got a bit more confident I then started using bits and bobs from The Ordinary and other brands too).
https://www.facetheory.com/en-gb/pages/quiz?header_main

I have roseacea and use le Roche posay spf, max factor primer or Aimee Connolly primer (I find make up doesn’t go well on me without spf and primer, I’m 46 with dry sensitive skin), then rimmel perfect match and mac spray. When I have the money I use nars creamy concealer and always use cerave eye cream. I wash my face using cetaphil gentle wash and use Avene moisturisers (NOT the ones for redness, weirdly they are really bad for me, same with le roc posay moisturisers- any ones for redness actually burn!!)

Aside from that I am awful at looking put together- people comment on how great my skin is but never hair clothes or how I look!!! Enjoy the process op!!!

Thanks @hl575 I haven't heard of the store before, there's one not a million miles away from me though so I will look at that. It could be good to try some products and see how they sit on my skin before committing to them.
I do have slight trepidation after trying the make up counters in boots back in the day, what was it about making you as orange as possible 😂

I found what helped was doing a style and colour analysis. I’m autumn and now choose lipsticks suitable for that, and much bolder than I used to. It’s made a difference.

Ok, then make your own suggestions 🤷‍♀️

I agree with SpaceNK as your starting point.
for skincare then Heaven by Deborah Mitchel. she has specific routines / products for rosacea.

I completely disagree with this; SpaceNK has gone downhill.

I appreciate the share, I suppose I'm looking more for types of product rather than specific products, given that I'd have to be quite careful checking ingredients.
Eg what would be reasonable for a basic make up kit now, eg is a primer + light foundation + soft blush enough for a base, or are setting sprays, highlighters, colour correctors or other products really essential to learn and have as part of every day make up. Is it realistic to have ok looking eye brows done as home make up or is that really something I should prioritise at a salon, that sort of thing.

If you have a counter near you then it might be worth trying Trinny London products. The staff on their counters are very good and the products are very no-fuss - a nice tinted moisturiser/primer, cream eyeshadows that you put on with a finger, easy blusher and lippy etc. Their skincare's fine too altough not, in my opinion, anything to write home about.

I recently had my brows done for the first time at a salon near me and I'm really pleased. Little bit of waxing to tidy them up and then a very natural tint. Like my own brows but a bit more polished and pulled together which is what I wanted. When I try to use an eyebrow pencil or anything at home it never looks quite right so I'll stick with getting them done at a salon.

So my makeup routine is:

• setting spray
• BB/CC cream (applied with sponge)
• under eye concealer
• setting/baking powder on T zone only (with powder brush)
• bronzing drops (applied with sponge)
• cream blush applied with fingers
• highlighter stick across eyelids
• liquid eyeliner
• waterproof mascara
• more setting spray to finish
• then a tinted lip balm

Can you get to a Mac counter? Or Bobbi Brown? Both good for first timers.

Also, Lisa Eldridge on You Tube - great tutorials. Everything from teens to octogenarians and everything in between. Colours, skin care, quick, full glam, hungover repair jobs, Smokey eyes, basic - hundreds of easy to follow films.

I have sensitive skin and just use simple face wash (the brand) and simple moisturiser. I remove my makeup with Elemis and a flannel cloth, and then wash with the face wash. This works well fpr
me and seems to strike the right balance between gentle but also fully cleaning my skin.

for makeup I use No7 hydroluminous foundation (or whatever it’s called, something like that)
Boots counter has a fancy tool they can use to scan your skin and get you the right shade. I go a shade darker in summer (in same palette)
and also use their cream bronzer and their powder blush.
for under eyes try something pinky, I use a tiny bit of Mac concealer for this.
then NYX brow pencil comes in lots of shades and you should be able to find one to match. Then when I want to look fully finished I will do some eye shadow (a light tan kinda colour and some beige blended together). I have hooded eyes so I keep the darker shadow off the actual eye lid.
then some mascara (always curl lashes first)

I would say I keep things pretty simple and affordable but also aiming to look ‘put together’

Thanks all for the advice, when I posted i was thinking more of video tutorials but the more I think about it, finding someone to do a personalised make up lesson seems like a good idea. I don't mind paying for something if it helps me avoid lots of trial and error, and if that can help get me started with a good basic routine I might feel more confident to be a bit more adventurous!