Feeling brave - pic on profile - advice on hair & make-up please?

[ButNotThatBrave]

I've got the big 3-0 birthday coming up soon and people are asking what I'd like...I haven't bought any new make-up or changed my hairsyle for ages so thought I'd ask for vouchers so that I can have a pamper.

Trouble is, I haven't really got much of a clue - I've used gold eyeshadow & black mascara for the last 10 years. I use tinted moisturiser and an illuminating concealer, and that's it, I've never found a lipstick I like. I've been to a couple of department store make-up counters for consultations but always feel far too made-up afterwards, and not really inspired to buy the products they have recommended.

Sooooo, and be as honest as you like - what do you think I should spend my money on? Any products, tips, styles you think would suit me?

[shhhh]

damn, I missed the pic .

[mypersonalstylist]

Have you thought about using a Personal Stylist? As its your birthday, you could suggest that someone buys you a voucher. I can help you to create a whole new look for your thirties! I had to do it too, so I know where you are coming from! Check out my website www.mypersonalstylist.co.uk

[OLIVIASMAMA]

You look lovely - really fresh faced.

I like to look as though I've got my "face on", I like looking "made up", it's my look but you look very natural and pretty, I really wouldn't change too much at all but do experiment with your make up, just don't go out and spend a fortune on it get it done by the girlies in the department store first to see what you think and from past experience don't go too drastic on changing the hair, I remember the feeling of "yes it's gorgeous, thankyou, get me the hell out of here I'm dying, it's the worst haircut I've ever had.... oh and not before I've paid the bill of £80.00 plus" only too well!

[solo]

If you aren't used to wearing a fair amount of make up, you will feel over made up when you do.
My friend and I do really 'faceless' jobs(Police and Prison Service), so when we get all dolled up, we tend to feel a bit like transvestites and I know this is a common feeling.
Open your mind to wearing more and you'll probably feel better about it, do it more often and you won't feel over done so much.

[mammya]

And you look very lovely and young too [envious]

Having said taht, uyour colorings similar to mine. I always use brown mascara/eyeliner, browny/goldy eyeshadow, and pink lipstick (sort of my natural lip colour but more intense IYSWIM?).

[brimfull]

my teen dd has just had a full fringe cut in her hair-it does amazing things for eyes,really brings them out

[SlapAndTickle]

go for a noticeable change. get a full fringe cut in your hair with shaped sides, get an inch or two cut off the back and soften the front with a few layers. This allows you to tie up your hair and keep it loose, the fringe will knock five years off you and the more modern cut will encourage you to experiment with the make up tips others have given.

• get a t-section of blonde highlights, but not too brassy and yellow to lift the colour without a full on change. In the winter introduce red as well for a more autumnal look

gl

[ButNotThatBrave]

birthday tear? tear?? Freudian slip! Meant treat.

Just noticed yours too ggirl...[bushes] when talking about my eyebrows!!!

[ButNotThatBrave]

Always fancied MAC, it looks like an art shop the way they have it all laid out. Cost has put me off before but seeing as it will be a birthday tear...

ggirl, you are confirming what others have said and I have suspected for a while, so spare those blushes!

[brimfull]

sorry didn't read thread

you're all talking about eyebrows anyway [bush]

[brimfull]

you're very pretty

young looking

your eyebrows need darkening a bit ,it will frame your face

[lou33]

my mate got a lovely makeover on a Mac counter the other day

twenty five quid which is redeemable against any products you buy

didnt look over made up at all

[ButNotThatBrave]

Birmingham area...so Manchester's not THAT far if he's really brilliant! I like my hairdresser but she's scarily young & trendy so if I gave her free rein (reign?) she might asymmetricalise me or something!

[DKMA]

You don't need to worry much about the make up really - you look like yo have lovely skin!
I would do a bit of eyebrow pencil defo - feather it (don't draw a line!) and brush it over so it smudges in and looks natural.

As for the hair - I'd go to a well recommended hairdresser and ask their advice. I am very lucky and would trust my hairdresser completely. I first went to him with straight, all one length blonde hair and said what do you think? He said - lets go dark brown and do choppy layers with a long sweeping fringe! - I said ok - and I've never looked back .

If you live near Manchester - he's worth a visit!

[ButNotThatBrave]

Sorry Spidermama, missed your v v lurvely post.

Yep, natural hair colour, but it's got darker as I've got older, it used to be a lighter gingery-brown which I preferred but I can't be doing with colouring much because of the roots & cost ishooos. I think it does make me look a bit 'brighter' when it's lighter though. Going on hol next week so hopefully a bit of sun might titivate it up a bit!

[ButNotThatBrave]

Cheers both.

Right then - if I get a shorter, redder crop, tint my eyebrows, wear green eyeshadow and Nude Pink 640 lipstick, I shall be a fox

[Spidermama]

You look really great. I think you've got the kind of face which doesn't need make up. You really don't need anything.

If you want to doll up a bit though ...

You could do some eyebrow pencil to darken those a bit or better still, dye them darker. Brown though, not black. I wouldn't dye your hair as it looks great as it is. Is that your natural colour? Perhaps you're naturally a little lighter than that? I am out of step with most people here but I've really come to believe lately that people with their own, real, natural hair colour stand out in a good way. We've got so used to fake, over processed hair, that seeing someone with a real colour is very refreshing.

I think a brownis, natural lipstick. You would look great with natural browns and like you say, golds. Autumny colours. Someone mentioned green eye shadow. Yep.

Keep the eyeliner brown not black.

[Sidge]

LOL just get them done professionally (don't do them yourself!) and they will be fine.

I am very blonde and pale and get my eyelashes and eyebrows done, she manages to keep them quite natural so I don't look too freaky.

[theinsider]

Bumping for you BNTB.

[ButNotThatBrave]

Bumping it back into active convos - sorry for shameless me me me thread!

[ButNotThatBrave]

That's the kind of thing I'm worried about! There's not much disguising it once it's done either is there? Got visions of 2 black caterpillars atop my pale freckly face & then having to comb talc through them every day or something!

[Sidge]

Yes, they should go with what you want eg natural, dark, etc. I would go very slightly lighter than hair colour because I think brows much darker than your hair colour can make you look a bit odd

[ButNotThatBrave]

If brow line is wider than cheekbones does that make a heart?

Do you get a choice of shades with brow tints then? Should I try to match hair colour or stick to lighter (they are very blonde in some lights...and when I exercise because the rest of my face goes so red!)

[Sidge]

Try it, it's much nicer on than it looks there! I also have the Grape Juice which is a bit darker and more glossy, nice for going out.

You could try an eyebrow shape and eyelash tint, even though your eyebrows are a nice shape if you have them done professionally it can make you look so groomed. (Mine are due!)

[Ledodgy]

Your face looks heart shaped to me but I need to see a pic of your brow line before I can say for definate.