Makeup - help needed please!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I have no idea what I am doing with makeup at the moment, having not really worn much for the last 4/5 years. I used to be really into it in my early twenties but have totally lost touch!

I'm not worried about being mega-trendy, I feel I'm too old for that, and I'm nervous of anything too shiny/glossy etc.

On a day to day basis I wear no foundation, and just a swipe of blusher and mascara. I'd love any tips to update this a bit!

The main area I need help in though is for when I'm dressing up a bit and want to look smart. I've realised that I'm now too old to look properly 'finished' unless I've got some makeup on - I just look like I've come out of the house half ready. I don't want to start wearing a ton of slap but I do need to start doing something.

I like my eyes and my lips and I have pretty good cheekbones so I'm not trying to draw attention to or disguise any particular parts of my face.

after not wearing makeup for most of my life, I now too need to put some on to look not old and haggered 'finished'
I put on a light foundation, dark eye shadow, eye liner and mascara
i brush my eyebrows and apply blusher and a neutral lipstick
it doesn't look too much but I feel better
and I only wear it if I go out somewhere in the evening, not every day
I don't wear makeup during the day

Could you go to the make up counters in the department stores, Boots etc and get a few makeovers? I would try different brands to get the one that looks right.

After years of wasting money on the wrong foundations I eventually settled on M.A.C (Boots clever foundation one for everyday use)

Get a decent foundation, concealer and mascara

everything else can be cheap and cheerful

Eyebrows are very important!! Shaped, filled in with powder and pencil if needs be and stuck in place...make a world of difference

Go to SpaceNK or MAC for a makeover not a Boots counter etc as they are usually dreadful.
Then you'll have some good new ideas.

Thanks everyone

I think I'm ok with foundation, I have the Boots Intelligent one and also a lovely Molton Brown that I bought having forgotten to take my makeup bag with me when we went away for a friend's wedding - it was the only shop we could find, bloody expensive mistake but nice stuff.

I hadn't thought of going to counters - doh! Although I'm too nervous to sit there while someone does my face in public, can't imagine anything worse!!

There's a lot of good make up videos on youtube. I tried a few of them and found some tricks and tips that are really good.

Ooh I shall look now Holy! That hadn't even occured to me.

Does anyone know what colours are in just now - roughly? If it's shiny pink things then I'm doomed to be unfashionable.