Good value lovely make-up?

[baiyu]

I'm sick of looking like a knackered old bag so am going to invest in some nice new make up. I'm also getting married in 2 months on a small budget and won't be hiring a make up artist. I'm a bit ignorant about different brands and I just feel a bit lost in the big boots with all the different counters!

What is your tried and tested best bet? is Body Shop make up any good? What about Benefit? looks cool but is it just the packaging?

Help!

Thank you very much

Benefit is nice but very expensive IMO and i think perhaps you are paying for the funky packaging. I would recommend MAC or Bobby Brown, but these aren't exactly cheap. If you are going to be in any airports soon then look out for smashbox stuff.

I would watch some makeup tutorials on youtube if you are going to do your own for your wedding - the following are good, especially for eyes -

and

The second woman, Emily someone, always talks about using cheap drugstore brands as opposed to high end stuff, but there seems to be a lot more of that kind of stuff available in America

oops links didn't work

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLGJTAfyG44&feature=fvsr

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJLwrm1fX20

Barbara Daly's Tesco range is great, cheap as chips and is often recommended in magazines.

Bourjois is another good budget range, lovely colours.

Collection 2000 supposed to be terrific.

bourjois and max factor eyeshadows are nice.

invest in great eyeliners as the stay put, Mac is good

I agree about Tesco Make up - I use it a lot.

I would say invest in a good foundation, a good idea would be to go to Space NK if you have one near you, they are less pushy than House of Fraser type beauty counter assistants. They offer very good foundations such as Laura Mercier, Chantecaille and By Terry, all of which are good quality and coverage.

I like Bourjois and Urban Decay for eyeshadows, they are the best imo, a good range of colours and very good quality, they really stay on and have a good colour density. However, saying that, I got some free samples of Lancome eyeshadows last week (they have a really good offer on at the moment, have a look at House of Fraser), and the quality of Lancome eyeshadow is excellent.

Eyeliner - you don't need to spend a fortune on that, I use Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner for instance, which is the best I have ever tried.

Blusher - Tesco cream blush is very good, I use that a lot. Other than that Bourjois Cendre de Roses Bruin is the best bet (powder) blush.

I use cheap lipstick and lipgloss, I have never seen the need to spend money on that.

What I do swear by is eyeshadow colour - I would never use and eyebrow pencil because I would feel like something from the 60s, however I do buy a special eyeshadow powder. Emphasising your eyebrows really makes a difference to your face. I used to have a Bobbi Brown one but I lost it, I currently use a Loreal trio (2 neutral coloured eyeshadwos and one eyebrow colour, available in abour 4 different colourways) which is just as good.

Also mascara, I never spend a great deal on that as I hate the fake spidery lashes look, sp I just use a normal waterproof Collection 2000 one.

Summary of other cheap brands -

Rimmel - don;t rate the eyeshadows, however lipsticks and lipgloss cheap and cheerful. Their Recover foundation also very good.

Maybelline - do not like mousse eyeshadows, blushers and foundations, it is a very odd consistency and goes on blotchy.

Loreal - very good eyeshadows.

Boots Natural Collection - I bought a couple of really nice eye pencils there on Friday, everything is 3 for £5, which is great value.

Barry M - very good glittery eyeshadows for going out.

Revlon - eyeshadows very good colours and long lasting.

Boots No 7 - very good liquid eyeliners, however eyeshadows do not go on very well (patchy).

Hey Baiyu!

I found this thread very useful when talking about good cheap make up (but a lot of it has been covered here already)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/products/796178-A-great-big-list-of-products-that-are-cheaper-but

As you are young and fresh faced I would recommend Clarins tinted moisturiser for a foundation (will check the exact name). I got this horrible heavy Lancome stuff for my wedding and my aunt (who was doing my make up) took one look at it and chucked it out and got the Clarins stuff. It was sssssssssoooooooooo lovely and natural. But it is a bit pricey.

WW xx

Woo, loads of good advice here, I'm going to take notes!

I've never worn foundation in my life but to cover up my big dark circles (which never go away, not just sleep deprivation!)I think it would be a good idea.

Hello WW! Fresh faced?! Thank you! Not how I see it myself...

I'll have to get myself to a big Tesco and have a look at their make up.

Clarins stuff sounds nice.

Don't mind getting one or two pricey things if they are worth the money and will make me look good!

Thanks for the links moulesfrites, I'll have a watch after the archers...