A few questions about make up-I really have no clue-come and sort me out-please!

[sammysam]

Day to day I just wear mascara and a creamy eye shaddow-and to be honest that is normally what I'd wear when I go out-though it's been so long since I have

Anyway it is my sisters wedding in a few weeks and now that we are moving house and money is going to be very tight i'm having to cancel the make up I was having done with the other bridesmades. My theory is that rather than spending £50 on having it done for one day and not even being able to touch it up i'd be better off buying myself some make up that will last more than a day!

I have never worn foundation and can't figure out what would happen if I put it over my moles? I have quite a few flat dark moles on my face-surely it won't cover them but will just make them a strange colour?

I'd also like to wear some false eye lashes-where can I get some good ones?

I'm going to get a friend to help me on the day, she mentioned about primers-for face and eyes-where can I get good ones?

Really I think I need/want:
eye lashes
face and eye primer
foundation/tinted moisturiser or something to even out my skin
eye shaddow
something for my cheeks

What and where should I look/start?

I'm very tight on time as I have a toddler, 5wk old baby and it looks like we might be moving house either just before or after the wedding (12th december!) and I haven't even thought about christmas yet so any help/ideas/suggestions will be greatly recieved

I don't want to spend too much if I don't have to, though my friend suggested to look at MAC and Benefit......

MAC and Benefit are good but they are expensive especially for the things that you don't need to spend money on like eye pencils and blushers.

If you are on a budget my advice would be to go to MAC and get a free makeover done. Get them to explain what they are using and then go to boots and replicate the look:

My low down on the best products (and I'm a bit of a junkie are as follows:

Primer - Clarins beauty flash balm is deffo the best but Boots no 7 Instant Radiance is a good cheaper alternative and you can often get it on "3 for 2".

Foundation is worth spending money on - I like lancome - but the absolute key is to get the shade right this means you need to test and test and test ON YOUR FACE then go and check your face in daylight. Do not buy anything that you have only seen on your wrist under shop lighting! Bourjois do a good "10 hour sleep effect" foundation.

If you are going to use foundation a concealer will help you achieve a really good base - Loreal do a very good, reasonably priced "mineral concealer"

Blusher can be cheap. I have used Chanel in the past but reckon my current bourjois blush is just as good.

Eyeshadow again no need to spend heaps. The more expensive brands tend to offer better coverage in terms of depth of colour but if you are going for something neutral save your money for foundation and buy cheaper brand.

I wouldn't bother with false eyelashes unless you get them done professionally. If that is too expensive just curl and apply lashings of mascarra.

Thank you tinkerbelle!

I'll take your advice-is MAC the best for a free makeover?

I'll leave the lashes then I think-maybe save them for my wedding!

So how will the mole/foundation thing work?

I was going to recommend Boots Number 7 - I was a make up junkie but due to developing allergies in my mid 30s I now don't use anything else - the mineral foundation (£14) and blusher (about £8?) are really good - light, as you're not used to heavier coverage, and easy to apply (you get brushes with them) - people have really commented on my skin lately since changing to them. I would think that that would solve the mole issue too. As you already use eye make up I presume you have a favourite brand, but if not, their eye palettes and the new "false lash" mascara are great too.

For long lasting lips I cannot recommend Maybelline 18 hour Superstay highly enough - you simply do not need to touch it up (useful when you have!!) and there is a matt or gloss option with it. There are quite a few colours to choose from.

Let us know how you get on!

You could use an eyelash curler instead of buying fake eyelashes, Shue Uemura do a good eyelash curler.

Enjoy the wedding.

Any of the major beauty counters would be good. If you have a big department store (JL/Debenhams etc) go in there have a chat with the girls and see who you like best.

I don't know how the foundation will work re moles but I have freckles and they show through and don't look "covered" so I am sure you'll be ok!

A friend of mine went to the Estée Lauder counter in a department store and had a make-up lesson with them and then bought the stuff she needed.

I think you pay for the lesson but then deduct it from the cosmetics iyswim.

Worth looking at I think - £50 v. steep for one day's make-up.

Actually I think my friend (the bride) went with another friend who is good with make-up and then the friend did the bride's make-up for her in case of trembly hands!

Right-better get an eyelash curler

And will go and look at no7! Think i'll brave a counter on sat-do i have to go in with no make up on?

Thanks Sequinbra, tinkerbelle & carciofi!

Hi sammysam,

Just another vote here for boots no7 - not too pricey, and they often hand out freebies this time of year if you spend over a certain amount, plus think of all those lovely boots points you'll accumulate.

I got a shu emeru eyelash curler off the tinternet, which is great but it took about 3 weeks to arrive from china so might not be good for you. Eyelash curlers make a bit difference, I wouldnt bother with falsies, too much faff and you dont want to look like a stripper!

I use the boots intelligent colour foundation and its great. You only need the tiniest amount and you dont look like you're wearing a mask so I woulnt worry about moles.

The only think I dont like is their eyeshadow as they tend to do trios with one nice and 2 horrible colours in. The superdrug trios have some nice soft browns for a neutral look.

The other thing that has made a big difference to my look is getting an eyebrow shape at a beauty salon. it only cost a fiver and makes a big difference to bushy brows.

The maybelline 18 hour superstay is great - especially if like me youre not used to wearing lipstick as its impossible to chew off! The gloss it comes with looks really nice over the top too.

Good luck!