Starting afresh with make up - what are your top 5 must have's

[newtoitallmummy]

I need an overhaul and am starting with make up - throw out the old and outdated and looking to buy some new products.

I am a mum. I don't have much time (durrr!) and I am not very inclined towards making an effort unless I have a reason.

So I am hoping to find four or five key things that I can have in a little make up bag that make a lot of difference in a little time - like a couple of minutes. I am not completely delusional - I know I won't look instantly younger and smoother but am just going for looking a little more together and a bit less ragged, more polished if you will.

Can you help? Please?!?

Thank you

Clinique Super Fit Foundation
Rimmel Hide The Blemish
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Bourjois Blusher
The Body Shop Eyebrow powder pallette

A Benefit eyebrow kit and gel will take you a lot further than plucking, which I would strongly advise against - yesterday's story!

Depends on the state of your eyebrows - mine were vast and plucking made a massive difference.

Disclaimer: go to a pro first and then maintain yourself. Never attempt a major reshape yourself, or you will end up with the dreaded 'tadpole' look at best.

I wear tinted moisturiser (No7), a grey eyeshadow palate (Bourjois), eye pencil (No7), mascara (No7), blusher (Bourjois) and a sheer lipstick (No7). That's quite dull isn't it? Perhaps I need to investigate some other brands...

Marking my spot...
I have a dressing table full of products and still manage to look a mess- I am thinking it is time fir me to rationalise too...

it's more than 5 but

benefit erase paste
tinted moisturiser
liquid eyeliner
mascara
lipliner
lipstick
gloss
some kind of blusher or bronzer for cheekbones

Tinted moisturiser. (I like Lancome hydrazen tiente.)
Mascara
Benetint
eyeliner
Concealer (Cheap works for me. I have touche eclait but gives me a terrible rash. It does lots of people, so avoid if sensitive. Most are too chalky for me, except collection 2000 or rimmel Hide the Blemish.)

If you want a a 6th, get a highlighter like Benefit High Beam. I have an avon version that works just as well. Peoplealways say I look good when I wear it. The put it down to pregnancy. HA!

I find Beauty Flash Balm meh, but DH likes it.

Try Amazon for cheaper Benefit products.

1.Clarins cream blusher in 2 colours (to avoid a flat look)

1. maybelline pink and green mascara

3.Paul and Joe lipgloss in a neutral pink

4.Brown eyeliner (doesnt matter the make as long as it's soft enough to smudge)

1. BenEfit's high beam for a bit of dewy youthfullness

Lura Mercier do a mineral make up. I ordered some but ordered wrong colour so have not tried it yet. Ask Laura Mercier counter to put some on you.

hello flawless powder by benefit is good too

second the high beam

benetint is good but i wouldnt consider it a must have

I like Beauty Flash Balm, having just started using it (hope to get some from dp for Christmas!).

Foundation - I love Prescriptives but Max Factor is fine too, for when I'm feeling less flush. I really like their new Perfect Skin one.

Mascara - Clinique long and pretty - am currently using a Clarins one but it's not as good as the Clinique one.

Blusher - am yet to find the holy grail though.

Under-eye stuff: I use the Boots No 7 one but would like to upgrade. The Benefit one sounds good.

My current things for a very quick (have 8 month old who is not very tolerant of me doing anything not with him!) and neutralish day time look:

Max Factor Facefinity powder foundation - this makes a lot of difference to the look of my skin and takes a couple of seconds to use.

Clinique Naturally Glossy mascara, a nice natural-looking product.

Clinique Foxy eyeshadow, a lovely soft brown with slight shimmer so it looks quite polished. Suits my eyebrows for a quick swish over too to add some colour.

Clarins Chestnut lipstick, stays on for quite a while and is a good nude-y colour for me.

Urban decay eyeliner - I like rockstar and bourbon, they stay on for ages and are a nice texture.

janeite, the sales people at the benefit counter told me that boing is really only for spots and blemishes and not suitable for under the eyes, because of its consistency

i do find the erase paste brilliant

it's a godsend to me

For me,a make-up -aholic
Bobbi Brown foundation,currently using luminous one but makes me a bit shiny so would go for oil free one next time.
Bourjois pressed powder
Bobbi Brown rouge pot that does lips and cheeks
Mascara,anything waterproof.
Mac lipstick in browny/neutral shade.
Extras would be eyeliner,brown for day,black for night.
Lipgloss,juicy tubes good.

Collection 2000 do something that is the same as Benetint. But a fraction of the price. None of my friends could tell if I was wearing the expensive or the cheapo.

I am pleased that LavenderKate has referred to the pink and green Maybelline mascara too

Thanks Lou. Fingers crossed, I don't tend to get spots but the shadows under my eyes are getting ridiculous. So do you use the Erase paste on eyeshadows? I have very pale skin too, so often struggle to find something light enough.

i use the erase past under my eys and dab the last over on my lips for lipstaying power, and can smudge a bit on the upper eye i guess, with powder on top

i have v pale skin and lovely shadows, it the best thing i've found, and a little goes a long way
i tend to put that on with you rebel lite tinted moisturiser followed by hello flawless powder (which also has a tiny bit of concealer in it, and all by benefit btw)

champagne for the powder and shade 1 for the erase paste

i am quite naturally gothic looking, complexion wise

tho actually if you used the hello flawless powder over your eye before applying shadow, i think that would do, because of the concealer mixed in

Thanks again Lou. Will have a look. The only Benefit product I've really liked before is Dandelion.

I forgot to mention Clinique lipsticks earlier: I like Black Honey and Berry Blush, both of which are v light and sheer and subtle, with no icky stickiness.

My sisters list.....(no kids, disposable income, time to go make up shopping, holidays to get it cheap in duty free)

YSL false lash effect mascara
Chanel Astral lipgloss
Virgin vie beigey/brown cream eyeshadow (in a stick like a mascara)
Body Shop black kohl eyeliner
Estee Lauder loose powder

My list....( 3 kids, no time, not much money)

Vaseline for lips
No 17 tinted moisturiser
browny/beigey eyeshadow ( I have the virgin vie one she suggested)
black pencil eyeliner
Boots natural collection cream blush

Mine are:

Prescriptives foundation
YSL Touche Eclat or similar concealer
Benetint red tint (bit on cheeks and under lipstick for when it wears off)
Mascara
Lipstick

the benefit counter was absolutely HEAVING today with people buying their goodies

they have some nice packaged xmas gifts in stock atm

and also booked my freebie makeover for new year (afaik benefit are one of the few companies to give makeovers that you dont have to pay for and redeem against any products)

my friend got a quick lesson in smokey eyes when we were there

Chantecaille tinted moisturiser is my top make-up item ever. It's expensive but so worth it.

Mascara - My fave ever is Mr Mascara but I haven't been able to get it for ages. Currently using a Benefit mascara which is quite good.

White eyeshadow. Place a dab in the inner corner of your eye. It makes you look younger (really). I have an Urban Decay cream one.

Black loose eyeshadow (mine is Benefit) and a good thin brush (I don't use eyeliner as it goes into my wrinkles but this way of lining your eyes doesn't).

Tweezed/waxed eyebrows is a must.

They are my essentials. Other things are:

• No. 7 loose powder brush
• YSL touche eclat
• Benefit Shelaq
• Various coloured eyeshadows (I like Nars, Benefit, Chatecaille and Mac)
• Ruby & Millie lip gloss
• Nude matt lipstick (I have a lovely Nars one)