make up virgin seeks assistance

[nowwearefour]

i have realised that i need to start wearing make up if i am not to be a total embarrassment to my dd's in the future. my skin looks terrible. i have never bothered til now but i do want to tidy up my act for myself as well as for them. anyone got any hints and tips for me? i wear mascara to work but that is literally IT. i was looking at foundations but they all seem so expensive and i havent a clue what is good and what is bad. i just want something light and quick to apply in the ams. my skin tone is prob medium but on the dark side of medium i would think. anyone prepared to offer me any basic help? my friend swears by virgin vie products bt not sure how to even go about getting these?

Tinted moisturiser is a good gentle starting point - try bobbi brown or laura mercier. Go to one of their counters and they'll help match to your skin tone.

It's pricy but a tube lasts me well over a year.

Get thee to a make up counter and ask the girls/ladies there to give you advice and hopefully a makeover. (Tip: avoid the scary orangey ones!) I persuaded my friend to do it a couple of weeks ago and she's been converted and looks fab!

It doesn't have to be an expensive counter - I believe Max Factor have girls there who can make you over if you go to a large enough store.

first of all get your skin sorted with a good exfoliating routine, it only has to be quick.

No 7 are good I think (better than virgin vie where you can't try stuff properly) You can also take no 7 stuff back if the colour isn;t right when you get it home.

I like No 7 compact foundation which I swoosh on with a sponge, its dead quick.

Bit of concealer under the eyes (benefit boi-ing) blusher, eyeliner, massie lip gloss and bobs your uncle.

Oh I have to fill my brows in too. it probably takes me about 15 mins tops.

deloola - it was bobbi brown my friend went to, they did a lovely job!

i tried tinted moisturiser a year or so ago and ended up with a rash all over my face! it might have just been the brand i bought but i am scared to try other ones in case it does the same thing!

How about getting an eyebrow wax (if you don't already do so) even before you start with make up? You'd be amazed at the difference that makes as it makes your whole face look groomed, with or without make up.

With shapely eyebrows you could perhaps get away with the nude face, red lip look, but still look put together, with maybe just a smidge of tinted moisturiser and a lick of mascara, or none at all. Very chic, but very little effort and time.

interesting thought. yes i could do that. have shied away from it but i prob should do it as that might be something my dd's notice idc...

It might be worth adding to begin with a professional job and then maintain at home if you can brave it. Reason being, often a home eyebrow pluck can end up with apostrophe shaped brows (not chic), probably because the area nearer to the nose is the most tender and I expect people avoid doing that bit, but it is, in my view essential.

If you want to go for a foundation, try a few make up counters. Often you might be able to get a sample size to take home with you and wear it a bit to see if you like the way it wears.

Produce wise, MAC are really good, as are Laura Mercier and Bobby Brown (although frankly I never got on with their products - concealer too cakey and I didn't like the texture of the foundations but that's just me). They also advocate the concealer under foundation whereas I'm a strictly concealer OVER foundation girl.

When I wore expensive foundations, I liked Estee Lauder and Clinique's the best. Some go on well, but then don't wear well during the day - eg you end up looking oily or too dry. Thats' why it's handy to have a take home sample if possible.

The make up counters will help you select products according to how your skin type and how behaves during the day. Be warned if you also mention skin care they will try and flog you their line as well, which may well be good but could end up expensive.

In a place like Boots, there are loads of foundations but you won't get the same advice as per your skin type as you would do with a premium brand.

For eye shadow I'd always go for MAC. Always. Same for lipstick.

This site is great for product reviews as well:

www.makeupalley.com/

www.makeupalley.com/

whitetara, which foundation do you use now? You sound like you know what you're talking about!

How's your skincare? Because if you get that right then you can probably get away with just tinted moisturiser - going from nothing to full foundation might be a step too far. Also, and I know this is just common sense but it is the reason I wear little makeup myself, make sure you take it off at night!
Like the others have said, I'd go to a big department store and mooch round the makeup counters until you see one where the staff look nice! Then get them to help you - and make sure you mention your sensitive skin. Bobbi Brown has a great reputation for employing well-trained people not just saleswomen.
PS I hate to disappoint but if you take away one reason for your DDs to find you an embarrassment, they will doubtless find something else. I just can't wait for those teenage years!

Watch make up bloggers on youtube. I would start with Lisa Eldridge talking about foundation. Get some little pots and ask at makeup counters for a little sample of the foundation that they recommend. They you can try a few out before buying. I use Chanel prolumiere and am happy with it, but I have made expensive mistakes in the past.

hi boogeek

thanks for the advice!! my skincare is rubbish!! ie i dont do anything at all!!!

Hi Kando, I'm currently using L'Oreal visible lift in porcelain - just a pot luck buy actually after testing a few in Boots. I quite like the texture as it's very smooth and light. I hardly use any actually and just put some on my nose and around my eyes and top off with a light dusting of pressed powder on a brush.

If you get the right texture then you hardly notice it's there. Personally I've always been a bit disappointed with tinted moisturisers as they don't "do" much, so don't tend to bother with them.

I'm really loving Clarins Instant Light complexion perfector which is like an all over glow. It comes in a range of shades (I've got rose shimmer) and can be used with or without foundation. I've read that High Beam and Moon Beam by Benefit are also really good, so trying one of them would be next on my list.

I haven't tried it yet but this looks like a ggod place to start elf.

Also I slap on a face self tan (Garnier summer face) every other day at bedtime. Takes the pallor off and cuts down on the amount of make up I need.

advanced night repair by estee lauder is brilliant used daily under moisturiser will really help your skin a bit on the pricey side i think its near £40 but a few drops is all you need also it prevents ageing and environmental damage.

Mac studio tech powder i think is £20ish and lasts over 6 months its fantastic covers everything up and is great when your in a hurry. With foundation I usually find you get what you pay for and a nice blush to give you a nice glow.

companies like Loreal are good as they are owned by Lancome and Bourjois is owned by Chanel so there products are better quality.

I hope this helps.