New make up tips

[Washerwomen]

HI everyone. I am a novice when it comes to make up but really want to change my old habits and try and spruce myself up.I have no idea what to use! Please help!

I like a natural look but I would like to look like I have made some sort of effort in the mornings.

So, I have pale skin which is blotchy and sometimes spotty. I have combination skin (oily T zone and dry cheeks). I have blue eyes and dark brown hair.

At the moment I use Clinique 3 system with Clinique even better foundation. I use a bog standard concealer and then a bit of eyeshadow base and mascara. I used to find the Clinique range great but lately it doesnt seem to have much effect and my skin is more greasy and spotty than normal. The foundation seems to come off within an hour of putting it on. Then I put powder on and my cheeks look so dry.

Any ideas on some new products to try and perhaps what colours I could use for eyes etc with my colouring?

Any help would be gratefully received as I really dont have a clue. I did go to Boots and sat with sales assistant a while back but I was made up like a dogs dinner so VERY put off from going back in!

TIA

Anyone? Pleasssssse help me!

I have same skin as you.
Most tinted moisturisers are too oily and slide off within a few hrs.
Atm I am wearing lancome ideal on my t-zone as it stays put , and garnier roll on concealor thingy under my eyes.

I also really like clarins instant smooth foundation, goes on like a mousse and stays put, very easy to use.
As for natural eye colour I use an apricot one from estee lauder or a mac one called kid or kip or something. Best to go and ask at a counter .

Also Bobbi Brown do lovely cream waterproof eyeshadows that stay put for ages and look very natural.

You need to go and have a browse and try an few things.

Another good easy produvt is bobbi brown gel eyeliner, the bronze one suits blue eyes, you need a brush to apply though.

lol- ggirl beat me to it with the Clarins!

Hey ggirl, you sound like me, makeup wise, but more savvy with the colours, what blusher do you use? (have never used any myself, but feel I probably ought to)

i find powder blush looks too dry on me now but I loved bourjois brun
now I use benefit rush hour or mac one called ladyblush or something but the benfit one looks better and goes on easier.

Oh, that looks good, lips and cheeks in one!
Ta muchly!
I have experimented with powder ones in the past, but end up looking like Aunt Sally.

OP- sorry for hijack! The Clarins foundation is truly fab though (am waiting for a delivery as we speak) and I use Clinique Gentle Light loose powder which has shimmery but natural particle wotsits in it.

bucharest -I'm sure it was you that recommended the clarins on here-it is truly brilliant stuff-so thanks

Thanks everyone. There are some great suggestions and none of which I have tried before so thats great. Like ggirl said, I think its just browsing and trying some out. Do you think your skin can get used to a product over a period of time so at some point you need to change? I ask as I would have sworn by Clinique before but unsure its having any effect at all now.

Thank you again.

Have you ever tried mineral makeup? I don't mean the shite ones you can get in Boots, full of talc in the main, but stuff like Lilylolo, Bare Minerals, Everyday minerals etc? You can get v inexpensive samples.

No, have never tried mineral makeup. I was reading a thread yesterday that said they werent great for oily skin (or something along those lines). I have to be honest, I have never even heard of Lilylolo, where would I look try try/buy?

If you are near one I would book in to a SpaceNK or a Laura Mercier counter and get them to do a makeover for you. Emphasise natural! They are really good and you'll get the money back if you buy anything (SpaceNK are free or used to be)

Thanks DebiNewbery, will have a look. Not sure if we have any nearby but will check it out. If its free thats even better!

I find them fine for an oily t zone, I use Bare Minerals and use their Mineral Veil as a layer underneath, don't have any probs with shininess and their makeup lasts all day.

Have tried Lilylolo, Elemental Beauty, Everyday Minerals and EyesLipsFace.

Lilylolo has good coverage, good range of colours and they do a very good mattifying powder, same with Elemental Beauty but I have found I prefer Lilylolo. Elemental do a good 'healing' formulation which is good if your skin is spot prone.

Everyday Minerals fab, and have four different finishes to choose from, and a range of different finishing/mattifying powders. They are lovely but are based in USA so check shipping charges. They do really cheap sample kits though, so might be worth it to try out mineral makeup. I think they allow one free sample kit per order too, so you could just order a sample kit and just pay shipping, or you could order a few sample kits and one of them would be free IYSWIM.

EyesLipsFace do a really cheap (£3.50) mineral makeup but it doesn't come in a big range of colours and it's not quite as good as the others I have mentioned. having said that, it's worth a try at the price.

I'm a MAC fanatic...the bases all stay on ALL day, and the range of colours is fab. Be careful about being done up by a 15yr though...they all seem sooooooo young in there..

Oh, and lisa eldridge does brilliant video make up tutorials. Finally got how to do smoky eye make up from her. V good.

my beautician says that clinique can be harsh on skin- have you tried clarins? thier daily moisturiser is excellent

Love the Lisa Eldridge video DN, there was a lovely 60's style one on there!

Thats interesting you say that Rimmer as someone yesterday told me they found Clinique harsh.
I have only tried Clarins flash balm and that made me break out in spots. Although I cant be sure as think its more likely I have been feeling a little under the weather so that could have been the cause.

I think I am going to hit the Clarins counter at Debenhams this week and see what they can offer!

Beanpot.. Is MAC stocked at Boots? You can tell i'm a complete novice cant you?! I have no idea who sells what. The trip to the NO7 counter has scared me for life!

Falafelatyourfeet..... just checked out Elemntal Beauty website and they seem to do a great starter kit which looks really good. The Lilylolo do great priced testers so reckon thats worth trying first.

Crikey, I never knew there was so much to choose from!
Thank you for all your help and suggestions. x

Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturiser brought me out in a rash, never tried any Clinique makeup again after that!