help! I think I need to start wearing makeup (and I never have before)

[snoopy5386]

I am in the process of uploading and organizing pictures online and in looking at pictures of myself.....well I think I need to start wearing some makeup and I never really have before and I have no clue where to start. I was an ultra tomboy growing up so I skipped all of the makeup phases of my life. For weddings and such I have been known to put on some blush, but that is about it. Where do I begin? I think I need some sort of foundation, and something to cover the dark circles under my eyes at least. I am SAHM so I am not looking for anything super fancy, just something to make me look a little better. I obviously want something that feels light, etc. since I am used to nothing at all. And, no, I have no one IRL that I could ask for advice.
Thanks!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I would recommend the minerals makeups.The powder foundations are wonderful and they are so light and they really cover up.Dis has a loyal bunch of us mineral girls on here

 

[java]

Snoopy- head over to Nordstrom's and go to the Bobbi Brown counter and get a makeover- The most natural, easy to pull off looks in makeup.
If you are slightly more adventurous head over to Trish McEvoy- same general style but with a little more Pizazz!

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm voting for the mineral makeups. I love my Bare Minerals!!!!! I'm not a make up girl either but started using it a couple years ago. I'll never go back!! If you have an Ulta store you can go in for a make over.

 

[Pop Daddy]

some women really know how to wear make up, and some dont have a clue, I guess its a talent

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm actually going for a makeup LESSON on Tuesday. I've gotten into the slump of wearing "soccer mom" makeup...blush, lipstick and occasionally mascara for a special occasion. But I've got a HUGE important bash coming up in October, and I'm trying to reinvent myself before then.

I also started using more skincare than just washing my face with whatever cleanser I happen to have picked up at CVS. I now use Paula's Choice (on the recommendation of DISers), for about the last month, and it has made a major difference in the appearance and feel of my skin. Her products don't contain fragrance (very refreshing) and aren't tested on animals, which is a bonus to me. You can get samples (for about .60 each) on her website...I ordered a ton of samples, and then narrowed it down to the products I really want to use. (Or, you can order a skincare "kit" based on your skin type.) Paula Begoun wrote the books "Don't go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" and "Don't Shop for Hair Care Products Without Me" (great books) as well as a couple of other "beauty" books, and now has her own line of skin care products and makeup.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/default.asp

 

[crzyred]

I wear a form of mineral powder from a company called Arbonne, and I love it! It's very light. I also use concealer on occasion. I hardly ever do anything with eye make-up.

 

[LKLush]

I think first we should address WHY you need to start wearing makeup. Do you have breakouts? Is it uneven skintone or wrinkles? I wear makeup, but it usually looks very natural. I used to have pretty bad acne, but after taking care of it w/ prescriptions, I am now able to wear tinted moisturizers (extremely light foundations), but have had problems w/ mineral makeup as it makes my face very greasy late in the day. So WHY do you need makeup? You can't help someone w/out knowing the problem.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Speaking of Arbonne, that reminds me. I went to an Arbonne party in July, and really liked the skincare products. But I really couldn't decide what to get, and decided to take the catalog home. On the way home, and through the night, and the next day, my face got really itchy. So, I decided not to buy the whole $300 line, like I was planning. (My BFF swears by Arbonne tho.) And that began my quest for skincare products, which brought me to Paula's Choice , (and after the bad Arbonne experience, I like being able to sample items over a period of time...not everything feels right on everyone) and the invite to the October event has started me on a quest for makeup, and I'm trying out a few based on Paula's books. I'm waiting until the makeup lesson before I decide on too many products. Outside of the event in October, I don't plan to wear much makeup on a daily basis. I always hated foundation, and don't plan to start wearing it regularly (but my skin looks so much better anyway ), but I wouldn't mind dressing up my face a bit more on a daily basis.

So, I'm just advising NOT to buy when you go for a makeover...see if you can get some samples to try out at home, over a period of time, or at the very least, wear what they put on home, and see how it feels and how it looks outside, and then go back and purchase what you really want.

 

[snoopy5386]

Why do I need makeup?? I have pretty dramatic dark circles under my eyes, part genetics and part having a 17 month old who just started to sleep through the night. I also am looking very pale and washed out in photos. Just need something to make me look like me but better.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

I would recommend the minerals makeups.The powder foundations are wonderful and they are so light and they really cover up.Dis has a loyal bunch of us mineral girls on here

I second this vote!

 

[Serena]

One thing to make sure you do is if you decide to wear foundation, make sure it matches. Go outside in natural light and really look at it. It might take a few tries to get it right, but don't be afraid to take a wrong color back to where you got it.

Lancome has a highlighter brush that I love. I use it for blush. No matter what shade of blush, it goes on light and natural. I found for me I need a darker blush, but with that brush. I've got pale skin but the light blushes just don't look right.

Find a mascara you like. What kind of coloring do you have? Some people look more natural with a brown or brown/black. And if you're new too it, try one of those instead of black.

For concealer, try a color similar or a shade lighter to your foundation.

Try lipglosses instead of lipsticks first, neutrogena has some great ones. I use Flirt.

Make up is fun. Try different looks at home when you aren't in a hurry and just play.

 

[LKLush]

Why do I need makeup?? I have pretty dramatic dark circles under my eyes, part genetics and part having a 17 month old who just started to sleep through the night. I also am looking very pale and washed out in photos. Just need something to make me look like me but better.

I have darker circles too, and I just use a small amount of yellow-based concealer (to neutralize the blue) and apply the tinted moisturizer over my whole face. To make yourself appear not so washed out (as I have this problem also), I use sunless tanner throughout the year (very light, not to make me Paris-orange), and then use a big puffy brush to mix my powder foundation w/ pressed bronzer. Add a little blush to your cheeks, nose and chin to make you non-monotone, and you're good to go.

It seems many of the women here love the minerals makeup, but you'll have to see if it works for you. Heck, I gave it a try, but it didn't work for me. Good luck!

 

[PoohJen]

Great thread! I too rarely use makeup, and skipped the Vogue phase in my teenage years. I am so jealous of those women whose makeup looks so light and natural - "Ivory Girl". I remember many years ago, just before my wedding I went to the Lancombe counter for a make over and instruction on how to use the products, and told them I wanted a more natural, Ivory Girl look. I swear I left there in tears, looking more like a streetwalker! ...I did buy the products though!

My skin is uneven, seems to be getting more "freckly" as I move along in life I have been thinking I need to make another stop at that cosmetics counter and try this again...

 

[Buckalew11]

I have really bad dark circles. When I find a product that works, I'll let you know. I've tried everything and honestly, nothing has worked--it helps but doesn't cover them. Two things I do that help--I wear brown/black mascara on top lashes only and not lining the lower lash line (or doing it very lightly instead).

I think you should always wear lipcolor (gloss, lipstick, something!) unless you have highly pigmented lips (which fade as we age) otherwise I think if you have makeup on with bare lips you'll look corpse-like. Also, never wear eyeshadow w/o mascara.

My other advice (and these are all MHO) is to have your eyebrows shaped. I think women often forget doing their brows and doing your brows can make a huge difference in your look.

Good luck!

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I second the mineral makeup. I really love the bare minerals. It doesn't feel like I have any make up on no matter how much I put on.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Lancome has a highlighter brush that I love. I use it for blush. No matter what shade of blush, it goes on light and natural. I found for me I need a darker blush, but with that brush. I've got pale skin but the light blushes just don't look right.

Laurie (who recommended Paula's Choice Skin Care (along with Buckalew11 ...she's a wealth of info!)...do you use a lip brush? If so, which?

 

[LKLush]

I think you should always wear lipcolor (gloss, lipstick, something!) unless you have highly pigmented lips (which fade as we age) otherwise I think if you have makeup on with bare lips you'll look corpse-like. Also, never wear eyeshadow w/o mascara.

My other advice (and these are all MHO) is to have your eyebrows shaped. I think women often forget doing their brows and doing your brows can make a huge difference in your look.

Good luck!

I agree w/ wearing some sort of lipcolor - I just wear a olive oil based chap stick which makes my lips look shiny. I don't like much color on my lips other than that. Well, maybe a pale peach/pink gloss for going out...

I don't agree w/ not wearing eyeshadow w/out mascara. I do that a lot, actually - I use my finger to mix a skin-toned nuetral w/ a very pale, very light sparkly peach - it makes your dark circles in your crease go away w/out looking like you have makeup on. It makes your eyes pop w/out the look of makeup. Good for days when you go for that ultra bare look!

 

[Serena]

Laurie (who recommended Paula's Choice Skin Care (along with Buckalew11 ...she's a wealth of info!)...do you use a lip brush? If so, which?

Mare, I have one, but I never take the time to use it. They say using one makes the lipstick stay longer, but I do something else instead. When I need to use a lipstick and make it last a long while, I use a lip pencil in a matching shade of the lipstick. I use the pencil to outline the lips and then fill in with the pencil. Then I use the lipstick, blot it and use it again. Then lipgloss on top of that, but not much because it makes the lipstick fade faster.

 

[Buckalew11]

I agree w/ wearing some sort of lipcolor - I just wear a olive oil based chap stick which makes my lips look shiny. I don't like much color on my lips other than that. Well, maybe a pale peach/pink gloss for going out...

I don't agree w/ not wearing eyeshadow w/out mascara. I do that a lot, actually - I use my finger to mix a skin-toned nuetral w/ a very pale, very light sparkly peach - it makes your dark circles in your crease go away w/out looking like you have makeup on. It makes your eyes pop w/out the look of makeup. Good for days when you go for that ultra bare look!

As I said, it is just MO. But, I think if you are just lightening the darkness of the crease of your eye and are going for an "ultra bare look", then it will not look like you have eyeshadow on anyway so it would not matter. But if you are wearing eyecolor (neutral colors or other) it is my opinion that one should wear mascara. But hey, what would I know about it...