Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Applying make-up

(102 Posts)
MercyLily Mon 14-Nov-11 12:22:00

Now I know that make-up has come a long way since I used to spit on my mascara block but it dosen't seem to be any easier to apply! I have just treated myself to some Max Factor (3 fo 2 at Boots) and got their Smokey Eyes duo. Even with help from a Swedish woman on YouTube I can't get the hang of it! I will persevere and hope that I don't look like I've been in a fight hmm

Hattie64 Tue 15-Nov-11 20:41:23

I slap it on everyday. Love makeup. I always use a primer under foundation, makes the foundation stay put!!! I love the max factor foundation,it is light and easy to put on. My favourite creamy eyeshadows are from Estee Lauder.

Gally Tue 15-Nov-11 21:00:58

I rarely wear make-up. I do if the occasion calls for it and once, a friend (?) told me (in shock I think) that I brushed up quite well when I made the effort and I looked completely different and younger - even that wasn't enough to persuade me grin

yogagran Tue 15-Nov-11 22:55:15

Just moisturiser for me, night and morning. With just a hint of mascara if I'm going anywhere other than the shops. Oh, and I do go to have my eyebrows tidied up and dyed every 6 to 8 weeks or so.
Always got to wear a pair of earrings though, preferabaly dangly ones - feel undressed without them.

crimson Tue 15-Nov-11 23:23:53

I've started wearing a bit of translucent powder over my tinted moisturiser recently; something I've never done before. And I always go back to Oil of Olay moisturiser, the cheaper stuff for my neck and total effects for my face. A friend told me to moisturise when I was in my teens, and I always did my neck so I was in my late 50's before my neck started to go. I bought some very expensive Yves St Laurent foundation and 'flash radiance' a year or so ago and have hardly worn it; I think the radiance stuff has got caffeine in it and it brings me out in spots. May try it tomorrow; not going anywhere for a while so if I come out in spots it won't matter!

bagitha Wed 16-Nov-11 06:42:13

No make-up, ever. No problem. Have always used moisturiser but it has to be perfume-free.

What! No lipstick even on your wedding day? asked a friend. Nope. Never felt the need.

I suppose my attitude has always been What you see is what you get. Always worked a treat too wink.

Butternut Wed 16-Nov-11 07:33:44

Old fashioned Cold Cream at night to take off the days grime, and thick goopy Nivea for the face in the morning. I only wear mascara on special days, but lipsalve/gloss every day. That's it.
I wash my hair one a week and never use conditioner (I let the natural oils do the business), and rarely go near a hair dryer, letting it dry naturally. I have it cut every 2/3 months, when it gets too wild and woolly.

Low maintenance and low cost. grin

greenmossgiel Wed 16-Nov-11 09:07:23

Butternut, can you recommend a Cold Cream and do you rinse your face after using it? I use prescribed dry skin stuff from my GP for moisturising my face - though it wasn't actually prescribed for my face! Don't you find Nivea a bit heavy?

Ariadne Wed 16-Nov-11 09:28:43

Hilda -it's called "Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 foundation and serum". It covers well and is very moisturising. I really do like it. There's a three for two offer on MF at Boots at the moment too!

shysal Wed 16-Nov-11 10:09:26

Coincidentally I bought this MF product yesterday. I feels really silky, and the bronze actually matches my skin tone. I am delighted with it.smile

HildaW Wed 16-Nov-11 10:38:14

Great Ariadne.....thatnks for that.

Greenmoss, am a firm fan of Boots cold cream, have used it for years for taking of the days grime and not drying the skin. I just clean realy well with it and dont put anything on afterwards at night.

greenmossgiel Wed 16-Nov-11 10:46:20

Thanks HildaW - I know the one you mean, it's in a nice, old-fashioned pot and I did use it for a while. I think I'll pick up some more. Do you take it off with tissue or wet flannel? I would think a warm, wet flannel would get to any grime better? (not that I have a grimy face, of course!)

Butternut Wed 16-Nov-11 10:54:15

Yes, greenmossgiel, it's Boots cold cream and like HildaW, I don't put anything on after a good cleanse.

I suppose I do find Nivea a bit heavy, but don't use too much. As I'm always out walking in the mornings, I find it a very good barrier. When it's sunny, even on a day with a weak winter sun, I also put Factor 50 on my face.

HildaW Wed 16-Nov-11 15:33:29

Greenmossgiel, I use tissues but I think the warm wet flannel sounds very nice.......its certainly better for the skin I think - but I'm a lazy so and so and tissues are just easier.

crimson Wed 16-Nov-11 15:36:10

I find even soft tissues make my skin sore [especially round my eyes] so I always use damp cotton wool. My skin is so thin now I'm getting older.

numberplease Wed 16-Nov-11 16:34:05

I`ve never been any good at putting make up on, even when I was younger. My make up regime (only if going out, or visitors coming) consists of eye shadow, clumsily applied, eyebrow pencil, and lipstick. Mascara is out of the question because my eyes water a lot. I`ve never used moisturiser or foundation, the latter simply because I wouldn`t have a clue how to put it on.

greenmossgiel Wed 16-Nov-11 16:36:39

I'm sure you're a bonnie wee lassie all the same, numberplease! winkgrin

harrigran Wed 16-Nov-11 17:03:07

I could not live without moisturiser, I have used it every day since I was a teenager, face feels as though it would crack without it. I don't think it needs to be expensive, Boots works very well but I do like the good stuff as well. I use Creme de la Mer serum and moisturiser at present.
The best foundation for my skin is Elizabeth Arden mousse make up, light as a feather so it doesn't end up in the wrinkles.

greenmossgiel Wed 16-Nov-11 17:14:41

From my teens, I've always used moisturiser as well, harrigran. I can't bear that 'tight' feeling that I get if I don't wear it night and morning. Oil of Ulay burns my skin, but cheap and cheerful Astral is ok, as is Diprobase (prescribed for my dry skin). It's nice, though to wear something that doesn't smell medicated like that. Astral or Nivea do the trick just as well, if a bit heavy.

numberplease Wed 16-Nov-11 17:46:31

Greenmossgiel, your comment was very kind, but if you could see me right now you`d certainly change your mind!

Carol Wed 16-Nov-11 18:33:26

Harrigran are you a lottery winner? I was looking at Creme de la Mer in Selfridges the other day and quietly disappeared when I saw the sales assistant heading towards me with a gleam in her eye. Very expensive!

harrigran Thu 17-Nov-11 00:14:46

No Carol I don't do the lottery. I don't smoke and I don't drink so a little luxury now and then is okay, oh and I do have a generous, wealthy DH grin

Carol Thu 17-Nov-11 08:58:15

Good for you harrigran smile. I believe Creme de la Mer makes your skin feel fabulous x

Ariadne Thu 17-Nov-11 09:13:28

The other thing that I've now been using for a while is by L'Oreal - Bare Minerals. It'a sort of very light powdery stuff; in the summer it's all I use (over a bit of concealed!) Just a dusting is enough.
I also only use water on my face about once a month, to exfoliate. Otherwise my skin tightens like a drum.

girlracer Thu 17-Nov-11 16:04:02

I will never ever use anything which contains serum - ugh, sounds horribly like something found in one of those papier mache kidney shape trays in a hospital ward. Don't use harsh black liquid eyeliner, use colour of your eyes pencil liner and smudge it - a much softer look when you are getting on a bit . . .

fluffy Thu 17-Nov-11 17:00:04

I wear make up everyday - have always worn moisturiser and foundation since I was 18 and it really protects your skin from the elements. Its never too late too start - moisturiser at night is so important and doesn;t have to be expensive. I use either Neils yard frankinscense or Nivea Q10 but I read recently that Joanna Lumley uses Astral and she always looks, well - fabulous! Foundations from Mac are really good and the assistant will match to your skin tone and show you how to put on with a brush so you dont get that caked up covered in muck look - go on try it (and I dont work for mac btw).