Would like to ask advice on make-up but ......

Nonna- perhaps one of your acquaintances would be happy to go with you for make up trials and maybe step up from acquaintance to friend.

I would do that.
SPF

Thanks all. Being not very confident I just want to know I look my best st the wedding. There will be very few people there I know so will be out of my comfort zone. Wedding is not till June so I do have time to shop around. Need to ask for samples to try out at home.
michelle at the risk of sounding rather pathetic, I have no friends to do that with (everybody say 'aaah'). Lots of acquaintances but not friends as such

I have also had really good experience at Boots No.7 counter. I booked a free (!) make up session some years ago. The assistant was lovely, talked me through everything she used and then suggested the important items I may like to purchase. Not pushy at all.

Another vote for Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. She's done a very wide range of tutorials for some many situations and skin types, plus you can see exactly where to put the different products. She's talking all the time giving useful tips as she goes along. She also uses lots of different brands, so it's not all high end expensive products. I wish I could be her model!

I agree with lizzy, there was a very good eye makeup tutorial on GN just recently.

The thing that annoys me is that many makeup counters are under the lights and n o way can you tell what colour products you're buying.

I think it really depends on the personality and training of the makeup assistants. I've bought clinique products for years but wear very little and often no makeup. Every now and then I get enthused but have had really uncomfortable experiences at clinique counters and come away feeling gullible about what I've bought as an earlier gransnetter said. Prior to my daughter's wedding I let a Chanel assistant do my eyes and really learned a lot. But I don't think that means they are better I was just lucky that day. I second the Liz Eldridge tutorials. She has some tutorials specifically for older women and notes about the products she is using.

My daughter-in-law went, with her friend who was to be matron of honour, to a Clinique counter. The consultant listened carefully to what was wanted and the make up turned out beautifully. After each stage she to,d said friend what exactly she was doing so that it could all be written down, complete with a picture showing exactly what went where.
My daughter-in-law hardly ever wears make-up but it turned out fresh looking and not at all 'made up' . Full marks to Clinique?

I really like Lisa Etheridge's video tutorials on you tube

I thought the same as you, I felt old overweight and unattractive, but then I plucked up the courage to ask for some help at the Estee Lauder counter in John Lewis (cribbs causeway nr Bristol), they were really friendly and helpful, I came away with hints and tips and a selection of samples to try, I didn't spend any money, there were no pushy sales tactics, I went on to purchase the products online once I had tried out the samples, I would highly recommend them.

The make up tutorials right here on GN are very helpful.

Why don't you get together with a couple of your friends and have a girly afternoon trying different styles and trying each others makeup? Your friends will give you an honest opinion - and it might be a lot of fun!

My daughter looked fabulous in her wedding make up, that cost a fortune for the practice and then the big day of course. I decided to spend mine on products. Charlotte Tilbury had just launched in Fenwicks and I booked for a full demo. Once I had gone that far out of my comfort zone I plumped for the National demonstrator - why not go the whole hog if you are going to do it at all! He sailed in off a late train, and lived up to the part in flamboyancy. It was a set cost of £50 (to be spent on products). I learned a thing or two, as he did the full skin prep and make up, and I treated it as a morning out. I didn't buy much of their range, but it did spur me on to re-kit out my make up bag and brushes generally, and I had flown the flag for grannies at the make up counter, lol.

I always used Dior foundation until they discontinued the one I liked. The makeup lady in House of Fraser was lovely and gave me samples of all the Dior foundations, not sachets but little bottles.
None if them was what I wanted so she suggested I try Clinique and I found one that suited. I don't like those flat beige tones and wanted something with a touch if pink as I'm fair skinned. Also wanted coverage without it being thick. At the moment the Clinique suits me but is still a little thick. Waiting for Dior to bring out a new one.

Only other piece of advice I'd give is steer well clear of anything frosted or pearly in eyeshadow or lipstick as it highlights the wrinkles. Same as Touché Eclat.

Touche Éclat is the only thing ever to have brought me out in a rash.
There are some very good You Tube videos on makeup. I bought some of the Look Fabulous Forever products after they appeared on this site & I have to say I am very impressed with them. I have worn full makeup every day of my life since I was 15- I feel naked without it. I came out of hospital in false eyelashes after both babies although now I save them for evenings. I think less is more & a subtle look is better for older skin now. Both No.7 & Estee Lauder have done very nice make overs for me in the past. I say I want to see how it wears during the day before I buy any products ( which is true) but I do make sure I see the person who did it for me when I go back to buy anything- not sure if they are on commission or not.

A lot of them are just interested in selling their products I like to watch you tube videos for makeup advice especially the fab forever ones for the more mature ladies I also ask for advice from my avon lady who doesn't try to push her products and will often give me samples to try before I buy.

My daughter went to a Colour Me Beautiful consultant who did a make up for her and that was really good, very subtle. I was very impressed. I don't have shares in CMB by the way, just saying!

Not sure. My nephew's bride looked about 40 in the hard faced make up a special beautician did on the day of the wedding. It was the first time I'd seen the bride. I was surprised as I'd been told she was a pretty girl. However, next day when I saw her without that mask of make up, I discovered that she was indeed very pretty. The 'professional' bridal beautician had done her no favours at all!
I suppose the best idea would be to have a practice session first and not wait for the day itself.

NonnaW My DD1 never wears makeup and was determined not to wear any at her wedding
DD2 and I worked on her and persuaded her to have a trial make-up session with DD2's friend who was a beauty therapist at the time.
Instructions were to make DD1 look as natural as possible.
She looked absolutely stunning - despite persisting in her refusal to have any lipstick on - an even more beautiful version of herself.
Go for it

Thanks everyone, some good advice here. Need to set aside some time to go to JL etc and pluck up courage. I just want to look as good as I can, rather less waged out than usual, but to still look like me.

Also I would suggest a session at a Liz Earle counter. All lovely products and their counter assistants look natural and fresh.

I had a Look Fabulous Forever makeover and was told that older women should steer clear of Touche Eclat because it highlights rather than hides!
For DDs wedding I had my hair done on the morning but did my own makeup as I usually did for an evening out.

I love Touche Eclat but agree that you do have to be careful with it.

Thank you claire but sounds a bit too much for my scanty make up routine.

I've never known why Touche Éclat is raved about so much. I have tried it in the past, thought it would be good for under-eye shadows/bags but it just seemed to emphasise and highlight them.

You can often spot who's been at it with a rather heavy hand in some of the celebrity shots in the press!