Hi, E! I do plan on getting some help at a makeup store eventually--there is one near me--but I am bewildered by all the possibilities and so wanted to see what people's go-to items are. And now I know what BB and CC creams are and what highlighter is! :^) That way I know that if the salesperson tries to sell me a BB/CC cream, I will know that this is something that is very commonly worn and isn't just some money-making crazy fad.

Also, I want to pinpoint areas where I might get the most bang for my buck. Although everyone is very different, I am seeing some patterns--for example, many people use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, and a lot of people add mascara or lipstick. That helps me feel a little bit more in control when I do go makeup shopping. :^) I am easily overwhelmed when shopping, so the more info I have up front, the calmer I feel.

That makes perfect sense Gigi! Didn't mean to sound condescending/Captain Obvious. Have you heard of MakeUpAlley? Before I found my go-to products, when I was still having to buy and try things out, I'd read the reviews on there first. You have to register for a free account, which is an annoying extra step, but I found it to be worth it. You can sort reviews by different skin & hair characteristics.

Blush makes a huge difference to my face! If I could only have one product, that's probably the one I'd go with (I use powder because my face 'eats' cream products, lol, in that they just disappear after an hour or two). If you already have a sunscreen or moisturiser that you like, it's really easy to just add a drop or two of liquid foundation for your own tinted moisturiser. That's what I did before switching to powder.

Remember if you get mascara to find out if you can wash it off with regular soap & water or if you also need to buy eye makeup remover.

And that's the extent of my makeup tips, really.

Only one product?

Then it is got to be red lipstick.. I change up the type of red depending on the outfit - sometimes it is bright red (MAC Ruby Woo), at others it is a deep brown red (MAC Viva Glam I) or orange red (MAC Morange) or even a deep berry (MAC Diva).

If I had to bring it down to one product I would say for me, eyebrow pencil. My eyebrows are thin and mis-shapen. I'm a great believer in them framing the eyes and giving a 'lift' to one's face. Second must-have is mascara and thirdly, blusher as I'm very pale.

A mascara and lip gloss are must items for me. I too carry homemade body lotion.

I'm mostly an all or nothing kinda girl. My daily work face is:
Loose mineral foundation buffed in with a kabuki brush
Curl lashes apply Blinc mascara
Blinc eyebrow mousse
A sweep of blusher in autumn/ winter or bronzer in Spring/summer
Lip balm.
Weekends or school holidays I'll often forego all makeup x

i generally use mascara, and eyebrows.

If I had to wear just one thing, it would probably be black eyeliner, smudged around my eyes to make them look bigger. I have been consistent with eyeliner since high school, although I stopped wearing it on my upper lid a while ago. If I have more that 30 seconds, I'll wear mascara, BB cream, blush and lipstick too, and that's my five minute routine.

I use a cc cream, a bit of concealer for dark circles, cream blush and mascara everyday. I add a lipstick or lip balm. It only takes about 2 minutes (really) and makes my look so much more polished. The trick with the concealer is to concentrate it in the corners of your eyes and blend well. Speaking of blending, I always use a makeup sponge to blend the cc cream.

If I have more time, I add eyeshadow in neutral colors.

I don't really have an evening makeup look, but am hoping to get to my nearby Sephora lately and see if I can get some advice.

Like E, my bare minimum is my everyday madeup face. Unlike E, I am 50, so I need a little help to face the day. I've got a light touch so am not heavily made up, but this is what I wear everyday unless (1) I am going to work out, in which case I use only lip balm, or (2) I want to ramp it up for work or going out, in which case I might use deeper lipstick and/or add eyeliner and eyebrow pencil for more drama.

This takes at most 5 minutes, usually less.

Stila Perfect and Correct Foundation in Tone OR Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (both are lightweight; the Stila has slightly more coverage)
Revlon concealer for undereye and any spots
Bobbi Brown eye shadow in shell (matte pale pink, just wakes up the eye area)
Kevyn Aucoin The Beauty Mascara in black
Nars Blush on the apples of my cheeks in Orgasm
Lipstick

First, foundation, then mascara. I am deeply sure, if mascara is good and of high quality, like for example, Diorshow by Christian Dior or Chanel (sadly, I buy them, when I am truly convincide it won't hurt my finances, which is why I often use Dior estores and alike), it will no doubts you look gorgeous, and no full make-up procedure is necessary. Besides, it looks pretty natural.

If I'm running out the door, I have to have on moisturizer with SPF and lipstick.

I'm as low maintenance as it gets:

1) Lip balm. It's tinted if that counts ;-).

2) Moisturizing lotion on my face & hands in the winter, some kind of sunscreen in the summer.

I use just a dab of CC cream and eyeliner. While most people hardly notice I have any makeup on at all, my eyes just disappear without liner, and mascara alone won't do it. I, too, wear sunscreen on my face every single day, but that doesn't count as "makeup" to me; it is part of my skincare routine. But my whole makeup routine only takes a couple of minutes, so I rarely do the bare minimum. Curling lashes, applying mascara and putting on a lipstain and tinted lip balm only takes a few seconds.

Gigi -- to answer your question about cream blush -- I can't speak for others, but for myself, cream blush is easier to apply delicately (finger painting!), lasts longer, and looks far more natural. I wore regular powder blush throughout my twenties because I was afraid of cream of any kind (didn't want to encourage zits!) but switched at around age 30. I can't remember why. I think someone told me it looks more natural. (BTW I found that it doesn't invite zits at all).

Chapstick and moisturizer.

chapstick:). I have started using BB cream recently because I look very pale (to me). So BB cream and chapstick it is. Then if I feel the need it's kajal

Bare minimum for me is eyebrow fill in powder (my brows are incredibly sparse), tinted lip balm, and a dab of under eye concealer.

I do a full face most days, but I keep saying that if I didn't have the time, I'd just do my BB cream and (new) creme shadow stick. In fact, I bought the shadow stick for those mornings where I don't have as much time, but still end up doing liner and mascara, too. I feel naked if my eyes are bare!

1) I use Lumene BB cream as my foundation most of the time. If I want more coverage, I use real foundation (from Tarte), but that's usually only once a week when I go into the office.

2) The shadow stick is from Laura Mercier and I LOVES it. I'm pretty sure I have it in khaki. I can wear it dark, or blend it out lighter. I bought a good blending brush to go with it (Mac 217).

I typically use lip balm/gloss combos rather than real lipstick, and I keep tons around all over. In my bathroom, by the front door, in my purse, and in my car. So I put something on my lips every day, too. I really like the Sonia Kashuk shine luxe lip color.

I see talk of cream blushes above; I use Dream Bouncy Blush by Maybelline almost every day. I have a couple of powder blushes, too, but I found a bouncy blush in a shade that I love for everyday, so that's what I reach for.

BB cream, mascara, tinted lip balm.

foundation and a lipstick. I need color on my lips since they are so pale.

I almost always wear a full face of makeup, I just enjoy it. If I had to narrow it down to the biggest essentials that would be a choice of foundation/tinted moisturizer/bb cream, mascara and some type of lip balm/gloss/stick.

I am totally loving Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow at the moment http://www.birchbox.com/shop/m.....rsal-shade

I am also loving Elizabeth Mott "It's So Big" Mascara http://www.amazon.com/Elizabet.....B00FAEOCP0

Mascare and lipstick. Followed by tinted moisturizer and a touch of eye liner.

My bare minimum is a powder foundation, mascara, and a tinted lip balm.

Gigi -- totally understand about it being overwhelming! There are so many products being sold.

I think what you use depends on what condition your skin is in, and what you feel would refresh your face. For example, someone with good skin may skip the BB/CC/foundation step, and highlight a feature that they feel fades into their face, such as eyes or lips.

Good luck!

Mineral powder foundation, mineral powder blush, and a little mascara. If I had to pick just one, it would be mascara, as my eyelashes are light and don't show up without it.

Great question and I can't wait till I have time to come back and more thoroughly read all of the replies! Like you, I am totally intimidated by the makeup counters and so it seems like once I venture to try something that seems to work, I stick with it foreeeeever. Not necessarily a good thing. But my bare minimums are tinted moisturizer with sunscreen (fair skin + sunny climate = necessity every single day), mascara and brow filler for nonexistent lashes and brows (blond) and then blush or bronzer to make it look like I have a least a little color. Good luck with your research and have fun trying things out in the process!

I use Lancôme foundation to even out my skin tone, mostly just cheeks. (Very light). I always use black mascara, sometimes plum or charcoal eyeliner, and Clinique Angel Red lipstick, which is sort of sheer and not in your face red. I am fair with green eyes and salt and pepper hair. I don't like blush on me, never use it. I would say the lipstick is the most important thing...my lips disappear without it.

For me, in order of frequency: 1) concealer (for hyperpigmented spots), 2) lipstick, 3) loose face powder (T LeClerc), 4) eyeliner, 5) rarely eyeshadow, if the mood strikes.

Just to add a cream blush to the mix ... when I want a dewier look, I use the Josie Maran Argan color stick. I put a dab on each cheek "apple" and then blend with my fingertips. Very easy.