Since we are talking about makeup today... - YouLookFab Forum

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Since we are talking about makeup today...

SarahD8

Veteran

How did you learn to apply makeup?

More to the point, how can I, an almost 50 year old lady, learn to apply makeup?

I feel like when I wear makeup it ends up a mess, kind of of a clown show (an effect that is only enhanced as I age), imprecise, smeary, etc. I feel like I am missing some secret about how this works?

I am not looking for help choose products, I am looking for help getting the product onto my face. I feel like a lot of makeup tutorials out there are very product focused rather than technique focused and it's like you kinda see her dabbing something onto one eyelid and then *poof* the other eyelid is magically done too! I am like slow down and repeat please!

Of course I know I don't have to wear makeup at all and a lot of times I don't but I would like to wear it sometimes and feel more confident when I do.

I guess lots of people learn this stuff by playing around when they are teens but that ship has obviously sailed for me! I don't have a ton of time in my schedule to create lewks and I think after many decades of not feeling confident about this it's tough for me to jump into approaching it as play, ya know?

So, anyone have any resources or strategies to suggest?

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39 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

Style Fan

Veteran

For the past few years, I have been watching YouTube videos. I find some are better than others. Angie of Hot and Flashy has some that she calls beginners, and she goes very slowly through each step. She explains how to apply eyeshadow and how to hold the brush. Lisa J worked for MAC. She has videos that teach different things in detail and other techniques. Wayne Goss has some good ones as well. I like some of AlyArt's makeup videos.

I have also had lessons from the MAC counter and professional makeup artists over the years.

LJP

Veteran

I’d book an appt at a Mac counter , a Chanel counter or a Bobbi Brown one if you have access . And be very specific about what you want . The new Jones Road ( Bobbi Brown’s own line ) is perfect for you . Easy to use , less technical , etc. They don’t have counters - yet - but are sold in a few retail locations in the US . I’ve had the best luck with male artists for some reason .

I have been wearing makeup since I was in high school so I learned through reading ( no YouTube then, ha ) magazines and checking out how women I liked the look of wore their makeup . I always feel I have something to learn though - because as we age our requirements from makeup change . I follow a few artists on IG ( Lisa Eldridge , Gemma someone or another also from the UK , and the artists from Nars and Chanel .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo LJP about booking an app at the Bobbi Brown counter! I also take my clients to the Laura Mercier counter. At the Nordies downtown. I'm a big Laura Mercier fan, myself.

Nomad

One strategy that's obvious in retrospect but took me a while to figure out: get very familiar with your own unique facial features, especially your eye shape if you want to play with eye makeup. Tutorials and techniques that work for one person might require minor or major tweaks for someone else.

It took me forever to realize that I have very hooded eyes, so winged eyeliner is extra challenging, eyeshadow requires a good primer if I don't want it to flee immediately into my crease, and it's usually not worth getting too elaborate with eyeshadow because very little shows when my eyes are open anyway. It was so much less frustrating once I figured that out!

I'll also echo the suggestion for makeup lessons at a shop counter. I've ended up buying more than I should have from a couple of those sessions but it was incredibly helpful to have someone explain what they were doing and why, and to be able to ask questions.

Sloper

Veteran

Like LJP I’m also of the “learn from magazine” era. And I second her suggestion of trying the Bobbi Brown counter. And Lisa Eldridge.

As I get older, I use fewer products too. Depends on the looks you want.

I enjoy the more modern brands like Milk - with all-purpose type products and big tubes/sticks. I can’t fuss with too much delicate stuff now.

Anonymous

Good tools are essential! I bought new brushes pretty recently, and they made all the difference.

The main thing I struggle with is eyeliner. It's hard for me to get close to my lashes, especially on the left side. That's why I fill in the pencil line with dark brown powder and a flat brush.

Getting the right colors is challenging too. My skintone is medium, but very warm toned, and I always had a hard time with foundation colors. Mineral makeup was life changing in that regard. It's still often hard to find dark enough eye shadows though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I learned from reading magazines, and a bit at makeup counters (though I always, always felt overdone and unlike myself, leaving those). Still, I got a few good tips -- for instance, the artist at one counter who tried and tried to use a brown eyelining pencil on me and finally wiped it all off and said, "Wow, brown around your eyes makes you look dead! I don't understand, because it works great and looks natural on most people,.But on you? Don't go there!"

I still consider myself a makeup neophyte. I know just enough to wear a tiny bit and no more. I have no skills for making a "smokey" eye or a cat's eye or contouring, or applying foundation or anything of the sort. And I use only my fingers (and sometimes a q-tip). So we are talking extremely rudimentary.

I dab on concealer under my eyes and sometimes around my nose and blend with fingers. I put on a bit of creme blush and blend with fingers. I gingerly apply eyebrow pencil with little strokes -- I wish I had better eyebrows, but. And if wearing, I line the outer corner of my upper eyelid with a pencil and then it's mascara, for which I hold my eyes open very wide and apply a few coats. That is it.

In other words, I'm not much help if you want actual expertise, but I might be some inspiration if you just want to wing it. The trick is to get products that work with your skin (oily or dry) so they don't flake, smear, or disappear faster than you can say Good Morning.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Strategies no, but I definitely relate. I have done it all (Youtube, makeup counters, books) but still don't feel like I get what I want out of makeup. It used to be all about improving my skin, but now it is also about enhancing my eyes and bringing some life to my face. Haven't been to a counter in years - perhaps it is time .

Anonymous

I learned from my mother and older sister using drug store makeup and a sprinkling of Avon from the Avon Lady. Also used Mary Kay for awhile. Now I use Clinique. Awesome advice from Fabbers!

SarahD8

Veteran

Thank you, all, for this great advice!

StyleFan, I really appreciate those YouTube recommendations.

LJP and Angie, ok, I will look into an appt at the bobbi brown or Laura mercier counter. I think I can be specific about what I want! May I ask you or others who have experience with this what is the expectation in terms of buying products at such a lesson? Is on3 expected to buy the whole face or is just a couple of products ok?

Nomad that is a very good point about individual anatomy! I actually have quite a lot of eyelid real estate (I think??!) yet I remain baffled by the concept of anything other than smearing a single color all over the lid!

Jaime and Suz, I appreciate the solidarity! Suz, I wonder if I should try using my fingers rather than brushes , I might feel a bit more in control? I know I need to find an eyelid primer too as the shadow I put on lasts for all of about 20 minutes. I’m sensitive to a number of ingredients(I know you can relate) tho so I haven’t had the oomph for that search….

jussie

Veteran

Hmmm well I’m not much of an expert. I avoid eyeliner, eye pencil and eyeshadow entirely as I don’t know how to apply them very well.

Usual Daily routine: foundation, under eye concealer, curl eyelashes and apply mascara. Blush.
“Special” daily routine: as above but add a lipstick
Very casual day: tinted moisturizer and mascara only
I learned a bit growing up possibly from mum? Or maybe teen friends? I can’t exactly remember tbh. Then I had some great books from an Australian makeup artist called Rae Morris. Trinny Woodall talks quite a bit about makeup on her instagram. But mostly I just played around really.
I think the trick of it is…. Each person has different makeup requirements to achieve the look they are wanting for themself. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Right here with ya! Not a big makeup user but want to learn a few tricks* I’m going to look back through this thread carefully in a few weeks, when I have time.

I like going to Ulta rather than to a department store, because the employees aren’t connected to any specific product and will discuss pros & cons of various lines, including how to use them. They will apply it and explain what they’re doing. I’ve never booked a full session, but they have them & i bet they’re good.

*one set of things I want to learn is subtle things to combat signs of aging that don’t look or feel like I’m wearing makeup. I think I also want to do the opposite sometime too, as a lark. I always think a full face of makeup would feel like I was wearing drag. It might be fun to lean into that for a fancy night out, either music or a Dita von Tease show, if the dude is into that. He does support my playing around with my looks, which is fun; this would be a surprise, to say the least.

anchie

Veteran

I never learned LOL. I suffered a lot from acne as teen and I am left with deep acne scars on my face. I tried covering it with makeup but makeup only ephasises skin imperfections instead of hide it and I never liked how makeup looks on me. Maybe I just never learned how to properly apply it. I don’t like how washed out I look without makeup, I could use some for sure. I would like to learn and step up my makeup game next year.

Dee

Veteran

Funny enough, I was a cosmetician in a previous life (1980s) but after a serious reaction to an antibiotic (my face swelled up) my skin became highly reactive, it wouldn’t tolerate much, so I now I no longer wear any make up, beyond lip colour.
I focus most of my effort now on good skin care, but I especially miss wearing mascara. These days there are many good sources to learn make up application, but its important to pay attention to all the ingredients in these products and clean your skin properly.

LJP

Veteran

To answer your questions about purchasing expectations at the counter - I think some counters charge for the session , but then refund that through any product purchase. I'd only book with a line I wanted buy from, and be prepared to spend a bit of money. MAC , for example, isn't terribly expensive , so you could buy a lipstick, a pencil or two and maybe a shadow and not spend a ton.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SarahD8, good question. If you buy one product - all good

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

For eyeshadow, I think the usual formula is medium color on the lid, darkest shade in the crease, and lightest color up above, as far as the brow if you wish. For close set eyes like mine, don’t take the color all the way to the inner corner.

Anonymous

Starting out with professional advice is a good way to go. That will get you started on the right track with techniques and choosing the right colors for your particular skin tones. I had a session at the MAC store near me that was fun and so helpful. A good set of brushes are a must (mine are by Sigma, but there are plenty of others that are good). And don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! It’s fun and you can always wash it off if you don’t like it.

Roberta

Veteran

My sister-in-law was an MUA for Estee Lauder for a decade and I agree, visit a high end makeup counter. She converted me to a brush for concealer and BB cream (see below) and that was a game-changer. I found it to be as easy as being Fingers McGee and the coverage was ten times better. Stipple it on, then blend in a circular motion.

My main suggestion is to get pro advice but not necessarily expensive products (at first). Try Target, as they have multiple brands, and you can browse all you want without someone hovering over you. I love Urban Decay, but I didn't really commit until I had read a hundred reviews online.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Roberta, do we have the same Bobbi Brown? They had me use a sponge to blend it in. I bought some at the drug store.

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LJP

Veteran

Another interesting beauty writer I like is Val Monroe - who used to write for O magazine - and her page (or whatever you call it ) on Substack is called How Not to F*ck Up Your Face. She writes about makeup and skincare for women " of a certain age". Today's article was about using a foundation primer, which I don't do. Now of course I think I should buy one , lol.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

katetalbertmua on IG is one of my favorites for makeup for mature skin. She really focuses on techniques, rather than products.

chouette22

Veteran

Thank you for asking this question, Sarah! I have never ever liked make-up and am a big minimalist with regards to that. I don't enjoy applying it and am therefore not good at it at all. My daughter, on the other hand, couldn't be more different. I love fashion though, that's where my focus goes. Every now and again, like you, I think that I should invest a bit of money and time into this whole make-up thing.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I never learned either, just a bit of fiddling around as a teenager. I am not enough of an artist. But interestingly my second daughter, who IS a good artist, loves makeup and is good at applying it on herself.
I have read that Lisa Eldridge does good internet tutorials and was interested because she is apparently a Kiwi! I haven’t watched them though.

nuancedream

Veteran

I learned about makeup from reading Essence Magazine when I was younger, even though I rarely used makeup due to the scourge of acne that lasted until my early 40s. I've visited the MAC and Bobbi Brown counters at Nordstrom, but never really received much instruction on makeup application. TBH, the person from whom I learned the most about makeup application is my hairstylist, who is also an MUA.

Christina F.

Veteran

I don't really officially know how to put makeup on. I used to do it all the time, less so now, but I always did my own thing. I do follow what Stagaire Fash outlined in terms of using eye makeup, but I am not sure I'm too good at it. As I get older, I find that I want to use a lighter and lighter hand on everything, unless I am specifically going for a bold lip or eye on a special occasion.

rachylou

Veteran

Hair salons often have a makeup artist and hair stylists themselves often know quite a bit. I also like Kate Albert, who I see on Pinterest.

Roberta

Veteran

SarahD8, you might enjoy watching Glow Up on Netflix - a makeup competition show. The challenges can be kind of wild, but truly, I learned a lot and the show is so endearing.

Stagiare, I should have been more clear - my BB cream is Missha Perfect Cover, a Korean brand. I did have a Bobbi Brown eyeliner in a pot that I liked, but it dried up so quickly!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I've learned a lot from a couple of visits to Blue Mercury, a beauty store. I'm lucky to have one near me, and I've also gone to a big one downtown Manhattan on a trip.

Specifically, I like what they've shown me for doing my brows, eyeshadow and liner, and blush. I like the fact that they are not representing one brand. I find the store a lot more welcoming and relaxed than the hectic atmosphere I've found in Sephora.

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