What is a good, basic makeup for a very occassional user?

Question

Alright, so...being a very tomboyish person, I have never touched makeup before. However, I need to look decent for an upcoming convention, and the lighting in the hotels tends to wash people out terribly. Not to mention from the stress of getting ready, I have a bit of acne and some old scarring from it.

So what is a good, quick and basic makeup to use for a total newbie? I just want something to even out my skin tone and cover a few small blemishes.

Answer 1

I'd like to add to the previous recommendations to try the i.d. Bare Minerals. Easy to use (go easy on the Mineral Veil unless you want to look goth) and good for your skin. I hate foundation, but I also hate having a blotchy face and this stuff does a good job of evening things out without feeling icky or irritating your skin.

Answer 2

I really believe that foundation can make or break your whole look. If you don't use it, it's just like spraypainting a rusty car. You gotta lay the base out first. If you just have a few blemishes, you can clear 'em up almost overnight by applying Neosporin and a bandaid. Use a good facial scrub to slough off any dry skin., and a moisturizer before you apply foundation (if you need it.) Make sure the foundation is not that yucky peachy-maroon or yellow tint to it. Covergirl makes a great tinted moisturizer that is pretty much foolproof. Set it with some pressed powder, this helps keep down the shine. Pencil in some spots on your brows, a little mascara, blush, and pinky lipgloss, and you're ready to go. It saves a lot of time skipping eyeliner and eyeshadow. The basics still make you look really fresh-faced without being overdone.

Answer 3

Any kind of mineral makeup. I use both Jane Iredale and Bare Escentuals. You can get them through an internet store, Sefora or off of e-bay. Apply them with a good brush with a swirling motion, and use very little of the powder otherwise it won't look as natural. It takes less time than cream makeup, and looks fantastic because it hides blemishes much better. Not only that, but it helps with skin conditions such as rosacia and acne because of the naturally soothing properties of the minerals.
I think the Bare Escentuals website has an instructional video that will help you get a better idea of how to apply it as you are new to makeup.

The prices vary, and I now like to get my mineral makeup from e-bay sellers which provide the best prices. It can be pricey, but it lasts for a long time because you do not have to use very much of it and it never goes bad, unlike conventional makeup brands. I do use Maybelline brand Full and Soft maskara though, because it doesn't cake up.

Answer 4

What I would do is stay away from eyeliner and mascara, since you don't use make-up that much. You will want a light foundation, I would recommend using Physician's Formula for sensitive skin. Just get a powder, and brush it on, making sure that it is a good match to your natural color. Get a good neutral eye shadow for your lids and a basic tinted lip balm, that way you will look natural and still won't be over-whelmed by the amount of make-up you have to put on. A blush wouldn't hurt either, again try Physician's Formula. In order to take the craziness out of going shopping yourself, I would take a friend that may know more about make-up so they can help you out.
Happy shopping and good luck!

Answer 5

Some good makeup is Loreal True Match foundation and powder. It covers everything. Just make sure u find your exact color and only apply the foundation where u need the coverage, dont apply it all over your face because then you will look like you have a lot of make up on. Some other things you could do are curl your lashes and put on some mascara and maybe a little clear gloss on your lips

Answer 6

Neutrogena makes some nice base makeup - use oil-free foundation since you have acne problems, and a heavy powder can accentuate scars. I use this product and swear by it (http://www.neutrogena.com/CosmeticsDetails_85.asp?lProductLineID=4). If you can, test the color on the underside of your wrist because it is close to the shade of your face. If you are in between, choose the lighter shade.

If you have some little blemishes to clear up, try a spot concealer...pretty much every brand in the drug store makes them. I prefer the ones that are creams (they come in sort of a tube) rather than the ones that are more pasty (they look somewhat like lipstick).

For preventing your face from being "washed out," try a little powder bronzer (this is what I use http://www.physiciansformula.com/detail_list.asp?itemid=03104&scene=BRONZERS&categorid=122#) and put it on the places the sun would hit you, like your forehead, across your nose and the bridge of your nose and your cheeks. And a little blush wouldn't hurt either.

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

I also give plaudits to Bare Minerals!
This stuff is a little expensive, (the basic starter kit which you will need if you are purchasing it, is about $40) but you'll just have to trust me when I say that it will look totally natural and will cover up anything you want covered on your face if you follow the directions and put it on right!
Hope this helps!

Answer 8

If you want to go inexpensive, get the Wet and Wild brand concealer (it's usually about $2.00) and get the L'Oreal True Match foundation (they have cards in the drug store that explain how to match your color). Get the foundation that blends best with your skin.

When applying the make-up, dot the concealor on any blemishes first. Make sure you dab under your eyes, because you can sometimes get dark circles under there. Then, take a dime-sized amount of foundation and gently pat it all over your face, including eye lids. Blend over face and around chin. Top off with a little powder and you're good to go.

You may also want to get the Almay eye makeup. They have color pallets that match with your eye color and explain to you exactly how to apply them. Top off with mascara and you're good to go (again, go with Wet and Wild, it will be very inexpensive)

Also, if you go to a make-up counter at a department store, they will sometimes do a free make over to explain to you how to apply certain make-ups. Usually you are under no contract to but. Explain to them that you would like a couple samples to test out the make-up and they may give them to you at little to no cost. This may work best if you're planning on make-up for this one-time only.

Answer 9

Loreal Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup works really well for me I'm am a tomboy too and don't wear alot of makeup and this one I like the best also Physicians Formula Blush the peach colored one. Also Almay eye shadow the one made for brown, green, or blue eyes pick the one for your color eyes. I hope I helped and good luck!

Answer 10

I would suggest Bare Essentials. This make up is very light, it works great, and the great thing is that you don't have to wash it off or worry about it causing you a break out because this make up is 100% natural!
It helps to cover up, and you can buy it specifically for you skin color.

Hope this helped!