Abc's Make Up

MAC has amazing makeup and they are also so helpful.
If you want something alittle less dramatic try AVEDA they have beautiful makeup.

I'm a Mary Kay consultant, so that is all I use :) But I would say the important thing is to go and have a professional 'assess' your face and skin. Find out if you are oily or dry or whatever. Most department stores have someone who will be GLAD to do this- and try and sell you a bunch of stuff lol!

But - speaking as a professional myself- makeup is wonderful and fun, but taking care of your SKIN is much more important! If you have healthy skin, you will always look and feel better. but get a makeover or even go to two or three places ( not on the same day, lol) and try different products, colors, etc. Find out what works best for your skin type and coloring.

I would not recommend just going to the drugstore and picking some things at random- you don't want to waste money! First get a free makeover, and that will help you figure out ahead of time if powder or liquid foundation suits you better, if you like greens and blue eyeshadows or greys and plums, etc. Play around before you commit to buying anything- and remember: MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE!

Good Luck! Makeup is FUN, so have a good time!!

i only wear a cream base that dries to a powder finish, a little blush, mascara, and lip gloss..just enough to look nice, but not overwhelming..oh and i stick to natural shades!

I believe you can still go to Macys, Nordstrom, and even the place in JCPennys to get a mini make-over. They will show you how to apply it and then you will good to go. After you know what you want to do as far as how much you need then you can go out on your own. Many people suggest Mary Kay. For me, it makes me break out. I have used Avon products many many years ago when my sister sold it. But now I just hit Target and get what I want. Good Luck!!

I have to keep up with this one. All my make is hand me downs and probably 10 years old. I have no idea how to apply it either.

If you've gone so long without makeup (congrats!), I would *highly* recommend starting with the minimal amount.
So, skip the foundation and blush (it will look like a mask to anyone who has known you for so long, and it actually *is* a mask that smothers your pores.)
Start with eyeliner in a neutral color that works with your coloring - I use Maybelline's grey khaki eyeliner most days, because it's a nice mid-level color. I use charcoal, navy and a stronger brown only on occasion, based on what I'm wearing and where I'm going.
Add some eyeshadows if you'd like, but they aren't necessary. I tend to wear very neutral colors on my lids, if I put on shadow at all.
Some kind of lipgloss, lipstain or lipstick (try different kinds, they taste differently), is a definite plus. I often use a lip pencil to outline my lips, color a few strokes across my lips, and then add lipgloss. lip balm, or lipstick in different shades to get a custom color just right for me. For you, that method (lip pencil + lipgloss) could give you good color without the lipstick you hate.
Mascara is another thing you can take or leave - I only wear mine for special occasions, evenings out, or photo sessions. It's a pain to apply and another pain to remove.
One idea about colors, go to a department store and get a makeover. DO NOT feel you have to buy everything they use however, as that will cost you an arm and a leg. Instead, use it to find what colors/shades they recommend. Do more than one (at different stores), let someone hook you up with the 'whole face' look of foundation, etc. if you want to try it, and then have another give you a minimalist look (which is very popular right now.)
See what look you like, what colors look good on you, and then really think about what things you want to add to your regular routine (and budget.)
Personally, I'd rather have more sleep than have to add an additional 30 or 40 minutes to my morning routine to do makeup. In addition, see how your face 'wears' it. I dropped foundation and blush from my makeup routine shortly after starting work full time after college, because no matter what I put on, it 'wore' off (or was absorbed) by midway through my day. I decided I didn't want to have to reapply makeup all day, and dropped them. (My skin is probably thanking me for it now at 40.)

I like Origins stuff. Get them to find you the right color foundation and a blush color that works for you. Then go to Target, etc. and add an eyeliner, mascara (Maybelline Great Lash!). I hate lipstick too, and usually skip it or use lip balm.

If you find you have sensitive skin, the online paulaschoice.com has GREAT makeup & skincare at a fraction of what department stores cost and it's just as good.

I'd go get a few makeovers and then buy less expensive but pretty much equal stuff. Also, please research what they tell you to be sure that if you buy it, it's worth the expense.

Mary Kay. Even the lipstick is good (I hate EVERY other lipstick, believe me--they all taste and smell icky). Their stuff is hypoallergenic, too, and everything makes me break out except for their stuff and the skin care stuff by Olay (eye cream, etc.). They are not the cheapest, but they are almost equivalent to prices of other make-up, and they are SO much better.

Disclaimer: Not a Mary Kay consultant, and have no desire to be, but I've used their stuff for the last 20 years--obviously switching it out regularly. ; )

When I started wearing makeup again I shopped at Rite Aid because they have a "risk free" return policy on open and used cosmetics. It's part of their marketing plan to encourage women to try new products. It gave me the courage to experiment with different brands and colors. I discovered some new ways to do my makeup that I wouldn't have tried otherwise and they didn't hesitate to take back the 2 or 3 items that didn't work.

If you've gone without makeup for this long, please start very light. I find the most important parts of the face for makeup are skin, brows, and eyelashes.

I really like the mineral powder makeups that are out now. They don't look makeupey, and are actually good for your skin. Easy to apply, too! Find a shade that makes your face blend in with your neck color.

A good brow color will fill in your eyebrows instead of drawing them on. I like "lingering" by MAC.

The only other thing you really need is mascara. Great Lash by Maybelline is a good place to start. Inexpensive and always rated highly.

Try one of the lip tints by Burt's Bees. They add just a little color and don't have that lipstick taste. They're also very moisturizing for your lips.

If you want to go a little nuts and try some eyeliner, start by just lightly lining the top lid with a brown (not black) liner. Stay away from the bottom lid...it can drag your eyes down and make you look older.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

definitely Mary Kay. Its worth the money and last forever, I love the look and they have so many useful products.

I am just over 40 and use a very minimal makeup routine. It takes me less than 10 minutes to get it done. Creme to powder foundation, eyeshadow, liner, mascara and gloss. I don't always use blush because I have naturally rosy cheeks and using the right foundation they still show. I use a light application on foundation just to even out my skin. In the past few months I've started using a brow color to fill in - I'm blondish and my eyebrows are getting lighter and thinner. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are cleaning and moisturizing your skin. I sell Avon and I agree with the Mary Kay poster that having skin in the best condition possible is the most important thing. Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide.

HI-

I have to say that I am in my 40's and have always loved makeup, but I tend to keep it on the lighter side. I love the Bare Mineral product for foundation. I haven't found a product that works as well or feels as natural as this foundation. They have starter kits that are nice to buy the first time so you can figure out what your color is and it has a dvd to show you how to apply it. I highly recommend this product. I also love their Buxom Lips product. I do not like lipstick at all, and this is more of a colored gloss. My favorite color is Dolly and it is just a light, nice tint versus a heavy tinted gloss.

I have no advice on mascara because I have tried so many and have never really found one I love. I am also in search of brow stuff, but haven't found one I like.

I love Mary Kay eye shadow, blush and eyeliner.

Sephora is where I buy all my Bare Minerals products - maybe there is a store near you. They will help you find the right product for you and do demos in the store. You can also order it online from Sephora. And I am sure you can find a Mary Kay consultant in the area you live and they come right to your house and will do a free makeover.

I use AVON makeup and I LOVE it! I get the most compliments on my makeup when I use their products. The nice thing with using them is if you don't like it they will take it back and refund your money no questions asked. Plus, they have virtual makeover where you can upload your picture and play around with different colors and the have a section for "magic tricks" that will help you achieve different looks. Have fun and don't be afraind to experiment!!

Note: I do not sell AVON just love their products. :)