Here's a link to youtube videos on how to apply makeup. I haven't looked at any of them but something is bound to have information you can use.

I do wear eyeliner, bottom lid only, outer 1/3 of eye and just a bit beyond - pencil, smudged a bit, either soft black, charcoal gray or a deep gray/blue.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Apply Makeup

I use eyeliner and always have. I use black eyeliner by Bed Head. It's soft and goes on easily, and cost about six bucks if you buy it at the beauty supply house.

Along the lines of what dlm suggested, search a bit further in youtube. (such as applying make up for small eyes, heavy lids, etc etc). There's a lot of specific info I ran across for many specific facial features.

I absolutely love something golddust recommended in an earlier makeup thread. It's Bare Minerals "Well Rested" for eyes. Here's a link of reviews, and Amazon has tons of reviews as well. I use a bit of cream concealer under eyes, then a big brush and 'pat' the Well Rested over the cream, then follow with a couple light sweeps to even it out. (Tapping excess off brush first.) Stays all day, no muss, no fuss, no creases. I also use that same brush and sweep it lightly all over my lids before shadow. It doesn't make your eyes jump out, but really perks and brightens them up. It's a staple now for me, I won't go without it.

Best tip I have is using super bright pink blush (no matter your coloring) and concentrate it on the apples of your cheeks. Also apply on your eyelids, just under the brow. This helps to give eyes definition. Blend, blend, blend!

kellyeng's reminded me of another thing I do. My favorite blush is a MAC cream, color is a richer, earthen red. (Not as garish as it sounds, lol. I prefer the natural look, and that's what I get from it with my coloring.) Plus it has staying power and unlike nearly every other brand/shade I've tried, doesn't fade away by mid-day. In summer I tan easily, so full strength it's perfect. In winter, it's a bit 'much', my skin gets very fair. So I mix it with face moisturizer to make a 'tint' that's much more sheer. If you try it you have to fiddle with ratios to get the depth you want. To avoid being blotchy it needs to be blended well, but I just do all that in the palm of my hand using my opposite index finger. Quick, easy.

I have been using the blush on the eyelids trick for years, ever since I found out that I liked the way my eyes looked when I got a bit too much sun there once.

The best tips I have read recently are from Charla Krupp books, and I'm paraphrasing: As you age, use more products than ever before, but look like you have less makeup on than ever. In other words, use products of all kinds to give you great skin, teeth and hair and use less makeup than when you were younger.

Never wear lipstick darker than the natural color of your lips, It's terribly aging. Same with anything with a shimmer.

Bumble, as we get older our lips lose color and become pale. Which reminds me, when watching the Oscars the other night many of the ladies were wearing too too pale lipstick and a lot of them looked washed out. I'm assuming it's the new "trend?" lol

I'll definitely check out Youtube. I'm one of those who have heavy lids and I haven't figured out to put various shades on them at once.

I can't wait to use the Primer. It's going to be fun experimenting. I may scare my dh but it'll be fun. lol

Not everyone agrees with the lighter lipstick look but I have been noticing older women who wear dark lipstick - Sharon Stone at the Oscars, for instance, looked old and harsh and older women who don't, look better to me.
I watch Ugly Betty and Vanessa Williams wears a nude glossy lip and it looks just right.

I recommend Bobbi Brown Long Lasting Gel Eyeliner. If you do a quick search you'll find it's a pretty popular product.

I put it on with a Sonia Kashuk bent eyeliner brush I purchased at Target.

I'd love to take credit for this combo but I actually found it at a website called Makeup Alley.

Jennifer

I just scanned the above responses quick.

Youtube is the best place for tips and tutorials. There are a lot of young girls that just like to blabber on there but there are lots of good makeup artists. I can easily spend hours watching makeup videos if I'm not careful and it makes me want to buy gobs of makeup. I really enjoy watching the following people. There's tips for older women as well.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo - Love the accents.

http://www.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist - Yes, this is a dude but just watch the videos. He's very good.

I wear eyeliner on both. Upper lid, not quite the whole way in and the line gets thicker towards the outter edge. I slightly wing the corners. The bottom I wear liner and shadow smudged along the outer portion. I like to play up my eyes and keep the rest of my face pretty plain.

I'm currently using Almay's Intense i-color in Purple Amethyste, Brown Topaz, and Black Pearl. I wear the Almay Purple Amethyste the most. The black of the Almay seems not to wear as long and it goes in different. The brown is a little more shimmery, which I don't really like. My sister gave me the Clinique's Quickliner in Grape because she's not crazy about the color. I don't care for the consistency. I like MAC's Power Point eye liner pencil in Engraved (black). I'd like to try the Bobbi Brown gel liner but, honestly, I'm too cheap to buy it.

I can get away without using a face primer but I don't touch my face. I always wear Urban Decay's eye primer because I don't like creasing. I don't touch my eyes either once they're done up. I actually know people that will rub their eyes after putting makeup on and I'm not sure how they don't end up with it all over their face!

I've always used a sponge to put on my makeup vs. a brush because it works better for me. Also, since using Clinique Even Better foundation (still hunting for new foundation) I use a damp sponge and it keeps it from being too thick. I'd really like to try Makeupforever's HD foundation to see if it's really worth it. Relating to decorating, it makes me think of full spectrum paint, lol.

I like to contour and it looks good when you have the right colors, it's blended well, and not shimmery. I like Bobbi Brown's bronzer and I'd like to try Benefit's Hoola bronzer sometime.

I've read as you age you shouldn't wear foundation, only powder~~a mineral powder is best. Reason being, foundation settles into creases(lines/wrinkles UGH!)and only exaggerates them. I agree with the idea of more, but looking like less and going for a natural look. Darker lipstick seems aging, and I always end up wiping it off before leaving the house, and putting on a lighter shade, blotting it, and putting on a pinkish lip gloss. If you've watched BH Housewives, IMO, Lisa always looks good, and she wears very pale lipstick, with eye shadow being a little heavier. Nice hair helps!;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1500605}}

I know you just bought a whole lot of stuff, but you might consider having a makeover done somewhere. If you have a Merle Norman in your area, they do 'lessons' for free, no purchase required. They can give you a sense of what might look nice, how to apply things to best benefit your face color, eye shape, etc. It's fun, and you can take what you have learned and use your new already purchased products to achieve those things.

Merle Norman Foundation Primer is GREAT. I just started using it a few months ago, after getting a sample tube in a free gift. I thought perhaps it was a gimmick, but I have to say that even though I was already using a good moisturizer under my foundation, the primer really does make a difference!

Some people like the mineral powders, but I found them terrible because they highlight any lines and creases, and wear poorly. Particularly if your skin is dry, you don't want to be using powdery products with shine, which the mineral products have.

Wear time is a big issue for me, because I want to apply my makep at 7 AM and still have it there at 6 PM, except for lipstick. You shouldn't have to reapply your shadows and blushes and things halfway through your day to keep looking nice.

The best makeup is nothing if you don't care for your skin, so be sure you are cleansing properly, moisturizing and protecting every day (and night). Don't sleep in your makeup, either. Take time to remove it at the end of the day. Find a good facial cleanser that will be good to your skin. NO regular soap and water. I use cleansing cream, but there are a lot of good cleansers out there if you want to'wash' without the drying effects of soap. Remember to always have some kind of SPF protection on your skin, and that oily skin can still be dry skin. Oil and moisture are two different things, and your face needs both.

There is no one right way to wear eyeliner. So much depends on your eye shape, how smooth or crepey your skin might be on the lids, and what other makeup you want to wear. Be sure your eyeliner is a soft pencil or powder or liquid, the soft pencils are easiest, imo. Draw the line right in the lashes, not above them - the purpose of liner is to define the shape of the eye, but also to make the lashes seem thicker at their base.

I put my liner on first. Top lid, on the outer 1/2 of the eye, a pretty narrow line. Under the bottom lid, just on the outer 1/4 or so. Don't line the inside of your lids, as it closes the eye.

I then use a medium tone shadow over most of the lid, and let it go right into the liner. Sponge application with powder shadows is the easist, imo, because it gives you more control and less flaking and flying stuff. I have one from MN called Lava that I use most days. It is kind of a grey tone with a hint of brown, and a hint of pink. Sounds awful, but it works with every color pencil and accent shadow I have, including purple, navy and charcoal. I use a soft peachy-pink highlighter under the brow, and a touch of it on the inside corners of the eye to add a brightness.

I prefer the powder shadows from MN, because they go on wonderfully, are easy to blend, and wear all day. But there are cream shadows, or shadows that go on creamy then dry to the touch, that work well.

Mascara at the end, mostly on top lashes, with a little extra on the outer third from underneath to 'lift' the eye. Brown-black is my favorite, especially for older women - it is a little softer than a black.

Keep your blush a natural color, start at the apple of the cheeks and sweep up and back, fading into the hairline. Powder or cream is up to you, and may depend a lot on your foundation. Cream blushes work better on bare skin, powders do better with a foundation of some kind to adhere to. Or, you can use a cream first, then highlight with a powder blush to add some lift or contour.

Choose to do more color on your eyes, or more color on your lips, not both. Pale lips are great with dramatic eyes, and vice versa. As we get older, too much sparkle and too much gloss generally only highlight creases, so watch how much and where you use products like that.

Finally, invest in some sponges, not the applicators, but blending sponges. They are usually round, thin. Merle Norman calls them Poly puffs, but they are sold everywhere. Blending the makeup as you go, the edges of your blush and shadows, will give you a pretty finish and no smudges or defined lines of application.

Most of all, think about spending a FUN day just playing and trying your products. Experiment with applying shadows in different ways. Find a quick daytime eye look that you can do in five minutes, and then try dressing it up for a more evening or dramatic look.

Oh, yes, one other thing. If you are starting with all new products, don't try too many new skin care/foundation things at once. You may have a problem with a new product, but if you use 4 new things at once, you won't know which one is creating the issue. Be sure that you buy cosmetics from someplace that will allow you to return them, used, if you do have an issue.

Now, go enhance your natural beauty, and have a great time. Can you tell I LOVE makeup?!

Les, what wonderful tips~~I never knew you loved make-up!

I'll definitely check out Youtube. I'm one of those who have heavy lids and I haven't figured out to put various shades on them at once.

You have to check out
this girl's videos then. She's younger and goes kind of dark & dramatic on the color (which helps to see for illustration) but ignore that. ;) You can easily substitute your own shades. Just watch how she applies various color shades and their placement. She has some good tips, quite different from the traditional '3 colors' application. Helps to ditch sponges & use brushes. A poufy blending brush is good for carrying the darker color up higher toward the brow, and a tighter sculpted 'crease' brush is good for small more defined areas of color.
Be sure to check more of her eye makeup videos off to the right, too.

Also, the liner. On the bottom, from outer corner, try only go in about 1/3 to 1/2 max. Depending on the eyes, lining all the way across on the bottom can 'close' the eye more. On mine, I've never worn bottom liner above lower lashes, only just below lashes & blended at base of lashes. Opens my eyes up. If that makes sense. Here's what I mean, pic of Lisa V's eyes that patty_cakes linked to. (I cropped & zoomed, hope it shows OK). Look at her lower eye, her liner is not above the lower lashes.

{{gwi:1500606}}

I'm going to be gone all day but I'm definitely going to watch the videos tonight if I'm not too tired.

Lisa is just gorgeous, she can get away wearing nothing. But Kim is a good example of what I'm talking about with looking washed out. Even her sister told her the lipstick Kim wears is too light, and I agree. Funny though, in one episode she went for a makeover and never did change her makeup after that. lol

Les, I love the tip about putting liner on before the shadow! I got primer for the eye's also, so this is going to be fun!

I did buy the old fashioned Ponds cream for makeup removal. I used to use it all the time and loved it.

I have a big magnified makeup mirror so one day I'll sit at my coffee table and play with my new makeup! And hope no one comes to the front door. :)

i wear eyeliner everyday-tops and bottoms...feel naked without it. will sometimes go without mascara, but never without eyeliner!
have never worn foundation---have always disliked it, though will wear powders and concealer under my eyes.
just now trying to wear blush alittle more often again---got into such a habit of not wearing it and i do think it adds something!
i best like nude lipsticks/glosses...i think the most aging lipsticks are the dark reddish brown lipsticks on fairer women...i've noticed that on myself in last couple of years---when i go out (only time i might deepen my lips) i used to like reddish browns--now i feel like a witch! i think lighter and (abit) brighter is the way to go!

Shee - have you ever tried any of the mineral foundations? I love it. Sorry Les, I'm going to have to disagree with you on this - but I'm sure it like other make-up and not for everyone. For me it is very light - I don't wear alot of make-up, although I do like Shee and emphasize my eyes. I have dry skin but mineral makeup does not make my skin look dry. HOWEVER, if you don't moisturize - and exfoliate - properly, it can look that way.

Moon - I want to know more about that eye brightener. I don't put my mineral foundation up around my eyes. I use a liquid (creamy in a tube) concealer.

Bumble regarding the lipsticks - I do agree the pale, nude shades look best - on SOME people. I am not one of them. I am like Moon - fair, but tan well, although not dark. I wear sunscreen, but unless you wear a sunblock, you're still going to tan if you're in the sun, and we are outside people. Anyhoo, I am fair with very dark hair and eyes and my lips, while not really pale, well, the color needs to be deepened a bit. Pink shades look best on me. I need a brighter shade vs. a darker shade. I love gloss. I guess what I'm saying looks best on me is a brighter, pink color, but I usually use a sheer color. My mother used to ride me all the time about putting on some lipstick - you look pale! LOL

tina

I don't think I said that right earlier- the advice I keep reading is avoid dark lipsticks which are aging on older women.
I don't care for the pale washed out lip either. I also wear a medium, bright pink sheer and think it looks great.

I just invested in an array of brushes from Target/Sonia Kashuk. I had been to the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom after perusing her book on makeup for non-youngsters in a book store. (Was with DD in The Drama Bookshop in NYC, looking for something to pass the time....there was Bobbi!) The woman at the counter was using her brushes in a way I had not really thought about before. When I balked at the BB brush prices, she whispered "Target" in my ear. I bought the BB concealer and foundation stick and went to Target the next day.

I spent about as much on brushes as I would getting a re-up at the makeup counter (100+) and it is making all of my "old" makeup feel new again. I am loving the perfect match from the BB concealer and foundation, but having the right tools for the job makes all the difference.

The BB concealer is sold with or without a powder to set it. I decided I'd fiddle around with some of my mineral powders to do the setting and just bought the concealer without powder. I've been using the pale pink, barely sparkly powder to set the concealer and it seems to lighten up my under eye area nicely. What's interesting is that if I don't set the concealer asap, I notice it starting to gather in my fine creases. If I get that powder on right away...no problems.

I love the BB gel eyeliner, but you have to be patient applying it. I am still looking for a great eyeliner pencil. I want something that goes on smoothly but stays put. My own holy grail....

I LOVE the look of the pale-colored glossed lips, but not on me. It seems to work well on women with dark colored hair and I have seen a few blondes it looks good on. I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't look good on blondes with blue eyes, like me! For instance, Vickie on RH Orange County, it always drove me crazy she wore pale lipstick and it washed her out completely. It does look like she may be wearing a little more color in this next season though. Maybe?

The lipstick thing has been hard for me, because my signataure color all these years has been RED. I love bright red lipstick, but I am getting too old for it now. Boo hoo!

Yes...a beautifully "made up" Woman can give a Guy like me pause, or even temporarily lose the power of speech(!), but you guys are such a good lookin' crew anyway!

I don't think any of you need to fuss at all!

Faron

Bumble - would you share your favorite pink? My pink clinique that I loved has been discontinued. I actually found, of all things, an Avon color I liked (have a friend who sells it) and it too has been discontinued. She was able to keep buying it for a while and I even bought up several tubes, but am down to my last two!!!

tina

The older I get, the less I like the feel of a lot of "gunk" on my face, eyes or lips. That said, I do feel naked without some makeup. I have started exfoliating regularly with - don't laugh - the Susan Lucci-endorsed "Youthful Essence" system. I love it. It's making a big difference in the tone and texture of my complexion, which translates into needing less coverage to even out my skin tone. I use a mineral foundation - I think it's Neutrogena - after having tried several of the more expensive mineral lines that I wasn't any more pleased with than the $10 drugstore stuff.

I use a liner on my top lid only during the day - Revlon Colorstay liquid eye pen. It's incredibly easy to use - glides on just like a Sharpie marker (!) which means I never get it "wrong." Sometimes if I want a bit more eye drama in the evenings, I'll line my lower lashline with a soft, smudgy pencil.

I curl my lashes which are very long, but blonde, and apply mascara. I like to experiment with mascara brands and am currently using "Falsies" - can't recall the maker, but again, a drugstore brand. A bit of mineral blush that's just enough to give a glow, a neutral lipstick topped with a shinier gloss, and I'm good to go.

aww Faron, you're a gem. :)

Amy, ditto the Target brushes! I got mine there, saved a bundle over dept stores.

Moon - I want to know more about that eye brightener. I don't put my mineral foundation up around my eyes.
Tina, it doesn't bother me at all. (And finding a good concealer is a pain in the butt for me.) Doesn't have any glitter, it's a rich matte that sort of goes to creamy. Not the best description, because it's still a powder, but doesn't act like a loose powder (no flaking, brushing off, etc.) I love that it doesn't crease like creams, and prevents my cream concealer underneath from creasing. It's smooth. Seems to help eyeshadow stay put, too. I don't use much at all, goes a long way. Specific name: Bare Minerals Eye Brightener SPF20, color (?) is "Well-Rested". Gives a subtle perk up. Like you look fresh & rested. Too much will be obvious (raccoon eyes). So I go light, blend well with the big brush. I have high cheek bones, so at my lower outer eye area I'll sweep a little into very top of cheek bone, it's sort of a cheekbone highlighter too. Then blush after that. (Unless it's an occasion, I don't wear foundation.)

Amysrq, if you have a Merle Norman in your area, go and try their soft touch eyeliner pencils. They go on wonderfully, smudge if you want them to, and stay on all day.

MN soft touch pencils

They have other pencils as well that are nice, but I like the softer feel of this one. And of course you can return anything you buy, plus try it there in the studio before you ever spend a dime.

Also, for those looking for dynamic color in eye shadow, the MN Color Max shadows are the ones that the makeup artist for Dancing with the Stars uses.

The eye brightner sounds just like primers for the eyes. Some companies don't call them "Primers" though and instead use another name. You can also buy primers for the face. I ordered both so I'll let you all know if it makes me prettier. :)

My four tinted lip glosses came in today, and I love them! They're all various shades of pink.

This is funny. When I watched some TV today I couldn't help but notice that MOST women on there were all wearing very light pink lipstick.

It's a fad. And I thought most of them looked washed out too. Even young women were wearing the light pink and looked washed out.

So basically I'm going to wear what I like and what I think looks good on me.

I have light brown hair (highlighted when I'm in the mood), green eyes and medium to light skin, so I can't go too crazy.

With the nude/light lips, like anything else there is a right and wrong way to wear it. IMO, it looks best with heavier make up eyes and if you don't pick the right shade you end up looking dead. I think a lot of girls think they can just slap on any "nude" lipstick and it will work. I wish I could rock the red lip look!

Slight hijack..
Tina - No, I haven't. Years ago I ordered Sheer Cover from TV and didn't like it at all. Thay may be completely different than other mineral makeups but it fell off my face in a few hours. When I called to cancel they suggested I try the setting powder. I declined and think if it's so important they should've included it in the trial kit. How flawless is your skin? I'm on a mission to find a concealer for acne marks. My face feels smooth but I have a few of those lovely dark scars. I'm considering ordering Makeup Forever's 5 camo palette.

Thanks for the info Bumble. I may have to try that. I don't need a primer, but do get circles so the brightening might help.

Shee - I actually have good skin but I am much older than you. My skin is getting drier and I have some slight discolorations I'm sure from the sun (I do wear sunscreen religiously now), and also I think a mixture of BC pills and sun. I've never had problems with acne, so no scarring. I'm just wondering though - have you used any retin-a products? The gal who does my hair is the one (and another gal in the salon) who recommended the products I have been trying. She is 25ish and has a few dark spots left from blemishes. So she says, I've never actually noticed them and she has been using the cleanser I got and the retin-a products (cleanser has alpha and beta hydroxy) and she said it has greatly improved her skin.

My mineral make-up stays. Again though my skin is on the dry side, so that probably makes a difference. I'm on a mission to find a new one though because the one I've been using has gone out of business! I tried to find one that didn't use some of the ingredients that were irritating to some (I have sensitive skin). Perfectly matched my skin and I dread looking for a new brand. Another good thing though is how long the mineral make-up lasts.

I'm with Jen on the less on my face. I do agree with Bumble about more products. I think it is important to work towards getting your skin in the best condition possible and then you won't need as much make-up. I can't stand the feeling of alot of stuff on my face. I don't wear colored shadows - just a lighter color (base), then a deep taupe and at times add a deep grey to outer corners. I like a soft, blended eyeliner. I like foundation/blush, etc. to look natural and then a sheer, bright lip. Looks best on me.

I'm not going to be able to continue with this retin-A stuff - going to check and see if there is a formula with less percentage of retin-A or try the Replenish (Replenix?) that someone mentioned here.

tina

The lipstick I wear Tina is discontinued. It went out two years ago and I bought a dozen tubes on ebay. It wasn't anything special, a Maybelline Wet Diamonds color, but it has been my favorite for the past decade. LOL! I have 5 tubes left.
I have bought and tried maybe ten other tubes and nothing comes close to that lipstick. It rarely gums up, lasts a long time, and is the perfect color and weight.

Someday I will have to do a serious lipstick hunt.

i don't watch alot of tv and i haven't noticed light lips amongst my friends/local women, but i have noticed jen l. on AI wearing VERY light colored lipstick...reminds me of the early 70's (?) when that whiteish lipstick was so popular! she's beautiful, but, imo needs to darken up her lips!! lol

Thanks, Les. We had a MN in FL, but I haven't seen one here. Will have to take a look.

Let's see:

-green concealer on red areas on my face and a quick dab of yellow concealer on dark circles under my eyes
-soft cream/powder-type foundation dabbed on and then well blended
-dash of pink cream blush on apple of cheeks -- well blended back along cheekbone
-darker (brown or black) eyeliner on top and a bit of the bottom lid (as shown as above); blended and softened
-soft brown eyeshadow for everyday -- bit of darker eyeshadow for evening
-lots of mascara
-eyebrows groomed/brushed with old toothbrush; then soft brown pencil lightly applied and then eyebrows re-brushed
-lips coated with a touch of blistex or Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream (which is actually a gel) and then browny-pink lipstick for everyday. Fun or evening colors cover the range from plum to brighter pink.

This has been an interesting thread, and i'm learning new things!

If you wear a pale lipstick the eyes should have more emphasis~~vice versa w/brighter lipstick(if you're young enough to wear it.

Does anyone use powder/concealer on lips before lining? I find my lipstick stays on longer, and their is no feathering~~man I hate that!! ;o)