h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, here's the deal. I've managed to arrive at the age of 17 without ever having put on make-up (mostly due to a traumatic incident with foundation when I was very little, but that's another story).
The thing is, I have my school formal in a few weeks, and I will need to wear make-up to it. With this in mind, I went to Boots last Saturday and purchased foundation, blusher, eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick. These items now sit in wondrous array on my desk.
Unfortunately, I have little or no idea what to do with them (a particular item of concern is the eyeshadow). I'm sure there's a proper way of applying them all, but I don't have very long to experiment, and I really, really don't want to get it all wrong and arrive looking orange or something.
I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give me regarding techniques of applying the above items.
You're wonderful people.
BP

Why don't you ask a friend to apply it, or a family member?

> "I don't have very long to experiment"

Probably not long enough to apply to one of those revolting make-over programmes then. The BBC does have a "life-style" dna sub-site but, having just peeked, it looks rather disused. Are you ludicrously rich enough to simply pay for a beauty parlour to do it for a one-off occasion?

Unfortunately, my mum's about as clueless as me with make-up, and I don't have a sister. I have a feeling all my friends will be too busy getting ready themselves to come and do someone else's make-up too.
The makeover programme is probably a non-starter too, and while I'm not sure about the beauty parlour, I'm certainly not ludicrously rich, much the pity.
But thanks for your helpfulness (is that a word) anyway.

Aren't there any magazins with step by step instructions for starters? What, if you ask a friend over before the event, let her show you how to do it?

There's certainly not a shortage of internet sites about it!

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=make-up+tips&meta=

Being a bloke I am of course no expert on the subject, however there is a tendency these days to go for a more subtle effect with not too much make up, too much make up is likely to stand out, whereas subtleness won't. Perhaps make up counter assistants in proper makeup departments maybe able to help, or perhaps library books.

> "I've managed to arrive at the age of 17 without ever having put on make-up ... I have my school formal in a few weeks, and I will need to wear make-up to it."

Why? If you've managed the former, how come the latter is obligatory?

BP, get yourself to Boots or a Debenhams or other such store with makeup counters in them.

Go to the counter with the least made up 'Dolly' serving behind it and ask for a make-up trial. In the hopes of selling you some of their overpriced stuff, they will put their make-up on you and explain exactly what they are doing so that you can try and remember and do it yourself. Take a mate along to take notes on colours etc.

Or do it naturally! If you have decent skin, then at 17 I would give up with the foundation, try a little eyeshadow, mascara and a shiny lip gloss and you'll be set! All the really scary stuff can wait for later on in life!

Deakie (aged 34 who still doesn't have much of a clue bout make-up either!)

Well, I've also managed to arrive at 17 without going to any kind of proper formal event, and I haven't worn a dress for about ten years, so I think it's time to start breaking a few comfort zones here, especially since I'm heading to uni next year.
And yeah, I reckon subtle would be better (I really don't want to look orange or anything, because too much make-up looks awful) but I have a feeling I would put on too much or too little or something.
My skin is OK, and I wasn't actually planning on getting foundation (due to said bad experience in early life, plus I think it's too much foundation that looks bad) but then she gave me free samples of it, so I have it now if I want to use it. I might skip it though.
I tried googling 'how to put on make-up' first, but most of the sites kind of scared me with their complicatedness and all the accessories they assume you have (like "rotund brushes for blending colour and sharp brushes for defining lines" )
I might try looking for a magazine that looks like a guide for complete idiots. I'll try Easons at the weekend. Maybe I'll go back to Boots if I'm feeling brave enough. Pity I didn't go to one of the people at the counter when I was in originally.
Thanks for your help everyone, it makes me feel slightly better that I'm not the only clueless one here. (Not that I'm calling you clueless or anything... dammit...)

I'm 20 and I never bother with foundation or eyeshadow. No foundation because I don't really see the point, no eyeshadow because I can't find a colour that suits me.

Eyeshadow is easy. Just rub your finger lightly over the pot, then over your eyelid. If you want to extend it beyond the actual lid you can. The tricky part is how far up to go - you can leave it just on your eyelid or go up towards your eyebrow.

Tip for blusher - don't put lots on the brush, it's hard to get off if you use too much.

I sound almost like I know what I'm talking about, I rarely wear make-up to be honest.

The Body Shop also do make-overs, I believe you have to book in advance, but no too far . You could also try your local home delivery service - ding dong and finally take a look at http://www.movingmakeup.co.uk/lessons.htm and ignore the product recommendations

I think eyeshadow is very easy to overdo, especially if you've never used it before - but it depends very much on the colour.

Personally, I find an eye-line pencil is usually enough to enhance my eyes, in combination with a good mascara. Rather than black, you could try a dark brown or dark grey pencil, which would give a less dramatic look.

My best advice is: experiment! A lot! And get a gentle eye make-up remover.

You could try out one combination on your left eye, then another on your right eye. Show your mother one eye at the time and ask her which one looks best - that way you'll get a clue on how to proceed.

You could consider not wearing makeup. Your friends and people that know you will be used to seeing you without it. If your skin is good and your hair done well you won't look out of place.

The other part of that of course is that wearing makeup for the first time to a major event is fraught with stress and potential problems. If you're not used to wearing makeup you need to learn not only how to apply it but how to wear it - including how to reapply during the evening, and how not to touch your face or rub your eyes, or what to do if something gets smudged (I basically never got the hang of wearing makeup because I touch my face and rub my eyes alot apparently, and just found it annoying to not be able to or having to be so careful).

If you do feel it's imperative to wear makeup then getting someone else to teach you seems best. Badly done makeup is way worse than no makeup at all (although IMO no makeup is perfectly acceptable).

You definitely want to try out whatever makeup you will wear, for a day, before you go, to make sure you don't react to it.

Flip, I'll be wearing my contacts, so I probably will be rubbing my eyes a lot by the end of the night. I hadn't even thought about that. Oh dear.
Apart from that, thanks for all the tips people have given me.

I'm pleased to say that seagulls don't have to wear any make up, the best solution is to and make up

Less is more, as the saying goes.


If you are going to wear foundation, try the tester pots and put in on your jaw. Then go into 'normal' daylight and check it's your colour. Go for something lighter if you can't get a match.


If you insist on using lipstick, test it in a similar way but use the tip of finger (it's the nearest to your lip's natural colour)

Don't go overboard, emphasize lips *or* eyes.

I tend to go for the eyes.

Personally, eyeliner, foundation, eyeliner, shadow, eyeliner, mascara, sparkly bits (usually in the form of a purple sparkly eyeliner )










Oh, I forget, did I mention eyeliner?







Seriously. Don't forget your khol, you can use it to cover a multitude of sins.

ooh. This is my area of expertise! When i was 14, i got into a car accident and my eyelid has been very scarred ever since. needless to say, i know what to do, in the eyeshadow department. hopefully you have more than one color, a lighter shade and a darker shade. always apply the lighter shade first (and depending on the color versus the shape of your lid, will help in the long run, but this procedure is usually fool proof).

if the two shades (if you have two) are of the same basic color (two different shades) then apply the lighter shade on your entire eyelid area (lightly, if possible) and then use the darker one, starting right under the ridge where the bone is, then try to enhance the color already in your eyelid, rather than trying to change it, or create a new one. place it where you feel it is already a little dark (i hope you're understanding me).

like someone said before, less is better with make up. have fun, but try not to overdo it.

if you only have one color, just follow the instructions for the darker shade.

Well, I only have one wee thing of foundation, since it was a free sample, so I think I might leave it. As for the eyeshadow, I have three shades! I feel so prepared.

Foundation goes a *long* way BP, try it before the night to make sure it isn't too dark/too light for your skin tone. I usually go for light, darker, darkest when it comes to shadow (lightest being near the nose)