Alright Barry
Firstly- you don't have to spend a fortune on makeup to have fun with it. Invest in an eye primer such as Urban Decay Potion and it will increase the longevity and pigmentation of even your cheapest eyeshadow. Secondly, Ebay is full of Chinese made palettes that are cheap as chips but the quality of the shadow is good enough for personal use and the colour selection is epic! Most beauty students pick up the 120 palette or the 28 palettes for practice- tbh I'll sometimes still get mine out- especially around Halloween
Have a look at:
Fräulein3°8 EYESHADOW MAKEUP PALETTE 120/88/28 COLORS | eBay
You really can't complain for £9.
Foundation- ooh- that's always a hard question because I think it all comes down to personal preference. I personally HATE Bobbi Brown foundations but I know people, other artists, who swear by them. I'm going to give you a selection of my fave foundations, all price ranges considered:
OK So my all time personal fave is
Kanebo Cellular Performance Total Finish Foundation which, at £52 isn't cheap but is definitely worth it as a one step matte finish. I use this daily as it's easy to apply and it stays put.
My second fave is
Laura Geller Phenomenol Foundation, £30 ish once you pay p&p(QVC is my preferred supplier as I used to work for them). Once again this gives a flawless finish but I think it needs to be worked into the skin with a brush more than the Kanebo one. Also, it comes in a limited choice of colours so I always add to this with a dusting of
LG Balance & Brighten Powder Foundation. This is the foundation I use in my kit, although I keep a huge variety of samples about my person "just in case". May I add- I'd reccommend any of Laura Geller's product's and I appreciate that it can be pricey, but I prefer all of her stuff to the minefield of products they sell in John Lewis or Debenhams.
A close third and a similar price:
MAC Studio Sculp is a gel based foundation particularly good for oily skin types and those who suffer with enlarged pores. Once again, needs a good buffing into the skin with a brush and will benefit from a finishing powder especially on warmer days. If you are able to get to a MAC store or counter it's always worth discussing the foundation options with the well-trained staff who *aren't on commission*. Their range of base products is fantastic but don't let them con you into getting a primer- I can suggest a much better primer. I am not a huge fan of MAC, but I can't champion their bases enough
Bare Minerals is a miracle of a product but it needs some confidence. It does not give a fantastic coverage so if your skin is not great you will be disappointed with it- but stick to it. Regular use will actually improve your skin, and then when you use it you don't need a heavy coverage. I take this on holiday with me and use it on younger clients whose skin just needs a bit if a touch up, but I wouldn't use this daily as I prefer a much more preened look.
Now for high street varieties of foundation- I don't use any of these professionally but I think they deserve a mention. I keep these in the house for when I'm skint and have ran out of the expensive stuff. Honestly, there is no competition between these and those listed above- i can see the difference in quality a mile off, but these can all work if you take the time to apply them properly and use the correct finishing products. When it comes to makeup, I think foundation is the one area in which money makes a difference :sigh:
Revlon Colourstay £13 ish
Avon Flawless Cream to Powder £10ish
Gosh X-Ceptional Wear £8ish
Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse £6ish- this seems to be the marmite of the high street makeup world! You either love it or hate it, but if you are on a budget it's worth a shot! Invest in a foundation brush and a light finishing powder
Hope this points you in the right direction Barry
I also must add that for a budget brand Collection 2000 is great! I love their Mosaic Glow bronzer although it's quite dark, and their glitter liners are fab. Plus, Laval, that market stall brand- I can't say much good about the whole range but the lipliners and lipsticks are great, and for £1 I don't care if I get pissed and lose it
