What are some inexpensive ways to learn to wear and put on makeup?

Pick a good brand of makeup that you want to use. Then. go to that makeup counter in an upscale department store. They will make you up there, and you can ask them to show you how.

It will cost you nothing but the cost of the makeup you will buy.

@Marinelife’s advice is great. If you want an even more do-it-yourself approach or aren’t sure that the makeup counter is where you want to go..here are a few more options:

1. Least expensive / most DIY apporach: there are lots of You Tube tutorials out there. Watch a few and read a few blogs (I really like this one – because Natalie will tell you her complete makeup routine and also which products she tried that just weren’t worth the money.) about makeup. Thru Natalie I learned about BB cream – which seems like the way to go for me (like you – didn’t wear makeup at all really..until recently and now I’m turning 40.)

2. Do you have an Aveda salon near you? The Aveda salons near me have trained makeup folks and you can either schedule an appointment where they teach you how to apply makeup (you can explain you want it to look natural / neutral)—and they’ll also cover skin care and other topics. Occasionally the salons near me offer these as free mini-tutorials – especially if I’m in for another service (like a hair cut).

3. Ask a few close friends. In my case, I asked a few. My sister has always worn makeup – so I asked her for tips. I also asked a few other friends to show me their routine. Honestly, I ended up doing none of what I saw from these friends..my own approach has come more from Natalie Dee + my own experimentation.

I learned to apply make up a a Mary Kay party. Thy will also teach you at most cosmetics counters in department stores. Look at the make up on the sales people and find the one who’s emake up seems to best represent the style you want to achieve and ask her,
Every day make up has a lot in common with stage makeup only on a more subtle level. You are still creating an illusion of depth and shadow in just the right places, it just requires a lot more blending and nuance.

I agree with those who suggested a cosmetic counter at a department store or Mary Kay is fine too. If you want a natural look, be sure and tell the person doing your make over or they will most likely use the “trend” colors for the season instead. Most lines like Lancome, Chanel, Lauder have seasonal colors they need to sell through.

I have never utilized the make up counter approach because I dislike (potentially) pushy salespeople and I like to do my purchasing decision making on my own, not under pressurefrom someone trying to make a commission. Not saying that advice is for everyone, but it’s how I feel. To me, Mary Kay is expensive and if I’m going to pay the money, it’s not going to be for Mary Kay.

I would say look at magazines and see what looks you like. They have tons of advice in print and online about how to achieve smoky looks for evening, natural looks for daytime, etc. I would purchase some inexpensive, neutral colors to start, like Maybelline or Loreal. Perhaps start with some moisturizer (one with sunscreen), and some eyeshadow and eyeliner (if you like that look) and of course, mascara. Blush is optional. Lipstick or gloss depends on how made up you want to go.

For me, makeup is a five minute routine of eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and that’s usually it. Blush and lipstick are reserved for nights out (which are rare). Eye shadow is either one or two pale shades (darker in the crease for depth, lighter on top, usually an inexpensive brand like Maybelline), a line with eyeliner next to the lashline, and mascara (Loreal or Maybelline). Lipstick is from either Loreal or Clinique (that’s from a makeup counter but I get mine from Costco). Quick, done.

Youtube look up “natural Make up…there are some great ones! & Blogs. You can see tips that are more personalized for you if you search for the type of eye color and face shape you have.

For the money, Covergirl makes decent types of foundations. If you’re over 25yrs old then the cream to powder foundations work really well because you can control how much coverage you want with tidy sponge dabs rather than liquids, mouses or sticks you have to rub with your fingers afterwards. They’re reasonable enough to be able to buy a few shades at once and then try them in your own time for a few hours to see how they blend with your skin under home/workplace lighting.

I’m with the others as far as the youtube tutorials for “natural look” applications of colored stuffs.

The internet, and books from the library