Thanks! I wasn't aware of them. Will check them out.

A.

I also use a mineral make up. I used to be a hard-core liquid foundation girl, but I love the natural look of mineral. Plus it tends to not feel slimy at the end of the day.
I also will echo above users, and ask for a make over at a store. I used to work a make up counter. Believe me, be honest and open. Tell them your insecurities. We love to help, and nothing makes the job better than having someone learn a skill!

I didn't know how to use makeup either (my mom rarely uses makeup, and then it's only some lipstick and mascara). I just basically taught myself from the internet and trial and error. I wish I could find the link, but there was an article in Real Simple (the magazine) that was really helpful. They have a lot of good articles on makeup & beauty basics.

What I'd do:
-start with the skin. Wash it daily and treat pimples (I have super oily, acne prone skin--gross). If the skin underneath is good, the makeup will look all the better (and usually the more you try to hide something, it's obvious that you are trying to hide it). I personally use a concealer stick here and there and dust on some powder and I'm done. I'd recommend powder--you use much less of it than liquid. However, if you have dry skin, the oils in liquid may help you.

-use mascara and a neutral eye shadow. I don't use eye shadow because my skin is so darn oily, but I always wear mascara (on the top lashes only). I wear eyeliner occasionally--for a more natural look use a stick and only line the top lid.

-wear a neutral color lip gloss or lipstick. Also don't ever throw away a tube of lipgloss/stick if you don't like it at first. You can layer it with another color and voila 'new' lip gloss!

Youtube and Google were my friend in discovering how to do makeup. And yes, when you are first starting out, you will buy some colors thinking they will look good and when you get home and try them on, they will be awful. So be prepared to waste some money. I stick with drugstore brands, so it's not a lot when I do mess up.

It is helpful to know if you have a cool or warm skin tone. Think about it: what colors do you look good in? I'm have a cool skin tone and look good in pinks, maroons, blues, etc. I cannot wear yellow or orange to save my life--I look like a corpse (those are colors that look good in warm skin tones). I've heard that if you look at the veins underneath your forearm and they are blue=cool skin tone and if they are green=warm skin tone.

And you could just follow everyone else's advice and get a makeup consultation. I've never had one, but I'm sure they could give you some good ideas.

Just wanted to check in quickly before work - there are some GREAT suggestions here, and I feel a little better about the idea of a makeup consultation after hearing some of the experience here.

I think I'll poke around some of the Youtube videos as suggested and maybe find a couple still shots of the kind of 'look' I'm going for to take with me to a consultation and get the conversation going.

And I absolutely agree a little quick makeup can help you look more put together.. I hate the hint of shininess at the end of the day sometimes on my face and I think a little powder foundation would be a quick and easy way to fix that. Al

Hi, I'm also from Iowa and I made it to my 50's with out knowing much about makeup. I went into Younkers one day and had the Estee Lauder makeover. She told me to try a tinted moisturizer and when I bought some conceiler ( about $25) I got a whole batch of samples, eye makeup, lipstick skin care, etc. When I get a little more money I'm going back to get some more stuff. The makeover was free too.
Bette K

I am a make up minimalist and use a mix of MAC for my powder and foundation (they match me perfectly to my skin) and some drug store brands for other things. I love the H.I.P. Loreil shadow pots. They have concentrated color and are similar in quality to MAC, but way cheaper.
Have a great time learning!