My mother wore very little make-up and everything I learned about it, I learned from her. In other words, I never learned much more than; a little blush, a little mascara, a little lipstick. Done. She made it look effortless, flawless and easy. It really is anything but.
I didn’t have an older sister or friends with older sisters that were willing to use my face as a guinea pig.
I got my first Maybelline* eye shadow and blush kit when I was in the 7th grade and while I loved the idea of wearing make-up and I coveted my make-up bag, I think I only used it once or twice. I had no clue what I was doing. I would looking like a circus clown, so I gave up.
I don’t know what my friends and I were doing that we didn’t sit around practicing the fine art of make-up application. I suppose we were too busy lip-synching to Wham and Duran Duran.
I really wish I knew how to apply make-up.
I love the way in can transform a face, especially one that has become a mother and is tired, worried and growing older by the minute.
I love it when my friend Nancy offers to do my make-up for a special occasion. She was kind enough to do my make-up for my wedding and has dolled me up for Vegas many times over the years.
I don’t even own any eyeliners or eye shadows.
I wear the absolute bare minimal. Because that’s all I can handle.
My entire make-up routine takes a total of 6 minutes, if that. And trust me when I tell you that without these items, I look dead:
Still loyal to Maybelline Great Lash mascara, I have expanded my make-up collection to include a lot of Bare Escentuals* products. If you haven’t jumped on the mineral make-up band wagon yet, I highly suggest it. Talk about transforming your face; it’s fantastic stuff. Plus, the starter kit and DVD with explicit step-by-by instructions was perfect for a make-up novice like me. 
How did you learn to apply make-up? What are your favorite products?
*This post was no way endorsed by Maybelline or Bare Escentuals. Sadly.
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Those are great essentials you have there! Maybelline Great Lash is my go-to mascara for YEARS!. Still the best.
My blog is dedicated to my favorite make-up so I won't bore folks here.
As for learning about make-up, Dolly Parton! When I was 5 or so, I would just stare at her album (my 1st) and watch her movies (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was my muse).
I always just practiced on myself and my friends but I remember many nights just doing my make-up (I was kind of a loner in school…) and trying different looks.
I do a full face of make-up every morning and it takes me about 8 minutes. Gotta be fast because 2 kids aren't patient enough for mom's 'war paint'.
I've always been a "less is more" kinda girl. My grandmother, who taught me to apply make up, told me that the true art in wearing is to appear as if you aren't.
I love the Mineral foundation, except I use Mary Kay. It's phenomenal. I have brown eyes so I use a deep plum eye liner & a little mascara. MAYBE a little shadow, but never much. Truthfully? I have no idea how to do a smoky eye so I just don't. The few times I've tried, I looked like someone beat me up.
I went through a way too much make up stage in the '70's. Bright colored eyeliners and matching mascara.
Learned how to really use things at a Mary Kay party in the '80's.
Turned 40 in the '90's and chucked it all.
I only bring it out for really really special stuff now. Last time, 5 years ago.
It is so too much work.
I don't know where I learned how to put on makeup.. definitely not mom or you.. Hmm.. i guess just watching my friends put it on. I LOVE makeup, i love mascara, fun colored eye shadows, eyeliner, lipsticks, eye glitters and more. It's all so fun and really transforms an otherwise boring face. Recently, I've gotten much better at applying eye liner-it just takes practice.
I'm with you on the bare minimum. I probably should do more, but I never like to look like I'm wearing a heavy foundation or too much powder. Also, love the Benefit blush!
Visiting my mother a couple of months ago, I went to her bathroom cabinet to borrow some toothpaste. She is out of control with Bare Essentials! Shelves upon shelves and drawers full. I may have to plan an intervention.
I still don't know how to apply makeup, beyond what I learned in Seventeen. And that was a poor education. :/ I learned through trial and error, and a small fortune spent on foundations that I never used.
My favorite product? Covergirl's newish lash blast series. I love the brush!!