Category: Daily Living
Does anyone have any tips for learning how to apply makeup? I can do very little but I'd really like to learn to do more and without help. Any and all tips are welcome.
Thanks in advance
First off, what can you do right now?
If you can apply foundation, skip this. But if you want get some cream color to match your skin and get some on a make up sponge and then put some on your forehead, each cheek and chin. then go back and start rubbing it in with the sponge. You can kind of tell when its all over your face, or I can anyway I can just feel it. Also you want to get some on your nose. Then just to make sure, rub it in with your hands. Get some powder foundation and sord of run that all over your face. Then you might want to pat your face with your hands just to make sure that too much powder didn't get in one spot. Or you can skip that go to the store and get a 3 in one type thing with liquid and powder all in one and just apply that like you would the cream.
For blush just smile and where your cheak bones are put some there and then maybe rub it in with your hands if you want to make sure its even on both sides.
Eye shadow you can either use the little stick, or jsut use your finger tip. get some on your finger, or the stick, and put some on your eye lids. Then just put either lip stick or lip gloss on and you're ready to go.
Lol sorry if this didn't make much sense. It's hard to me to explain stuff in writing sometimes. Easier if I can just show people what I'm talking about.
Holly pretty much said what I was going to say, and then some. I don't do eyeliner or mascara or anything like that, so I wouldn't know, but foundation and blush are both pretty simple. It's probably a good idea to ask someone sighted just to make sure you did it right, at least while you're first attempting to do it on your own, but you should be able to tell when you've covered all the areas you need to cover by touching your face to see if there are any areas where you don't feel any makeup.
Mascara's relatively easy. Hold the brush up to your upper eyelashes and blink a few times. The lashes will brush against the mascara brush and ... there you go. You obviously switch to the other side when you're done with one eye. I don't do my bottom lashes, so I can't tell you how to manage that one. LOL.
I've heard that you have to put eye shadow on the upper and lower lids, and I've had it done to me even though I can't fully close my right eyelid, so I don't know how in the world my mom and sisters managed that one. I guess you can only do upper, but it would be cool to learn how to do eyeshadow. What about the clumping they talk about on mascara commercials? How do you avoid that?
thanks girls, that helps some. Holly your post made perfect sence. Usually now i can only do blush and lipstick. I'd like to be able to do eye shadow and mascara, but we'll work on that.
oh, and foundation, that one sounds kind of hard, but i guess i'll just have to practice it, smile
Hi lionness. Now, I don't know how other people do it, but I always wear something old before I put on my clothes. I said that because, I didn't do that before, and it was a disaster. Some people can put on their makeup while they're dressed, but I can't. lol. That way, I don't mess up my clothes with makeup. When I'm applying foundation, I shake the contents of the bottle, open it, and use what's in the lid, blending it all over my face with my fingers, and using more as needed. I apply it to my forehead, on the top part of my neck just under my chin, and down and on each side of my nose. I put lipstick on, then blend it in with my fingers, then I close my lips like I'm kissing something, and blot my mouth with tissue. This ensures it's on evenly. I can't wear eye makeup, and if I do, someone has to put it on. I've tried to put it on myself, and end up looking like a clown. lol. I use cream blush or lipstick, blending it on the apples of my cheeks with my fingers, and going down just a little. I blot my cheeks with tissue, that way ensuring I don't have on to much. but I don't use a translucent powder. I never get powder stuff on straight. Hope this helps.
wow, that sounds so easy! thanks a lot, i'll deffinantly be trying that one, smile
I guess it also depends on the type of makeup you're using. I've never used the foundation in a bottle, so wouldn't know about that, but it does sound a bit simpler than what I do, which is basically what Holly said. The only problem with foundation is that it's sometimes a little difficult to tell for sure whether or not you've covered your whole face evenly. I can usually feel and tell that, but blotting it with a tissue is a good idea, just to be on the safe side. And I don't have a problem with making a mess, so I can wear my clothes for the day while I'm putting it on, but I know several people who do what dreamlady suggested and wear old clothes for that. It's pretty much a trial and error process, like anything else, just figuring out what works for you and what doesn't.
the other thing about foundation: make sure when your buying it, the color actually matches your skin and don't get that cheap stuff, get moose foundation. Ither that if you don't mind cream or if you prefer powder mac has a good line. Lig gloss is easy, um, mascara can be difficult sometimes, i'm still working on that one...eyeshadow and eyeliner can be a bit trricky so i get my cuz or friends to help with that. But i only get mac or safora makeup for these things except lip glose I get everywhere.
I have foundation from Mary Kay that comes in a squeezy tube so all I have to do is squeeze a few drops onto my fingertips and rub them into my face and blend that way. That would seem easier than doing it the other bottle way. I also prefer the lipsticks that come with a brushy thingy like nail polish does as opposed to the actual sticks. No one answered my question about eyeshadow yet, but I guess we all aren't that experienced with eye make-up yet so it's OK.
I've never used makeup. I mean, it sounds fun, and I'd love to, but well, the last time I used powder, I broke out in millions of bumps.
I rarely use lipstick, unless it's for something special. same with blush.q
Wow. I have to say you all are brave. I no some blind people that use Makeup, but I don't. I have been told, I don't need it. But if I wanted to use it, I don't no if I would.
I have to admit I would be afrade of putting to much on. And looking silly. So those of you that use it, go on! lol.
I use lipstick, just, putting it on my lips using the stick thing, then closing my lips together to rub it in. i always ask someone sighted if it looks okay. people too have said i don't need it. i only wear eye make up on special ocations, otherwise it itches like hell and i can't use it. foundation sounds interesting though. i might investigate that one.
Nicole, maybe you should take someone who is patient with you to a branch of the body shop. They do makeup for free, at least in Germany it is the way. The person you take with you can watch how they do it and then show you when you are at home. This is how I will do it with my friend. Or - aren't there even books that tell you how to do makeup?
Most books might be from a sighted perspective though with pictures and such and only the blinks would be able to access them, but who knows, there may be blind-friendly make up books out there or websites.
I am sure there probably is books on it. But reading how to do it, just doesn't sound like it would be fun. Trial and err sounds much funner. But one would have to do it that way, only if they had time for it. I where eye makeup on special ocations, but I don't think I would do it all the time, but maybe that will be a different story, the older I get. Ya no, gots to cover the crows feet!
hahahahah!
Sure there are books on it. Now of course in school you could ask your Daily living skills teacher. But when you're out of school ... wel all you can do, if you don'T want to read a book about it, is ask a patient friend who is good at explaining and showing things.
I can honestly say I only wear lipstick and blush. I've been told I raelly don't need it really. but since in a way we are on the topic of trying to make ourselves beautiful, what does anyone suggest for painting nails. Is it even possible if you are blind?
Has anyone here heard about permanently died eyelashes to look like you have mascara on and permanent eyeliner? I wonder if they tatoo the eyeliner on?
Yeah, i've heard about those and to be honest, don't really fancy them. i never paint my nails blind. i had a friend that tried to do it once, and, let's just say she got in a mess. it was everywhere. all over her, her clothes, even her nose. instead of asking someone for helpl, as we were at college at the time, she walked like this all the way to the supermarket and someone from the chemist department removed it there. so, from that experience, i won't be trying it any time soon.
it's funny that you guys mention books about make-up, i'm in the process of writing a book that talks about all sorts of girly things and how to handle them from a blind woman's perspective...anyways, make-up:
eye shadow: Rimmel makes a three pack of eye shadow that's got light, medium and dark in it, what i do is take my finger tip and do fifteen strokes of the light, cover my entire eye lid, take ten strokes of the medium and cover the upper half of the eye lid and then take three, cuz it's dark stuff, of the dark and just make a little line in the crease of my eye...it gives off a sort of fading effect. Now, i will tell you that the number of strokes you use depends on skin tone so as said above, it's trial and error. I prefer to use finger tips because i feel i get greater control overwhat's going on and there's less chance of the brush going nuts.
Mascara: ok, i curl my eye lashes before applying mascara and i curl them with a plastic spoon. There are eye lash curlers available but they pinch eye lashes so i use a safer technique. all you do is hold the spoon scoop side horizontally facing you, put it to your eye and line up your eye lashes with the edge so that they curve into the spoon. take your thumb and press your eye lashes into the spoon so that they take the shape of the spoon and there you go. I do mascara like allie does and to get clumps out, you can get an eye lash brush or wait tillthe mascara is dry and check for clumps and get them out with your fingers.
when i was little, i wanted to do my nails like all the other girls, so my dad made cut outs of my finger nails and just told me to paint in the lines...i got polish on the fingertips ofthe other hand but that's what remover's for.
i do foundation with the bottle stuff and just feel for dry spots on my face...hope this helps
danielle
wow, some good tips there. thanks for those.
as far as eye shaddow goes, like most things, it's trial an error, but I found this the easiest to learn. As long as you have the right colour, you can't really go to far wrong. As I have very sensitive eyes, I use my forefinger to apply it, well used too. I dont' use it anymore because I dont' really need too, but that's a different story.
Something else I forgot to mention is that, I'm not sure if they still do them, but I don't see why not.... Body shop used to do blushers which looked like large lipsticks. When you pulled the top off, you would just winde the brush out like a lipstick, an just use it. The blusher powder is packed in to the lid, so every time you replaced the lid on the brush, it would replenish it's self. Again, quite cool if you're worried about putting on too much.
wow thanks danielle and danielle, for all those tips. I don't wear alot of makeup, mainly cuz I have been told I really don't need it much, but I have always wondered about the eyeshadow since that's the only thing I wish I could wear that I don't put on cuz I'm always scared I'll like mess it up or something, as well as the nail painting, I love love love manicures, I wish I could just give them to myself. Lol.
Hey ladies,
i just remembered a product that Avon makes that's really helpful with the nail painting; my Aunt Maria got it for me last summer and though i love it, i completely forgot about it till today. They're called Instant Manicure dry enammel strips and they're awesome. All it is is this little strip and you put it on your nail, press it down and break off the left over strip and there ya go...there's color on your nails without mess. the only way you can go wrong with this is if you put on the strip crooked but to avoid that, simply take your time, line it up straight before pressing down and you should be fine. The downside of this is that each pack is $8 but when you think about it, manicures done by anyone else are at least 15 bucks a pop so yeah, i think it's worth it.
hth,
d
i've learned alot hear, thanks you guys!?
Wow, will have to look in to that one an see if they do them over here.
Hey Danielle,
they offer lots of light colors around this time of year, like mauve and light pinks. if you go on avon.com, i think you can get the color listing but if not, i can search on ebay and look at the pictures if you want me to. :).
Hi,
I found this topic really useful and havee a question which is kinda related as linked to appearance but not make-up. I relaly love having straight hair and hoping to get some straighteners but was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to use them without burning yourself too much?
I'm the same way; i love having straight hair via straighteners. The main thing is you have to set aside plenty of time so as not to get in a rush. If you go slowly, there's less of a chance of burning yourself.
About the straightener thing though, first and foremost, get to know the feel of your styling tool. While it's unplugged, touch it and get familliar with how the plates and handle feel. Also, get your fingers used to touching the edges rather than the hot plates of the straightener. I also strongly suggest you practice the motion of straightening while it's off; pretend it's on and put in a section of hair as you would when the machine is on. This way, you can get the feel of how close to get it to your head without touching it, etc. Then, when and only when you're comfortable this way, turn on the heat. I know it sounds time consuming but the way i see it is no one will pay attention to your cute straight hair if there's a huge burn on your forehead. This brings me to another point. Section off your hair. Don't just start grabbing portions of it; take time to do this so that when the heat's on, you're not fumbling with all your hair at once; you're only dealing with a neat portion while the rest is out of the way. Finally, from the experiences of my family, never ever ever straighten while your hair's wet. The end result is fried hair that needs to be cut off in order for the remainder of your hair to get on the long road to recovery.
hth,
d
wow, really useful these last few tips, cheers for the tissue and lipstick one, that's helped me out a lot. can anyone recommend any good hand creams, moisturisers anyone? oh and if anyone's got any accessible websites to buy make up products, pass them this way, i'm always looking.
Lots and lots of hand creams contain mineral oil, you have to be careful with that because the mineral oil creates a barrier between your skin and the moisturizing ingrediants which completely defeats the purpose of your lotion. You want those moistening ingredients to go into your pores, instead of staying on the surface. My suggestion is to try to find a hand cream/lotion that has little or preferably no mineral oil in it. I'm a consultant with arbonne international and we offer a line of creams and lotions with no mineral oil in them but i'll be completely honest, it's really pricy (i bearly buy it myself) a cheaper alternative is baby lotion which can be found pretty much everywhere.
as for cosmetic buying sites, you'll run into difficulties a lot of the time because they're very picture oriented. Also, even if you have a sighted person look at pictures for you, you run the risk of ordering something that looks one color on the site but is actually another shade in reality. If you are going to shop online, i suggest the typical sites: amazon, wal-mart, etc. and know what color you're looking for. those sites are usually good about having wordy descriptions and if you know the name of the product you want, it's all the more simple.
On Blemishes:
The best way of avoiding pimples, blackheads and acne is prevention. There are lots and lots of cleansers on the market at every point on the price range. However, the best kind is that which will really get into your pores. Many brands carry cleansers with beads in them. These are little sand-like pebbles that are mixed in with the cream component of the cleanser. They feel sort of strange and if you scrub too hard with them, they can irritate your skin but they're small enough to really get in there and clean out the dirt and oil locked in your pores. If you wear foundation and other sorts of make-up, these are the best cleansers. Just make sure to keep them out of your eyes; those little beads hurt!
If you do get blemishes, a home remedy to help get the redness and/or irritation to go away is to put a dab of toothpaste on the affected area over-night. It may sting at first but eventually, it starts cooling the area and lessening the red appearance of it.
danielle
wow, thanks both danielles! very helpful tips there. As for straitening, i do it all the time, get to know the tool, practice with it, then give it a go. Good luck to all
I only started waring make up in my twenties. I didn't like it when I was in my teens. Then again I don't ware much. Only lipglos in stead of lip stick and something else but I cant remember the name of it. It is instead of blusher. To give you a bit more colour on the cface. But I might try out foundation and eye shadow. My skin i a bit sensitive though. That's why I wouldn't have make up in my teens. go
I got in on this one late, but when I used to wear makeup I'd always just drape a towel around my shoulders so that if I did spill or something it would protect my clothes. Everyone has provided some really good tips though. I have another question. How do you kno without sighted assistance what colors would look good as far as eye shadow and stuff? I don't really wear makeup, but I did a long time ago, just basic colors. Mom always told me more people would talk to me if I did, which I thought was shallow, and it never seemed to be the truth. Sometimes I'd get it pretty smooth, and other times she'd comment that i had lines in my foundation or way too much blush. I never really wore eye shadow or lipstick or gloss though. Is lip gloss just shinier than lipstick?
Neutral colors are the best and safest way to go if you're not sure what colors look good on you. They look good on most women and yes, lip gloss is shinier than lip stick.
i've never tried lip gloss, though would like too. talking of inaccessible websites, the lush one is awful. lush are highly recommended by me as a beauty company but their site is awful. the best thing you can do is find your nearest local store. i have one about half an hour from me. i may try looking on amazon too for the things i want.
hey everyone
i use makeup, and... love/hate it
mascara is easy for me, if you can get the thick kinds they dont run as much, eye shaddow is pretty easy too, you just put it on until your whole eye lid feels covered and powerdy, and if you're not sure if you've gotten too much blow upwards with your mouth, it blows the extra off your nose, and where ever else you might have gotten it, i whear lip gloss which is very simple, just make your mout in the form like you're kissing someone, and then paint the part of your lips that stick out, and if you're nervius that you got too much just kiss your thumb and it gets the extra off
i dont wear foundation, i wear cover up if i need it, for those who dont know cover up is stuff that hides pimples and stuff, i have this stuff that comes in a tube like a lipstick, and you just dot it on your blemishes
now eye liner... i am still mistified, i wear it, but before i leave i ask my mom if there is smeers all over my eyes, because i dont want to go aroubd looking llike a raccoon
i didnt mean to ramble, but i hope some of tis was halpful
Hi. First, I'd like to say that I appreciate the ideas regarding mascara. I don't wear it that often and never have done the bottom lashes myself. I wanted to add a little bit to the foundation aspect. Again, I don't use it too often these days but when I do it's a liquid and no powder. But I usually wrap a towel or even a paper towel around my neck or tuck inside my top and have some soapy water waiting for me in the sink! I've been told that it's very important to be sure blending in the foundation beyond the chin line. It's especially important if you are wearing alow-cut top like a V neck or something. Blend it into the neck area so it doesn't just suddently stop right at the chin. That is where the towel (or paper towel for easy discarding) comes in handy so that you won't accidentally get it on your shirt or less of a chance anyway. Hope this helps too.
Seeing as no one has really brought it up, eyeliner is actually, I find, the easiest thing to apply. If you're using a pencil or cream based stick, just rest a finger at the outer corner of your eye and pull a little bit, making the eyelid tight, then draw on the line right where your lashes meet your skin. Obviously, how far you take the line and how thick you make it depend on what look you're going for. Liquid is usually a bit harder, just paint it on, again as straight as you can make the line, and then before it dries brush your finger in a downwards motion right above where you applied it to remove any that might have smeered. Also remember that eyeliner can change the look of your eye quite a bit, for instance, lining both the top and bottom can be too dramatic (especially if you're using black or dark brown) for day-to-day activities. If you still want to line the bottom, it looks nice to just do the outer third of the lid. If you want to extend it out past the eye make sure it matches on both sides, and if you must do the little designs (think Death in the Neil Gaiman Sandman comics) remember smaller is better and as I read somewhere, "friends don't let friends look like The Crow". XD Also think about how much you want the liner to stand out, putting eyeshadow on after the liner blurs and covers it a bit, while using it over eyeshadow or with shadow at all leaves it much clearer. It's also probably a good idea not to have a shadow that's darker than the liner, the liner should probably be the darkest colour on your eyelid unless you just match it with what you've got in the crease.
Now, a question of my own. Does anyone have experience applying a liquid lipstick using a brush when the lipstick is a colour that will stand out, i.e. black?
thanx for the eyeliner tip, that helps a lot, i have never used black lipstick, but i have used colors that stand out, just judge by how much you have gotten on, and just run your finger on the outside of your mouth to get any that might have ran, and if you think you have too much on your lips, kiss your thumb, this gets the extras off, and its better to have too little than too much
Thanks so much for the eye liner tip...your suggestion made me go out and buy some and i've gotten lots of compliments on how pretty my eyes look.
As far as the brush-on lipstick goes, the only thing i can say is take your time and as the poster above suggests, run your finger around the outside of your lips to make sure you don't have clown mouth going on.
I'd also like to recommend a very affordable face wash that really helps clean out your pores, especially if you're a foundation/powder wearer.
St. Ives makes some apricot scrub that's amazing. it has these little granuals in it that really get into your skin and leave it smooth and very clean without drying out your skin. if you struggle with dry skin though, St. Ives also makes moisturizers that work really well. The apricot scrub shouldn't cost more than seven dollars at local drugstores like wal-greens, wal-mart, etc. the moisturizers should run along the same price lines. Their stuff smells really pretty too!
Hi there
I found this board extremely interesting to read. I knwo i'm coming in late, but i'll explain how I put on make up and paint nails.
I don't use make-up that often, but, once you've learned how to apply it quickly and confidently, the skills will never leave you.
Foungation: Apply small dots of the liquid on your face. Then, using your fingertips, massage it in. It's important that you use an upwards pressure rather than a downwards one for two reasons. Firstly, the foundation accesses your pores better and thus, will stay on longer. Secondly, if you apply downwards pressure, you run the risk of developing what I call "face nasties", so lines, stretched unhealthy skin, etc. If you're quick with rubbing in foundation, you should be able to feel its residue on your skin, so you will be able to tell if you've missed any spots. To blend it into my neckline, I put a small dot into the palm of one hand, then rub my hands together and stroke the cream into my neck area. REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE STICKING YOUR FINGERS IN ANY OTHER MAKE-UP!
Blusher: As someone else said, bronzing balls are wonderful. The problem with powders is that they cake on the brush, meaning that you get loads when you wanted only a little. If you smile and feel your cheeks, you want to paint just below the peak of the bulge in each cheek. Once i've applied the blusher, I always blend it with my hands. Your cheeks will still look rosy, but it will be a more diffuse, natural colour.
Eye shadow: Again, someone else mentioned that you can buy these in packs with one dark and one light of the same colour, or three of the same colour in different shades. This is what I do. I never ever buy single colours, nor the bit multipacks that have lots of colour in them. If you buy more than one of the same brand, I find it useful to braille label them with the first letter, so, B for blue, BL for black and so on. When you put it on, cover your whole eyelid with the light eyeshadow. If you close your eyelid, you can feel the powder on the brush, and you'll be able to tell when you need more. I know this isn't too helpful, but, with practice, the powder feeling is very clear. Then, take a small amount of the darker colour. Now, correct me if i'm wrong here, because it's been so long since i've used it that I can't remember, but I think that the dark is applied to the top of the eyelid. In any case, when you're done, again use fingers or, even better, a tissue, to blend and blot the excess off.
Lipstick: As previously mentioned. Pucker your lips slightly before applying. You shouldn't paint the very outside line of the lip, as that's really where lip liner goes. Then, once done, close your lips gently on a tissue to remove excess. Be careful though, if you clamp on it, it will take off too much, and you could end up with tissue stuck to your lips.
Mascara: I open my eye very wide, then bring the brush gently to rest underneath my eyelid. I then close my eye onto the brush head and perform the stroke. If you do this right, you also get the bottom eyelashes. I'll admit, it does take some practice,. Then wait till it's dry and squeeze out any lumps of mascara with your fingers.
Eye liner: An absolute devil to put on, and i'm allergic, so didn't tend to do that too often. Again, eye open nice and wide. Rest a finger between your eyelids and guide the pencil in using the finger as a line. Do this very, very slowly, otherwise you'll be able to use your eye for a pencil holder! I practiced with bluntish pencils to start with. Rest the pencil where your eyelashes join your skin, and, from the middle out, fill in the line of your eye. Personally though, I don't think eye liner's worth the effort it takes.
Painting nails: Have a bottle of remover to hand, and a small tissue. If you lay the brush flat on your fingernail in the middle, you can feel the coolness of the polish. Now, using small movements, gently run the brush around your nail. If you do this slowly, you will feel the polish hit the sensitive skin just on the edge of the nail bed. You have your pre-soaked tissue, soaked in a little bit of remover. It's important that, firstly the tissue is small, and secondly that it's only damp, not soaking wet and dripping in remover, otherwise you'll remove the stuff on your nails as well. After completing each nail, run the tissue around the skin by the nail bed. If your tissue is small enough, and your handling very slow and deliberate, the remover will only touch this skin. Provided you keep the brush in contact with your nail at all times, this is the only skin that will get stained. And there you have it, how to paint nails!
I hope this was helpful
Carly
Hey ladies,
I just bought some Mark Products. Mark is the offspring of Avon geared toward younger women. Their prices are really good and so far, I'd have to say that their products are quite good as well. I got curl enhancing products for my hair, three mini body washes (smell fabulous) and some lip balm for 30 U. S. dollars including tax and shipping. They have everything on the site though their product line isn't quite as extensive as some more established lines such as Mary Kay or Avon itself. Anyway, get a hold of me if you have any questions on how to navigate the site; it takes a little getting used to. The web address is www.meetmark.com.
Danielle
wow, reading this stuff was interesting. I've never even considered wearing eye makeup, never been told I need it. Basically all I use is lipstick or gloss, and blush. It is quite easy. I just use a normal compact and a brush, rub the brush in the powder, shake it of a bit before putting on your face, be light, don't rub it hard, just kind of dust it on. I also love having straight hair, I got a nice straightener from a hair salon. it has combs on each side to brush your hair as you straighten. I practiced at first with it off, getting a small layer and clipping the rest out of the way, then letting more and more down. I haven't burned myself yet. I no everyone has basically given the same tips, so not sure if this was bennaficial what so ever, but there ya go. smiles.
If anyone is interested, there is an article about applying make-up, at www.fashionableEye.com.
This is a website about the latest fashion and stuff, for blind/ visually impaired people, just if anyone is interested
I found a podcast on blindcooltech.com entitled putting on makeup. It is dated 6/30/07. I didn't listen so not sure how helpful it is, but I wanted to post about it here.
A few links down from the one I mentioned above is another one called applying makeup.
here is another tip for eye shadow. marry kay sels this liquid eye shadow that comes in the form of a large pencil you can just draw all over your eyelid with it and you can tell if its even, its not cakey or anything, i really like it, also victoria secret sells liquid eyeliner. which is generally sparkly, i dont wear it on my bottom lid but it apparently looks good on your top lid. yeah you gus should try it.
Hi ladies, if cream foundation seems a bit tricky to apply, several brands offer liquid-to-powder foundation. This is great for girls who travel a lot. Also, eyeshadow looks best if more than one shade is used. Use a layering effect. Cover the entire lid in the lightest shade. Next, use the next-lightest shade in the crease. Finally, use the darkest shade in the outer corner. Then just blend all three together. It's not really difficult to apply eyeshadow. I like lip gloss, if you feel like you're wearing too much, use a tissue to blot off the extra. if you're concerned about powder shadows wearing off, Avon offers a long-wearing kind. You can also apply a thin layer of face powder before you apply your eye color. The same technique works well for lipstick and gloss. I don't have eyeliner right now, but I tend to use either a powder or a cream-to-powder kind. Mascara isn't that difficult to apply, just keep some eye makeup remover on hand incase you make a mistake )(which we all do). As far as colors go, use your skin and hair tone to help you decide which looks best. Have a sighted person help with this if necessary. Darker colors can work well for evening. If you want to use a bright color one one featur, say eyes or lips, keep the rest of your face more simple. HTH, and shoot me an email with anymore questions. I wear makeup almost everyday to work, so I'm kind of a veteran. I started wearing makeup regularly in high school.