July 12, 2005 10:16 PM BST
Hi Mara-
If I didn't get a chance before, I'd like to say hi and welcome to the group. So..."hi and welcome to the group." As far as makeup tips, I know it's scary but going to a makeup counter really is a good idea. The first few times I did it I nearly peed myself, but you know what, I've never been treated rudely ever. If you go to a counter in a large size department store in a metropolitan area, you can bet the staff there has seen lots and lots of girls like us and they won't bat an eye. All of them have been trained to treat customers with courtesy and respect and of course they want to make a sale.
If you still can't bring yourself to try that, then you might check out some books on doing stage makeup. There are several at Barnes and Noble that I've seen and also stuff on the web. Stage makeup specializes in all sorts of special effects, as you know, and you can find techniques for all sorts of effects. Of course what looks good under stagelights from 50' away may look kind of overdone closeup in broad daylight but I'm sure you can figure out how to tone things down.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Hugs...Joni