Desperate for makeup help

If you can find a copy, maybe online, Bobbi Brown has written two or three excellent books for just this issue.
Also, there’s an updated reissue of The Beauty Bible I’d strongly recommend. I bought it when I was about 50, and learned a lot despite a lifetime’s ease using makeup. Aimed at older dames, and full of really clever makeup advice. Among other things.

Bobbi Brown’s beauty advice is never out of style, though it was all before umpteen additional layers such as primer and setting spray (which I’d forget about until you have the few actual basics under your belt, if you reckon you fancy such stuff)

Main thing is skincare. Wonderfully calm, moisturised skin is a beauty product in itself, and the older we get the less camouflaging we want/look any good under.
(Many of us just use hydrating concealers here and there, and let the complexion do the rest, as far as foundation is concerned)

I could rave on about skincare and makeup all night, so I’d better quit now, but I definitely advise buying The Beauty Bible and/or a Bobbi Brown book.
Oh, just remembered: there is also the great Laura Mercier. I bought her book too about twenty years ago, and she too imparted makeup wisdom I had never thought of.
They’re just what you need, and reading (in an actual book ) lets new info percolate more completely.

Have fun, whatever you do. Makeup is so enjoyable, it’s well worth acquiring basic skills.
But you definitely don't need half the kit or the products women of twenty use these days ( that’s another day’s rant) Don’t be intimidated by the vastness of the makeup scene. 😻

Hi, I recommend searching on YouTube for makeup tutorials for mature skin or 40+ etc. it’s a lot easier to get a sense of a range of products, looks and techniques that might suits your skin and personal style.

The way we do our makeup has to change as get older. Our skin becomes thinner and less plumped and what made us look good in our 20s can make us look horrific 15-20 years later.

I’m in my late 30s and find that less is more now. I use a light coverage balm foundation from Anastasia Beverly Hills, a small tap of concealer on my red parts and under eyes and blend with a dry beauty blender. I then use cream blush and bronzer, a cream eyeshadow like the Armani sticks, a quick flick of tinted eyebrow gel from Benefit and mascara. Then I set with a very light dusting of powder from Charlotte Tilbury. I don’t use eyeliner anymore, where I used to use it religiously.

A lot of products don’t need to be specific (I think cream bronzers and blushers can be from anywhere, it’s what you like best). As others have said before, skin prep is key, make sure you are moisturised and put a serum on under your makeup with SPF (SPF is vital at all weathers). Use a good quality hydrating foundation and light concealers. And I now wouldn’t use any powder except Charlotte Tilbury pressed powder, it’s expensive but it’s the best on the market, it doesn’t settle into fine lines or make me look like a frosted cake!

I don’t wear make up often but I’d basically been doing the same thing for at least 20 years. I uploaded a photo to chat gpt and asked for a makeup refresh suggestion. It told me exactly what products and shades to buy and also showed me a photo of what I’d look like. As well as telling me how to apply it. I bought the products and I was actually stunned at how much better I looked, give it a try!

For foundation I personally use Lancome, I love that you can do the online shade finder, which is really accurate. And Laura Mercier setting powder is amazing.

Lots of makeup artists offer lessons. I had a 1:1 lesson and it qas fabulous, so I'd fully recommend it!

Skin prep is absolutely key for makeup to look nice on your skin.

Before makeup application, use a hydrating cleanser (I use Cerave) and then a mild toner (something like Coats Hydrating Toning Milk)

Primer isn’t essential. I only wear primer if I know I’m going to be wearing a lot of makeup all day (at a wedding, special occasion etc.).

But if you do use primer, make sure the primer and foundation are both either water based or silicone based. (You’ll see on the ingredients list on the packaging, if it includes ‘Aqua’ near the top it’s water based). If you mix a water based primer with a silicone based foundation (or vice versa) the foundation wont set properly and will just slide off.
You can also ask google “Is X foundation water or silicone based?” And it’ll tell you.

I have fairly similar skin type to you, I’m early 30’s and definitely feel like my skin is different to my 20’s. (I’m deathly pale but do wear false tan when wearing makeup)

This is my routine:
Wash face and tone. Focus toner on the spots that get oily.
Primer: Elf hydrogrip
Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk
Concealer: Nars creamy concealer
Bronze: Doll Beauty cream bronzer
Powder: MAC Mineralise Skin Finish (a little goes a long way and doesn’t look cakey)
Blush: any cheap drug store blush.

The older you get- stick to more cream and liquid products and less powders. Powders can sit in fine lines and look cakey.

Warm up foundation by rubbing a few pumps on the back of your hand first, then apply it with a nice big fluffy buffing brush. Then go over it with a damp beauty blender sponge. That will get rid of any brush marks and really work the product into your skin.

never put creams or liquids on top of powders. Make sure powder is applied after all of your cream products.

Setting spray - make sure you get one to suit wether you want to look more matte or dewy. (I use the Benefit Porefessional spray).

I’d go to a department store with a beauty bit, and go and ask different stands for some testers and samples. Some may even offer a shade match service for you, but beware, they are sales people and will try and make you buy everything.

Also search YouTube for some makeup tutorials for 40+ skin, and see which people you like the vibe of.

Good luck!

I cant recommend a foundation as don't use it but in terms of a base routine can help! I use the revolution mega powder bronzer, the pixi cream blush and the rhode pocket blush in sleepy girl together and the charlotte tilbury airbrush powder as a setting powder. The elf power grip setting spray is amazing and I recommend spraying between layers. So that would mean priming with moisturiser because I've never found a primer worth it, concealer, contour with a cream product (elf), cream bronzer (the cream version of revolution) and then spray setting spray. Let it dry then go in with your powder bronzer and blush and then your setting spray again. Use your setting powder and while it sits do your mascara and lip liner and gloss and you're all done!

I'd post this mid morning in style and beauty. I like Armani luminous silk foundation. I also use bare minerals powder foundation gor every day. I think you can go cheaper on the blusher, so look around superdrug's ranges. Decide on your budget. In any of the brands across Boots/John Lewis, they'll let you try on their foundation.

You can get sample size EL, it often goes on Boots £10 Tuesday offer. I think that it's just Rimmel isn't suiting your skin anymore. EL double wear is good for your type of skin. Go to their counter and get them to put some on you.