Where and what beauty products do women over 40 buy?

[sandy1990]

Ladies over 40, where do you usually shop for beauty products, and what helps you look a little more polished, other than Botox and lip fillers? I’m not interested in those. My brother is finally getting married, so I’d love to look my best for the wedding 😅

Since it’s for a wedding, I’d definitely have my make-up done professionally. For everyday use, I use Olaplex No. 4 for damaged hair, Medicube peptide eye cream, and a salvadora persica based tooth powder that helps with plaque and also whitens teeth — my dentist recommended it, and I even have a before-and-after photo. It’s honestly life-changing.
As for face cream, plain old Vaseline works best for my extremely dry skin. (Although I’ve read somewhere that Vaseline isn’t good to use on your face, I feel like it suits my skin type.)

Boots is still my go-to for most things, although I do pop into Superdrug now and then if they have a good offer. If I want to treat myself, I usually order from Lookfantastic or Cult Beauty.
I'm in my late 40s, and I've found that good skincare makes a much bigger difference than loads of make-up. I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, followed by No7 Future Renew Serum and a decent moisturiser. At night I use Olay Retinol24 a couple of times a week, and my skin definitely looks brighter the next morning.
For make-up, I avoid heavy foundation now because it seems to settle into fine lines. I much prefer L'Oréal True Match or the No7 Protect & Perfect BB Cream. A bit of Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, some cream blush (the e.l.f. Putty Blush is lovely), a coat of Maybelline Sky High mascara and a tinted lip balm usually make me look much fresher without looking overdone.
One thing that made a surprisingly big difference was getting my eyebrows shaped properly and using a good SPF every single day. It doesn't give instant results, but after a few months my skin looked much healthier. I'm 47 and definitely don't feel the need for Botox or fillers. Looking well-rested, having hydrated skin, tidy brows, and a natural make-up look takes years off me. .

TBH, I've simplified my routine a lot over the last few years. I buy most of my beauty bits from Boots or online... I also keep an eye on Boots Advantage Card offers because you can save quite a bit.

For skincare, I love La Roche-Posay Toleriane cleanser, then I use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid followed by Medik8 C-Tetra in the morning. In the evening I usually use Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream, and once or twice a week I'll use Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. M

y skin has become much smoother since I started using it, but the only thing I really struggle with is the enlarged pores on my forehead. Does anyone have a solution for this?

As for make-up, I find less is definitely more now. I use NARS Light Reflecting Foundation very sparingly, Bobbi Brown Corrector under my eyes, Benefit Hoola Bronzer for a bit of warmth, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk blush, and Lancôme Lash Idôle mascara. I finish with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, which keeps everything looking fresh for hours.

One thing I never skip now is a good primer. The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer has been brilliant and it's much cheaper than some of the high-end ones. I also think having healthy-looking hair makes just as much difference as make-up, so I use Olaplex once a week and always get my hair trimmed before a special occasion.

Oh, thank you for such a detailed reply, but all those details have only made things more confusing for me! :))

Out of everything you mentioned, I’ve only heard of CeraVe. Do I really need all the other products? Is there one good all-purpose moisturiser I could use to hydrate and freshen up my face a little, perhaps something anti-ageing, or is it genuinely necessary to use so many different products?

I get those pores too, but only in the summer, so I assume dehydration is the cause. I’ve tried all sorts of things as well, but nothing helps me as much as drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fruit, especially watermelon. Do you drink enough fluids?

I drink plenty of fluids, so I don’t think dehydration is the issue for me. I’ve had these pores for over 10 years, all year round, not just during the summer.

If I had to recommend just one cream, I’d definitely suggest a good SPF, especially during the summer. But if you want an all-in-one cream, have a look at L’Oréal’s anti-ageing creams, as they’re usually designed to cover several needs in one product.

I use Cleopatra’s Natural for teeth whitening too - it’s a great product, and you get a lot in one tub. I bought mine from my dentist rather than through the website, although I can see now that it’s quite a bit cheaper online.
Btw, as for using Vaseline on your skin, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it because it contains petroleum. It may feel gentle and make the skin seem smooth, but I’ve seen a few studies suggesting that it can be harmful to the face. I’ll post a link later if I can find it. So I’d avoid petroleum-based Vaseline on the face altogether.

I’ve read about Vaseline and seen that quite a lot of people use it as part of their skincare routine, but I haven’t come across anything suggesting that it could be harmful. Could you share a link to a reliable study, or is this just hearsay?

Read this:

https://simplygonatural.com/blogs/news/the-dark-side-of-petroleum-jelly-why-vaseline-is-bad-for-your-skin?srsltid=AfmBOopV5BfqqnUWg9Zi9YHg1FLxElwJ1Yy20NVkRquB-_ikMrdNlUBZ

The primary ingredient in petroleum jelly is petroleum, a byproduct of the oil refining process. This ingredient creates a barrier on the skin, preventing it from breathing and releasing toxins. This can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to acne and other skin irritations. Additionally, petroleum jelly can also interfere with the skin's natural ability to moisturize itself. This can cause dry, flaky skin and make existing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis even worse.
Petroleum jelly is also not biodegradable and can have a negative impact on the environment. When it's washed down the drain, it can clog waterways and harm wildlife. Furthermore, petroleum is a non-renewable resource and the extraction process can lead to environmental damage, such as oil spills.
Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, has been a popular household product for many years. However, recent studies have raised concerns about its safety and effectiveness as a skincare and haircare product. The primary ingredient, petroleum, has been found to clog pores and interfere with the skin's natural moisturizing ability. Additionally, the production and use of petroleum-based products can have negative effects on the environment. As a result, it's recommended to opt for natural and plant-based alternatives, such as the Shea-Jojoba Skin Balm, to ensure that you're taking care of both your skin and the planet.

Thank you, but I still don’t think this is an actual study ,, it seems more like a personal opinion.

Brilliant ! How long did it take you to achieve these results?

2 weeks I think

Go to dermatica and get a dermatologist to look at your skin (you just send in pictures). I’ve now been prescribed Adapalene for my acne/fine lines/rosacea and it’s helped so much. It’s only £5 for the first month and then you can subscribe but I still think it’s cheaper than less effective products that contain mostly marketing.

other than that for skin I would say
double cleanse at night (gentle non exfoliating if using Adapalene or another retinal)
barrier moisturizer
I like a vit c eye cream in the morning
i also like a milky toner
Good spf essential (go Korean imo)

Realistically just using ‘a mouisturiser’ isn’t going to do a lot after 40, but these steps would make a big difference.

i guess depends a bit on when the wedding is, if it is in the next couple of weeks you might not have time to adapt to the retinal. In which case I’d go for a facial and get my hair and make up done.

I love cerave

Has anyone used Froya organics? My sm is flooded with adverts for it currently.

I’m wondering if adding turmeric to a decent moisturiser would work (adding fresh piperine too, of course!) It’s a natural anti-inflammatory. Might turn me yellow, tho!

Can I ask how long the tooth powder takes to arrive, please? Thanks!

My favourite make up products:

Skin - Vita liberata beauty blur (very sheer & glowy - if you need more coverage use foundation)
Concealer - By Terry
Setting powder/ bronzer - Hourglass
Mascara - Lancome Idole
Eyeliner - Victoria Beckham
Eyeshadow - Lisa Eldridge
Lips - Violette FR (I love their bisou balm & lip plume products)
Blush - Merit

4-5 days to London

I use Skin&Me at night and I think that's made a huge difference. Also recommend Living Proof PHD range for hair :)

Which korean spf do you recommend? X x

Blush - merit is a game changer!

I use Avene moisturiser and le Roche possy spf, cerave eye cream and nars concealer (they save my eyes!!), Aimee Connolly primer and rimmel perfect match foundation and mac setting spray. Mascara L’Oréal and eyeshadow L’Oréal too! Night time Clinique take the day off and clarins night cream

skin is dry, I’m 46, my skin is pretty good (I can say this because my hair and body is horrible atm so I need to remember this😉)

I have the mixsoon centella one, it’s only about £10 and it’s never irritated my skin and seems to work well.

Where do you get it from?