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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think make-up doesn't work for me ?

47 replies

mypoosmellsofroses · 03/05/2018 17:36

I'm nearly 50 and I've tried on and off over the years to "do" makeup. Most of the time I don't bother but now and again I would like to.

I've done the following tutorials on YouTube thing, been to the counters and had makeovers, had professionally applied makeup and just meh really, I never look in the mirror and think that my features or my skin looks any better, I just look like a slightly painted version of me, no better in any way really.

Is there something that I'm genuinely missing or is it just that that's my face and you can't polish a turd?

OP posts:

Storm4star · 03/05/2018 17:38

I’m sorry I don’t have any answer for you but i’m Glad you asked as i’m Interested in the responses. I put on what i’d Call “basic” make up, just so I don’t look washed out but have never been able to really make myself over to look vastly better.

StormTreader · 03/05/2018 17:41

I find this as well - eyeshadow makes my little eyes look even smaller, beyond cat-eye eyeliner I'm lost.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 03/05/2018 17:53

I always think they trowel far too much make up on in You Tube videos and at make up counters.
I love wearing some make up but really just to look a slightly better version of myself. My aim is just a less shiny face, hiding under eye shadows or marks and a tinted lip gloss and mascara.

I mean who wouldn't want better looking skin and longer eyelashes? Maybe try a little bit rather than a full on make over? Tinted moisturiser, mascara just on top lashes, that sort of thing.

That said, there's nothing wrong with the natural look I just look a bit shit and tired that's all

Bluelady · 03/05/2018 17:57

I look ill without it as my mum remarked more than once.

Original poster

mypoosmellsofroses · 03/05/2018 17:59

Definitely with the make up counters thing, one memorable time I actually said "I just want to look less haggard, but not made up" At the end of it she said "ta-dah, now you look really glam!" ( I didn't, I looked like Ronald Macdonald after a few sleepless nights)

Have ditched foundation though, tinted moisturiser seems a lot more forgiving of the wrinkles!

OP posts:

RosyPrimroseface · 03/05/2018 18:08

i look much worse in makeup

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 03/05/2018 18:17

Ha ha "Ronald McDonald"

I think it would be my worst nightmare to sit in a busy department store having make up smeared on by an over zealous counter lady who raves about every product and then tries to make you buy it.

I just try to aim for a natural look so it looks like I'm not wearing much and like I've had ten hours of sleep, even though it took half an hour to do

Some of my faves are tinted moisturiser, pinky blusher, a decent mascara and eye lash curlers. I agree, a matte foundation looks worse really on older mature skin.

ForalltheSaints · 03/05/2018 18:19

As a man, I wish more women did not trowel on make-up. Looks hideous in many cases, and whilst looks are for the person not those around them, why do women feel the need to follow the herd as it were?

Doobigetta · 03/05/2018 18:23

Oh, thank GOODNESS you're here, ForalltheSaints. I KNEW we were all doing it wrong, and was just thinking, if only there was a man around to explain to us how we could be better and please you more. I'll rest easy now.

koalab · 03/05/2018 18:24

I agree OP. I once asked for a natural look at a make up counter but came out feeling like I had a mask on. I just use tinted moisturiser and mascara. I add a bit of lipstick for a night out. And like pp my DP doesn't like the look of too much make up.

pinkrocker · 03/05/2018 18:26

Mine just sits there, in teeny tiny splodges and dots all over my face. Tried primers, Mac, all sorts. I'm just not meant to wear foundation obviously.

NobodysChild · 03/05/2018 18:27

I use a tinted BB cream that evens out the skin tone and then apply a light dusting of tinted mineral powder. Day make-up, if popping into town etc, is a quick flash of mascara, peachy blusher and neutral lipstick, as my lips are as thin as cig papers. Bit more glam is eyeliner, and lash fibres with two coats of mascara and brows defined. A little bit of face oil as a base under the make-up, gives a youthful glow to the complexion.

immortalmarble · 03/05/2018 18:28

I only ever wear foundation to even my skin tone and mascara. I really, really don’t suit lipstick or eyeshadow.

Undercoverbanana · 03/05/2018 18:30

I’m with you OP and also 50. Vaseline on my lips and black mascara. That’s the most I can do. I wore eyeliner in the 80s but it looks harsh and weird now.

I had a makeover a few years ago and I hated it. I felt hot, scratchy, fake and thought I looked demented.

Those caterpillar eyebrows scare me.

FASH84 · 03/05/2018 18:33

I like BB cream, and I like benefit Posie tint as blush, rather than powder only need a tiny bit and it doesn't cling to my skin or huge pores , a good mascara and lip balm is my usual go to, if I'm going out out I'll maybe use proper foundation and brow gel. I've recently signed up for birch box and like it because you get five items matched to your profile, so it's like getting a present in the post every month and I'm not wasting money on products that I don't like, if I find something good I can buy it when the birch box one runs out, it's introduced me to the world of subtle highlighter, I avoided before because I thought they were all glittery. I never ever wear eye shadow not even on my wedding day it makes me look old.

aaarrrggghhhh · 03/05/2018 18:34

For years I honestly don't think I looked better with makeup - now I'm in the old 40s makeup does make a difference.

Don't wear foundation. But I now am starting to not leave the house without eyeliner over my top eyelids. Have you tried that? It can be a WINNER. Eye pencil shouldn't to too thick or dramatic - I use purple from Bobbi Brown. Amazing what a diff it makes.

A huge effort for me is eyeliner, blush and lipstick.

Oh property shaped and tinted eyebrows too.

ie i think the makeup that works for me is the makeup that emphasises the basic features rather than troweling stuff on!

FASH84 · 03/05/2018 18:36

This was april's

MyTeapot · 03/05/2018 18:36

I wear BB cream, a touch of creamy blusher and subtle mascara every day. I don't do any more if on a night out - it just makes me look daft

MrsCatE · 03/05/2018 18:36

I think I am pretty good with makeup and have often been asked for advice and have done friends (and my own) wedding make-up.

However, initially followed stupid advice (frenetic) re my wedding and she booked trial - WTF?! I looked like cross between David Bowie in Ziggy Stardust mode and a TOWIE lady (don't know names).

Perhaps book a trial with a Bobbi Brown outlet? They're known for neutral palette.

howrudeforme · 03/05/2018 18:50

Oh yup. I look bizzare with makeup - sits on my face.

Haven’t worn makeup for decades. Doesn’t suit me and is horribly ageing.

But then again I’m stuck in a 90s students style rut even though I was a student in the 89s😁

Also letting hair grow grey as dm is in 80s and stuck with colouring her hair and she’s been hospitalised twice for allergic reaction.

DoinItForTheKids · 03/05/2018 18:57

pinkrocker

I too had given up. I do wear foundation as my skin's so pants I can't get away with a tinted moisturiser. I haven't tried Mac but I did finally go to the Estee Lauder counter which I only did to ensure I got the exact correct shade for me, plus they will give you a trial amount in a little bottle so you can actually try before you buy.

O.M.G. This is the ONLY foundation that stays on my skin ALL DAY and doesn't oxidise, shift, sink into wrinkles. it is amazing. I would recommend getting a sample and just trying it as it doesn't cost anything to try, if you do want to carry on with foundation that is. I touch up my nose with powder during the day and that's it, other than that it stays on.

I 'bake' my nose and chin. Translucent pressed powder, scrape the surface with something like a hair grip, use a sponge to press it into the greasy areas, then light loose translucent powder over the rest of the face, very light dusting of blusher, mascara, bit of highlighter on top of the cheekbones. Done. Never wear eyeshadow or eyeliner during the day, looks professional but not even remotely clownish. I never wear lipstick, just Baby Lips Peach Kiss lipbalm.

I've found a my eye skin gets wrinklier so that you can't draw on eyeliner like you once might have! I use one that has a felt tip-like end to it rather than a crayon type one. I focus more on 'dabbing' in the spaces between the eyelashes rather than drawing a line so it just makes your lashes look thicker and I literally only 'draw' a very almost imperceptible line - it's less about drawing a line and more about making the base of the lashes look thicker. Then mascara after.

I agree with PPs, the more you put on on wrinkly skin, the bloomin' worse it looks!

Oliversmumsarmy · 03/05/2018 19:07

I don't wear make up. So dd gave me a make over once. I looked like a character from a horror movie.

ggirl · 03/05/2018 19:17

for Doobigetta's response...well said

greendale17 · 03/05/2018 19:18

I would hate to be one of those woman that can’t go out the house without their “face” on. How tragic

TyrionsNextWife · 03/05/2018 19:28

Doobigetta completely agree, if only more men realised that my appearance was there solely for their pleasure I would be a happy wee soul

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