Mid life makeup crisis

[Onedaylikethis21]

Ok, I know this is a first world nonsense problem but I have reached 48, in perimenopause & suddenly feel like a total idiot with makeup as nothing I have used for years looks right. I am a boots no7 fan & have used their colour matched foundation for years but my powder eyeshadow, black eyeliner etc just looks a bit shit and dated now as I age.

I love the look of the trinny cream stuff esp the eye makeup but find all the products baffling (and it’s not vegan which it needs to be for me)

Aibu to ask for mumsnet advice? What should I do? Go to a makeup counter & ask for help? If yes, which one?

I want to look nice but have lost all my makeup confidence- am pretty sure this is linked to weird menopause feelings of general shitness too where nothing that worked before seems to work anymore.

Maybe look up YouTube make up tutorials for the more mature ladies. Might give you some ideas.

I didn't have a clue about make up until YouTube, and now I enjoy playing with it from time to time.

I think if you ask for this post to be moved to Style and Beauty you'll get some helpful responses. The advice on there is usually really good. Good luck.

I wouldn't be taken in by the Trinny stuff. Start by switching from black to brown eyeliner. Get a few good basics and make sure your brushes are up to scratch. I don't think any one brand has all the answers but as a rule Charlotte Tilbury is great for eyeshadows and liners, Nars is great for blushers although have a look at Milani for much cheaper drugstore options, and MAC is great for lipsticks but avoid matte formulations. Any old mascara but again maybe try brown if you've previously been wedded to black. Lighten up the coverage on your base. I really rate Erborian. Consider trying Beauty Pie as they have a very decent range of makeup and primers.

I found Trinny make up to be very expensive coloured grease, they don't do samples, either.

Maybe try a make up counter, and ask for advice. This can be variable, but I've found there's a woman who works on the Clarins counter who is excellent.

Go over to S&B and read the recent eyeliner thread.

Some great tips on there.

Rather than a make up counter which will obviously push their own brand, I would go somewhere like space nk as they stock various. I’ve always found them very helpful.

I’ve read to avoid powders at our age, so it doesn’t crease in the lines.
So I bought a Pixie cream blush instead of my usual powder, it’s no different, so that was a waste.
You perhaps need to go for a BB cream type foundation now, rather than a full on foundation.

Cream eyeshadow sticks or matte powder eyeshadow
Very light foundation, even just a tinted moisturiser. I often just dab on some concealer
Cream blush and a cream highlighter
Agree with brown eyeliner, or even some blue and dark green coloured ones
You can google vegan brands, there are tons.
I am in Australia, we have www.mecca.com.au/ I found it super useful to look at different brands and products.

How about Violet Jordan stick set? It says it's plant-based. Are those any good to you? The colours look really nice.

Hi OP I’m a couple of years older than you. I’ve been switching up my make up over the last 18 months. Most probably because I spend the day on Teams calls so am looking at my face all day!

I’ve got into watching some MUA videos on Instagram. There’s loads. I like Donna May and Our little lives. Great tips. Particularly about where to put blusher etc and how to do eyeliner.

I tried some of the Trinny products and found them too shiny. I don’t know how good your skin is but I don’t use a foundation unless a big night out. I have got into skin products and have been buying beauty boxes and beauty advent calanders. These work out good value and allow you to try products and brands you’ve never heard of.

I use a range of stuff but do like dermalogica skin products. You can buy samples on eBay to try. I use a concealer - I chop and change. At the mo a mix of Mac and Nars. As you get older I think a good brow works wonders. I get mine threaded and brows and lashes tinted. I use maybelline black mascara. I’ve tried loads and I always go back to this. Most of them are about a fiver.

I use black/brown eyeliner - Clinique Quickliner is my fave.

I use Clinique/Nars/Charlotte Tilbury powder.

I use a Nars blusher/bronzer palette which I love and I love Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks. I like a pinky neutral colour - Nicole Kidman Kiss is my fave at the mo.

Hope this helps x

Liz Earle have lovely moisturising make up, soft tones. I’d go to a counter and ask for a make over or they may just be able to pick some colours out for you.
“Liz Earle has confirmed that it is truly cruelty-free. They don't test finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or any third-parties. They also don't sell their products where animal testing is required by law.” Not all products are 100% vegan but they can let you know which ones are.
The cleanse and polish and facial oils are lovely, I’ve been using them for over 20 years.

I found changing to a lighter foundation and using crème products instead of powders has helped . And less seems to be more as I age ! Toning colours down for more muted ones seems to work . I also use eye and lip creams to puff out the wrinkles . Good luck I’m sure you look great confidence is a great look on anyone

Great advice above.

As you get older looking after your skin is key.

I have had regular IPL over the past 18nyears so my skin is completely clear of little veins.
This means my base skin is good.

Good moisturiser and spf every day.

I went into a large store, completely make upfree and asked for their most natural coverage to be applied and that is what I use.

BB creams are so light and inexpensive but give a very natural finish.

Yes to brown mascara and yes to colouring eyebrows so they are nicely defined.

I use a very light mineral powder dusted super lightly down the middle third of my face, an excellent tip from a makeup woman.

I don't find cream eyeshadows work on me, although I wear cream blusher, and I'm nearly a decade older than you. It's very individual, which is no help.

Similar situation to you - menopausal. 47. Confused AF over what to wear, how to apply it etc and don’t even get me started on the number of YouTube tutorials I’ve tried copying.

I’ve paid to have makeup lessons with a lady called Rita - MakeupDr (U.K. based) she went through my makeup bag and told me what was working for me and wasn’t - and more importantly why. What to look for when shopping for products. How to apply. Everything. For the first time in my life I feel confident with makeup. I can even apply bronzer and do a it of contouring!!

She does in person and virtual stuff and I’m sure there are others like her. I see it as an investment in my happiness. I’d have paid double happily. :)

Check out 'Rosemary Wright make up artist' on Facebook. She gives tips and tutorials on skincare and make up for the over 40s. She has her own ranges too.

Before you rush out and buy a load of expensive makeup, have a look at a few
MUA on YouTube especially the ones focusing on mature women and showing how to apply natural looking makeup.

I recommend Wayne Goss, Caroline Barnes, Hotandflashy and Lisa Eldridge.

Also check out Nadine Baggott for skincare.

I would also advise that you go and get your face done at a few makeup counters, but don't commit to buying anything. Try a few, get samples. This is the approach I adopted which worked for me.

If you want a vegan makeup brand I find Tarte products excellent. The only issue is you can only buy them online.

I only use powder blush, everything else is cream even my bronzer. I don’t wear heavy makeup as I find it incredibly ageing. I go for a very light base, just to even out skin tone a little. Everything is subtle and well blended.