Make up for more mature skin - big trip coming up

[edamsavestheday]

My Mother wants some make-up tips. She's 68 and doesn't wear make-up often since she retired. But she's got a major trip coming up to New Zealand, where she will be running workshops so needs to look professional. She wants to know about foundation that avoids falling into and highlighting wrinkles and what primer is and what blur is and so on.

I can only offer limited help as I only do the basics myself, anything more complicated than moisturiser, foundation, blusher and mascara has me a bit befuddled.

NB she has lost a LOT of weight - dramatic transformation -so needs make up that helps her celebrate feeling great for the first time in years.

Oh- where to start.
Loads- can you get her to a dept store and try some makeover?
Suggest Bobbi brown, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins.

Don't choose a heavy foundation- something light or even a CC or BB cream plus concealer.

I've discovered applying foundation with a damp beauty blender is great for older skin.

Estee Lauder counters are good for advice ime.

Thanks ab987, yes, I've suggested department store. She does like Clinique.

I don't know how to use BB cream, do you use it instead of moisturiser & foundation? And what's CC?

thanks, damp blender - is that one of those little wedges? Used to use them years ago when I took more time over my appearance.

I would advise she goes to Space N K - good range of products and knowledgeable staff.

Also my main piece of advice is that definitely less is more as you get older - tinted moisturiser rather than heavy foundation, cream not powder blusher and eye shadow etc.

Not a wedge, an improvement on the wedge have a google and a pink foam thing will come up! If it's likely to be hot in NZ then I recommend Revlon colour stay foundation-sticks like glue!

I agree less is more!

Oh and it's a fiver in boots not the outrageous amounts you'll see on line!

Don't use mat lipstick, use a moisturising one which won't emphasise lines as much , and avoid dark lipstick.

Thanks - have emailed her all suggestions.

She's lost 5.5 stone since being warned by the practice nurse she was heading for Type 2 diabetes. Found a great hypnotherapist. I wish I could see her too, only she's 150 miles away!

Absolutely agree on lipstick . Matte ones and bright ones so aging . Go for very sheer lipstick or lip tint, as well as subtle cream eye shadows in neutral, non sparkly/frosted colours and cream blush. I also use tint my lashes and only occasionally use very 'natural' mascara (eg, Clinique) as very obvious, spiky mascara very aging IMO.

As I said, Space N K very good for ideas. In ordinary department stores, Bobbi Brown counter is best IMO for the sort of subtle look that works best on more mature faces.

No 7 do a lovely range of sheer lip sticks, in between a gloss and a traditional lipstick.

Dame do you recall the name of the NO 7 range, please? I'm always on lookout for really sheer lipsticks.

Thanks, great advice, have passed it all on.

Sheer Temptation by no 7. They're in silver tubes,about 9 quid but there's also lots of offers on/vouchers.

Agree with the lipsticks.
I recommend getting one with a more blue undertone as it'll make the wearer's teeth look whiter. Warmer/yellow toned lipsticks tend to make it look like the wearer has yellow teeth.
I really like the Clinique Chubby Sticks.

Tinted moisturiser or BB/CC creams are more or less the same - they are just very sheer foundations. I like applying them either with fingers or with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

I recommend a tubing mascara, such as the Estee Lauder Double Wear ones (they look very natural and come in different colours) or L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara (the white part isn't for me though and you have to be careful when applying to get the natural look). Clinique also has some. There are loads of them on the market.
They don't smudge, are waterproof and come off with warm water (or makeup remover). My mum and I both have problems with mascaras and this type really helps.
There's a long list of brands and product names as well as an explanation of what it is here: lauratipt.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/ban-the-panda-a-list-of-worlds-tube-mascaras/

A good SPF is also great - it's not enough with the SPF that's found in moisturiser or makeup. Clinique City Block is very nice.

There are great cream blushers on the market now - the Clinique ones have been getting great reviews.

For cream eyeshadows, I'd go to Mac - they have their Paint Pots which are great. They have loads of colours, including neutrals. And the staff at Mac are great at finding the right colours and products IME.
I'd apply it with a brush such as a Mac 217, but they can be applied with fingers and other brushes.

Should she want to line her eyes, then maybe it would be nice to use a dark powder shadow or a gel eyeliner and a push liner brush (such as a Mac 212 - other brands make them too). This video shows how to do it:
It looks very natural and it's easy to do.

I'd skip the primer unless there's a specific need for it. Laura Mercier makes some nice ones.

And I'd also make sure to bring a compact powder for touch-ups during the day and to find some makeup remover/cleanser as well.

Yes I like Laura Mercier -always have their tinted moisturiser on the go . Have the primer too but very rarely bother to use it.

Love Becca eye tints and their cream blusher but it is a pain to get hold of. Will be investigating the Clinique cream blushes next time.

Thanks, Dame , have just popped into Boots and have some if that range in Shy Pink on now to try out ( agree on slightly blue notes being more flattering, btw).

I have shy pink and also the one slightly darker too! Hope you like it

Have been wearing the No 7 Sheer Temptation Shy Pink all afternoon and like both look and feel of it - next time a voucher comes along, will treat myself. Thanks.

The one I'm using as my basic at moment and recommend is Nars Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment in Greta - a very ' natural' nude.

ooh more replies.

Re. BB/CC creams - do you use moisturiser under them, or are they instead of moisturiser & foundation?

Instead of foundation. I hate them though, all too orange and dewy ime. Much prefer a tinted moisturiser if I'm going to go sheer.

Yeah the only ones I've found seem to be very orange. Not great if, like me, you are paler than pale.

Yes agree. I wear serum, then moisturiser, then tinted moisturiser instead of foundation.

Have never found any BB or CC creams I liked as much as a good tinted moisturiser. (My favourites are Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Chantecaille , Becca, By Terry).

The make up tutorials from Lisa Eldridge are good.She does really nice one for mature skin.I have just bought a Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser and don't think I'll ever go back to foundation, its brilliant but expensive.