damepeanutbutter I am in my mid sixties and have very good skin , for my age. I agree it's genetic-my mother still had lovely skin when she died, in her eighties, and so do my daughters . But I have also worn foundation since my mid twenties, for work/going out . I don't bother 'round the house' . I have very fair, freckly skin and it evens it out . Now I'm not in the first flush, it also helps put a bit of glow back in .
I wear
serum (currently Boot, Clarins Double wear when flush)
Moisturiser(Clarins Multi Active Day Cream )
and primer , Garnier Perfect Blur under my nose to 'blur ' lines, Clarins Instant Light on my cheeks to add glow .
Foundation is MaxFactor Whipped Creme (Light Ivory) but again I buy Clarins Super Restorative when feeling rich! Might try the Dior Star lots of people have mentioned . In summer I wear tinted moisturiser (only). I think its Nvea biut I can't be bothered to go and look . Some of this stuff has Sun Protection, which I think is good for my skin too .
Similarly I wear blusher - Maybelline Dream Mousse Peach Satin I am so wedded to this shade I have stockpiled it, as they stopped doing it once . It was traumatic .I look much healthier with it (I regularly go walking with a friend-sans make up as I get sweaty. She always asks me if I'm OK as i'm 'so pale' .I have to remind her she usually sees me wearing slap).
I wear eyeliner- , Extreme 24 hr felt tip (discovered through MN) V cheap .
dark brown mascara , MaxFactor Masterpiece.
and define my greying brows with Body Shop powder, Brow and Liner Kit. (lasts for ever)
For a party/dressed up function I might add some eyeshadow - have small selection in purple, green, grey but tend not to wear in daytime any more.
I rarely wear lipstick Sometimes pale pink gloss .
It takes me 10 mins, max, to apply . I could do it in 5 if I tried .
I always wear perfume- SJP Lovely for every day . Opium, Black Opium, Dolce Vita, Mitsouko, Penhalgion Bluebells (summer) for going out .
It may sound vain, (if it is I don't care - this is anonymous) but most people think (and friends say I look) I am at least ten years younger than I am ( group of DD2s student friends were recently discussing their parents. Age came up and she says the ones who had met me couldn't believe I was 'that old' .I had my Dcs later in life !). I also still have my hair coloured .Believe me , if I 'overdid it' or looked like mutton dressed up as lamb, the DDs would tell me .
The psychology is interesting . I think when I worked, putting my professional 'face' on made me feel more confident and polished-it went with the expensive suits and the high heels . It carried over into private life. I do find my friends who don't (or rarely) wear make up tend not to have worked in a business environment . They also, being mostly in their fifties or older ,often look tired and washed out .
I don't look terrible without make up .I just look younger/ fresher/ better looking with it .
I once had a (gorgeous , you would think needed no enhancement) work colleague who said (in front of our male boss) that she'd have to call in sick if she couldn't find her mascara of a morning . Boss and male colleagues looked bemused . Women just smiled and nodded understanding .