Recommendations for my tired pasty face please

[Honey1975]

I'm 42 & looking tired. Olivey skin tone but pasty & generally worn out, dark circles. I take medication for a condition which I'm sure has aged me quicker.

I have tried Clarins foundation & tinted moisturiser but it seems to sit on my skin. Have also got some Clinique (superbalanced?) foundation but that feels too heavy.

I also have a clarins bronzer but think its a bit orangey on me (another expensive mistake)

I want to treat myself to something that will help me look healthier and brighter but not caked in make up.

I've seen some people who seem to have a slight shimmer/glow to their face which looks lovely and subtle but I don't know what that is.

I'd be grateful for any recommendations please.

Bare minerals is £28 rrp it is starting to turn up in the sales. Have seen it for about £20.

Hint for foundation and tinted moisturiser buying - ask for a sample, enough for a couple of days. Be a mad cow and produce a small sample pot from your pocket if necessary. Stuff that goes orange or feels yuck on your skin is a huge waste of money, whatever the price. Be a demanding customer.
Do half your face in your usual stuff and half in the new stuff then do the housework. Test in natural and artificial light. Try everybody's ideas and suggestions - remembering that you are unique.

Elemis pro collagen cleansing balm. It has literally taken years off my pasty face. It’s also so beautifully scented that you wouldn’t consider skipping it. It’s my favourite part of bed time.

Here are a few things to try

1. reduce salt and carbs in your diet
2. do a bit deeper skincare, like retonil, acids, Vit C etc
3. try benefit hoola or kevin aucoin contouring powder as contouring powders, one swipe under your cheekbone, one under jawbone and one top of browbone (like a number 3). Right now you are probably putting the foundation which makes all your face look the same shade and therefore looks pasty to you. You need a bit of contouring to get the planes of your face back.
4. wear blush and mascara

I think you're right Ana, my face does look all the same shade and flat. But I don't know how to do the contouring thing, I'm not very good
at applying make up properly! So can I do the contour thing using bronzer? Should I use blusher aswell as the contour powder?
I don't want to look too made up.

Honey for dry skin I highly recommend Trilogy Make up Be Gone cleansing balm. It's pricey, about €25 but you only use a tiny amount so lasts forever. It's got a 6 month life per the jar and you easily get that long out of it. Plus because you remove using a wet muslin or cotton cloth, you lightly exfoliate too.

It sounds like you need to find the right foundation for your skin. I find mineral ones are not great if you're prone to dry skin and prefer a liquid foundation over a primer to make it last. Maybe a couple of trips to different makeup counters, let them apply so you try before you buy? If doing that go away for an hour and check it in natural light so you know if it's going to oxidize.

I think the sheen you're describing is probably a highlighter. They can be a bit tricky if you're not used to them. A setting spray might be worth a look - I use the NYX dewy one and have had compliments when wearing it.

OP yes you do need to use blusher, I think foundation covers your natural complexion, and not wearing it would make you look tired and pasty. Re bronzer for contouring, some you can use like the benefit hoola, generally any bronzer that is not too orange or shimmery. You want a bit more ash tone. Watch a bit of youtube regarding contouring, but in general I find the swipe under the cheekbone and jawbone good enough since I have very little time.

If you feed you are looking too made up it might be because of wrong products (too harsh for your complexion) or not enough blending, or putting on too much. Visit a bobbi brown or any other makeup counter if you can, but don't let them pressurize you into buying stuff, just to try the shades.

, she concentrates on her eyebrows. Sounds like your special area will be a quick sweep of blusher, something coral / bronze on the apples of your cheeks should do it.

OP - Lancôme has very good shades for our -sallow- olive skin

(Strike through fail)

Something that really deep cleans and brings about a glow is cleansing with jojoba oil.
Human skins really likes it. I use it before l use my regular cleanser.
It really takes off an amazing amount of dirt/skin. I use dampened cotton wool pads.

I also rate garnier sheet masks but the best thing for my face has been cutting down on salt and sugar.

Where do you get jojoba oil from?

Mine is Neals Yard Mouse but Amazon- Holland and Barrett will have it... health food shops etc...
Lasts ages. :)

You are probably very dehydrated. I'd swap to an oil based cleanser like Body Shop Camomile Balm Cleanser or La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser (which is creamy) LRP Toleriane have good moisturisers and eye contour cream too.

You could also look for an Essence Toner (Korean style) which you pat into your face after cleansing. Will make a real difference. You could also try something like Buffet (or Hylamide SubQ) and/or a gentle Vit C like the Vit C Ascorbyl Tetra in Vit F oil based serum from the Ordinary.

Only takes a few minutes am and pm - I'd rather spend on skincare than on makeup.