Has anyone else found makeup 'ages' them as they get older?

[HepburnKNotA]

The obvious thing first: I have, and perhaps could even more, tweak my 'old' makeup. I have tried switching my old midnight-blue eyeliner and black mascara for browns. I've tried a different shade and format of blusher.

But these days when I put on makeup I feel I look older with it on, and not in a good way!

I'm 42 btw.

I have (and I'm not ashamed to say it, given the amount I've bloody spent on it in products and effort) really good skin for my age, very very few lines (apart from Number 11s) and since I gave up sugar (and started using Emma Hardie and Sunday Riley stuff) a couple of years ago my skin is smoother than it's ever been. I've never really needed any foundation, barely used tinted moisturiser and these days I don't wear any base at all, ever.

But I do like a bit of eye makeup (liner and mascara) on nights out etc and now I don't know what to try as whenever I put it on, I feel like I suddenly look haggard and over my real age instead of under it! And blusher used to 'freshen' me up, but now I don't know, it has the same ageing effect.

Still happy with my trusty nude lipsticks and glosses, tbf.

Should I just give up and at least enjoy the fact I have good skin (until inevitably that all falls off a cliff in a few years...)? Or should I keep trying different shades? Techniques? I spend all my 'beauty' money on bloody (admittedly amazing) Space NK products so don't have much left for experimenting with makeup if it's not going to work!

Does anyone else feel the same way and if so - did you give up on makeup and just go bare-faced? I feel it's not enough 'effort' for a night out! Though I've never been a big makeup person at all, really.

@hepburn, it's when you dab a powder into the roots of your upper lashes, from the underneath, uusing a fine but stiff brush. I like Laura Mercier Tightline Cake liner but actually I also use a dark brown eyeshadow too. I dampen the brush before dipping it in the liner. It's been a game changer for me but it takes a bit of practice.

I just use a normal black kohl pencil for tightlining, there is a bit of a knack to it though, I watched some of the good old youtube tutorials.

I don't use eyeshadow at all anymore, I have an hourglass palette of ambient lighting powders so just use one of the neutral ones all over my eyelid, highlighting one underneath my brows and in the corner of my eye and bronzer in the crease. They are really, really subtle to the point it's almost impossible to overdo them as long as a light hand.

Regarding Claudia Winkleman, I've just watched a video of her discussing her "look" and favourite products with Nadine Baggot, on Nadine's Youtube channel. VERY entertaining and honest. I love how she doesn't give a monkey's what anyone else is wearing, she just does "her". Her description of her own make up is wonderful - Orange (face), Black (eyes) and white (lips). Apparently if you do that, that's it in a nutshell. Well worth a peek at, if only to reassure ourselves that individuality is fab.

I haven't RTFT so forgive me if anyone's mentioned it, but please check out the Look Fabulous Forever website for make up for women 40+. There are some great makeovers on there too. It's a range designed for older women by an older woman. I've found it a game-changer in terms of make up (age 50) but it's not the cheapest.

Claudia Winkleman really really needs to change her make up. She is such a lovely looking woman but every time I see her in the paper at a celeb event she always looks a bit crazy faced.

So I’ve dug our dome different make up and actually I think I do look better with things done a bit different. More muted lipstick, I still like my bronzing pearls on my cheeks but I added a little highlighter right at the top. Foundation I’ve still no idea. My eyes are so deep set that even with tear trough fillers they still look hollow and my crows feet are all the way round. I have a feeling that as we age it’s less about make up and more about non surgical procedures 😬

@sheshootsheimplores Have you explored bb or cc creams instead of foundations? I'm not a fan myself but I don't tend to use foundation type products anyway. If I do need a little coverage, I like Bare Minerals powder foundation, it works for me.

I do kind of agree with you about Claudia's look being dated - I doubt it's changed much in 20 years. But it IS distinctive and as long as she likes it and is happy, I'm glad to see someone in the "public eye" doing their own thing. I do have a soft spot for folks who do not give a stuff about trends or what anyone else thinks. She's in an environment that's fairly hostile to women who don't "toe the line" so I applaud her on that score.

Yep- agree OP.i have changed my make up look, I have cut back massively, I now concentrate on getting a nice even glow anything Matt just plonks years on me now. I’ve got quite into my skin care much more. Quit eyeliner, quit eyebrow liner and switched to having the eyebrows tinted- and a bit of good mascara bit of blush and softer lip colours.

@vivarium, the Sensai gel is very forgiving, blurring and flattering but there are only three shades, light, medium and dark, so you choose the closest to your base tone. I have light olive skin and use the palest, but after a tropical holiday, I might use the mid tone for a week or two. (In 20 years that I've been buying consecutive variations, I have bought two mid-tone, compared to one a year of the light.) There's no pink in it, so it's definitely aimed more at pale Asian skins than blushing English roses, but I have never met anyone who, having tried it, has felt it didn't suit them. They have been from 40 to 80. Sadly, it is only sold online and in Harrods, so you can't just pop in to try it, and it's expensive enough that most people (sensibly) are cautious about taking the word of an anonymous stranger on a forum. Guerlain make something similar; it may be called Teint Couture.

I keep childishly chuckling at teint 😂

@HepburnKNotA M&S do dupes of the eyeliner sticks, Rosie for autograph ones with a nice subtle shimmer (dupes of the amazing By Terry ones) and I think the normal Autograph range does them too. I have 4 By Terry ones and a Rosie one and they are fantastic. I don't use them as an eye liner as they are too soft and chubby but are lovely for s touch of colour.

Right, just caught up. I hit 40 last year and I'm still wearing my usual make up, I've probably naturally evolved it over the years. I think the main think is to get the shades and textures right, but anyone can go wrong with those but I think an older face doesn't carry it off as well. Nothing is going to stop me wearing my bright lipsticks or eyeshadows. I'll die clutching onto my beautiful palettes.

Also I've up graded my skin care, no new fads or acids, just a nice set tailored to dry sensitive skin, medium price range but my skin is soft and my make up goes on really well. So far I'm really pleased and actually I notice yesterday that my dry under eyes was soft, last week I had a reaction and slapped on Bepanthen under them and this week the skin is soft and the lines seen less.

I’ve got a big organic (just Holland and Barrett) but a bit like you @Buster, no harsh scrubs or toners (I’m looking at you Clinique!) Ageing and the subsequent wrinkles are inevitable.

My skin feels more “settled” the less I do with it. Obviously, as a makeup wearer, I got to get every scrap off at night but in a very gentle way.

“I’ve GONE a bit organic”! 😡

XingMing thanks. Ordered some. I'm very, very pale. To the point that when we were on holiday in Italy the locals were pointing at us. They'd never seen anyone so pale.

Also, I bought brown mascara - OH MY GOODNESS!

You are right!

Am now buying everything else you've mentioned.

I'm pale too vivarium - that very fair English skin that doesn't tan and burns easily. I'm guessing pink undertones (although I don't really understand that undertone stuff). If the Sensei were a lotion or a cream then it would be way too dark for me but because it's a gel and water based it has more of a translucent effect. It doesn't look like a coat of emulsion like foundation does, even though the one I was using (Bobbi Brown) is, in theory, a better colour match.

Modern makeup trends are incredibly aging , a lot of the reality tv type youngsters look like middle aged drag queens because their makeup is so heavy.

I’m 58 and don’t like to go without some sort of base as I have a lot of discolouration. I find that if I use a stippling brush to apply foundation very lightly it evens out my skin tone without giving the heavy ‘mask’ effect.

My eyes need some definition so I smudge a thin line of soft brown eye pencil,or shadow at the upper outer edges only.

I think a dewy look is less aging than the matte look that’s more fashionable today. A little subtle highlighter along the cheek bones lifts my face and I finish with the NYX dewy finish setting spray which makes me look fresh and finished.

Please help. I look like the crypt keeper. I'm 51 with blonde hair, fair skin that tans eventually but more prone to freckles.

Can we talk actual products?
I'm on a budget here but can splash out on one item if it's for skin and makes a difference.

I've stopped wearing eyeliner completely. Could never put it on properly anyway. I'm crap with applying make up and just watch my daughter and wish I knew what I was doing like she does.

So - specifically, what is a good tinted moisturiser? Are there any that offer a but of coverage so I can stop the foundation?

What should I look at for Primers? Never used one in my life.
Highlighters, Primers, serum...its such a faff. I just want a bit of colour in my face and to look really well. What product should i buy that doesn"t cost the earth?

Pinky/ nude lipstick - what are good cheap buys? There are so many I struggle to find one.

Mascarra - sparse eyelashes. What's a really good one. I have blue eyes should I buy brown? I tend to get brown/ black.

Any recommendations appreciated.

a lot of the reality tv type youngsters look like middle aged drag queens because their makeup is so heavy.

Yes they do don't they

Can anyone recommend a light BB cream. All the ones I have looked at have been as heavy as a foundation. Maybe I should be looking at tinted moisturiser. I need a cool colour as so many of them make me look like Judith Chalmers.

Has anyone here tried the Trinny London stacks? I'm drawn to the simplicity and tidiness of them

Garnier BB Oil Free. The one in the skinny tube. I use the Light shade. Suits me well. Very light feel with it.

Tapas I love the Boots no 7 bb/cc and tinted moisturisers. They're not too heavy but if I want it really sheer then I mix a tiny blob in with some moisturiser for a nice dewy glow rather than a face full.

Ooh thank you. Am going into town now, and will nip into Boots.

No, not if you use the right sort and know how to use it.

I'm 60s often mistaken for much younger and love my make up which is very very subtle.