The big 50 - please help me put together a capsule make up kit

[AnotheBloodyChinHair]

Disclaimer - I will NOT go to a make up counter

In a few weeks I will turn 50. I have realised I need to do my make up differently and I was hoping for some suggestions/recommendations for products and decent tutorials that focus on my age group.

My hair is mousy brown with warm highlights, shoulder length, in pretty good condition; my skin is medium pale, my eyes are brown. My eyelashes are quite blonde and very long.

I have used foundation religiously since I was 18 which I think has helped preserve my skin somewhat, so it's in fairly good shape despite me not doing much to it.

I like to wear make up every single day regardless of my plans, but I want to start using less of it, or differently, not sure. At the moment this is what I use:

-After moisturiser and primer/spf, I apply EL double wear in Fresco.
-Once dry, I apply Mac's studio fix in NW25 liberally all over face
-I use navy blue mascara (No 7) because I find that black is way too harsh and brown makes me look like a Cornish pasty.

I don't use eye shadow or pencil because I don't know how.
-Bobby brown blush in some pink shade
-My usual lipstick is Max Factor's lipfinity in 001 pearly nude which I apply with a cheap lip pencil from Boot's natural collection.

I guess what's working the least is my lipstick. I love the colour and the fact that I only have to apply it once a day, but it no longer looks mauve/pink on me. It looks harsh and somehow goes darker on my lips, sometimes even has a toffee-like tone to it, which really does not suit me at all. I feel I need something lighter, even if it means applying it more frequently throughout the day.

So I was wondering if you could help me put together a capsule make-up kit of around 7 items, perhaps recommend products I hadn't thought of? Thanks!

Bumping for the afternoon peeps

It sounds like you use cool tones rather than warm tones. I'd suggest swapping navy blue mascara for dark grey, depending on the colour of your eyes.

The lipstick sounds mauve which I think is quite unflattering for most people. I'd consider a more neutral cool toned lipstick or try something pink toned or brighter. It's surprising what works as we get older and our skin/hair tones change.

Have a look at Look Fabulous Forever online. They have some excellent tutorials and the makeup is formulated for older skin/features. They have a nice selection of lip colours.

I'm not an expert of any sort and am crap at doing make up but I'm sure lots of helpful advice will follow

FWIW I'm 50 and I use less now than before - my skin is ok - for base I either use Chanel Les Beiges or Bobbi Brown Skin Foundaton.

I use Chanel les beiges stick blush - the pink one and my fave lip product is Clarins Instant Lip stuff in 07 Toffee - also use various lip colours from B Brown

I find when I use eyeshadow it looks overdone

ELDW is quite a heavy base and I think it can look “mask” like.

What about some touché eclate under your eyes and then a little foundation where you might need it- for me around the nose then blended in.

What about a brown one? And then some grey eye pencil very lightly smudged close to the lash line on your upper eyelids only.

Posey by Mac is a lovely rosey cream blusher. Try that rather than a powder?

I much prefer gloss rather than lipsticks. Lipsticks I find sink into my lines and age me. Lipgloss is much more flattering. Lancôme juicy tubes or Clinique lip glosses are pretty.

I would use less product and try and go for a fresher/Dewey look. If you’re feeling confident and for an evening look use Mac strobe cream, or the benefit highlighter called Watts up (I think!) on the edge of your cheekbone near your eye/hairline.

Finish it all off the Mac prep/prime fix.

I’m 51 and now go for the “less is more” theory. I wear neutral tone eyeshadows (loving urban decay nude palettes) and use L’Oréal bb cream instead of foundation. I think older skin needs a dewy finish. I don’t use lipsticks instead I have soft lip crayons or glosses.

I'm a similar age. I would suggest a Bobbi Brown makeup lesson for new ideas. As you like EL foundation why don't you ask at the counter for a sample of their Doublewear Nude Waterfresh foubdation? It is so nice and much lighter than the original Doublewear. Re eyemakeup, I would buy a slightly shimmery eyeshadow crayon ( M&S By Rosie, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, By Terry & Beauty Pie are good). Apply to your lids then blend slightly in the crease with a brush. For extra longevity and a slightly different look you can dust some eyeshadow on top. I use a touch of liquid or cream blusher for natural looking warmth. I like Glossier in Dusk ( summer) or Storm ( winter) or Milk lip and cheek stick in Werk. For lips I like a natural flattering hydrating nude. Laura Mercier Lipsticks in Bare Lips, Baby Lips and for a stronger look Tender Lips are all very flattering.

So wait, you use two foundations?
For lip, try MAC Mehr - it really warms up a cool tone and is more pink than mauve but not garish at all.
Navy mascara has to go.

Ditch the navy mascara and buy a new lipstick - Marc Jacobs Kiss Kiss Bang Bang suits everyone.

Mac velvet teddy is a pretty neutral too.

Brown mascara instead of navy. Navy is rather dated I feel

We're almost the same age, OP, so I'm not trying to make you feel old, but your make choices do sound a little ageing. I know ELDL is the nation's favourite foundation, but it's not the most flattering by a long shot.

Why don't you want to go to a make up counter? Bobbi Brown is great, and the assistants don't shame you for being over 25 unlike Mac.

I'm 50 and have recently changed to Boots Hydraluminous foundation and can't recommend it highly enough. Good, natural coverage and a dewy finish.

I also bought the Charlotte Tilbury 'Uptown Girl ' make up set - eyes/ cheeks/ lips and watched her videos to find out how to apply. Feel that has been a huge update - very flattering colours. Her method of eyeshadow application in particular has made all the difference and taken years off.

I want to avoid going to a make up counter because I always end up spending more than I intended. I am really weak like that.

I am totally open to an overhaul of my make up, including every single product I use.

The reason I am faithful to ELDW is because it's the only one I've tried that doesn't give me a really shiny forehead. After some research I have found this other one that might work for me: www.johnlewis.com/giorgio-armani-power-fabric-foundation/p3166078?s_afcid=af_13430&tmad=c&awc=1203_1565015441_3ea6aa10649c67ba38636a254b4c5f28&tmcampid=48#product-detail--reviews

The mascara is a little more difficult. I honestly feel brown makes me look really bland and washed out but again, I am more than willing to change. Perhaps what I need to do is get some eyeshadows, which I have no idea how to apply as I've never used them.

I have bought Mac's Mehr. So that's a start.

Please keep the advice coming. As you can see I need it really badly!

Nadine Baggot on YouTube has lots of great tutorials. Also recommendations on affordable makeup.

You could join beauty pie or go somewhere like Superdrug and take a trip to the Revolution Make up area (decent quality cheap as chips and no ‘counter’ - just stocked on shelves.

If you want to nail your colours you could try Styled by Susie which does a very reasonable online analysis and can provide specific make up colour recommendations including both high street and higher end options.

Navy mascara is actually fantastic as long as it's proper navy and not too light in colour. Makes your eyes clearer and whiter.

It sounds like it's your lip colour. I'm not sure Mac mehr is right for you. If you've never used eye shadow, why start now?

I like urban decay matte nudes but I've always worn eye colour and would feel strange starting now if I hadn't.

Also you don't need two foundations.

Ah! A vote for navy mascara!

Try Bobbi Brown Desert Rose for lips

Mac Brule for eyes

Maybelline whipped mousse matt foundation- better coverage than EL, stops the shine and is not in the slightest bit claggy on the skin.

Try soft black mascara and a taupe brown eyeliner.

MUA from Superdrug do a great highlighter crayon which adds radiance to the skin- just pop in on top section of cheekbones so the skin doesn't look flat all over.

bit of blusher- use the Bobbi brown lip and blend

The model is older than you so maybe not quite there yet, but this video by Hannah Martin on how to make up mature skin might be helpful with hints and tips and also products to consider. I’m not sure you can really get personalised advice on tones/colours/finishes without going to a counter but I can totally understand why you don’t want to (although I’ve heard Bobbi Brown are really good and not pushy at all).

Anyway hope this is helpful!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=a1yQO2-4KVw

Have you bought the Armani foundation? It’s amazing but you do need to get properly matched in good light.

Sorry OP, but I think you'd be a lot better off pulling up your big girl birthday pants and going to a make up counter. Just tell them at the outset that you're only going to buy one product that day, but that you're interested in recommendations.

You're more likely to waste money by guessing your shade and having to chuck stuff away.

Or try Charlotte Tilbury-you pay for the makeover up front, which takes off the pressure to buy. If you do buy, the price is taken off the makeover fee. If you don't buy, you can walk away without guilt.

I agree that you would be better off going to a counter and talking to someone in person. Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier are both good for a flattering, natural look instead of a fuller trendy all the products at once look.

Be careful with navy mascara, if it looks obviously blue it can be a bit dated. Mascara by itself can be a harsher look, as the contrast between bare skin and black mascaraed lashes can be jarring. You could consider softening that look with some light matte eyeshadow and soft eyeliner, it just helps ease the transition between the madeup eyelashes and bare skin.

Pale frosty lipstick can be very aging, I'd aim for a softer glossier look. Hourglass has some beautiful new lipglosses, they're pigmented enough to look like lipstick but easy to apply and wear and they last for several hours before wearing off very naturally.

Re eyeshadow, try one of these eyeshadow crayons www.marksandspencer.com/cream-eyeshadow-sparkle-and-magic/p/p22445285 in Feline Fox or Movie Star Crush. I love eyeshadow crayons and they are definitely not all equal. I don't think much of the M&S Autograph ones but these Rosie ones are excellent and easily as good as Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier (which I also have). I'm your age and I apply one of these crayons to my lid each morning, blend into the crease and often add some eyeshadow on top. Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier are definitely the brands to go to for a flattering age appropriate look. Ive mentioned it before but it is worth getting a sample ( they'll give you a week's worth in a bottle) of the Estée Lauder Doublewear Nude Waterfresh foundation which is light, flattering and gorgeous.

Thank you everyone.
I have started wearing WAY less foundation & lipstick. It feels good now although I am not sure it will work in the winter when I'm back at work, will have to see...
I am checking the products you have all mentioned, specially Estée Lauder Doublewear Nude Waterfresh foundation; might ask for a sample today.
I might just build up the courage to book a consultation with Bobbi Brown/Laura Mercier

You don't need to change because you are having a birthday.

You might want to change some techniques if your mirror is telling you that there a differences (hoodedness becimeing mpre pronounced, skin texture changing) changing the colour of your hair . But there is no need to change because of age in itself.

If you want new makeup as a birthday treat, just acdeot you want new make up, and follow the kind of advice here that is not related to age - such as going to a makeup counter or experimenting with your existing products after watching tutorial videos for the specific techniques you want to add to your repertoire.

Don't fal,pl into he ta of thinking that the (rather lazy) ageist stereotypes are in any way true or well founded. Yes, you might need to make some changes if or when your body actually changes. But it won't be doing it to a set timetable. So just have a birthday treat,withiutn attributing an agsrotype.

This is not written to piss on the idea of new make up etc., but o encourage you to ditch limiting stereotypes - lie is bette without them.

Have a terrific birthday, and many more to come

I remember writing a post about a beauty book for 'mature women' -can't remember the title but all the stereotypes came out to play.. Clearly it was only written for a very small community - mainly pale skinned ladies - their advice was to wear a pale pink lipstick - the type that even makes me look ill!!

I remember thinking of all the darker skinned/olive/brown women trying for that look. I have seen a stunning white haired white woman wearing black and red and with a lovely red lipstick. She looked great!

It has nothing to do with age (though obvs if you have very crepey lids and lots of lines around your eyes I reckon you should probably avoid Urban Decay glittery stuff) .

Why not go along to Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier with enough money to buy a foundation only -they would give you a list of what they put on you, then you can always come back and buy the rest there /similar somewhere else.

I was also the biggest ELDW fan, but since I tried the Light one, I much prefer that now. I am the same age as you OP and i cannot do black mascara either. I really like the cherry and plum colours, but then I do have green eyes and they do tend to bring the colour out better than browns. Although I use browns too, but don't go for the light one, look for brownish black instead.

Using two foundations sounds very heavy on the skin to me. Also I used to just slap foundation on with hands, but find using a brush works much better now.

I changed to a cream blush rather than powder and that also tend to brighten me up a bit.

I need to do work on the eyes, i cannot get on with the little brush and eyeshadow instead using a liner, although i use less now, but the powder just makes me look washed out, so I do not know what I am doing wrong.

Oh, and I bought a red lipstick for the first time in my life (I am fair and freckled so I thought it would never work) but I have had a lot of compliments when wearing it. I think at our age we do have to start brightening some things up, but toning others down.