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!

Another vote for Hannah Martin on YouTube - she is one of the few young MUAs who gets it right for older women: most either want to do a very full-on face that looks like drag, or a they do a stereotypical granny style - all powdery cheeks and (as Deathraystare says) pale pink lipstick.

I recently went to see Frey-ja Barker for a make up consultation. I'm a bit older than you but felt the same way, I just needed a refresh and to use products that were flattering to me and not what the staff at a make up counter wanted to sell. She was fabulous, listened to everything I said, made suggestions but no hard sell. I thoroughly recommend it!

Where was that, @foxychox?

Fenwick in Bond St - 50 quid redeemable against purchases. I have quite sensitive skin so was sticking to Clinique but she introduced me to lots of other great brands, recommended colours etc etc

I would swap the foundation- Studio Fix is amazing and really great I find for events/something more longwear

However, I think something more luminous would look better. The one I use is Borjois healthy mix foundation and it's really good, very healthy and luminous looking. I've heard good reviews about the Dior foundation- I can't remember the name but the packaging is similar to that of Mac Face and Body if you wanted something more high-end

As for the lipstick, go to the Charlotte Tilbury counter and try their lipsticks out. I can't comment on what shade to get you as everyone is different but they are very high quality and they have some beautiful shades. Pillow Talk is pink toned, Super Model is more red toned etc etc

Also I'd swap the blue mascara, as PP maybe go for dark grey instead? Or try a few different brown ones out

thanks @foxychox - I love Fenwicks

I turned 50 last week. A lipstick I've recently discovered and love is MAC's Mull It Over. It's a peachy nude pink.

@XXcstatic - its very underrated but I love it too!!

I'm going to try navy mascara, Thanks OP! I've always felt black was too harsh for me but brown looks... odd somehow. Had no idea navy even existed!