Make-up makes me look worse now that I’m 41

[summersands]

There was a thread on this topic a while ago, but I now can’t find it - if anyone happens to be able to link to it, that would be great! Otherwise, I hope people don’t mind another thread on this topic! I’m 41 and suddenly finding that foundation seems to make the fine lines in my face more noticeable, plus the foundation looks very obviously there, which it never used to. I don’t know whether there’s a different foundation that is more suitable for skin at this age, or whether I’ll just have to do without! Grateful for any thoughts!

minesagin There is no way I look better without makeup as I approach 50! (personally. I'm sure there's lots of natural beauties who do).

It's not the wrinkles. It's the pallor, the shadows, the lack of contrast/definition, the sparser eyebrows, the paler lips...

Late 40s is no time IMO to give up, wear no makeup and accept the wrinkles (again, for me personally). It is giving up, if you like makeup. If a person doesn't like makeup and and never has then great, but if you do like makeup then it's possible to look and feel great with some tweaks to makeup routine - what suits 20 year olds probably won't suit 50 year olds, but it's not the case that all makeup on 50year olds looks like a drag artist.

Of course women don't look like some old drag queen if they use make up when they're approaching 50. You're skin changes that's all and you need to alter your routines

I don’t wear any when home but at work or out I would. Just tone it down a bit, no heavy foundation, no eyeshadow (not that I ever have). I don’t do lipstick either.

It’s all style too I’ve never really used that stuff.

Mascara is a must for me though when work / out.

I was recommended the Bourjois Healthy Mix too and it is excellent, but I ended up preferring the City Radiance. I put a good squirt of moisturiser into it before applying.

That's on top of avene hyraboost serum and embryolisse lait concentree moisturiser so I ought to be nice and succulent!

I had the same problem, intensified when I got new reading glasses and could see my makeup in better detail. 😳

I use a CC cream, but I also use a rich concentrated moisturiser immediately underneath it.

I swear by Embryolisse Lait creme concentrate. It's used a lot by makeup artists to perk up the skin before makeup application.

So I cleanse and moisturise and then just before I put on the CC cream (I also use Embryolisse CC cream it's amazing) I use the Creme concentrate. Then I apply the CC cream with a damp makeup sponge and work it well into the corners of my mouth, nose etc.

It gives my skin a lovely youthful finish.

A drag queen?

What ageist bullshit.

I’m 53, with pretty good skin interms if texture plumpness and smoothness. But I have patchy discoloured areas, and foundation is a real must for me. I really like it to be invisible as I hate the made up look.
I really rate Dior vitalumierre, ( not Aqua), but started to need more coverage, and this summer started wearing Dior foundation. It’s amazingly flattering, good coverage, dewy and invisible. It might be called Doirskin, but go to the counter and the women working there will sort you out the right one.

I agree that at about 45 I had to change my make up technique to avoid the Barbra Cartland look. I looked on some you tube tutorials which were really helpful.

I now stick to mascara, brow filler and lipstick and maybe a tiny bit of loose powder..foundations just look hideous on me...highlighting the lines.

@summersands

You need to have a make over - I use Dior make-up and they will do your make-up for you if you book an appointment at one of outlets. It is worth spending extra money on make-up to make yourself feel better. I never used to wear any make-up when I was younger just blusher, eye pencil and lip gloss but as we age we need some help.

one of their outlets or counters in a big store

It's difficult to get the balance right for me as some of my skin is increasingly dry but overall I have combination skin and still get breakouts. Highlighter is what takes away the older matte/powdery finish for me.

I agree less is more. Really like Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder and the Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser (I'm 47).

Chanel Les Beiges tinted moisturiser (sheer but has loads of pigment) with Nars radiant creamy concealer on under eye area and on any blemishes. A little Bobbi Brown powder on t-zone.

Thank you - super helpful! :) Definitely make-up as a whole has become problematic, so these tips sound like really good things to try! Lately I’ve been stuck between feeling make-up looks bad but not very happy with how I look without it!

I love the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. Really sheer, light and invisible.

At 63, the Barbara Cartland zone is within sight! But re-thinking it each year and keeping it light and subtle is much easier with modern sheer formulations. I'm lucky to have inherited good skin, and don't like foundation much so I dust over my face with One Powder Wonder (a translucent compact powder from Beauty Pie) using a kabuki brush, then a tinted mineral powder from MAC on my nose and chin, plus tightlined eyes (upper lids only) with a powder shadow (currently liking an aubergine colour) and mascara. A quick go with a lipliner in a pinky nude and some lip balm finishes the two minute version. However, I have drawers full of cosmetics that seemed a good idea at the time .

Try Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Hollywood Flawless Filter’- an absolute game changer for me! At 44, I’ve got my glow back!!

I am 59 but like to think I do not look that great age!

At the moment I am using Laura Geller's Balance and Glow illuminating power foundation. It feels really creamy when applying it., I don't like her other powder foundation Balance and Brighten - it feels gritty to me.

I have extremely watery eyes. Looks like I am crying. Nowt to do with make up it happens all the time. I gave up with Bare Minerals but this one stays even through tears. I still wear liner and mascara as my eyes lack definition without it. They have to be waterpoof. I also wear lipstick but avoid matte ones or if I do I put a balm on top. The matte lip look does not suit me.

However, I am wearing less than ever before and really making sure my skin is hydrated.

What mascara and blusher do you use @ermwhatda ?