Looking old ..makeup making matters worse

[Elasticatedwaist]

I’m 44 and I’ve always been reasonably happy with how I look . I’ve always cleansed and moisturised , don’t smoke , drink or sunbathe .
My skin this winter got very dry and sensitive so I’ve had to find different skincare that works for that BUT even so , seemingly overnight I look old and lined and putting makeup on is no longer fun as it just seems
To be making me look worse !
Is it time to accept I can’t look nice anymore and pack in the makeup ?
Feel a bit sad .

I really like Celestial Supernova Primer by Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore's brand)

Try the gosh primer plus base plus skin adaptor in chameleon, you can get it on line in superdrug.

Reading with interest. I just got a sample of a new Clinique foundation in full coverage and light and actually prefer the light. Which I didn’t think would be an option. Just need to sort my eyes now.

Im dark blonde with naturally blonde brows & lashes & can look washed out.
After serum & moisturiser I like Boots No7 primer followed by the no7 bb cream. Set with a small amount of Clinique matte oil free pressed powder.
A bit of blusher, a nude lipstick (I like Clinique bare pop), eyebrow pencil (Clinique superfine liner for brows in soft blonde).
Then on my eyes I use a shadow with some bronze shimmer, boots No7 brown powder eye liner & Clinique black high impact mascara.

I've just realised I stick mainly to the Boots No7 & Clinique products but that's because they don't irritate my eyes or skin also you often get vouchers & discounts when you buy Boots No7!!

I recently got a Stila waterproof Light eyebrow pen so I'm going to try that as get fed up with eyebrow makeup not lasting.

Think the older we get the lighter the make up we need. Anything that's going to sit in fine lines is going to make you look older. Personally I've stopped wearing powder and opt for a medium rather than dull cover foundation. I go for a much more natural look now. Medium foundation, no powder, only light matte eyeshadows, eyeshadow instead of eyeliner to tight line and under the eyes and a cream or liquid blusher instead of a powder based one.
I try to get glow with good skincare

I love dermatologica primer. It's a game changer for mature skin.

Keep foundation fairly light/possibly opt for one with a 'dewy' finish, and go easy on the powder. I no longer use powder on my whole face as it just settles in the lines.

The right kind of primers seem to help, I've used a few different 'blurring' ones in the past.

I also sweep some Soap & Glory Glow All Out across/just under my cheekbones, gives the skin a nice healthy glow and is more natural than using highlighter on the cheekbones.

I don't go too dark or smoky with my eye makeup these days or it accentuates the shadows under them (I have chronic fatigue, so the struggle is real ) and makes me look half asleep. I tend to use a champagne or pale gold shade on my eyes to make them look more 'awake'.

I also don't draw a line around my lips as I always feel the end effect of that is a bit harsh and ageing somehow, I just put lipstick on following my natural lip line.

You sound quite similar to me.
I’m 44 and pale and very washed out. I’ve been trying:

• focussing on skincare and avoiding foundation/tinted moisturisers altogether. Just SPF
• piling on Superdrug own brand serum round my eyes, AM and PM, then using concealer sparingly and applied with a brush
• using cream eyeshadow
• using bronzer and blush for colour, loving the Daniel Sandler watercolour blushes

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is lovely and a cream blusher are natural and flattering .
www.bourjois.com/uk/product/face/healty-mix-serum-foundation-51-light-vanilla

I’m a little younger than you but I find a CC cream less aging. I’ve got the Chanel one and it’s lovely.

@peaceanddove Hoya, top top... try the body shop vitamin c booster cream as a primer, a serious game changer! I also use the ordinary buffet serum and it's made a huge difference to my skin

I luke the no7 lift and luminate serum foundation. Im using a laura mercier one atm as i enjoy luxury products now and then but i dont think ill get this LM foundation again withno7 being so good.

I want to get a really good powder
Have never used loose powder before but is that better as u get older?

@SpeckledyHen that is discontinues unfortunately as it was lovely.

Can anyone recommend a good primer that will soften fine lines and give me a (very slight) glow?

I am 64 and use fushi flax seed oil. Bought it from Ocado for £7. I apply it sparingly to my face and neck and use it as a moisturiser. I don't feel the need to use foundation or concealer as this stuff is great and leaves a slight healthy glow. I am regularly told that I look a lot younger than I am which I have put down to having a very healthy diet, that includes red wine!

I have just found out that you can have 1-2 teaspoons daily of this oil! Will definitely be trying that.

I find powder very ageing. I am 61, and stopped using powder years ago. You want a dewy finish, not a powdery finish.

If can find the laura mercier mineral foundation to try you should, its sadly discontinued, there are a few places left to buy it from, its lovely, it leaves an airbrush dewy glow finish, not powdery at all, nothing like the Bare mineral brand. I found it by watching YouTube blogger sugar puff and fluff, but if you goggle how to use you will see lots of other you tubers love it. I just wish i found it sooner, I did stock up and brought 3 pots.

theyearofthe dog I had 2 delivered yesterday from Amazon .

Taking note of all suggestions to try out thankyou .

Honestly hun you just need new make up. I love baby skin by maybeline and hylauronic spray by superdrug.

I am 58 and after years of using No7 have just bought Clinique superbalanced make up after trying a sample but am still not convinced. Which No7 foundation do people here use?

I agree with cream blusher and no powder. I can't live without eyeliner but I now use a black/brown rather than just black.

I find tinted moisturisers don't give enough coverage but heavy foundations are too much.

i use the lift and luminate foundation serum. It's really good.

My nose and eyelids look a bit florid if I don't use a proper foundation. I like the idea of a tinted moisturiser but .........