Why do I always look old and haggard when I put makeup on?

[awesmum]

Just that really. Whenever I put makeup on it acentuates the bags under my eyes, my wrinkle which aren't evident till I putt make up ok. But if I don't wear it my skin is uneven. And patchy with big eye bags. I am in my early 40’s, am frequently told I look a lot younger.
I have really dry skin. I have seen beautician's about what best to do and they suggest lots of different stuff which I get and it makes no difference.
Any suggestions?

I'm 55 and I use the ordinary serum foundation, one drop on a buffer brush like this one does my whole face, I just buff it in.

www.revolutionbeauty.com/uk/en/sale/precision-contour-set/MURPRECBRU.html

No I don't drink enough water at all. Something I am trying to get better at.

Might sound crackers but I have begun mixing my foundation with my moisturiser and I find it settles on my skin much better!

How do you put make up on?

I look like an old lady if I put eye shadow on with my fingers. I have to apply with brushes and blend it into the skin properly. Good brushes really help.

I think a more lightweight, dewy foundation is often more flattering as we get older. I started following Caroline Hirons about 18 months ago and my skin has been totally transformed by her advice. I know not everyone likes her, but for me her advice has been marvellous. She’s my favourite skin care person.

Have you tried tinted moisturiser rather than foundation?

If you have the budget I’d really recommend:

Kiehl’s ultra facial moisturiser (bottle) and their sunscreen. Both products are very hydrating/emollient, will leave your skin float and sit well under makeup

The hourglass foundation stick has a beautiful finish, you can build the coverage up to however light/full you desire but it never looks cakey. Leaves your skin looking smooth/naturally radiant rather than dull/flat

Float should say glowing sorry

@LambDhansak whuwch superdrug HA spray do you use?

It's all in the skincare - I take probably 3 x as long to do my skincare now compared to my makeup - the right products (finally!) mean that for the first time in 30 odd years I don't need base or concealer at all and I just use a cream bronzer on outsides of my face and eye crease, brown/black mascara, illuminating hughlighter and tinted lip balm and I'm done. I've started getting chatted up at 48 for the first time in years!! Find it quite amusing. I used to use primer, foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadow, eye liner, lip liner, lipstick, powder, eye brow pomade - all gone now and I look much more fresh and vibrant but it's all in the skincare (and tools).

Op I disagree with buying a lot more stuff.

Just use less make up. Use a good concealer on the places that you need it.
Nars creamy concealer is good, personally on a budget I love Kiko (in a round black pot) and Maybelline Age Rewind.
Your skin will also benefit from being able to breathe.

One thing I noticed: wearing pearl stud earrings (real pearls, don't have to be expensive ones) not only make me look more put together but they also seem to make my skin look more polished/glowing.
Might be all in my head but perhaps worth a try as well.

Mix your base with clarins beauty flash balm. It makes your skin look so nice, I get lots of compliments since I started. You should definitely keep trying to drink more water.

possible reasons:

• your are not using blush/bronzer
• foundation too heavy, too matte, too pale

-lipstick too dark -you are using too dark/harsh eyeshadows, probably too mattee or too shimmery

I reached this stage early 40s too. I realised I had been using the same skincare, make up and application techniques for years. I think there is a lot of psychology tied up in this, make up is a literal mask, and to acknowledge the physical signs of ageing can be a shock.

So you need a make over and new products, that's all. Unfortunately my advice needs to be post lockdown. I went round all the beauty counters in Boots, Space NK, Mac, Bobbi Brown etc and got as many primer and foundation samples as I could. Spent a few weeks trying them out. I took a hard look at my eye make up and changed a few techniques. Bought some hyaluronic acid and a few other bits from The Ordinary as they were dirt cheap to try them out for my skin.

The black make up stands out to me in your post. If you are blonde and fair that sounds harsh.

Mixing foundation / bronzer / colour with moisturizer works for me. Very light shades of eyeshadow. I used to love red lipstick, but now I tend to blot instead of full lips.
Early 40s, less is more I agree! I have the opposite problem, as I’m fresh-faced, so make-up looks Aunt Jemma on me. I’m better off without.
Also, my skin has changed. 20s / 30s I had spots so always used oil-free skincare / make-up. Now, my skin loves heavier moisturizer, like oils / Shea butter etc...

Aunt Sally, I mean!

I remember now as a teen mixing foundation with Nivea Soft cream to get a very soft naturally glowy effect so our parents couldn't catch us wearing foundation. Perhaps this works too on a bit older skin. Nivea Soft is dirt cheap and lovely as a handcream too.

Chantecaille just skin Tinted moisturizer is amazing stuff (Caroline Hirons wears it)
V v natural but does give coverage - not a lot though so if your skin is v uneven not for you
I stopped wearing foundation unless it is super light as I think I am at an age where it just makes me look older .

What about trying Nano-Blur instead of a foundation?
I am 64 and I use it.

I have the exact same problem. Feel a bit drag queen like in my make up. I’m 43

My priority during lockdown is to sort my skincare!

Mac face and body does not sit in wrinkles. Or try a serum based foundation Bobby brown does one. Another option would be a tinted moisturiser like bare minerals complexion rescue.
Maybe you are using too much of the product? I used to do that with my under eye concealer. I went to the make up counter in selfridges to ask advice and the lovely guy at Charlotte tilbury showed me where I went wrong. I simply used too much product!
You could also try and and mix some serum,oil or moisturiser into your existing foundation to sheer it out. Mix the two together on the back of your hand before applying to your face.
Finally, do you exfoliate your skin? A glycolic or other acid toner would really help to remove any dry bits.