Women under 50 need not respond

[AnotheChinHair]

Sorry for such an ageist subject title, but I am often drawn to threads that ask for foundation, shampoo, etc. recommendations and then realise that the OP and respondents are in their 30s and feel like I need some discussion with women my age.

My hair has changed, my skin looks different, my body aches, my eyebrows are faint and full of greys... I was wondering if you're 50 or over, could you share your wisdom on how you've adapted your grooming?

I'd be particularly interested in hair products (my hair is fine, prone to frizz and def. thinning and receding), my skin is still combination I think, and I would like to find a long lasting oil free full/medium coverage foundation that doesn't look dry around my eyes (currently using ELDW), and also supplements that make you feel and look better.

I have a horrible carb face after the sugar excesses of Christmas, and I have stopped drinking alcohol as I clearly don't tolerate it anymore.

I should exercise more but my knee hurts.
Recently started hrt patches and that has helped with night sweats.

Hope others can share what's been helpful.

@peaceanddove ah I had one of those too in October! Any questions do feel free to ask

I hated Double wear! It made my skin look dull and dry. I try to wear more moisturizing foundation, Maybelline and Rimmel have been good. I also use Dermacol for coverage on my red cheeks, is v good. I feel foundation is so personal, it's hard to recommend something that will work for others. If I had found a holy grail foundation, I definitely would!

I love Double wear foundation- I have dry skin and somehow it just works perfectly. Have been using it since my 40s though so I'm braced for it to stop working- although I'm postmenopausal and it hasn't yet!

My issue is lipstics. The aforementioned sag has collapsed my lower face into jowls and lots of vertical lines above my upper lip. Lipstick lifts the jowls but bleeds into the lines. I'm considering getting permanent lipstic tattooed on to overcome this but it seems rather drastic- has anyone done this?

That's so interesting, how one foundation works for one person but not to another! I splashed out on some expensive Bobbi Brown foundation in the Black Friday sales and I thought it was just ok, despite it costing 3 times more than my usual foundation. I've actually had to mix it with my other, cheaper foundations to make it usable.

Thank you for the recommendation of Laura Mercier cake liner. Duly purchased from Look Fantastic. The code NEW gives 20% off

I really really struggle with hooded eyes so looking forward to giving this a go

Foundation wise I use Giorgio Armani Luminous silk as I struggle with dry skin. ELDW has chalk in it so it’s really heavy and drying on me.

www.lookfantastic.com/estee-lauder-futurist-hydra-rescue-moisturizing-makeup-spf45-1.18-oz-various-shades/12450395.html
@AnotheChinHair The above links to another EL foundation. This formula also comes in your shade. So if the formula of this one does not suit, the fact they have same shade might mean that all their foundations have the same shades, just the formula and finish changes. Is it worth looking at Estée Lauder site and see what their other formulas are, and do they come in your shade?

If I don't want to commit to splurging out on a foundation without trying, which is nigh on impossible these days anyway, I buy a sample of likely shades on ebay. There are sellers that sell samples that they decant out of full tubes. It has saved me from a lot of expensive mistakes over the years. Just check out their other items for sale/feedback to check the samples are the real deal.

*lipstick, obviously, no idea what's got into my spellchecker

I would very much recommend the EL Futurist Hydra Rescue foundation linked to below. I loved Double Wear but it looks dreadful round my eyes these days. The Futurist one feels very light on by comparison but it has good coverage and lasts all day. It's also got SPF45. I recently bought By Terry Cover-Expert Foundation (using a colour match tool based on other foundations you wear) and I am liking it a lot although it doesn't last very well/goes shiny on my nose. It's great round the eyes and looks quite glowy.

For sleep problems I'd recommend Melatonin tablets.

For dark under eye circles I find correctors - pinky/salmon - way better than concealers. I've got the Benefit one and the cheap Sleek one and have ordered the Becca one. However I picked up a W7 concealer palette at Home Bargains which is really worth a try!

I have the Becca concealer, having seen recommendations on here, I’m very impressed, it’s particularly good if I dab it on with a brush after my foundation. It’s available on ASOS, I think I’m going to get the darker shade too for summer.

@Rina66 - that's good to hear. I've been using a bush to apply and my finger to pat in the other correctors.

@Anjelika which benefit corrector do you use? I can’t seem to find it?

58, can't have HRT but I take vitamins B, C and D.

I agree with the pp who recommended a grey rather than brown pencil for eyebrows (mine are sparse and a bit ragged) as they look much more natural and less drawn on.

Decided to embrace the grey about a year ago and am so pleased I did, although like others here I've had A LOT of thinning / hair loss. I think some was grief-related after a bereavement in May because I'm getting noticeable re-growth now, but I noticed my hair has got more and more wavy / curly since my hair has thinned. I think previously the weight pulled out the wave but now it springs up more.

I'm trying the curly girl method since August so I wash only with conditioner and have grown my hair longer than I've had it for years. It's nice and soft, goes longer between washes and DH loves it but I'm not entirely convinced - it's a bit unruly! - going to give it till the spring (and can't get it cut now anyway as we're tier 4). I think the longer length helps to detract from jowls and scraggy neck!

I use Nivea day cream with SFP 15 but have yet to find a good night moisturiser, so I'm grateful for the recommendations here.

Yoga, Pilates, as much stretching you can do twice a day. Your bones will love you in your 70s.

Like Anjelika I find the EL Futurist Hydra works for my 52 year old skin quite well. Doesn’t cake and lasts really well. I use Clinique moisturiser and vitamin c serum underneath.

@CofeePot it's the Boi-ing brightening concealer. I use Shade 2 but it looks like they might have discontinued the lighter shades.

BestIsWest
I've been looking for a brown eyeliner for a while now.
Can I ask which make you use please.

50 in April I have quite thick hair and have it highlighted in a few shades with foils and cut blunt above shoulder. I find that stops the wispy ends. I use a serum on it before heated appliances. I don’t sunbathe as I’ve always been a bit freckle but in recent years I’ve noticed darker pigment patches in the sun so I wear a hat and sit in shade. I use The Ordinary retinol over winter and stop in summer as that doesn’t help the pigment. I use their hyaloronic acid before moisturiser. I only use Aldi day cream or Boots now. I’ve started running again and managed 5k so I’m trying to keep that up. I eat healthily and only drink a couple of days a week (when it’s not Christmas)

Oh and I take Vit D3 daily.

RedElephants I may be joining you in the hunt soon. I use a Bourjois one which isn’t sold in the UK anymore. When I heard they were pulling out I bought five. I’ve got two left.

@OneMoreForExtra have you tried a clear lip liner? I have a Bourjois one. They're unobtainable now but Lancôme do one.

@JaneJeffer I’ll look on Holland &barratt. Thanks

@JaneJeffer yes I've got a d'finer d'liner clear wax lip pencil. It blocks the worst of it but I still worry.

After doing some research, I feel I definitely need an oil free foundation (my forehead, side of nose and chin can look oily otherwise), but also alcohol free, as amongst other things, it might be making my eyes worse than they already are in terms of sensitivity.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an oil and alcohol free foundation that's suitable for mature skin?