A sudden 'it looks do dated' moment (make-up)

[diege]

So facing my 51st year in a few weeks and have been struggling this past year with menopausal symptoms (now on hrt patches) and generally feeling blergh about my looks. Anyway, its make-up that's currently occupying me as fancy splashing out a bit but don't want to waste my money if Im not putting it on right. Im happy in the main with products I use (though am open to suggestions- love new recommendations) and use Mac, Charlotte Tilbury, Rimmel, benefit. Its the look I have all wrong I think- eye liner esp. Is liner on upper lid still a thing? Blusher on apple of cheek still? Lipliner? 🤣 Thoughts welcome!

I've personally found creamy formulas better as I've aged.
I've been using the ordinary serum foundation,and I'm like it,
Also cram blush and lip tint .

Sending me to the shops and saying buy make up and make up your face... it would confuse me just as much as sending me to a builders yard and saying buy materials and build a house.

I have zero experience.

When it's allowed, try a make up lesson. I went to Bobbi brown and asked for a day look and the lady was brilliant. She taught me to tightline eyes and gently contour and highlight. It brought my look up to date and the cost of the lesson was redeemable against product. I also managed to find my holy grail foundation.

Can't wait to do it again to refresh and update. Things move on so quickly and there's so much product out there. Customising it to ourselves is the hardest bit.

@Pumpkinstace

I'm happy with trial and error that's part of the fun.

I just have no idea where to start.

I can't apply the stuff, I don't know what to do. I can't just practice because I don't know what I'm practicing if you get me?

I'll just default to 2002 and think it looks good because that's what I know.

I'm not making myself clear. I'm autistic...it's a problem in these areas.

You need to find a picture of a makeup look you like and then we can break it down into what items you would need to re-create it.

Make up lesson is a good idea.

I'm laughing at myself because last summer I actually self taught myself to lay a patio.... but I can't make up my face!

@Pumpkinstace where do you want to start? I found it easier to concentrate on a particular bit (foundation/ eyes/ blusher/ lips) and once I feel I have it nailed I look at another area.

Is your moisturizer doing what it should?

Have you got coverage over your full face?

Do you want to focus on eyes?

Do you want to rock a kick ass lipstick?

Blusher, bronzer, highlighter?

All of the above?

Ok...

I was blessed with good skin, very good skin. I never needed to wear full make up, I only ever needed a bit of eye colour as I have small eyes.

As I've been getting older I use retinol from Avon once a week plus Q10 daily. I'm happy with it.

I have developed genetic xanthelasmata though. It's around both eyes and it bothers me.

I think my face looks a bit washed out/hollow these days. I lost weight due to bad pregnancies.

Sorry, posted to soon

But in conclusion, it's the eyes I want to learn, but probably need to learn full coverage now to be able to do that.

This is a great thread.
Yes, I’m place marking

If you have good skin and only need coverage in certain areas I'd recommend a light base like NYX Skin Tint (I love this!) and then a concealer for heavier coverage in targeted areas. The Collection concealer is excellent. If you feel you have small eyes I'd avoid eyeliner completely and just use a lengthening mascara, which can make your eyes appear bigger. I think L'Oreal do great mascaras. Other than that I'd go for a blusher like the Elf cream blush sticks or NYX cheek and lip tints. Both will give a very natural flush.

All these products are available in Boots/Superdrug so won't cost you too much but are still good products.

I think the ageing=heavier base fallacy is where I've been going wrong. Going to experiment with a lighter base and a kick-ass concealer. Had a great concealer from Bobbi Brown years ago but a faffy 2 step palava that yielded good results but only when I had the time.
I going to go back through this thread tomorrow with a pen and paper and make a note of all the fabulous recommendations!

@Pumpkinstace have a look at Pinterest for eye make up. I have a board pretty much dedicated to eye shadow colours. There are soooooo many, but it was only when I looked at what I was pinning that I noticed what colours I seemed to gravitate too. I don’t do natural!

Hmm so tried the 'less is more' approach this morning but I think I still look 'dated-made up'. Contemplating a picture so that you can see what I mean, but am a bit fragile...
Anyway, think that using my full coverage foundation as a concealer isn't really cutting it as I've ended up 'dotting' it everywhere 🤣 Am slowly weaning myself off the eyeliner - so hard not to add a sneaky 'wing' 🤦‍♀️

Ahhh you see, I’m more of a ‘ bung more on’ kinda girl (and by girl I mean late forties overweight stressed and permanently tired woman).

OP you were asking about blusher yesterday.

Andrea Ali has just published a YouTube video all about blusher, it tells you everything you need to know - what products to use, placement, etc.

@Pumpkinstace

I'm happy with trial and error that's part of the fun.

I just have no idea where to start.

I can't apply the stuff, I don't know what to do. I can't just practice because I don't know what I'm practicing if you get me?

I'll just default to 2002 and think it looks good because that's what I know.

I'm not making myself clear. I'm autistic...it's a problem in these areas.

Honestly I know I keep banging on about her on this thread but check out some of Andrea Ali's videos (I've just posted one on blusher).

They have helped me so much!

Will have a look at that blusher video. I'm basically all 'apple' and a chin, with an increasingly droopy jawline, so it can only help.
On a more positive note I have bought a BB cream from Aldi - well 2 actually as I couldn't decide on the shade. But it's a start.

It's nice to see so many other Andrea Ali fans on here. I stumbled on her on you tube when I felt like I was applying 30-year old make up techniques to a 55-year-old face and it just didn't work. I love how she does half the face 'wrong' and half right so you can see how radically the subtle changes add up. And how easy it is to slip into bad habits.

Video watched- some excellent tips on blusher placement. And application too - no more fingertips! Am liking Andrea very much 😅

I can't rave enough about Glossier. I'm 55 and love the sheer quality of the skin perfecting foundation and the stretch concealer. The cream tube blushers ... cloud paints... are gorgeous too. And the lidstar eye shadows (cub is gorgeous rose gold) ! Oh and the boy brow and the generation lipsticks! I bought the whole range basically and feel like I look 20 years younger and fresher!

I'm interested in the Glossier cream blusher but can't tell which colour would be right for me.

I like the Glossier concealer but hate the cloud paints. I like cream blushes but liquid blushes aren't for me.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

I'm interested in the Glossier cream blusher but can't tell which colour would be right for me.

I have beam and storm. Beam is peachy and natural and storm is a rosey colour. Both so blendable that I reckon they'd suit any skin tone. The website shows different colours on different skin tones, or look at YouTube for review videos

I've had a nude glossier matt lipstick before, and recall being able to send a photo via their website then got feedback about what colours would suit me. Not sure if that's still offered?

Thanks for the tip Leeds.