If you had been wearing the same makeup since 1995 where would you start to update it?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Seriously, I have the same make up style as I did when I was a student. I'm nearly 50.

Make up tech has changed since body glitter was a thing. What brands would you recommend for a menopausal woman who does not want to be frumpy anymore?

I think I want to go to a department store and have someone show me what would suit me - but that means pre-selecting the brand, doesn't it? How on earth do you know?

Is there a make up person who could say "oh you need this lipstick for day and this one for dates, but use this brand's eyeshadow and here's how to apply it and use this tinted moisturiser but not thier powder because it'll make your wrinkles look worse, have this one instead"?

I need makeup for beginners at 50. FFS.

I need makeup for beginners at 50. FFS.

That's two of us. Watching with interest.

OP’s posts:See all

I would choose a brand first or a few considering your budget and preferences (e.g. ethical) and then go for a consultation. Many places offer them, e.g. Boots.

I recently found myself in the same situation and stuck in a rut. I found Trinny live videos and bought into her Trinny make up, I love it! It has been a life changer for me.

Yes Trinny London for me too!
I'm 53
Revolutionary

Trinny is mad as a box of frogs, mind- but her makeup rocks

It’s hard to go wrong with Bobbi Brown in my experience

I love Wayne Goss on YouTube.
He has some great tutorials/step by step videos aimed at people in their late 30s+ and has a practical approach. Plus he’s very funny and great fun to watch.
I did my own lockdown wedding make up based on his videos and was very pleased with the results (although being a 90s teenager I just had to add some glitter to the process 😆)

I would go with Bobbi brown. It's basic, classic, muted stuff but once you've got that, the basics are sorted and then could then say go to MAC for more colourful stuff

YouTube videos too, there are so many good ones out there. I love Alexandra anele who did a great blending eyeshadow video

Ask around people who've had wedding make up done recently. They may be able to recommend a local make up artist you could book for a makeover. In department stores ( are they back doing makeovers?) Chanel,Lancome and Estee Lauder seem to be reliable for having products that actually suit mature skin,providing samples and sometimes doing good makeovers. There are some good over40/50 beauty Youtubers who show you how they do make up and review products. Hot and Flashy ( Angie) does the best tests of make-up,so you get a fair idea of whether something will work for you or not. She doesn't want to look as if she's wearing much make up . She uses a range of cheap/expensive make up. "Raisa Does Make Up" is more glam but uses mostly affordable products. UKs "Make-up Hags" are encouraging and a good laugh. "Emily Noel" is an ex tv presenter who wears obvious make up but has lots of useful tips and also works to budget and not just high end. "Zabrena" is another good one and one of the best examples of the stunning difference cosmetics can achieve. The good ones are all USA. In UK ,for the 40 plus it's pretty much people like Charlotte Tilbury and Trinny who are selling you their own expensive brands or people who are too amateur to be helpful. UK professional make up artist Robert Welsh is worth a look and is good at steering you away from old fashioned looks. Wayne Goss is another good UK make up artist with useful advice. Both tend towards expensive or professional brands,

Ilia

WOW, thanks, all.

I've got a John Lewis gift card with 50 quid that's needing blown on something that's not-at-all-practical. I'll see if they are doing that consultations thing again and then try some of these too - genuinely hadn't thought about doing more than one because I'm an idiot.

Am already making good progress, I chucked out my grey, saggy bras and got myself along to a woman who threads eyebrows. I muttered "do you do taches too?" and she de-aged my lip, chin and then set about on my CHEEKS which was a surprise as I did not realise I was maturing into a wookie, but that'll be the failing eyesight not noticing.

Must say, I do feel better already. New bra and nails next, and I've got a haircut booked for next week.

There are many stylish women in their 50s that I look at and think "wish I could pull that off". Well, I can. I just need to stop feeling defeated, I have learned all sorts of things in my life so I don't see why I should let mascara beat me.

The most helpful thing I did a couple of years ago was give up makeup completely for a month. Before that I could see it wasn't working for me anymore but I couldn't figure out why. After a month off, I spotted the problem straight away (my foundation).

Hitting the Bobbi Brown counter for a consultation would probably be a good idea. Alternatively, find a makeup artist who mentions catering to older women and book them for a session. That will give you access to a wider range of products/options.

Just an idea for some brands that I like as a 40 something.
NARS, Laura Mercier, Glossier, Dior, Hourglass, Chatecaille and Victoria Beckham for expensive but totally worth it mascara.

Also, don’t forget to think about your skincare, are you happy with what your currently using?

I got some fab bras from Blubella the other day, really pretty, but I wouldn’t wear their knickers cos I could NOT get away with them.

How exciting to be having a makeover!

And have a look at StyledbySusie. I recently got my colours done by her and the analysis covered what clothes etc I could wear for my snap and as part of it, it included a make up review. It was £65 for the colour, style and shape analysis but I think they do one for just make up so maybe worth a try. They’ve also got one for bras. There are loads of people out there doing this service, I just used Susie as she was recommended on this board, is relatively cheap and it could be done online.

This sounds fun OP. I would also suggest Bobbi Brown for classic, natural makeup. They do specific makeup lessons at their counters and I believe are known to be non-pushy when it comes to sales.

I’m 40 but love to experiment with makeup and as I’ve grown older have found these brands to be good (not necessarily cheap though!):

Bobbi Brown
By Terry
Chantecaille

Oh, and you should definitely look at Lisa Eldridge for make up videos.

Oh, and Becca makeup too.

I booked a make up lesson with an mua who’s style I liked. Not cakey, occasional bold lip, use of eye liner and fluttery lashes.

She came to my house, we went through what I already had talked about what I liked and disliked. Tried some of her stuff on me (not tied to a brand), taught me how to apply better, we talked about tools and techniques.

After she sent me the list of products she recommended/used and sent me codes if she had them.

It was about £100 but we’ll worth it imo!

You have asked an awkward question ThankYou...

My skin is not good and never has been. I have bad scarring from acne, open pores and it is very dry. Not many wrinkles but I've got patches on brown colour on my cheeks now and my chin has gone red.

My skin care "regime" is give a quick wash in the shower with that not-soap stuff the GP gives you when you have eczema (I get eczema on my face, nice), bit of a rub with a face cloth to scrub off the dead skin and then a slobber of Aveeno. I know, I know, I know.

It's been so dry it's awful, but someone on here recommended some sort of rose hip oil serum and I happened to see it for sale in a shop. Have to say that it has been brilliant. I drop a few drops on several times a day - I bought two little bottles and leave one in the loo so I do it when I go for a pee, and one by my bed.

It's shameful, I know.

If you've never had nice skin it's REALLY hard to motivate yourself to spend time on it!

WasThis I'm trying to see it as fun...so far it feels like a lot of being out of my depth and like everyone Ive read or watched is largely talking a language I've never even heard of.

I'm getting there though, I'm grateful for the links and recommendations.

Gawd, it's a science, though, isn't it?

No judgement on the skincare regime :)

There are some great threads on here about skincare - the latest thread has a pic of a snail in the title and its got all sorts of info about starting skincare, next steps etc - its really worth having a look for some help.

They've been brilliant when I ask questions about my skincare routine or new products.

This is the link to the skincare thread;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4226644--Fantastic-Skincare-Bear-Shaped-Pseudo-Face-Vibrators-Dont-Ask-us-What-Theyre-For-eo

Ahh, sorry to hear that OP. Do have a look at Lisa Eldridge. She has dozens of videos on everything from basics (skincare, explaining what different products actually are, lots of good ‘how to’ videos) to more elaborate stuff. She’s also very calm and soothing and good for grown ups!

I have heard good things about Trinny London, but my makeup is mostly Bobbi Brown and Trish McEvoy. Classic, and definitely produced with older customers in mind (Bobbi Brown is in her 60s and had creative control of the company until 5 years ago, Trish McEvoy is the same age and still controls hers).

The staff on their counters really listen to what you are likely to want from makeup - how much time you’ll spend on it, what you would do and/or just wouldn’t bother with etc, in my experience.

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

WOW, thanks, all.

I've got a John Lewis gift card with 50 quid that's needing blown on something that's not-at-all-practical. I'll see if they are doing that consultations thing again and then try some of these too - genuinely hadn't thought about doing more than one because I'm an idiot.

Am already making good progress, I chucked out my grey, saggy bras and got myself along to a woman who threads eyebrows. I muttered "do you do taches too?" and she de-aged my lip, chin and then set about on my CHEEKS which was a surprise as I did not realise I was maturing into a wookie, but that'll be the failing eyesight not noticing.

Must say, I do feel better already. New bra and nails next, and I've got a haircut booked for next week.

There are many stylish women in their 50s that I look at and think "wish I could pull that off". Well, I can. I just need to stop feeling defeated, I have learned all sorts of things in my life so I don't see why I should let mascara beat me.

You sound awesome - funny and smart.

Hope you have fun with experimenting!