beauty regime help

[mrshoho]

Hello,

I'm 51 and embarrassingly still haven't mastered a makeup/beauty routine. I'm using facewipes, a moisturiser at night and a tinted one in the day. My skin is fairly dry and not too many wrinkles so far but I now want to devote more time and pampering to start taking better care of myself. Also dh has been asking for Christmas present ideas so I would really appreciate recommendations. I've looked through style and beauty but then get overwhelmed trying to decide what I need. I'm thinking about the following:

Cleanser
moisturiser day/night
Primer
foundation
concealer
bronzer
powder
eyeshadow
blusher
lipstick

My makeup bag is full of really old stuff that I would like to throw away and start again.

Thanks so much

Ahhh throw away the make up wipes!

Get a nice balm Cleanser.
The glow series on Cult Beauty is lovely.

Maybe you could get a beauty advent calendar to see what products you might like? Lots of brands do minis, I would do this till you can build a collection you like.

Make sure your day cream has an SPF no of at least 30. I use Superdrugs own exfoliating pads. Might be an idea to add a serum in there. I find bronzer too much, and find foundation/blusher to be plenty.

You could go to a department store and visit any make up counter, according to budget, to sort out a make up kit.
And Liz Earle counter for skin care advice.

thank you! I will check out the cleanser and put on my list. Good idea for the advent calendar, I'm just reading a thread about them now. Yes the facewipes are just lazy on my part. I started using them when I had just had a baby and that baby is now 17 🙈

Yes I had a tester serum I got from M&s that felt good at the time. Adding that to my list! thank you.

Yes I'm thinking of going to boots Friday. All our local department stores have gone but I always felt inadequate around the beauty counters before. Thanks for the Liz Earl recommendation. I'm also looking at John lewis on line.

Serum!
Vit C in the morning will add "glow"
Retinol in the evening.
You could add a peptide/ceramide multi purpose serum. Origins Plantscription, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair/Clarins Double all very good.

Watch some Nadine Baggott videos, she's brilliant. Cuts through the bull about products, is very knowledgeable about ingredients and which you need and which you don't, and recommends things at all price points.

God yes Glow! That's what I'm hoping for. I'm coming out the other side of menopause and looking in the mirror I see dull, dry skin. I've read about vit c and retinol but that's where I got confused and imagined I'd be spending hours in the morning and evening. The multi serum sounds good and will check out Nadine Baggott on my lunch break. Thank you!

I'm also just the other side of menopause and NB is about 60 I think.
The vit C is I think what's made most difference to my skin. Love it!

I agree with Geamradh, you could maybe focus on skincare rather than make up. I know it sounds daunting, but a few minutes in the morning and in the evening can make a big difference.

As previously said, Vitamin C is great for making your skin appear brighter and clearer, Garden of Wisdom do a great one for only about £10. I use mine in the morning under my moisturiser and SPF.

The ordinary do a few Retinol serums for under a tenner. You may find a bit of irritation when you first start using it but your skin should adjust soon. I use it in the evening after cleansing. Then use a nice moisturiser on top.

That would be a great basic routine to start with.

Also, if you're looking for present ideas, you could ask for a fancy make up palette, some of them have blusher, bronzer and eye shadow included.

Cleansing is such a nice part of my routine now! Get an oil or balm cleanser and really give your face a lovely massage while you’re there. Wash it off with a warm flannel. Honestly so pleasant.

Vitamin c in the morning and a retinol at night. I actually also love rosehip oil at night, it gives amazing glow!

A nice glowy facial cream for the daytime. Mac strobe is my fave.

Also definitely chuck the old makeup and start again. It’s probably past it’s use by date.

Have a look at Beautypie, I think their products are great and really reasonably priced, they do a night time retinol with vitamin C for about £13. I love their One Powder Wonder too.

Mostly for make up I like Estée Lauder - Double Wear is great, although I add in to it the Iconic London Illuminator drops and EL Advanced Night Repair - it makes it sheerer, more glowy and a treatment foundation.

I also like Trinny London too - the stackable pots are a clever design. lip2cheek is so easy to use and makes you look very put together for very little effort. I also like the eyeshadows and the magnetic stacked make up brush.

Thank you all so much for all these tips and recommendations. I have lots to research now and will look at each and every one! My new year resolution will be to look after my skin! So cleanse, serum, moisturise am and pm. Definitely going to throw all my old stuff out. I will brave the make up counters to get a decent foundation and powder to match skin tone. I like the sound of the Estee Lauder treatment foundation too.

Had a very quick look at Nadine Baggott. She looks v good. I just ordered a winter skincare from superdrug to try out leading up to Christmas by which time I'll hopefully have some lovely presents to start using.

Thanks so much!

Don't forget exfoliator @mrshoho. Getting rid of dead skin cells will make your skin look fresher, and allow the serums etc better penetration. Also, a mask every week, maybe when you're in the bath or relaxing is helpful when I remember.

Just coming back to say thank you all and to update on my purchases. I took the plunge and got advice on the no 7 counter to get my foundation matched.

I walked out with a foundation, concealer, primer, finishing powder, eyeshadow, lip gloss and some new brushes (they had a good deal on!). I figured if I start with this and see how it goes before looking at more expensive brands. The assistant was v sweet and knowledgeable and gave some great advice and tips. I'm getting my brows and eyelashes done at the end of this week for the first time and have been assured I won't need to do anything with them makeup wise. Slightly apprehensive but I've seen her before and afters and they are quite impressive.

My new skincare pack arrived and I'm trying it out this evening. Cleanser, retinol and moisturiser (I forgot to order a toner but will get one next week!). Also has a vit c serum and also a vit E one.

Had a lovely bath last night and exfoliated like a demon! I treated my feet to a diy peel a couple of weeks ago and they are looking and feeling v nice.

My hints (basically whatsapped him the items on JL site lol) on some Liz Earle products will hopefully come through.

I also threw most of my old makeup out and bought a drawer organiser that looks so tidy and gleaming.

So happy 😊. I'm also doing the low carb bootcamp and it's given me the boost to sort myself out. Off out Friday for a Christmas night with the girls so next will be sorting out what to wear. I've dresses in the wardrobe that I know will fit me now but just got to decide which one. After last year's washout I'm beyond excited

I would say focus on skin care more than make up

1 the foundations of any regime are the most important part and that's certainly true with beauty

2 it's the most expensive element too and as you're wanting ideas for gifts this is the area where I suspect you're less likely to spend money yourself

Definitely throw the old make up out esp if it's very old. It won't be as good and may even be contagious and a guaranteed way to get blemishes/rashes is old contaminated make up

Regarding dull and dry skin that's less about adding moisture and more about good but gentle cleansing and exfoliating and then adding a good moisturiser that works for you.

Personally I like Clinique as I have very sensitive skin and most other brands just aggravate it! I use a cleanser, toner and what I really love is the moisture surge moisturiser. It's not cheap and I am on a budget but then that's what birthdays and Christmas and Mse and boots advantage card is for!

The moisturiser isn't greasy like others I've tried that just seem to sit on the surface of my skin in a kind of damp way? It's more like a very liquid balm

Wishing you joy with new regime and lovely soft skin

Have to say I've found what also makes a huge difference to me is eating plenty of fresh fruit n veg and drinking plenty of water, I'm terrible for not doing this as much as I should and the difference is very noticeable when I don't

It all sounds really positive @mrshoho - I know that I feel better when I've made an effort with my appearance, it's not for everyone, but it works for me. What's also surprising, is it doesn't take very long once you get into the routine of it.

Sounds like you're having fun. Probably a bit late but I might be tempted to add one element at a time in terms of skincare and try them for a few days before adding in the next one in case your skin reacts so at least you know what's causing it. My skin can be a bit sensitive with retinol so I'm cautious with it.

Looks great! Agree maybe a little lighter handed with the blusher but otherwise you look lovely

Just to jump in here, sorry. I have very sensitive skin and love Clinique but worry about the cost. I'm trying to steer to other brands (No7) to save money but I still love Clinique. Do you use all their make up and cleansers?