40 ish, what are your make up essentials?

[TonkaTruckduck]

I've just emerged from 6 years of young dc, no sleep etc and finally feel like I want to put myself tidy again, I've a bit more time and motivation.

What do I need? Lower to mid end budget, Boots No 7 rather than Chanel unfortunately.
I've large pores, brown straggly eyebrows and Hazel eyes.

Is it worth having my eyebrows dyed? What do you wear daily and add in for a more special occasion?

I'm booked in for botox to freshen up, these kids have really knackered me.

I'm loathe to just go in for a session on the makeup counter as I'm a saleswoman dream and would come out with £200 of stuff, which isn't really in budget just now.

My "look" from pre dc is probably horribly dated now, and too high maintenance.

Thanks for any help and advice

Lash lift and tiny would be my priority.

I feel proper low maintenance now. 😬 I use The Original foundation, either the serum or coverage one. Cheep cheep and loads of shades.

Some cloud paint blush from Glossier (sometimes use on lips as well)

Fill in ever fading brows with basic pencil

Some black mascara, currently using No 7.

Sometimes a little eye shadow and under eye concealer, kohl at base of upper lashes.

I'd love to get some microblading or similar for my eyebrows, but a bit out of budget at the mo.

@Notoironing

I’m 42 and I need all these tips! Currently losing some weight which is going well but my skin has suffered the last couple of years.

Those of you having Botox and fillers - what are the pros and cons? Is it a case of once you start you can’t stop? Are you good to go straight after an appointment or do you have to hide away for a while?!? I have no clue about all this.

As far as I'm concerned the only con is the cost. But as I said up thread, I save a fortune by not buying expensive topical treatments that are supposed to help (but don't!) or much make up. Also, it hurts a bit and you can get some bruising for a day or so. I wouldn't have fillers within 2 weeks of a big occasion for example, to leave time for them to settle and any bruising to disappear. But I go straight from my appointments back to work with a little concealer. The pros are: I can look at my face and recognise it again. I make sure to have only corrective, not enhancing, procedures, as all I want is my former face, not a new improved one. I look young. Told all the time, and without being conceited, it's obvious in the mirror and in photographs. I lost weight too, and am now very slim. It showed in my face. Fillers mean I don't have to choose between face and figure. Botox prevents future wrinkling. Some fillers give a boost to the skins hydration so you get the added benefit of better skin texture. Botox helps my migraines.

Yes baby Botox - no downtime but a few dots immediately after the procedure which fade quickly and results appear over the next 2 weeks.

Filler - have tiny amount 1ml across both cheeks, more scaffolding than “filling” makes a ridiculous difference and agree with pp it’s instant, subtle and just looks like yourself but more pert lol

Downside and upside is the cost because it’s expensive enough to keep it in check (unless seeking something that can’t be found a la people who go too far with it across all income brackets), and if I decide to spend more on this kind of thing, I’d cc profhilo rather than additional filler or more botox.

Ditch matte foundation and go for tinted moisturiser or glowy foundation. I like Clinique city block spf40 or Chanel vitalumiere.

Nice blush, I got Dior but it’s like Nars orgasm.

If mascara smudges get waterproof or tubing. I use Dior waterproof, glossier tubing and maybelline snapscara.

Eyeliner for inner rims - Chanel peach apricot.

Nice lipstick or crayon.

I notice a difference when I use vitamin C serum or cream. Revolution do a serum, boots do a cream with it in.

How's your skin? I have rosacea so I can use all the wonderful stuff and still have redness and papules so need make up also.

If your skin is pretty good and you just want to even it out, Mac Face and Body is a really great foundation, comes in loads of colours and is quite sheer but readily buildable to at least a medium coverage.

I don't really like concealer under my eyes too much as I find it just sits in the fine lines, but Glossier Stretch Concealer is great for general discolouration and tbh if you don't need/want foundation then just that would do.

Whoever said get your lashes done - absolutely agree. Lash lift and tint (if they're fair) is brilliant, I look so much better with the lift in particular. I want microblading on my brows as well as they're sparse but have to cut back - a tint is better than nothing.

Definitely try out some skincare though, The Ordinary or Inkey List is pretty inexpensive and can make a huge difference.

@Wagsandclaws your skin is positively glowing, can't believe you're 50! Mine is 10 times duller and I'm 10 years younger.

I'm heading to Boots today, they sell the Ordinary products don't they. I'm thinking to keep my hot cloth cleanser, add in a Vit c serum in the morning, then retinol at night. As time isn't limitless I might try a tinted moisturiser with spf for daytime wear.

Do people bother much with a toner? I've huge pores. And how about supplements, do you take anything particular?

I'll also book for a brow tint and lash lift after the botox.

It's like I've had a sudden awakening to skincare and beauty, after years of looking tired and haggard and putting myself last I'm so ready for this . Thanks for all the tips and replies so far.

@TonkaTruckduck thank you it's the first time in all my years that it has so I'm pleased!

The ordinary does some great products, and I think the vit c in the morning and the retinol at night sounds brilliant, it takes a while to show but it's so worth it when it does.

I always use a toner! If you are using retinol I find I can't use a super-duper one like Paula's choice or alpha H in the evening so I just tend to use a bog standard one, perhaps you don't need to use anything though as my pores were quite enlarged.

Also your skin might tolerate alpha H or Paula's choice before retinol better than mine does.

Happy shopping OP

I’m 49 and one small change that has made heaps of difference for me is changing my black mascara for a brown one. I have blonde hair and hazel eyes and nowadays black mascara really seems to age me.

When I hit 40 I started to invest more in my skin and now it's looking so much better.

I started taking multivitamins, eating more fruit and veg (still don't drink water though).

I had a few microdermabrasion sessions to get me going, then started a Dermatica subscription for decent retinol. It's made a massive difference to texture, fine lines and glow.

I also do a face mask once a week, exfoliate twice a week and really concentrate on cleansing and moisturising, I hardly ever used it before as my skin is quite oily, so I thought I didn't need it. I use Ceravave smoothing face wash, Lush ultra bland cleanser and body shop hemp moisturiser.

Whilst you're at Boots have a look at the inky caffeine eye cream, I really like it.

WagsandClaws, your skin looks absolutely fabulous!
You are a great advert for whatever you use. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@SamDees

WagsandClaws, your skin looks absolutely fabulous! You are a great advert for whatever you use. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Botox and fillers. No amount of vitamin C serum makes you look like that! No judgement btw WagsandClaws you look fab!

[quote TonkaTruckduck]@Wagsandclaws your skin is positively glowing, can't believe you're 50! Mine is 10 times duller and I'm 10 years younger.

I'm heading to Boots today, they sell the Ordinary products don't they. I'm thinking to keep my hot cloth cleanser, add in a Vit c serum in the morning, then retinol at night. As time isn't limitless I might try a tinted moisturiser with spf for daytime wear.

Do people bother much with a toner? I've huge pores. And how about supplements, do you take anything particular?

I'll also book for a brow tint and lash lift after the botox.

It's like I've had a sudden awakening to skincare and beauty, after years of looking tired and haggard and putting myself last I'm so ready for this . Thanks for all the tips and replies so far.[/quote]
Niacinamide is good for enlarged pores. The Ordinary do one. Im sure there are others eg Paula’s Choice do one.

If I were you, I’d update my face regime with the following:

Retinol prescription (build up to this a few nights a week)
Vit C (am)
Niacinamide (am)
AHA/BHA toner (use on non retinol nights)

Sunscreen
Tinted moisturiser /bb/cc cream
Cheek/lip stain
Bronzer
Highlighter
Tubing mascara

Baby Botox

Serum and a decent moisturiser - doesn’t need to be spendy, I use Inky and the ordinary. For everyday - NARS tinted moisturiser, NARS blush, Charlotte Tilbury eye pencil and Clinique mascara.

Can anyone recommend somewhere in London / Surrey for microdermabrasion?