Make up in your forties- help please

[Littlemiss74]

I’m about to turn 48 & am struggling a bit with perimenopause. I’m really starting to notice my body & face changing now & would like some tips for how to feel better about myself starting with make up.
I can’t decide what make up style to go with anymore. I like the feel of tinted moisturiser but then I wonder if foundation would be better to even out my skin more and last the full day. But then I find foundation emphasises my peach fuzz & can look dry!
I have dark circles under my eyes which I’ve always had but they make me look tired. My skin is kind of olivey but can look sallow which again makes me look knackered. I think I’d like a bronzer aa I need a healthy glow but there are just so many to choose from.
My brown eyes are hooded and seem to be vanishing into my head - how can I make them look bigger without a ton of eye make up? Eyebrows are much lighter and sparser but when I tried using pencil it was all wrong and looked ridiculous.

Last year I treated myself to some Bobbi Brown products after an online consultation. After a few days using them they just didn’t seem right for me, the light powder was too shimmery etc so I’m now worried about wasting more money.
Last week I went to a few beauty counters and tried some things but just didn’t know where to start really. When I try and describe colours etc that I like they never come up with anything I like and then I feel awkward walking away.

Has anyone been in a similar position and found a flattering make up style? Any help would be really appreciated.

Have you considered paying for a session with a make up artist, like an in-person lesson? I did this, it was expensive but it was useful. Was more about technique, but I got to try different products and get her opinion on shades and specific products that would suit me. I know what you mean, I'd have thought a make up counter could do this, but the staff I speak to seem rubbish. All they have to do is help me find my perfect lipstick shade and they'll have a loyal customer for life!

Whats your skin care regime like? Even good make up on dull skin is fighting a losing battle. I'm 53 and my skin is prob better than ever. I started on a regime from The Ordinary about 7 years ago and now use a mix of The Ordinary and Beauty Pie products. All I need makeup wise is a good tinted moisturiser, a glowy primer occasionally, a nice concealer (both from Beauty Pie) and half decent brows and lashes.

Like pp I would say that it’s worth focusing on skincare initially. I’ve been using Skin and Me for a few months and most days now I just wear tinted SPF, after a lifetime of wearing foundation. I’m early forties still, but feel that it’s money well spent.

It's probably slightly out of your age demographic but take a look at Look Fabulous Forever, a makeup brand developed by a lady who was tired of being sold unsuitable make up by brands that cater for a very young demographic. She deals with all the issues you highlight - hooded eyes, sparse eyebrows, how to achieve that healthy glow - loads of videos on YouTube and beautiful products including skin care that suit as we age.

Also have you tried tinting your brows? Might look more natural than applying makeup.

I love Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows. It's a fibre based product you put on using a little wand. It's not messy, the colours are good, and it fills in sparse brows but still looks natural and not harsh. I have tried going back to using gels and pencils and they just don't work so well.

Get a facial razor/dermaplaner and take that fuzz off of your face. It exfoliates, too, and works wonders.

JML razor thing for the peach fuzz. I find ( a bit older than you) that less is more these days. If I wear a foundation, I tend to just use it with a light touch applied with fingers. Eye shadow just seems to emphasise crepey bits, so sometimes a bit of brown eyeliner, smudged a bit, usually just mascara. I might fold my eyes open with an eyelash curler if I'm pushing the boat out. I have found a fab Dermalogica eye gel for under eyes, before I go out. Lighter touch with lipstick, usually lined with pencil to define the ever dissolving lipline.

I wouldn't wear regular lipstick at all, it just accentuate lips lines. Use gloss.

Definitely start with your skin. Cleanse and moisturise morning and evening and exfoliate a few times a week. I use the facial tanning sprays every other night, just a few spritzs rubbed in and you'll wake up looking amazing. A bit of tinted moisturiser, dab of cream blush, dull pinky eyeshadow, black mascara and a tinted lip balm/gloss. It's my go to for feeling great. Bit darker eyeshadow and maybe eyeliner for going out. I think less is more as you age and the better condition your skin is in, the better you'll look. X

No7 do an eyebrow gel type thing with fibres in it which fill out my thinning eyebrows really well. I tint my eyebrows and brush through the gel and it works beautifully, they look reasonably natural as opposed to being sharpied on.

Dark circles under your eyes can be caused by allergies (google allergy shiners).

I’m in my 50s and use The Ordinary lactic acid and Nip and Fab Glycolic scrub weekly and witch hazel as a daily toner. Keeps everything clear.

I’ve just discovered L’Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Serum (after using their True Match foundation for years) and the serum sits better on my skin these days.

@Qwaffee this all sounds really lovely thank you. Please could you tell me which products you use, especially the tanning spray, the eyeshadow & the lipbalm/gloss? I’m really struggling to work out what colours suit me now but I definitely need something to make me look leas tired & pasty.

I’m not sure how to do links sorry, but the products are
St. Tropez self tan purity face mist (£15 ish)
Elf bite sized eyeshadows (Amazon £6 ish) the set called rose water
Lip balm is just a berry one from Aldi
A really good moisturiser is Neutrogena hydro boost, all the range is great!
I also use L’Oreal skin paradise tinted moisturiser in a light shade as I think the colours are much darker than they say.
hope you have fun!