Style and Beauty lessons from 2022?

[Niftythrifter]

What style and beauty lessons have you learnt in 2022, the good, bad and the awful?

Loving the thread! Hope its ok if I join.

Lip balm -my lifesaver-currently dr sebagh bought on ebay and using it under lipstick to make the flaky bits on my lips behave!
Ditto to poster who said ditch anything not flattering -it's tough but essential or you get stuck in a depressing rut
Oh and my personal favourite from here @MrsPicklesonSmythe you are my influencer from now on! I'm going to stop trying to out-beige the super cool kids and grow up -into fabulousness and 80s spangles :)Thank you!

A foreo Bear is worth the investment.

Invest in good comfortable bras! I wore a few that didn’t fit me properly for years and the difference when I bought 2 perfect ones is amazing. No more “if I bend down to pick something up my boob will pop out and need a re-wiggle”. Changed my life.

OMG. I’ve found my people.
I literally love this thread.

Paying to see a dermatologist is worth it - you can't fix cystic acne on your own with OTC products

Find a good alterations person - almost everything looks more expensive if it's tailored to you. Particularly with a large bust - if you tailor in a bit of a waist, you can avoid the tent effect.

Buy less but buy better. But in 2023, I'm doing low spend so the big challenge will be using what I already have.

@AthenaWhite I have been dithering over whether to get a Foreo Bear…would love to hear more about your experience with it if you don’t mind? What difference have you noticed and how long did it take? I am 41 and noticing a bit of sagging.

Getting adult but acne prone skin to a good place takes effort. Years and years of trying different skin routines did nothing and this year I finally hit the jackpot and got it into shape through a combination of facials (every two months) and an expensive skin care regiment from Obagi. It took me awhile and it all has been quite a spent - but it's worth it

How long before you saw a difference? I bought one a year ago but it’s mostly sat in my desk drawer, maybe need to be a bit more religious with my use.

Have tried all the cheaper mascaras but bought a brown ( better for women of a certain age) mascara from Chanel in the Black Friday sale. It’s bloody marvellous. Also tanning drops so I could wear shorts more confidently. Lauren mercier eye shadow is also a winner for me.

I’ve had a similar experience. I drink Equi London Beauty Formula daily and keep a topical antibiotic at hand just in case. My skin has been far better since I’ve taken the supplement and I put it down to that (I don’t work for the company, by the way!).

A sad lesson for me was that “clean beauty” makeup doesn’t last very long at all. I had to throw away lipsticks (Ilia, Ere Perez) and a concealer (Kosas) because they stated smelling off after less than a year. I guess the preservatives in beauty products really do something, as that has never happened to my conventional (non-“clean”) makeup.

I will also second that. My sister has been into clean products only lately and I've unfortunately seen her skin become worse...

I use mine religiously and it really works. I'm 52 and while my skin and bone structure is good it was starting to sag at my jaws. I started with the given routine then moved on to one of the you tube tutorials that is more intense. Now I do a quick one each morning and the more intense twice a week. It's firmed up my jawline and everything looks and feels better and smoother. Unexpected benefit is it's plumped my lips up. I run it around my mouth and it's really firmed up that area and my top lip, which was looking thinner.

It was worth the investment for me and has slotted into my routine beautifully. I also use tret and a red light mask which have also really helped. I have good skin and it feels beautiful, really soft. Heavy lifting is probably done by the tret but the red mask and bear have really helped me.

Don't buy stuff because an influencer says it's good; they're literally paid to tell you products are great. Use an eyelid primer. Going grey is fine. Wear things that look good on you as you are, not as you want to be or used to be.

Which one was it? This year I have been so disappointed with mascara I've had and I'm prepared to spend more.

Gold eyeshadow ALL the time - just a small amount with any eyeliner

Instantly awake/polished

@Niftythrifter

Which m&s foundation are you using? Could you post a link. TIA

@KillingMeDeftly I've wondered about that serum foundation from loreal. Was thinking you'd need pretty good skin already as it would give VERY light coverage. But tempted to try it

Going to try this! I used to wear gold eyeshadow all the time years ago and stopped for some reason. But you've reminded me of what an easy way it was of looking like you'd made a big effort so thanks for that.

When I was in my 20s I used to wear a sparkly lilac eyeshadow from loreal for daytime, very lightly across the eyelids. Looked stunning in a low key way.

I can wear mom jeans with ankle boots in autumn

I love patterned wide leg trousers. Easy to wear in summer with sandals but I’m still figuring out what to do footwear wise for in spring/autumn. Going to give pull on white trainers a go

I prefer skinny trousers in winter, relaxed & wide the rest of the year

Capsule colour palette is working well but I’ve added navy to my dark neutrals (a colour I’ve previously avoided!)

The Longchamp Le Pliage is THE PERFECT work bag

I like casual blazers! Currently have one in navy & black velvet but plan on getting a couple more for spring/autumn.

Oh! Hourglass Veil primer is a GAME CHANGER! Make up stays on all day & I’m enjoying doing more elaborate eyeshadow because I know it’ll still be there at lunchtime

The Amika hair waver does wonders for my poker straight hair. I’ll definitely be channelling the 90s vibe in 2023

@LaurieFairyCake Do you have a link to the eye shadow you use?

@Takenoprisoner www.marksandspencer.com/luminosity-radiant-skin-foundation-30ml/p/hbp22509976?color=IVORY&prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip48g2r1c1 I use the Maybeline Fit Me primer and mix the two before applying.

@Niftythrifter thanks for the link. Is it easy to test and find your shade in m and s? Or do they have make up counters with assistants to help with that?