How to make my face look OK with no/little make up

[TiredyMcTired]

I’d really like to improve my skin, but not sure what to do. I’ve worn make up every day since I was 14. I have dark brunette hair and hazel eyes, and really pale skin. If I don’t wear make up I look like I’m not well, and I’m not confident to go without. I’m 55, and I have got a bit of sagging around my jawline, no really deep wrinkles yet, some crows feet and the start of marionette lines at the side of my mouth. Inside corners of my eyes are a bit dark which just makes me look tired. On the plus side, my eyelashes aren’t too bad 😂

At the moment my skin care routine is gentle face wash in the morning, Olay Regenerist eye and day cream, simple face wipes to take make up off at night, followed by simple toner and Olay Regenerist eye cream and night cream. Used spf daily for years. I take supplements, including Collagen which has done wonders for my hair and nails 😃. I drink plenty of water and exercise regularly. I tried using a product with retinol in once but ended up with a sore red rash.

Make up is light foundation, No.7 flawless finishing powder, blusher, bit of bronzer, eyeliner, eyebrow powder and mascara. (this is scaled down from what I used to wear!)

Am I missing a magic product that would give me a glow? Should I change up my make up? Thought about going to a product counter in a store, but there are so many I’m not sure which one would be best for me.

Any advice/ideas/recommendations?

Weekly if anything. I don’t use them much these days dunno why.

OP you've had some great tips, I echo pps about starting tret it really is a miracle product for skin texture, tone and glow, but start slow and use the sandwich method to avoid irritation and flaking (layer moisturiser, tret then more moisturiser, start once a week and slowly build up.
In terms of a daily routine I would

• gentle cleanser in the morning
• vitamin c serum
• moisturiser
• spf
• tinted moisturiser ( can recommend ultra Violette dream screen tinted veil)
• brows, lightly filled in with a pencil and brow gel
• cream blush
• tinted lip balm/ lip gloss

If you want to warm up your complexion tan drops once or twice a week are a good shout, the tan luxe ones are the best as they are hydrating, fake tan tends to dry skin out. But be aware if you are using tret or any AHAs or BHAs they will fade the tan faster.

Also stop using makeup wipes they aren't good at removing makeup and can be rough on the skin. Use a micellar water on a cotton pad or balm/oil cleanser to remove makeup then following with a gentle cleanser in the evening.

You need sunscreen . Use a tinted one .

@GonnaGetGoingReturns you can buy it from the pharmacy in Spain and turkey without prescription so I stock up then or ask family to pick up for me.

Unfortunately in the uk you need a prescription. The bottles from dermatica used to last me about 6 weeks so I would delay delivery to save money

Thanks @GonnaGetGoingReturns i need something I’m a horrible washed out grey colour at the moment

It does feel like hard work to put make up on every day… I’d love to go with a lot less or none and not feel like I look like the living dead 😉

I’m the same age as you OP and have reluctantly accepted I look a lot better with a bit of make-up. So why fight it?!

A good cleanser and flannel to wash the day off

try not to wash face in morning (strips away good oils from when you slept)

good skincare - hyaluronic acid, vitamin c, retinol

drink water

Marine collagen powder drink