Updating makeup look in my forties- which makeup brands?

[FancyRedRobin]

I'm in my mid 40's and have a sneaking suspicion that my makeup look needs some updating!
Skin is a little dehydrated and sensitive.

I love the fresh natural look.
I'm using Lancombe Teint Miracle as a base and am happy with that. What I'm interested in is eye makeup, lip, cheek update.

I guess I need to go to a makeup counter for an updated look but who do I go to? I want fresh, natural.
Wasn't that impressed by MAC in the past and have left double wear behind as it's too drying for me now.

If you only want one brand then try Bobbi Brown or Charlotte Tilbury. That said I think you'd be far better shopping around and getting items from a number of brands. Lisa Eldridge is a great brand but doesn't have counters AFAIK.

Depends on what you want. There are plenty of fashionable brands.

However I have recently had a complete make up overhaul after one brand change their formulas to include ingredients I don't like. Cue the rabbit hole of looking into the most recent safety recommendations and regulations. Apparently (IIRC) BHT, benzophenone, alumina and talc have either been phased out or banned here / in Europe. Safety and ethical concerns over the mining of minerals is also a concern so companies statements concerning this is worth a look. There was so much information to look at I forget all the fine details tbh. But I'm going to try Lily Lolo and Beauty Without Cruelty. I also bought some tinted Dr Lipp lip balms and a Lavera lipstick.

Oh and if you avoid parabens, as I do, watch out for their alternative names.

I’m older than you at 52, but I’ve recently had an overhaul and Charlotte tilbury has been a revelation - I don’t wear loads of makeup, all pretty natural but I’ve had a lot of compliments since I switched. I just look a lot ‘fresher’

I stopped using power over foundation many years ago as it always looked 'cakey', even brands like Clinique etc. Something made me try Charlotte tilbury pressed powder and it's bloody brilliant! Not cakey at all, in even in bright sun, it just looks 'finished'. Im going to try some more of her make up bits.

@PinkCosYouAreSoVery in my experience the best way to do powder is without foundation underneath as that causes caking. The powder sticks to the foundation so goes on thicker. I just put powder over my sunscreen or moisturised skin if the UV is low. I occasionally might use a very small amount of stick concealer underneath the powder. I don't get caking this way.

Lisa Eldridge has a counter in Liberty. I went for advice re lipstick. They were excellent. Very helpful and patient. Im very happy with the lipstick I bought on their recommendation.

I'm mid 40s, I use bronzer, never powder, foundation and smokey eye, I'll have to have my eye liner prised out of my dead cold hands (I've worn it since I was 12😂). I can't be bothered with lipstick or lip gloss, it never lasts and always ends up all over the glass.

Bobbi Brown are good for make up lessons and natural make up.

Charlotte Tilbury, YSL, and Channel do makeovers and are my faves.. Go to your local department store and book an appointment for a makeover. They will help you

If you are near a Space NK they are excellent and have a wide range to chose from

I feel the same OP. I've decided instead of wasting more money on make up I never use I'm going to go to make up counters for a full make over. I've booked Bobbi Brown for next week and I'm going to then try Charlotte Tilbury next month.

Just to add to this thread I've discovered Erica Taylor on Instagram, she's in her late forties and her whole thing is about how to update your makeup and what 90s trends to dump. She's fab!

Try RMS beauty, lovely products. The legendary serum lipsticks are beautiful and her new blushes get very good reviews. The burrito bronzer is great as a blush, gives a beautiful natural colour even on fair skin.
Trinny London eyeshadows are great for a simple, fresh look: her blush and highlighters are beautiful too.
Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks are also great.

Oh I love her!

Just wanted to add, I don’t think it’s a brand thing as we age - more of what/where to apply.
So I find contouring is out - makes me look more bony/haggard.
Cream formulations instead of powder
No foundation - just tinted sunscreen.
Minimal concealer under eyes - no baking.
Cream bronzer all over top forehead, temples, cheeks, under chin and in eye crease.
No dated eyeshadow routines with 3 colours etc - I just do crease bronzer and lashings of mascara
Define eye brows but in a thick soap brow way with a coloured gel brush - not thin and pencilled in.
Lip colour - light and bright and satin/glossy not matte or dark/vampy.
The brand doesn’t matter - honestly I have had just as good results with NYX or MUA compared to Huda or CT. You could go to a counter for ideas and then search for dupes online. Always a good dupe available.

I have discovered ELF cosmetics and love it. I don't wear much anyway. CC cream, simple eyeshadow (crease line in a dark brown and a slick of purple), mascara and bronzer. I love a lip gloss and have started using the ELF lip oil instead. I am not rich enough for the expensive brands but ELF feels quite luxurious to me

I also love ELF, and oddly enough a couple of things from Max Factor. For years my default brand was Clinique and I can’t say it’s let me down, but ELF has several products that seem just as good.

And I agree, ELF products feel good. I still like Clinique but spending ££ unnecessarily doesn’t give me pleasure, so I am turning more and more to the brands above

I use Emporio Armani luminous silk foundation and it isn't too matte or to dewy.Im 44

I've actually started wearing less and less makeup as I get further into my forties. I've invested more effort and money in getting my skin to look good, and now I've only got a NARS tinted moisturiser, a bobbi brown concealer for any random breakouts,and an ELF highlighter (which I'm not convinced about). I use a Benefit brow pen, I have a few lip glosses in different shades (ditto eyeliners, but they don't get much use). I also have 2 eye shadows from urban decay for bit of extra ooph. Most importantly, I wear mascara daily, but I'm not particularly brand-loyal - I haven't found a huge difference in them but I'm also fortunate because my lashes are long and naturally curly.
I am tempted by the Lisa Eldridge stuff though, and next time I get sn itch for purchasing something I might try them.