Is there something that just lifts the appearance of your skin a little

[GreyAreas]

I usually wear makeup at home and work (Trinny London or Laura Geller Baked) but recently I've been using a rose oil and I've not really felt like I wanted to apply makeup, as my skin looks pretty nice without, miraculously. A bit of eyeliner or tinted lip sometimes. And also I worry that my makeup looks a bit overdone or badly done sometimes because I throw it on and have bad eyesight! However, when I am back at work, by the end of a work day I will no doubt look pale, puffy and blotchy, not helped by currently growing out my grey hair. Although I don't much care about it, I need to look neat and professional for work and too haggard Is unhelpful. Is there something that I could just apply mid afternoon for a bit of glow and moisturisation? I guess I could use the Trinny bff primer but it doesn't do much for me. The oil doesn't look good instantly, unfortunately, but does when used daily. Would love some ideas to try.

Could you link to it please?

I love Origins generally.

Interesting, I need to try this

What is your general skin routine? I have dry sensitive skin and take an immune suppressant which isn't great for my skin and seems to lower estrogen levels plus am early 40s. I've Researched products that are better suited for drier skin - not pricey necessarily and started using these. These are oil cleansers, creamy cleansers, milky toners, hydrating serums, Rosehip oils and others like marulA, and extra moisturising creams.

I tend to need a thicker moisturiser in winter and the one I recommend is The Ordinary HA Factor with photo ceramides. It has 5% urea which is the same ingredient in Heel creams (those are usually 10%) so it's pretty thick and maybe preferred just for night use, but I definitely feel its helping my skin barrier. Got rid of dry patches in 2 days.

Current serum is Inkey List with Hyaluronic Acid. HA is good for dry skin. I do think it feels smoother since I started that.

I'm addicted to Bare Minerals Oil cleanser as it smells and feels lovely and turns creamy with water but it's a bit spendy so will find a cheaper one.

With all the above it feels plumper and less dry.

I do think with dry skin the main thing is keeping it not dry in terms of slowing down ageing, and then target any areas of ageing as they appear. I'm going to work on my crows feet, currently I use Elemis Pro Collagen Eye Serum which is good but I might move onto retinol. Need to think about that.

I've been buying things on Vinted to try as they started doing beauty products. Generally can get things for a third to half price of the shops.

I've always rated Loreal too as it's French and I always think that means they know a thing about skincare. I prefer it to Garnier for dry skin.

Also on Vinted people sell the contents of beauty boxes so you can pick up little samples of products.

Erborian cc I think (the one in the green tube) ,is incredible.

Totally following this thread!

I use The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil - I couldn't be without it. I use it alone at night and B Oil + moisturiser during the day. Great thread!

Good skincare routine to start with - i love Sunday Riley good genes serum and CEO Glow oil. It sinks in without being oily but gives lovely hydration. I follow up with Cerave facial moisturiser spf 50.

For makeup that doesn't sink in and doesn't feel like makeup, I go between vieve skin nova or charlotte tilbury flawless filter. Sometimes get away with either of those alone but it depends how red my skin looks. If I need a bit more coverage, I'm in love with Vieve skin nova complexion balm. It's a foundation that goes on more like skincare, so it doesn't feel heavy or cakey and it doesn't settle in my fine lines. It's very dewy, so I've found it really works on my dry skin. Sometimes need to settle it down with a bit of powder mind you, but generally it's lovely alone.

Jones Road Miracle Balm but only if you don’t have oily skin!

I tried this (dry skin) and feel like I'm the only person in the world who REALLY didn't like it!

You probably don't need a foundation/base product given how you're described your skin but maybe a concealer in targeted areas to brighten and even any darkness/redness/blemishes. The body shop vit c one is good.

For me I need colour on my cheeks to look less haggard. I like the original benetint.

I'm really tempted to try the Vieve skin nova complexion balm. I loved The Ordinary serum foundation and was gutted when they discontinued it. I've been looking for a dewy 'skincare' foundation ever since!

The first time I put it on I was underwhelmed, but when I put normal foundation on the next day I really felt the difference. Hardly wear normal foundation now because I love the dewy, no makeup makeup look it gives. Will caveat this with sometimes it can turn quite oily depending on what my skin is up to, so I do find I need a powder or setting spray at times, but I'm absolutely converted!

Stila One Step Correct is an absolute miracle worker. Smooths everything out and looks like you aren't wearing any base at all. stila.co.uk/products/one-step-kitten

It’s not a cream, but a red light machine has done wonders for the texture and evenness of my skin. Hasn’t done much for the wrinkles, but maybe that’s asking too much!

Can I ask do you rub in to neck area too ?
I'd like try but am worried they'll be a tan line

If it’s mixed in with moisturiser it’s subtle. I always moisturise my neck anyway.

Agree with @greengreyblue
I moisturise my neck and take it all the way down - the skin on your chest is normally a bit darker anyway, so it blends in. I don't mix the tan drops in with my moisturiser though, I find it's barely noticeable if I do that, I just moisturise my face and then apply a couple of drops to my hands and smooth over. The tanning drops all come in dropper bottles, with the pipette thing, so you can start with one drop and build up until you're happy with the result. It really is so easy but makes a huge difference, especially as I've got older, I find I can look a bit grey, so the tan drops over the grey skin just give me a glow.

Thank you both.. makes sense .. I shall definitely try

You could just use any gradual tanner suitable for face.I do.

I use erborian cc cream. Some blush, mascara and lip gloss and good to go. I mix the Clair & Dore shades (depending on time of year). Finish with a decent spf face cream. I also put a drop of tanning drops in my moisturiser - usually isle of paradise one.

Yes, but it's more makeup than in the tinted moisturiser group.

I've ordered erborian cc cream and the vieve skin nova as been contemplating this issue for a while so thanks for the well timed thread OP and thanks all for the suggestions