What beauty and hair lessons have you learned over time?

[something2say]

Hi! I am a long time poster who loves a thread in this section, because it is so simple and pleasing in a complicated world. Threads on this board make me smile and feel nicer.

I was reflecting this morning on how much I have learnt about what beauty routines work for me and what suits me, and am curious about what you've learned?

• I struggled to find a light foundation / powder combination to just dust over. I tried Trinny, Mac and Terry. All made me oily / too made up. I now use Laura Geller and it is great. Can hardly see it, never shiny.

• Eye makeup - black doesn't work for me now, the Maybelline dark grey eyeliner is the only one that doesn't smudge (tried loads of others) and it looks best on me as a side wing with a touch underneath, corner only. Layering black inside and out makes my eyes look small and I always regret it. Wing tips make them look wide. Mascara top only.

• No lipsticks really work for me now. I wish to find a nice one but they just don't work for me.

• Hair has also been a big change. I've got long, thick curly hair which will be dry and frizzy if I let it. I have gone full Curly Girl and it has done wonders for my curls, which are now like coils on wash day. I use Faith In Nature shampoo and condition, their aloe vera conditioner which is the lightest and which works beautifully on my low porosity hair. I grew out the lowlights, stopped using a hairdryer and started doing deep conditioning hair packs in a heated hair cap from Amazon.

• Hair longer than bra strap no longer works for me and I need layers. I will never try to grow it longer again as it is boring.

What have you tried and learned?

Skin care is my thing rather than make up, I'm ancient now but still get told what good skin i have. Have cleansed, toned, and moisturised since my teens and used a night cream since I was 25. Always use sunscreen, exfoliate and have a weekly face pack, time it with deep conditioning my hair. Used to love red lipstick, my look was dark hair, sunglasses and red lips but time has stolen my lips and and using lip stick makes my mouth look small and mean. I just use a colourless gloss now. Black mascara, because I have kept my deep colouring and have very little white hair. I used to use kohl in my hey day but now it would make my eyes look like piss holes in the snow. Always use perfume even if i am at home all day, it lifts my mood. Walk a lot as it lifts my mood, non smoker and don't drink much. i have noticed that cutting out alcohol makes no difference at all, have sometimes not had a drink for a couple of months but have never seen any change in my skin or weight, quite disappointing, really😒

Vegetable glycerin! I got some off Amazon and apply it mixed with my moisturiser in winter when my dry skin is at its worst.

@PinkMagpie , look at the ingredients list, and then try to match them.

Almond oil is the main ingredient of Skin Drink.
Plain jojoba is good for cleansing and moisturising.
Coconut oil is too but it gives me blackheads.

I’ve wanted a chin length Bob and finally have this, Al hair is one length it’s taken years, it would get x long and I would get annoyed and cut a fringe
im also growing the grey (a good 6” so far) and I no longer need to straighten my hair as it just looks lovely