Makeovers

Coconut and gran16, it sounds just like the one I had . I have some fab photos to look back on. Never felt so glamourous!
I'd recommend having one just for the experience!

Maybe a bit different but I went for a boudoir photo shoot about 4 years ago (I'm now 57) which included hair and make-up and I was stunned at the results.

I was in need of a confidence boost and boy did this work. It was a wonderful experience and very tastefully done too. I have some lovely photos as a memento too. Would recommend it to anyone

My local college cries out for older ladies to practice on as our skin tones and textures are different to the usual models (other students). The students benefit from our experience too and if you find one who is good, you may be their first paying customer out of college!

I think the essentials are: clean, straight teeth, regular hair cuts, clothes that suit your body shape, fit properly and are in good condition ie not bobbled or faded. Make up that makes you feel confident not overly done.
Oh and no fleece which I think adds 20 years!

Above should say "for middle to late 40s" when I am now 59 + 1 ?

Once my adult youngsters got a bit older in my 40s I started to look at my selfcare and how I looked. It is nor shallow to want to make the best of yourself.

I have a good skin routine I do morning and night with weekly facemasks and a weekly pamper night which includes also doing my waxing, threading, hair with treatment and so on.

I've learnt about the best looks makeup wise through YouTube and using make up makeovers in local stores.

Clothes wise I'm very quirky/Boho and into colour. I see my hairdressers 6 weekly and have my roots done 6 weekly.

I'm a deep intense purple right now. Working at looking my best, being young in style but not mutton dressed as lamb people take me formidable to late 40s. That's part good genetics as well.

Go for it. Find out what works for you. Its not shallow to want to look your best

Hilarybee

Naninka. There’s a lot on the internet about posing for photos. The one I use a lot now is when you are facing the camera push your head forward, like a tortoise. This gets rid of a bit extra chin and although it feels silly it doesn’t show in photos. If you have a phone with a camera practice taking photos of yourself There is also a lot of advice on body poses on the internet too

Thank you, Hilarybee. I will check this out. Very kind of you to answer. xx

For those of you who aren't aware, the girls in the big department stores don't actually have any training for makeup make overs, they simply do them in the hope of selling you the products. You might be lucky and get someone who is actually skilled at doing makeup on all ages, or you might get someone who has only ever done makeup on themselves until they went to work in the store. I know, because I used to work for one of them, and in all honesty now that I am an older lady myself, I realise just how different our skin is to that of most of the youngsters on the counters, which is why all too often if you have your makeup done in store, you come away desperate to clean it off and do it yourself. If you do fancy having a free makeup done in store, I would suggest choosing a salesgirl who's 'look' you like, rather than going for a cosmetic brand that you fancy, as if you choose someone who is heavily made up because you fancy that brand, you may come away feeling like a 'tart' for want of a better expression. Alternatively, if you go for someone who doesn't appear to be wearing much make up, but you prefer a stronger look, then you're likely to come away feeling washed out, and desperate to put on a stronger lippie, more blush and eyeshadow, etc.

i had my hair and make up done professionally for my daughters wedding, hair took forever and lots of pins but it looked wonderfully , the make up was applied with a air spray, it made a huge difference and stayed on all day. i would have it done everyday if i could

About forty years ago my husband gave me a Zandra Rhodes silk scarf as a gift and I felt so sophisticated. I have to stress he got it a cost price from a colleague , who had contacts. I was actually looking at it the other day and it as good as new.

I too had long, thick red hair in those days, it took hours to dry!!!

Marydoll Sadly not, but it was stunning to wear!

Did you get to keep the dress, NemoNanna?

In 1987 I featured in a Woman’s Own makeover, had a fabulous day, wore a £2,000 Zandra Rhodes gown and had my long red hair cut into a pixie cut by a Vidal Sassoon stylist. I’ve kept it short ever since so yes it did change my life!

Not a full make over but did have a make up class at Lancome in Paris many moons ago, v good. I think you have to tell them what you want though, a natural- day look or glam- evening look, maybe take photos. A great hairdresser who listens is a godsend. A personal stylist, yes why not! Go for it !!!!

I had a House of Colour session which advised what colours suited me and brief make up tips. They also do style and make up sessions.

I was a model for a girl doing her exam to be a beautician. I was stunned with the result but wouldnt know how to replicate it myself. I always wear make up but it takes me 3 mins to apply and she took half an hour.

Eloethan
I would definitely give it a try. A friend of mine very kindly organised a makeover including styling for me some years ago. I had been through a tough patch and she thought it would be a little bit of a treat. We had a lovely day and I felt so much better for doing something very different and I learnt a lot as well.

If you feel that something like a complete makeover is too much then how about a trip to a really good hairdresser? I don’t visit my hairdresser (Jo Hansford in London) very often because it is expensive but it is always worth the time and the money. Lovely friendly team and very accomplished stylists. There are lots of really good hairdressers to choose from and it might give you the boost you need.

Think the personal stylist idea is a good one as well. Have used them when I was stuck for ideas and always found them helpful.

Good luck

Fadingrose coconut and 1summer you all look lovely! It certainly makes you feel better to have a professional bring out the best of your looks, and it's not shallow at all. What is wrong with making the most of what you have? Go ahead and enjoy it eloethan - perhaps you will put a photo on here to encourage us all.

Years ago I won a competition which allowed my sister and I to have a night in London, theatre tickets and a make over. We went to see the Barry Manilow musical Copacabana but before we went the spa at our hotel did our makeup for us. It was so heavy that we both left the hotel feeling like we couldn't smile in case it cracked and we didn't enjoy the night as we felt so false and uncomfortable. Mind you that was a few years ago and from the other posts it looks like other peoples have been more successful.

That last message was for you Fadingrose.

You look beautiful. The colour really suits your complexion.

It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks it’s what makes you happy. My sons mum inlaw she had one done and it did her well. They told what hairstyle would suit her and makeup but also what clothes colours etc to wear. She said it made her rethink on her approach to buying clothes, I’ve always thought about having one myself. Because let’s face it we all fall into the same routine same clothes same hair same makeup etc. I’d say go for it after the last couple of years we’ve had. Call it your Christmas present to yourself lol

The only makeover I've ever had is my GDs doing face painting - I became a cat! A makeover would be my worst nightmare. I don't wear makeup (don't like the feel of it) On the rare occasions that we go anywhere special (eg. a wedding) I might use a touch of mascara and blusher but that's about all I can be bothered with. I don't even like having my hair done, though I do like my hairdresser and she does a very good job of finding me a style that I can just run a comb through and it looks tidy. As for clothes, I am casual in the extreme and live in t-shirts and jeans. When I have to dress up for something I can't wait to get home and change.

I went to Joan Price's Face Place many years ago to learn how to do my make-up properly (Sadly she is no longer with us) and it was great. I also had my colours done and keep the swatches of what 'my' colours are. It does work and is worth doing. The wrong colours - especially close to your face - can be very draining. The lady who did it even told me which L'Oreal highlights work best with my colouring. It's not shallow at all either - it's a real boost!

Naninka. There’s a lot on the internet about posing for photos. The one I use a lot now is when you are facing the camera push your head forward, like a tortoise. This gets rid of a bit extra chin and although it feels silly it doesn’t show in photos. If you have a phone with a camera practice taking photos of yourself There is also a lot of advice on body poses on the internet too