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Style & beauty

A new look

(55 Posts)
Kiwiqueen123 Mon 23-Oct-23 09:01:51

Just had both cataracts removed and its such a shock to look in the mirror! I've got fantastic vision now and can see every line and wrinkle on my face. I need new makeup. I've been using Boots No.7 for years, Restore and Renew day cream and Lift and Luminate triple action foundation, a not very effective blusher (I need something as my skin is very pale). I need to start all over again. Happy to spend a bit more on something that works, gives me a bit of colour, diminishes the wrinkles if only slightly and a good blusher, Just wondered if anyone has any recommendations. I'm a bit reluctant to go to a beauty counter as I always end up being sold something which doesn't really do the trick so any tips would be great.

madeleine45 Fri 27-Oct-23 18:16:56

If new makeup floats your boat good for you. Personally I have very limited funds, and therefore keep them for what matters to me. My hair is white now and I dont colour it at all, only get it cut well. Have a few eyeshadow available and a few lipstick as I am a singer and have been in various things on stage, but other than that I am too busy thinking about music, paintings, the garden, doing courses etc to bother about make up or lines. What you see is what you get when it comes to me. As long as I am clean and my clothes are clean just carry on with my life and dont worry at all about what I look like. The friends I make and people I meet are interesting or not in what they are involved in. I dont judge people on what they look like. so any available money I have goes into the travelling around funds , never for make up.

cc Fri 27-Oct-23 18:19:17

avitorl

I really like Nars Blusher.The shade I use may make you blush,as it's Orgasm!

I have that shade to, I think it is their most popular for all ages.
I think the answer for finding make up is to find a nice person working for one of the beauty companies and go to see her regularly. I find that the women working for MAC are great, and have used Nars too.

cc Fri 27-Oct-23 18:28:41

I don't wear make up all the time but find that a good (MAC) foundation or concealer on the bits that need covering up is enough, a whole faceful of foundation often looks like a mask.
It can take a while to get used to a slightly brighter lipstick so you can start with something fairly natural and work up.
Mascara is essential if you are wearing make up, I use Clinique Lash Power Mascara which doesn't give you panda eyes and doesn't make my eyes water. It comes in brown, doesn't make lashes clumpy or too long. and comes off with water.
I think I must look pretty washed out without make up, whenever I wear it people tell me how well I look!

Gundy Fri 27-Oct-23 20:49:11

Kiwiqueen123
When it comes to makeup for older women - remember Less Is More!

My routine is:
.• moisturizer
• blush** (on cheekbones, forehead around hairline and a dab on nose and chin)
• concealer (under eyes, around my nose, a couple of brown spots)
• NYX brand eye pencil in taupe or a grey (to outline my eyes, place a little in eye crease & smudge to accentuate my brow bone)
• lipstick & liner (I need to define my lip line, then fill in)
Basically 4 or 5 things I won’t leave the house without.

You can add: foundation (but that settles into wrinkle creases), powder (again, settles in creases; go for a youthful dewey look), neutral eye shadows (no colors! Use an eye pencil instead that flatters your eye color), mascara, brow pencil. Now we’re getting into money$$. You may not need all those things for your new look.

Don’t be a painted doll, go for natural bright look. Less is more. Also less time to apply.
USA Gundy.
** In summer I mix sunscreen into moisturizer, then find a complimentary shade of bronzer to use as blush. In winter try a deeper shade of lipstick for that pop in your smile. 😃

Gundy Fri 27-Oct-23 20:55:51

I should clarify - NYX eye crayon - one that you can smudge & layer. Pencils are too dry.

Go to a cosmetologist for tips. Stick to your list so they don’t oversell you with needless products. A good cosmetician will want to please you and build a good relationship for future purchases.

Experiment and have fun. You’ll find your new look. Your kids will say “Mom, is that you?” 😉

farmgran Sat 28-Oct-23 11:02:39

I will need my cataracts done soon and reading this thread has convinced me not to get the long distance one. The sight of all the wrinkles and sags would be too much.
I had a facial recently. Very rare for me to have one.
She told me about facial soaking. You put a wrung out hot flannel to your face three times followed by moisturiser or serum while the skin is damp. She said it takes 6 weeks to work and soften the wrinkles.
At least with my eyes the way they are I'll be able to kid myself its woking!

Aveline Sat 28-Oct-23 11:19:45

farmgran please don't be put off. I can't believe how well I'm seeing now. I'm sure that with a magnifying mirror I'll manage eye make up no bother.
I've got 3 pairs of cheap reading glasses and will get proper ones in five weeks after eyes have settled.
The problem is my poor old face which has been hiding behind specs for 60 years! The eye bags!! Now I can really see the state of my skin I've set to and it's improved already. Estée Lauder Perfectionist serum under moisturiser has plumped out my wrinkles and generally firmed up my skin. I'm quite pleased. Once I can wear eye make up again I'm optimistic that I can look much better (if I can be bothered!).

Coolbreeze Mon 30-Oct-23 10:10:35

madeleine45

If new makeup floats your boat good for you. Personally I have very limited funds, and therefore keep them for what matters to me. My hair is white now and I dont colour it at all, only get it cut well. Have a few eyeshadow available and a few lipstick as I am a singer and have been in various things on stage, but other than that I am too busy thinking about music, paintings, the garden, doing courses etc to bother about make up or lines. What you see is what you get when it comes to me. As long as I am clean and my clothes are clean just carry on with my life and dont worry at all about what I look like. The friends I make and people I meet are interesting or not in what they are involved in. I dont judge people on what they look like. so any available money I have goes into the travelling around funds , never for make up.

Even with limited funds there are makeup brands out there that don’t cost the earth . Also , there are many good deals on Amazon for makeup .
I’m also busy with an array of hobbies & interests , but , I do care what I look like , as to wear an even bit of makeup it’s a feel good factor . Every morning I put on bit makeup even if I’m not going out anywhere .
When your out to one of your interest groups , look around at the women , you’ll find that the ones who have taken bit of time to put on even a small dab of makeup will look much more “ polished “ than the ones without any .

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 10:20:57

Unfortunately where I live it’s rare to see an older woman wearing any makeup, even if out in the evening, and you don’t fit in unless you’re the same. It’s as if they have all given up, cut their hair short and put on a lot of weight. I fear I’m the exception but have no intention of joining their club. I enjoy spending a very few minutes putting on some eye makeup each morning, whether I’m going anywhere or not.

farmgran Mon 30-Oct-23 20:36:54

Me too, germanshepheardsmum.
I think its sad that so many women have given up on makeup etc. Its fun and youthful and doesn't have to cost the earth!

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 20:54:29

👍🏻

MayBee70 Mon 30-Oct-23 21:07:43

When I went to put on my make up for the first time after the pandemic after a couple of years of not wearing any it looked awful. My eyelashes and eyebrows have all but disappeared and when I put eyeshadow on I realised my eyes had sagged. I’m currently going through my make up throwing lots of it out. I need an easy to apply eyeliner to give a bit of definition to my eyes. I’m pleased with the latest No7 serum and face cream that I’ve been using for a few weeks now.

Hetty58 Mon 30-Oct-23 21:56:49

There's no chance of me looking like a painted doll. I just put on a headband, brush my teeth, wash my face with water on a microfibre face cloth - then dab on a little coconut oil - done!

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 22:07:11

A painted doll? Is that what you think of a woman who wears makeup?

Hetty58 Mon 30-Oct-23 22:13:58

GSM, well, that's what Gundy mentioned. Anyway, you can't improve on perfection, so I don't think I need any makeup. I'd probably be allergic anyway (remember my eyes swollen shut, as a teenager, having used Max Factor mascara). I'm all for equality, don't see men all 'dolled up', so why bother?

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 22:25:33

Actually I think Gundy said that less is more, which I don’t disagree agree with, not nothing at all. Why bother? Well if you think you’re perfect, fine. I’m happy to admit that I’m not so I apply makeup carefully and sparingly to improve on nature. You can buy hypoallergenic products if you have allergies, should you ever decide that perhaps you’re not quite perfect.

BlueBelle Mon 30-Oct-23 22:26:56

None of you use Rimmel then 😳

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 22:30:09

Yes, I have some Rimmel items. They are cruelty free.

Hetty58 Mon 30-Oct-23 22:34:50

GSM, I don't feel the need to improve on nature. I suppose it's a confidence thing? Why is it so overwhelmingly a female thing?

Hetty58 Mon 30-Oct-23 22:40:00

It's certainly cultural. In our society, it's all about youth - so a 'crime' to look old. Oh, and a marketing thing, with people spending a fortune on magic potions. How far have we come with women's lib? We've a long way to go.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 22:41:14

I see it as a self respect thing, wanting to look my best and recognising that I look far better with a little makeup (eyes only, can’t abide foundation) than without.

Bridie22 Mon 30-Oct-23 22:45:30

Jeez it might be cheaper to have a face lift looking at what some of you pay to put on your faces 🙂

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-Oct-23 22:55:40

Has anyone said what they spend?

Bridie22 Mon 30-Oct-23 23:10:25

Primrose53 spent £80 on 4 items, so yes, someone did mention what they spent.

BlueBelle Tue 31-Oct-23 05:04:40

Farmgran You don’t get offered what YOU want in a cateract op the surgeons put in what’s right for you You don’t bargin for what you think you might wish for 😀