Have you changed the way you wear makeup? Do you wear more? Less? What "look" are you going after? Any tips to share?

For me....the older I get the less I wear. My mom use to always tell me "less is more" and she was right. If I wear too much I look older and more "vampy". So, I wear foundation, pink/rose blush, mascara and a light shade of pinky rose lipstick or gloss. I find if I wear eyeliner, some eyeshadows or even line my lips I age about 5-10 years! And absolutely NO dark colors...the more pastel and light/sheer the better. I've been told that I don't look 50, so I guess I'll keep on using my same makeup routine for a while. Can't hurt to look a little younger, right?

How about you?

Hi AJ, for the past few years all I wear is concealer under my eyes, base powder foundation, loose powder and blush with lipstick. I have very oily skin and I am constantly patting my face. I don't really have a lot of time to get all pretty, so it only takes me 30 minutes to shower, wash and blow dry my hair, makeup and get dressed for work or whatever.

dear
ajay
Really do agree with you that less is more!Am 57 and thankfully blessed with a clear complexion and just a few lines around my eyes.Of course being short sighted probably helps!Any way apply moisturiser,the a piny lipstick,alittle blusher,very light eyeliner and a sweep of mascara and am good to go.

The other day my son said"Mum you do look pretty"I really felt good as he does often give compliments.

Anybody else got any make-up tips to share.
Love to all
Elizabeth

Hi Ladies! Thanks for replying!

2sonsmom---I don't like to spend a lot of time on my hair and makeup in the morning, so it takes me about 30 minutes to get ready too. I've had to learn that I don't need to fuss so much in order to look good. I wear a powder base foundation which makes it quick and easy, but haven't gone to concealers yet because I don;t like the way they look cakey on me. Some women can apply it and make it look so natural, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Elizabeth--- What your son said is so sweet! I think we do look better with less, well some of us look better with less. I have always wanted to be able to use all the fun makeup like eyeliners, shadows, etc, but like I said I just end up looking vampy. Even if I use softer colors. It could just be that I'm not happy with so much make up on. I do like the more natural healthy look.

Okay ladies....we're waiting to hear who has some great makeup tips/thoughts/stories!

((Hugs))

Warm neutral colors around the eyes, applied with a light hand, and a deep charcoal green eyeliner pencil, smudged work well for me, as I still have contrast between my skin and hair(that is colored a rich reddish brown - any lighter would wash my slightly olive complexion out), sheer foundation, light luminous bronzing powder as blush and a nude lipstick that is YLBB(your lips but better color). This sounds like a lot, but goes on very quickly. The right application tools REALLY help and make fast work of applying makeup correctly, and also blend things really well which distinguishes a poor, caked-on makeup job from a natural, well-blended one. Harsh lines are not appropriate for most of us - note that even with my relatively dark eyeliner pencil, I smudge it to soften the line to make it look slightly smoky, and if I want more oomph at night, I'll smudge an inky plum shadow at the outer edges of that eyeliner. On the rest of my eyes, a light cream-colored base from lash to browbone(this lightens up the whole area and looks very natural)with a soft peachy-brown in the crease and at the outer third of the eye. For that bronzer, I use MAC powder blush in Sunbasque, a beautiful luminous peachy-coral-bronze, great, because it is not too orangey or dirty looking which many typical bronzers(especially cheap ones)seem to be. It has enough coral in it to give life to the face. Some days I don't wear anything on my face other than my shea butter-coconut oil combo, to give my skin a day off, but the truth of the matter is that I still enjoy some makeup and like to look good. I get a ton of compliments about how good I look too, not how good my makeup looks, which is the acid test. Best approach at our stage of life IMO, to look like you do on a great day when you've had enough sleep, some relaxing time, and that you've been following an extremely healthy eating and exercise plan(which we all need to do anyway).

I'm loving the mineral foundations, they are so light yet give a decent smooth coverage. I have started to go with a lot less of everything else though. Some days I get brave and go with the whole smoky eye look or instead a bright red lipstick with only a bit of mascara. I like being a girl and having make up so doubt I would ever give it up.

I'll never give up my makeup either! I LOVE being all girly. I would love to wear mineral makeup but for the life of me haven't found one I like. They are either too sheer, too powdery, too cakey, or too dark. Right now I'm wearing Beauticontrol's Wet/Dry foundation and I love it. It's the closest thing to using minerals that I have found. Very quick and easy and my skin looks very natural. You've inspired me to try a smoky eye and smudge it a bit. We'll see what happens....

I've been on the prowl for some new foundation for the past month. Right now I'm trying Absolute from Lancome' (I believe) and I just picked up a sample of E.Arden's Intervene. I've tried the mineral products but they leave my skin feeling itchy. I do wish I could wear them though... so many people rave about them I feel like I'm missing out. :-)

I've always went for a natural look and contine to do that but I do apply foundation, eye liner, shadow, blush and lipstick. But in soft colors.

Let's talk makeup tools.... what about the new foundation brushes? Does anyone use those? What about primer? I'm planning to pick up some smashbox primer the next time I'm in Sephora's because I've heard so many good things about it.. has anyone tried it? Any foundations you could reccomend?

Carol - the smashbox primer is awesome. I also use a brush with my mineral foundation. The Sephora brushes are quite pricey, but you can find decent ones at Target. I ended up with a soft brush from Target - don't remember the brand.

I feel ugly and naked without makeup. I was not blessed with nice coloured skin, so I really need makeup in order to not look sickly. I use an Age Defying foundation with a mineral powder to follow. I use a mineral concealer, followed by a powder mineral concealer (I have nasty dark circles to cover!) Because of my colouring I look better with bolder colours, as opposed to the pastels. I have very dark hair and dark eyes. I wear less eyeshadow than before, but I still wear it, and mascara. I have really lightened up the lip colour, however. My lips have thinned some as I have aged and all dark colours do it make my lips appear smaller.

I have started filling in the brows also, someone told me that well defined brows can make you look many years younger...thinning brows are a sign of age, so make sure your brows are well defined.

So even though I still wear everything, I suppose I have lightened up the colours a little.

Thanks Marrin, I'm picking up my primer tomorrow and I already had a trip planned to target as well so I'll check out their brushes. I have several deep lines around my mouth (from prior years of smoking...my mother told me it would happen... and I didn't listen.. woe is me) and I'm counting on the primer to hide them or at lease diminish them.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. There's only one cosmetic aid that has improved my looks over the decades, so I'm sticking with my paper bag!

But I've become environmentally conscious as of late, so I got myself a canvas bag. It was difficult to cut the eye-holes, but it will last forever, and I will save a forest of trees by not using paper!

Armadillo
I saw your profile picture.You do not need any paper bag Woman!Environmentally friendly or not,that canvas bag will be "Old Hat" soon and you will need warmer colours.Neutrals are better for the younger crowd.You have an awesome figure too!

Best wishes
Elizabeth

I love this thread! I am wearing mineral powder make up...I bought it at Kohl's and I like it very much. No eye shadow...but I do use eyeliner, masacara, cream blush, and a plum colored lipstick. No matter how much I put on, however, it only lasts 3 hours or so...it just disappears and I end up at the end of the day looking like I have no make up on at all...I wish I could figure out how to stop my cosmetics from melting into my face...

Hey Floater!
When you use a concealer do you use a shade lighter or do you match your foundation? I should probably use a concealer under my eyes soon. I've been blessed with zero undereye circles up to this point, but I can see that changing before long.

Does anyone use lip glosses rather than lipstick? I find some lipsticks to be too heavy, but glosses, but not TOO glossy, seem to make my lips look more youthful and full. I had a friend tell me once that women over 50 shouldn't use glosses, but I say whatever looks good and makes you feel good is appropriate.

I love talking makeup...can you tell?

Ajay, I am a make up lover too!! I do use a concealer lighter than my foundation, but that is because my circles are so dark. I have had them since I was a child. The pigment in my skin is actually darker around my eyes, even the upper lids are dark. And I was "blessed" with a sallow complexion....no pink cheeks for me!! No I tend to look kind of yellow!! YUCK!!!

I don't like to use glass because I find it messy. It gets all over my coffee cup, water bottle, etc., and I just hate that. I use "colour stay" lipsticks from Revlon. I use a liner close to the colour of the lipstick I am wearing, then I always finish with some very light lipstick over top of the darker lipstick to create the illusion of fullness. I am all about tricks and illusion!!

I also use a brownish powder under my chin and along the underside of the jawline to create a jawline. I have lost definition there, and it does help. I have become quite the artist. I used to belong to our local theatre group and I took some courses in stage makeup, and I learned all kinds of cool tricks. I can make my children look like old people! It was a handy skill for Halloween!

Robin,

Have you tried a primer under your foundation? It might help stop the melting of the makeup.... I find I have to use a liquid foundation with a mineral powder on top in order for it to last.

I tried mineral foundation and in photos I looked like a clown, as it reflected the light from the flash. So I quit using it.

Thanks RRobin! This IS a fun thread...I like discussing fun things once in a while to take the edge off peri. I think one way to keep your makeup from melting is to start with a good basic cleanser followed by a light moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. After years of using pricey skincare products I switched to Olay's Age Defying line and no longer have issues with melting makeup. I also use face blotters in the summer when the heat and humidity play havoc on my makeup. They're handy and don't disrupt your makeup as much. I tried using a cream blush, but it seemed to make my skin oilier so I switched to a powder over my powder foundation. Problem solved.

Thanks for the great tips! Do you find the colorstay lipsticks dry out your lips, or not? I have drooled over those many times but haven't purchased-yet! I have been using Loreal Infallible and really like it. They aren't as messy as glosses we use to use in high school. Much more grown up. I like your tip of using a light lipstick over the dark. I think I'll try that!

On your more recent post you mentioned using a primer. What exactly does that do and does it make your skin break out? Sorry so many questions. Like I said, I love talking makeup!

Ajay,

I have one of those lip plumper products that I put on before I start with the makeup application, and do the lipstick last. I find with that under the lipstick, I have no problems with my lips drying out AT ALL. I just tried some Infallible, in fact I bought it on Friday!! And it isn't as good, IMO, as the Revlon Colour Stay. Again, I find it messy and slimes up the coffee cup and water bottle. Plus I really hate how the base colour feels going on, and waiting for it to dry....**shudder**

Funny how we are all different. Maybe if I wasn't trying to drink 8 glasses of water a day it wouldn't be so yucky??

Does anybody know anything about spray-on foundations? I have seen the makeup artist on the tv show "What Not to Wear" (guilty pleasure lol) use them on the people getting makeovers ALL the time, but she never mentions what brand it is or what the benefits are or anything. My skin is pretty good and I don't wear foundation at all because the liquid ones feel so gloppy, and the mineral powder ones seem so dry. I know they are supposed to become creamy after you brush them on, but my skin always feels dry to the touch when I've tried to wear the minerals. The spray on foundation seems like it might be a great idea -- light, weightless and barely there, which is what I want. Has anyone used this stuff and know what brand it is and where to buy it?

I "Googled" it and it is called ERA by Classified Cosmetics. $55.00 at Sephora. However, Sally Hansen makes one that is cheaper that is called Airbrush, something like that. I've seen it at Walgreens. Hope that helps!

The water is more important for your health. A well hydrated woman will have plumper lips and firmer skin than her dehydrated sisters. Get a straw for your water bottle, and your lipstick will not smudge . Doesn't work for the hot coffee, though.

No worries, I intend to keep drinking the water! I just won't (and don't anyway) wear lip gloss!!

Arbonne has an excellent primer and it last for ages, so call up your local rep and give it a try. My makeup still melts off too no matter what, I have to reapply by midday. Always been that way, maybe dry skin causes it?

Avon has specials on their mineral makeup, I get two at a time and try the various colors out and last resort mix them. I use Arbonnes mineral powder mostly and really like it.

For smoky eyes, there is a great video on youtube on how to do it. Just remember to wear a neutral lipstick if ya do it. I did it for hubbies xmas party last year with bronzes and it was beautiful.

Here's my saga:

I had not worn ANY makeup at all for many years, until about a year and a half ago. Several women I work with get together once in a while for a Girls' Night. These always involve a very nice dinner, which everyone helps to cook, with a civilized glass of wine. But we soon progress to More Wine, music, dancing, jello shots (lol) - and we all spend the night wherever we are (so no one is driving). At one Girls' Night we all had makeovers - one of our co-workers had worked her way through college at a makeup counter in a huge department store, and she LOVES doing makeup. She had asked each of us to bring our own foundation and mascara - which I had to go out and buy, because I didn't own any. Evryone looked TERRIFIC!! (We proceeded to raid the closet of the hostess, and dress up in her clothes.... and shoes....I belive photographic evidence exists.)

Anyway, after this party I figured that I might as well wear this mascara, since I had paid for it. I plucked my eyebrows for the first time in years and wore mascara....Wow! What a difference! (Although I wondered about the wisdom of wearing mascara, since I was still crying a lot...) I slowly added some eyeshadow. I don't do foundation - I have a lot of freckles, and foundation always looks funny, IMO. (Although I did like some tinted moisturizer I tried.)

About six months later I started coloring my hair (another long story). After that, I went to a makeup counter (Bobbie Brown) and had my makeup done. The BB colors are very soft, neutral, muted....I wear two colors of shadow, and a third as an eyeliner. When I want lipstick, I like the Almost Lipstick by Clinique.

I like wearing makeup again. And I do think that subtle is better, once you are of a Certain Age. I have a teenager who has half of her hair dyed hot pink, and wears some dark eye makeup and black nail polish. She looks young and fashion-forward....but the same things would look ridiculous on me!

Here's to Feeling Beautiful!

Regina,
What a great story! Isn't it amazing how just by doing one little thing for ourselves to make us feel better that it gives us that extra "push" to do even more until we're comfortable again ? I worked with a gal once who wore NO makeup, no jewelry and dressed in jeans and manly shirts and looked pretty frumpy most of the time. One day she asked me if I would help her find "the feminine lady" in her. So that weekend we went to the Mall and had makeovers. While she looked great, I looked like a drag queen! Ugh. Awful. Anyway, we started having lunch together. During one lunch I held her hand while she had her ears pierced. At another lunch she got a whole new haircut! Several other lunches we shopped for earrings and clothes. That was 25 years ago. Today at the age of 55 she is one of the most beautiful women I know! I think we are all beautiful in our own way and by adding a little here or there to enhance our beauty we do ourselves a huge favor! Congratulations to you on finding what makes you look and feel good about yourself! Thanks for posting!

I think both of you have wonderful stories. How nice of you to help her out. I've been pleased with my make up but I sure could use someone to take my hand and help me shop. I have no style. :-( Or I should say.. I have no casual style. I can dress in suits or dresses w/ heels and look good but when I put on jeans.. I look frumpy. Maybe I need to find someone to go to lunch with..

Carol, I just realized you are in Ky. I am just outside of Louisville, how bout you? Can't say I would be able to keep you from looking frumpy in jeans, because I look frumpy in jeans too lol. Wouldn't it be a blast to be able to afford a personal shopper just once?

I'm close I live in Frankfort & work in Lexington. What about you?

Yes, I would love a personal shopper or better yet.. get on one of the make-over shows.

Forgot to mention in my makeup details above that I give the outer areas of my eyebrows a fast few swipes of a taupey-brown brow powder, as brows tend to thin with age. In fact, if one attends to the brows, one can get away with a lighter hand on the eye makeup, as brows frame the eyes. If you have some stray hairs underneath, just pluck those, and any that might be in between the brows. If you're nervous about doing this and have never adjusted the brows, go to a salon that does brows and say you want a natural look, and pay attention to what they are doing. I know this sounds like a lot, but once you have this down, it's pretty easy. I never did the salon thing myself about the brows, as I'm an artist and have a pretty good idea about what to do about the brows. The difference can be amazing and take a few years off, just by doing that. Oh, and the foundation I use(with a light hand) is the MAC Mineralize liquid formula. They just came out with that in the last few months. They also have the powder formula for oilier, younger skins. It is sheer - more like a concentrated tinted moisturizer, but has the aforementioned newer finely-milled light-reflecting particles in it, just enough to illuminate the skin somewhat without that disco-ball effect!
Personally I love makeup - and never underestimate the power of it when used right! There's a lot of advice out there telling mature women what NOT to do - we need to hear more of the positive as far as applying makeup goes. And the same things don't work for everyone either. In general, a softer look works, especially with lighter hair and skintones, but for some of us, we need a little contrast somewhere in that makeup job(otherwise we'll look washed-out), either in a rich lipstick color, the blush, or the eye area - pick one, not all three at once, even for us higher-contrast ladies!

I would like to go on one of those plastic surgery makeovers, like "The Swan".

I would love to be able to afford one of those total facial reconstruction surgeries, where they rebuild your face from the bones to the skin, including the jaws and teeth. I would love to look in a mirror, and see the pretty face of someone else on my body. This has always been a fantasy of mine, but the cost is prohibitive for me. No matter how much make-up I use, I can't hide old and ugly. A pig with lipstick is still a pig! Oh well, I'll have to stick to the heavy duty spackle, then.

Carol,

When you are buying your jeans, you have to choose a style that works with your shape, plus chose your colour carefully. I have frumpy jeans I wear in the yard and for walking the dogs....I wear them with sneakers and a tee shirt. I don't go shopping even in that outfit.

I have other jeans which are longer, dark and fit nicely. Those I wear with heels usually, I own several pairs of boots with heels. I always wear a jacket with them, like a blazer style jacket which is shaped and fitted (giving the illusion of the classic hour glass figure). This outfit I can even wear to work if I want.

Another option is to buy cords or coloured jeans, to avoid looking frumpy...and there are so many cute flats out there right now to choose from! I bought some a few weeks back and had a lady stop me in the grocery store to ask if I was a dancer!! The shoes looked like ballet slippers!! HAHAHA!! I am SO FAR from a dancer!!! I have even managed to find fleece jackets which are fitted, and that makes a huge difference in how put together you appear. I mean a fleece jacket is the ultimate in frump, but a fitted one....is nice!

Oops, I managed to mess that reply up pretty good!!

Just wanted to pipe in with agreement regarding the brows!

I have actually changed the shape of my brows entirely, they are naturally very straight and I have always loved arched brows. So I broke all the rules and pucked where you aren't supposed to!! And it looks fabulous. I do use a brown brow powder with a brush to fill them in. In case you didn't know..strong brows are "IN" this year. Although I never like mine to be too big or too strong as I think it can be masculinating(is that a word??).

Has anyone else tried Bobbie Brown's tinted moisturizer? it is the best....it leaves your skin looking dewey and young....no more foundation for me...just under eye concealer and this tinted moisturizer.

Thanks Floater, I actually wore jeans today. Long dark wash with a flare and black boots with about 2" heel. I topped it with a black fitting scooped neck top. In the winter time I do have a couple of form fitting jackets that I can team them with but then it but I can't wear the jackets in the heat of summer. I'm at least 20-30 lbs overweight and gain mostly in my hips and thighs, but gain evenly so that I still have good symmetry and have that hour glass look. I'm not sure if that's due to working out with weights for so many years or just good genes but I'm grateful for whatever it was. But when I try to wear jeans and a t-shirt, I look frumpy.. if I wear jeans and just a top without a jacket I feel awkward as though everyone is saying 'she's gotten fat'. :-) So I try to hide it with a man's shirt and sleeves rolled up.. and then I feel frumpy again. :-) Winter's coming though so I'll get those jackets out.

Thanks Jonesy, I'm going to stop by the counter tomorrow and ask for a sample. I tried this absolute from Lancome' and thought I would really like it when I first put it on but by the end of the day it leaves my face feeling dirty. Which is almost good news. It's $55. a bottle so I don't mind that I don't care for it.

This thread has jogged my memory, and something has floated to the surface. This is not 'makeup' but is a sort of 'makeover'. What I remembered was a wardrobe book I read years ago called 'Clothe Your Spirit' by Jennifer Robins. (I just checked Amazon, and the book is still around.) Instead of starting with your figure/body type and *telling* you what you should wear, this book starts with your *spirit* (your personality, your real self) and helps your figure out how to express yourself AND be realistic about what is flattering and attractive. It was written in the 80's, so I'm sure the photos are very dated....but the concept is really helpful and liberating.

It goes without saying (almost!) that our inner self is the most important. I work with a wonderful lady who always dresses in black, because she is sure it helps her look "smaller".....does not wear makeup and does not color her hair. She has the most wonderful laugh....and she laughs A LOT. When anyone hears her laugh, they smile (at the very least). She is a smart, kind, loyal, creative woman. And at the same time, I LOVE stylish clothes (thrift stores!), shoes, a new haircut, and makeup. (Ask me how happy I am that my daughter with the hot pink hair works in the shoe dept at Macy's!)

We are all beautiful women - let's always help one another realize that.

Thank you Regina. You're so right--- we ALL are beautiful women. Our inner beauty is what matters most and I find myself drawn to the women who know how to laugh and be comfortable in their own skin, but I will most definitely cringe and shy away when I hear a negative woman condemning herself. There is just no beauty in that. However, it's still a lot of fun to play with makeup and get some highlights and a nice haircut now and then!
As for the book, it makes total sense that we should dress in what flatters us most and allows us to feel comfortable. Thanks for mentioning it. I think I'll look it up on Amazon today.
You are probably envied by a LOT of women this morning with having a daughter that works in the Macy shoe dept!! Lucky you! Have a great day!

Just up the road in Shelbyville.

I hope you're right, I used to believe this. But when I was at school, and I said this, the girls used to laugh, and tell me that's what ugly girls say because that's the only way they can feel better about themselves.

But this is the only safe place for me (besides my psychiatrist's office) that I can spill my guts, and reveal the truth within. I know it's not pretty, but I am who I am. But don't worry, in the real world that exists outside my mind, I put on my game face, and keep everybody laughing. I am that lady in the black dress, telling jokes, acting silly, and pointing out the humor in everything.

So if you ever met me, Ajay, no need to cringe, you would think I should have my own comedy show, I'm so entertaining. I never let anyone see the dark side. I come here to let out my truth, and my comedy, too. I certainly never mean to be offensive or hurtful. I enjoy self-depricating humor, because my soul has been damaged along with my face, and there is no amount of makeup that can cover that.

Hijack over, back to our regularly scheduled program!

Arm,

Have you ever wondered what some of those "cute girls" who were so unkind to you look like today??? At 54 you are a bombshell, I don't care what you say....I have eyes!! And inner beauty is important, outer beauty doesn't last forever. If you are ugly on the inside chances are it will show on the outside by age 50. My mother always says that by age 50 you have the face you deserve. A lifetime of being sour, angry and bitter will show on your face (unless you can afford a LOT of plastic surgery).

You are very kind and offer a lot of help to many of us on here. You show patience - some of us don't learn real fast , and you haven't stopped trying to help. I think you are beautiful on the inside and the outside.

If it helps you to express your real feelings about yourself on here, don't stop....but you have to realize we are gonna step in, I mean that is what we DO!!

Back on point - do you wear makeup??

Yes Arm, I have to agree with Floater on this. You are very beautiful in your generosity to those of us on PS and I personally appreciate brains more than a pretty face. Your post are very insightful and intelligent and peppered with just the right amount of wit. I'm sure there are some in the outside world who have seen this and find you just as beautiful as we do. Not to mention.. you have a body to die for.

Armadillo...I just sent you a message. I would also like to make a public apology to you as it seems I may have offended you. I am so sorry if it came across like that to you! I meant no harm, and I most certainly didn't have you in mind when I wrote my reply. I would LOVE to meet you someday, actually. You keep this board alive with your wisdom and wit....just those two qualities in themselves are traits of a woman with inner beauty. Please accept my apology....and anyone else I may have offended, I am so sorry....Ajay

Carol and Floater...Thank you for your posts to Armadillo....I couldn't have said it any better myself. She is a remarkable lady. Floater....I have actually seen some of the girls from school that made fun of and put others down (me included). They're still the same. Never outgrew it. Sad, too, because they might actually be pretty if I could just see past their rudeness.

And yes, Carol, I have to agree she has a body to die for!!

Armadillo----- YOU ROCK!!!

~~Ajay

Thank you Floater, CarolH and Ajay.

I'd rather make you all roll with laughter at my humor, that cringe at my negativity. Sometimes my words can be pretty dark and upsetting. Of course, I never realize it until they're already out there in everybody's face. Sorry.

And to answer your make-up questions, well, I'm better off giving advice on diet and exercise. I never learned to use make-up correctly, and I have no artistic talent whatsoever. My makeup would best be described as a thick foundation of putty and spackle. No eye makeup except for mascara, no lipstick.

I went to the Clinique counter at Macy's once for a make over. They were having a one day seminar on technique for your personal skin type and colouring. When they finished with me, I looked like a drag queen. Darn. If two experts can't make me look acceptable, I'm in trouble!

I couldn't agree more with Carol, Floater and Ajay. They said it perfectly. It was just what I was thinking, I just didn't know how to put it into words.

Armadillo, I wish you lived nearby so that I could hire you to be my Personal Trainer:) I would be so happy if I could have just an ounce of your experience, wisdom and expertise.

As for what happened at the make-up counter, trust me, they could make Nicole Kidman look like a drag queen. Even though they work behind a make-up counter, it doesn't mean they know a thing about applying make-up (and most don't know how to apply age-appropriate make-up).

Hugs,
Karen

"I went to the Clinique counter at Macy's once for a make over. They were having a one day seminar on technique for your personal skin type and colouring. When they finished with me, I looked like a drag queen. Darn. If two experts can't make me look acceptable, I'm in trouble!" - Armadillo

WHAT a bummer! I had that happen a couple of times, and it's not because I had a make-over - it's that the people at the counter didn't know what they were doing! Both times I was appalled, and had to wash that makeup job right off as I refused to be seen with it, it was that bad!
With the right person, it CAN make a big difference for the better, and with a lot less products than you think. Personally, I have had a couple of good makeup/makeover jobs at counters, like MAC, and once at a small store that I used to go to many years ago that is no longer around, unfortunately. At this latter place, the makeup artist got me onto the correct tones for my coloring, which I had been off-base with. Since I have a high contrast between hair and skin, I just assumed that I was a "Winter" according to the color-typing system that was used alot in the 80's and early 90's. I kept wondering why I looked good in some of the winter clothing colors, but the makeup colors somehow didn't do anything for me. WHAT a difference it made when I was made up in rich warmer/neutral tones instead, instead of the hot pink blush and lipstick that I was wearing, along with the cool-toned eye makeup, all of which were serving to wash me out instead of complimenting my coloring(mixed Mediterranean and warm-toned Scot)! That same makeup artist suggested that I would look good with red added to my hair, so I went with that - again, WHAT a difference! So don't despair - although they might seem more dramatically-oriented, I've personally had good luck with a couple of MAC makeup artists, as they are well-trained and are usually pretty honest about what looks good on one. Bobbi Brown is good too for natural looks, and the makeup is of good quality. Getting the foundation color, or tinted moisturizer color right is key, because if you don't, your whole look is off and you can either look pasty, washed-out, or dirty(as in too-dark a color). If you have natural yellow undertones in the skin, your foundation will look natural if it has the yellow undertones too. Up until the last 15 years or so, it was actually very difficult to find these as most makeup for Caucasian women was based on pink undertones, which did nothing for the rest of us. But the cosmetic companies had to get wise and realize there was a big market of women of all colors out there who love makeup!