Beauty

[tototwo]

We've talked about this before on these boards -- yes, I certainly needed to alter my makeup colors and application after my hair turned white.  About that same time, my complexion seemed to look more gray than rosy.  So I began to experiment with different colors and applications.  The placement (or non-placement) of blush, eye makeup, etc., can also make me look 10 years older.  Gasp!    It's a continuing process for me, but a fun process.  I definitely use less makeup than I used to, and it takes less time to put on and take off my makeup (all good things!).  

[Harpa]

Every now & then I like to try new makeup techniques and looks. My latest is to forego mascara. I have good lashes. I don't need foundation. I have really good skin.

It's the blush - I've changed to a very soft shading, as I prefer to think of it - applied with a much softer brush.

I actually like to highlight, but it all has to do with placement! Like the old Hollywood makeup artists. I do not like highlight going up the sides of the eyes!  A soft highlight - no Tin Man glow!

I think what we may be reading or hearing about that over a certain age to do lighter makeup....all has to do with how we are able to retain our skin tightness and its own luminosity. If your skin is slack, then you really do need a lighter hand in makeup application. That is, if you're going for a natural look.

But the bottom line is personal taste and skill in applying makeup, I guess, either for your enhancement, or maybe to make a statement.

But I think a natural look makes you look more youthful.

[jubilant]

For me, ever since I let my hair go gray,  I see the  need for somewhere between a light medium to medium lipstick.   For red I do a soft red lip gloss or balm (Almay or Neutrogena are good)  Emily Noel put me on to these!  A great way to wear red if you can't do dark!  I don't do blackest black eyeliner and only use two colors (Steel Ink and Black Mauve Shimmer...both BB).   If I feel they look a little too dark or heavy I just smudge them. They are definitely "holy grails" for me.  They last me forever and I do mean forever!  I feel they are a bargain for as long as they last.  I keep only 2 blushes.  One color goes with everything.  One is a cool rose.  I wear a bone color (matte) on my whole eye and often when I'm done with by blush swipe blush over my crease.  I actually like that better than eyeshadow.  I keep my crease color lighter now.  Once in a while, I will darken my outer edges for more dimension if I think I need it that day.

[Imaoldhippie]

Im 72, pale skin (Irish ancestory) and white hair.  My eyebrows give me the most pain.  They are thin and sparce so I have to pencil them in now.  I use a soft charcoal gray/blue eye liner on top only.  I wear black mascara on my light thin lashes, top only.  I use a light pinkish taupe blush and usually pink or peach/orage lipstick, not a matte.  I find matte is to drying for my already dry lips.  I do wear a concealer under my eyes due to dark slight bags.  I have never wore a foundation.  Every once in a while I will wear a red lipstick but not often.

[Shanus]

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@tototwowrote:

We've talked about this before on these boards -- yes, I certainly needed to alter my makeup colors and application after my hair turned white.  About that same time, my complexion seemed to look more gray than rosy.  So I began to experiment with different colors and applications.  The placement (or non-placement) of blush, eye makeup, etc., can also make me look 10 years older.  Gasp!    It's a continuing process for me, but a fun process.  I definitely use less makeup than I used to, and it takes less time to put on and take off my makeup (all good things!).  

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@tototwo A comment on blush placement as we get older:  the “go fo the apple of the cheek” method becomes aging. Try placing two fingers next to your nose & start blush from there and sweep lightly up towards hairline....blend! We want everything we apply to go up. Biggest thing w/ all makeup now is blending. I use NARS cream blush in a stick & they make a highlighter in same stick form...very easy to swipe large brush across blush & apply & then same w/ highlight stick lightly above. Wipe brush on tissue and blend. Check in mirror from side...make sure no visible line where blush shows. So often we forget people see us from the side, too. Will give names of NARS colors if anyone interested.

[Shanus]

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@Harpawrote:

Every now & then I like to try new makeup techniques and looks. My latest is to forego mascara. I have good lashes. I don't need foundation. I have really good skin.

It's the blush - I've changed to a very soft shading, as I prefer to think of it - applied with a much softer brush.

I actually like to highlight, but it all has to do with placement! Like the old Hollywood makeup artists. I do not like highlight going up the sides of the eyes!  A soft highlight - no Tin Man glow!

I think what we may be reading or hearing about that over a certain age to do lighter makeup....all has to do with how we are able to retain our skin tightness and its own luminosity. If your skin is slack, then you really do need a lighter hand in makeup application. That is, if you're going for a natural look.

But the bottom line is personal taste and skill in applying makeup, I guess, either for your enhancement, or maybe to make a statement.

But I think a natural look makes you look more youthful.

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@Harpa  It’s always been interesting to me that it often takes more products & more time on a client to do a natural makeup. There needs to be exact foundation/concealer matching, natural cream blush shade not too bright, but add a little color, eye shadow in a natural shade and a hooded eye can be made to look less so w/ a bit of light bronzer in the crease....and really blended. The skin, when finished should look luminous, but not greasy. On a younger client, you can use a palette knife & they look OK.

[Shanus]

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@jubilantwrote:

For me, ever since I let my hair go gray,  I see the  need for somewhere between a light medium to medium lipstick.   For red I do a soft red lip gloss or balm (Almay or Neutrogena are good)  Emily Noel put me on to these!  A great way to wear red if you can't do dark!  I don't do blackest black eyeliner and only use two colors (Steel Ink and Black Mauve Shimmer...both BB).   If I feel they look a little too dark or heavy I just smudge them. They are definitely "holy grails" for me.  They last me forever and I do mean forever!  I feel they are a bargain for as long as they last.  I keep only 2 blushes.  One color goes with everything.  One is a cool rose.  I wear a bone color (matte) on my whole eye and often when I'm done with by blush swipe blush over my crease.  I actually like that better than eyeshadow.  I keep my crease color lighter now.  Once in a while, I will darken my outer edges for more dimension if I think I need it that day.

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@jubilant  Sounds like you’ve done your homework. I sometimes do red gloss as well, but line & fill in my entire lips w/ pencil the color of my lips & blot before the gloss. It gives it something to cling to. I can tightline w/ BB gel liner & then smudge w/ a grey or dark purple shadow to soften the lash line. You’ve done a great job of finding what works for you.

[Shanus]

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@Imaoldhippiewrote:

Im 72, pale skin (Irish ancestory) and white hair.  My eyebrows give me the most pain.  They are thin and sparce so I have to pencil them in now.  I use a soft charcoal gray/blue eye liner on top only.  I wear black mascara on my light thin lashes, top only.  I use a light pinkish taupe blush and usually pink or peach/orage lipstick, not a matte.  I find matte is to drying for my already dry lips.  I do wear a concealer under my eyes due to dark slight bags.  I have never wore a foundation.  Every once in a while I will wear a red lipstick but not often.

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@Imaoldhippie  No Irish ancestors here, but same coloring as yours. Have found a brow pencil too obvious and am now trying a taupe eye shadow & set it w/ hairspray on toothbrush or brow brush spoolie. Always apply lip balm when you put on moisturizer and by the time you get to lips, they’re softer & more moist. Blot and apply lip color.

[Shanus]

Anyone who may have missed my post w/ credentials a while ago, I was/am a makeup artist (skincare, too) for almost 15 years before and during my studies for metal smithing/jewelry making. Once an artist of any kind & always had a love of makeup, it was a natural career move.

[willdob3]

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@Shanuswrote:

I’ve read and learned that over 40, we should use a lighter hand applying makeup, less is more, choose more natural shades and eliminate the “shine/shimmer”. 

Have you changed your makeup shades and application techniques? How do you feel about this?

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@Shanus

When it comes to eye makeup, I’ve found it is more about application methods than sticking to a few shades of brown. I wear neutrals and colors on my eyes but I use a very light hand resulting in a soft, subtle look. I use mattes, and also some shimmers and satins. Applied lightly, a bit of shimmer or satin is not a bad thing. A heavy application of shimmer or satin is a completely different story and one that I don’t like on anyone of any age.