Makeup Questions!

[csmommy]

So I am not a very good "girlie girl" when it comes to knowing about make-up & need TONS of help. I am in my late 40's & need to go get some foundation. I love the ides of Sephora, but the sales & make-up help are young so they do not understand more mature skin (like foundation sinking into wrinkles) If I go to the makeup counter at a major department store they will only sell me the brand they represent. I am a redhead with dryish skin which comes with it's own host of issues like sensitive skin & my skin turns turns base different colors - more yellow that it appears or a blueish tinge.

Where should I go to get the benefit of choosing between multiple brands where they would understand the issues of more mature skin?

Also - how do you reapply sunblock (like when at Disney) when you are wearing makeup - Yes both the moisturizer I use & the foundation I will buy will have SPF.

Thank you!!!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I would try Ulta, if you have one in your area. Yes, it's usually younger girls, but they have so many different brands of products that even if they can't recommend a particular product, they can probably steer you towards a better brand for your skin!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I've seen "older" women working at the Ulta near me. Not old but not the usuall 20 somethings.

I'm 32 and I love MAC. The one near me has mostly 20 somethings but once in a while you see someone in their 30s. And a few men who, IME, seem to be even better with different/mature skin types.

My grandma swears by Macy's and goes to Estee Lauder or Clinique. She's been doing that for 40+ years.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

I've had success at Ulta! The one I go to has a couple of people my age (early 40s) working there who have given me some good advice, and since they carry both drugstore and higher-end brands you can find something to work with any budget.

 

[Ariel484]

I'm 31 and readhead with dryish/sensitive skin. My skin isn't TOO terrible, but it is splotchy in some areas, so I like to use foundation to sort of balance things out. And I do have wrinkles.

My stuff is from Sephora - what's nice about going there is that they will give you samples of things to try. The ones I got from them would be enough for me to use for 4-5 days, which I feel like is enough time for me to get an idea of whether or not something is working for me. They also have some sort of little machine they use where they hold it up to your face and it tells them what shade is right for you in each of their brands that they carry in-store.

I've found that what I wear UNDER the foundation has been super important for me. Right now I'm using Shiseido Benefiance WinkleResist24 Night Cream. I also use their eye cream at night and before applying make-up.

Daytime - before foundation
Gentle face cleanser
MAC Studio Moisture (facial moisturizer)
Shiseido Wetforce Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 50+

Foundation
Smashbox Studio Skin SPF 15
Applied with this brush from Sephora - 1 - 1.5 pumps of foundation buffed in circles on my face. When I bought the foundation I asked the Sephora employee what brush works best with it, and this is what she recommended. I try to remember to clean it once a week - per her instructions I put it under the faucet and work anti-bacterial hand soap into the bristles...rinse under water and set on the edge of my sink to dry (annoying to do because it seems to take a long time to dry up, but it does work significantly better if I clean it regularly).

I don't wear power on top of the foundation to set it or anything...if I use powder it seems to dry me out. I do need to wear blush so I don't look like a ghoul though.

The reason why I use sunscreen with a foundation that already has sunscreen built in - I think that the sunscreen acts as a good primer for the foundation. Helps it stay on better and doesn't dry my skin out as much. And each of the products I listed above are admittedly PRICEY (enough that I hesitate to actually post what I use here on the Budget Board ) but after years of struggling with my skin (acne in my teens and 20s) the above routine, plus drinking LOTS of water, has made me feel good about what I like, so that's worth it to me. (I'm sure more sleep would help too, but alas...)

And since I have a VIB card with Sephora I'm going to try to get smarter about stocking up during their VIB 20% off sale to save some cash.

ETA: Sorry for the long post. I love make-up!

 

[Ariel484]

I've seen "older" women working at the Ulta near me. Not old but not the usuall 20 somethings.

I'm 32 and I love MAC. The one near me has mostly 20 somethings but once in a while you see someone in their 30s. And a few men who, IME, seem to be even better with different/mature skin types.

My grandma swears by Macy's and goes to Estee Lauder or Clinique. She's been doing that for 40+ years.

Agree with this! The night cream I currently use was a recommendation from a guy at Sephora in his late 20s/early 30s, and I love the stuff.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

Try YouTube for product reviews. Lately I've been learning a lot from this woman named Angie, she's been doing a "Foundations Friday" series. Her channel name is "HotandFlashy".
It is really hard to find just the right foundation. I had one I loved and then they discontinued it and I have not found one I really loved since then.
As far as sunscreens go I've been using IT Celebration Foundation with SPF 50+ Powder Foundation. I put my regular sunscreen on first and then this is my last layer, and I use it to touch up later in the day. I have fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes and use the medium shade.

 

[auntfrannie]

I've received very good advice & help at Sephora from 20-somethings for my dry skin. Don't write them off just because of their age. I also like that they carry a wide range of brands and will recommend products from multiple brands based on your skin care needs.

 

[threeboysmom]

I am 51 and going through menopause. My skin has gone through a DRAMATIC change this year - I could cry.

Anyways.... all the foundations I've previously used and loved no longer work for me. They cake in the dry patches on my chin and along my jaw line and settle into every single stinking wrinkle and line on my face!

I've had the best success now with BB creams - not technically foundation and they don't give a full coverage, but at least they blend into my skin without enhancing my "advanced age"!

The one I'm currently using is Garnier - it is super creamy. The consistency of it just glides on my skin. Anybody that doesn't have super DRY skin will probably not like the consistency - it's almost slick in a way... but that's exactly what I need at this time in my life.

 

[brazzledazzler]

So I am not a very good "girlie girl" when it comes to knowing about make-up & need TONS of help. I am in my late 40's & need to go get some foundation. I love the ides of Sephora, but the sales & make-up help are young so they do not understand more mature skin (like foundation sinking into wrinkles) If I go to the makeup counter at a major department store they will only sell me the brand they represent. I am a redhead with dryish skin which comes with it's own host of issues like sensitive skin & my skin turns turns base different colors - more yellow that it appears or a blueish tinge.

Where should I go to get the benefit of choosing between multiple brands where they would understand the issues of more mature skin?

Also - how do you reapply sunblock (like when at Disney) when you are wearing makeup - Yes both the moisturizer I use & the foundation I will buy will have SPF.

Thank you!!!

I have gone to Sephora many times since my 20s and now since I turned 30, and I feel like they have given me the correct products I need for my skin type. I even brought my mother (who is in her 60s) to Sephora and they had no problem giving her amazing age-related products. I have had similar results at Ulta as well. I would say, don't judge the age of the makeup consultant and assume they aren't aware that skin is different at all ages; saying that, not all makeup consultants are equal, you can always stop by and see different ones at different times or try Ulta & Sephora. I am sure there are products out there that you will love, just need the right guidance to introduce you to them. Good luck!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I am in my 40's and I've been buying my makeup from QVC lately. I agree with you, Sephora sales people are all young woman. What I like about QVC is that when they're showing a product, they show it on all types. From young woman to more mature woman, to very fair skin to very dark skin. And the 30 day return policy is great. Yes, even on makeup. The line I seem to be purchasing most of is IT Cosmetics. There CC concealer is very good with an SPF 50 and Celebration Foundation. Oh, and there brow products are great.

 

[bas71873]

I'm 42, very active, a sun lover and I HATE wearing make up. BUT, over the last year or so, especially when I see myself in photos, I've realized I need something just to even out my skin. So I headed to Ulta about 6 months ago and ended up spending about $200 in Clinque products and I LOVE them! I went with a CC cream for my foundation (more coverage than a tinted moisturizer), but not as thick as a BB cream or a regular foundation. It also has SPF in it. I usually wear that alone (for a dewey look) with a little bronzer or blush and some mascara, a little lip crayon with gloss over it and I'm off.

If I need a more dressy look, I use a light powder over it before I bronze or blush. Add a light eyeshadow, masacara, lipstick and I'm good to go. I don't do eyeliner. It just runs on me.

I use all Oil of Olay products to cleanse and moisturize.

Good luck. I enjoyed my experience at Ulta.

ETA - my moisturizer has an SPF as does the BB cream so I don't reapply sunblock to my face when I'm out. That would be gross

 

[Alesia]

Do yourself a favor and stop using a foundation. Switch to a tinted BB cream.

 

[kaismahma]

I would go to Ulta and talk with them. I think they will switch you to a BB cream. I am not a red head but I have freckles everywhere and they were so helpful matching me with a product that works. I wanted something very light and not heavy so it still looked natural. They also have lots that you can try on and play with. No pressure sales are also so nice.

 

[HM]

I'm 53 and I've never used foundation as I can't stand the feel of anything on my skin (I'd rub at it). I can use a powder one and use Covergirl pressed powder when I want to look more put together. For everyday, I only use a moisturizer. Good luck in finding something you like OP.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree with trying a tinted moisturizer first, like a BB cream. I like Pond's Luminous Finish BB Pus Cream with SPF 15, light shade. It's $12.49 on Amazon. You can also mix a bit of it with your regular moisturizer if you want a lighter look.

 

[csmommy]

Thank you all SO much! There is no Ulta convenient to me, but there is a Sephora around the corner from my office. I guess I will stop in there & ask about samples of BB Cream. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[RMAMom]

Tinted moisturizer is the best for me. I've been using it for about 5 years now. I turned 50 this year and my daily mak up is Aveeno tinted moisturizer and a little tinted lip gloss.

 

[lisaross]

i also love tinted moisturizer. I use Laura Mercier from Sephora - it lasts forever!

 

[havaneselover]

Do you use pressed powder over the bb cream/tinted moisturizer? I'm using bare minerals but it's not really working for me right now--especially around my crow's feet