Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Ok, apologies in advance for this somewhat trivial and vain post.


I found this Christmas that I have totally run out of make-up. I mean totally! I had to scrape the remains of a years-old tinted moisturiser out of its tube to make myself slightly less haggard looking for Christmas Day! Not a particularly glamorous moment.


So... I clearly need some more but the trouble is I don't know where to start or which brands to try. I've barely used make-up since children -- especially since I didn't return to work after my second -- and, tbh, not really a huge amount before then. Just a touch of tinted moisturiser and mascara at best!


Seven years, three kids and two major personal traumas later my skin is not what it once was. And, with my birthday fast approaching it seems like a good moment to take stock and re-stock.


Can anyone recommend any beauty products / brands that they swear by? Which ones are best for mature skin? I honestly don't know! I have two teenage nieces and always buy MAC and Benefit for them but probably not great for me, no?


I'm 39, white and have normal to dry skin.


Again, apologies for frivolity but any advice greatly received!

I bought Bourjois healthy mix foundation a few months ago - its really light and easy to apply, hard to get wrong - I've had a few comments about how 'well' I look since wearing it (I don't like heavy make up and its not heavy).


I also went to the Clinique counter in Boots recently to explain that I want something quick and easy to apply for a working mum always on the run - they recommended chubby sticks for the eyes which I have to confess I have found really easy to use, I also got a nice neutral colour for the lips. I wanted something I could apply on the train without smudging and they tick the box.


I've never been a big make up fan but like you, after 2 kids and lots of sleepless nights it really does make me feel better about myself when I face the world! Have fun :-)

I recommend you go to somewhere like body's hop and ask for advice. You don't have to buy everything but it's not too expensive and a good starting point. Really I would say lipstick, mascara and a tinted moisturiser /bb cream are a good start.

I don't wear a lot of makeup either. My staples are Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser or Studio powder by Mac for face, Dior show for mascara and lipgloss by Channel. That's it and still not everyday.


I mostly try to take care of my skin and I've found a few miracle workers. Est?e Lauder Night repair serum is amazing. Everything time I used it within 2 days I would get loads of compliments on my skin so now I've used it consistently for a year. I cleanse my face with cetaphil which is very affordable and gentle and in the morning use Oz Naturals vitamin C serum under my totally basic Olay spf moisturizer.


I hope you find products and a regimen that works for you. From everything I've mentioned I'd most strongly recommend the Est?e Lauder night repair. They have made some sort of deal with the devil, I swear it's so good!

I was just going to link to my old thread, it was so helpful!


I'm loving my Clarins eyeliner and now have more Bareminerals products than I can justify. I also really like the Avon Magix face perfector, great for creating a nice base before applying makeup and also for wearing alone. It's not tinted, but does clever things with light to brighten your skin up.

i think a tinted moisturiser is a good start, Nars or Laura Mercier are both excellent. I also swear by "tightlining" which was abit of a revelation for me, clarins 3 dot liner as pickle mentions above is great for this. Very natural looking. I have roseaca so suffer from redness alot which means that blusher is out for me but I use a gentle bronzer instead to warm it up abit.


The chubby sticks and any sticks for that matter is great for quick makeup. You just dab it on and go. I use a stick bronzer thingy, stick eyeshadow and a lipcrayon (a my lips but better colour) and it all takes about 3min to use.


I hope I dont come across as ridiculously shallow its just that these small things have helped me feel so much better about myself over the last (actually v hard few years).

Wow! Thank you! What a wonderful response and thanks too for the link to the previous thread. I'm almost excited now!


There are brands here I've never even heard of so will make a note of everything. I too suffer from redness, despite being incredibly pale, so have previously found anything heavier than tinted moisturiser to look really unnatural. (But then again I don't have a clue about application either!)


If I can find anything to cover these bags and make me feel more like an actual person I will be incredibly happy!

One product I took a punt on was "Magic Minerals" foundation - one of the terrible "as seen on tv" things that comes with a 30 min infomercial. I saw it on offer for ?10 for two compacts, and have been very pleasantly surprised!


I use it as a quick take the edge off (also known as "don't scare the kids when doing the school run") product daily, then pop it over top of a liquid foundation if I'm going out.

My sister used to work in beauty PR and was always getting me various samples to try. Some things she raved about just didn't work for me and vice versa.


My advice is take a morning if you can and pop up to a department store - John Lewis and Harvey Nicks will both get their make up ladies to test foundations and other make up products on you and then you can feel what each product is like on your skin and get really good advice from them. You might even get a load of free samples to try and home too before deciding what to splash out on! X

Treat yourself to good skin care first. Elizabeth Arden have a nice hot cloth polish face wash. I use neals yard but with the same hot cloth method which is probably the winning ingredient. Good moisurising- whatever suits you. With this hopefully you will get the best out of whatever makeup you get, then choose what you want to hide/ exsentuate, which may well have changed over the years. I love Benefit, and use bad gal lash, brow pencil, gimme brows, porefessional and dandelion blush. I took convincing to darken my brows but it makes such a difference to my face (you may already have luxuriant dark brows). I second going to try stuff out in Selfridges or John Lewis, and only take what you feel you will have time to do at home. Good luck:)
Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser cannot be beat - there's a reason it has so many awards! Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue for a foundation and Benefit for the rest - Porefessional, They're Real, Brow Zings, Fake it and their boxed powders. Lipstick and eyeshadow can pretty much be from anywhere - Bourjois is a good cheaper option, made by Chanel. I worked for Benefit for 8 years and I've tried other things since I left but it's just not the same! If you want a real treat, January and February are a quiet time in beauty and Benefit often have their make up artist team out in either the Carnaby St boutique or any of the Oxford Street dept stores doing make up lessons - have a look on their facebook page. Lisa, Lauren, Lauretta, Claire, Alyson or Amy-Lou - any of them will make you feel a million bucks!
  • 2 weeks later...

I agree with Northeastview that you need to have a good skin care in order to have the best canvas for your make-up.

I'd highly recommend trying Dermalogica skin care.


I love Bourgeois Healthy mix foundation and would definitely recommend it - depending on your skin tone and type.


For your information, I am a make-up artist and offer one to one lessons where I recommend the best products as well as showing you the best techniques.

Take a look at my website for more details.

www.hairandmakeup4u.com/lessons


Amanda x

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • I would hope that those managing pension funds that have invested in TW have already seen the writing on the wall and are investing elsewhere.
    • a white fold-up bicycle if you think it might be yours message me with name of bike
    • Thats the problem, I dont have a solution, but I can see disadvantages of some of the proposed solutions.  Not selling it to a foreign company is my preference but after that I have no idea of the best path / solution with the least impact for all. Whats your view Sue ? 
    • Login Search: Lost: Coco, Mastiff, Male, in South East (SE21) 199549 Alerts Sent: 150 Click to See How You Can Help Views: 32 Poster Image Extra Image Name:Coco Dog ID:199549 Gender:Male Breed:Mastiff Age:Young / Puppy Colour:Brown Marks/Scars:white chest, also small white mark on the top his back Special Conditions:None Microchip:Yes Date Lost:13 Aug 2025 Where Lost:94 clive road Postcode: SE21Show on map Town/County:London, Greater London Region:South East Other Info: Not specified Created:13 Aug 2025 Listed by:luis View PosterDownload Poster ShareTweetPinEmailShare Poster Image Extra Image Sightings and Information Please post if you have more about this dog. Log in above or register to leave comments or to like them. Please note that DogLost cannot be held responsible for the content of any other sites mentioned or linked to here. 13-08-2025 11:48Jayne - Founder Doglost. DOG LOST Local members alerted. 13-08-2025 11:27DogLost System   Sorry to see that "Coco" is missing. • If your dog is microchipped please let the microchip company know that your dog is missing and check that all details are up to date. • Owners targeted by a malicious hoaxer demanding money for the return of their dog should phone the police on 101 immediately and contact admin@doglost.co.uk • A photograph of your dog is essential for the website. If you have not already uploaded one, please do so by Logging in and My Dogs. Alternatively you can email it to admin@doglost.co.uk quoting the dog's DogLost ID number: 199549 • Obtain a missing poster by clicking on View poster above. Posters are very important so start postering now! • You will need to be logged in to upload photos, edit your dog's details, or add comments. You can add comments by clicking on Click here to add a comment. • Contact dog wardens, vets and local rescue centres, and in Scotland, the Police. Give a detailed description with any distinguishing marks/scars or send them a copy of your DogLost poster. You can find vets in your area here. • If your dog has been stolen inform the police immediately and obtain a crime reference number (CRN). Send an email to stolen@doglost.co.uk. • If your dog is picked up and taken to rescue kennels, it can be legally re-homed after seven days. Visit rescue centres in person and do not rely on checking by phone alone. Other people may not recognise your dog by your description, so give them a DogLost poster. • Keep us updated by keeping your dog's page up to date and check for posts from helpers who may have suggestions and possible matches or sightings • DogLost is free and anyone asking for money to find or return your dog is not volunteering for us. If you are concerned about an approach you have received, please email admin@doglost.co.uk   Dogs Lost|Dogs Found|Dogs Reunited Homepage|Contact|Terms|Privacy|FAQ Reuniting Dogs with their Owners © 2025 DogLost Website Application Development by AmplifySales
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...