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Make up foundation for the over 60 group
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What is the best type of foundation to wear, once you have passed that big SIX OH?
My skin is pretty average, I have lines on my upper lip and some crowsfeet, some bagginess and dark circles under my eyes, and a pretty floppy neck. I moisturize properly, and have used a primer under my make-up.
However, I am not sure what type of foundation to wear. A consultant who specializes in mature skin recommended a mineral powder base and the consultant at the drugstore recommended liquid foundation by Orlane (which just happened to be the most expensive they carried).
I don't like anything too heavy, but the mineral powder doesn't really even out the imperfections much.
Any recommendations? I live in Toronto, Canada, so not everything is available here. -
Your foundation is only as good as the surface you are applying it to. What I mean is that is is not enough just to moisturize. Your are basically moisturizing dead skin, you need to remove it first for best results. As you age the regeneration of your skin takes longer then younger skin. For example, younger skin regenerates itself every 30 days, as you age this process increases to 90, 120, etc. and you end up with dry, dull skin. When you moisturize, you are not penetrating through the dry skin. You really need a good cleanser and possibly an at-home exfoliation treatment. Mary Kay's 3-1 Cleanser is great for this since it Cleanses, Exfoliates and Tones all in 1 step thereby removing dry skin to reveal a much softer, smoother surface to apply makeup and it's simple to use. Then you apply your moisturizer. Mary Kay's moisturizer comes in different forumulas for different skin types so you get the right amount of moisturization. If your skin needs it, I would try Mary Kay's Micro-dermabrasion at least once a week. You will see unbelivevable results after just one treatment. It a super exfoliater where as the exfoliation done with with 3-1 Cleanser is gentle enough to use every day. Once your skin is in good condition, then your makeup will look much better. Oh, forgot to mention that these Mary Kay products are from our Anti-aging line, TimeWise so they will help to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles too. Mary Kay's Medium Coverage foundation will give you the lighter coverage you are looking for also.
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I can't speak for the original poster, but I'd really rather get personal experience-based advice from someone near or over 60 in this case. I've been curious about it since I'm 43 and have noticed my skin becoming a bit different myself, but I don't want advice on what dozen products to buy to fake being 20, I just want to know how to look 43, only without spackle on my face.
ARE there any middle-aged or odler women on the boards that have personal experience with this and can say what they use ... ? -
I am 51 soon to be 52 and started using MK 4 years ago. I have seen a tremendous difference in my skin since I began using it, so I am speaking from experience. Prior to MK I used Wei East products had good results but too expensive. Additionally, my 83 year old mother had a huge change in her skin, also starting MK 4 years ago, and in fact when she went to the hospital for a test, one of the nurses commented on how great her skin looked and wanted to to know what she was using and she replied, MK.
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I'm 47 and I use either a Bobbi Brown foundation or the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer depending on how much coverage I need. My mother, who is, ahem, older than I am (I'm quite sure that I'll be struck dead by lightening if I actually say the number) also uses the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. We both have, and have always had, dry skin. The trick seems to be to use less and to master the use of concealer. I think it's worth the time and expense to visit the makeup counter and try out a bunch of different products. I've always had good luck with Bobbi Brown. She's got an extensive array of products and one of them will probably work for you. I tried out 3 or 4 different foundations before buying anything. The SAs have always been willing to take the time to try out different products and colors and are generous with samples. As an added bonus, the concealers actually match the foundations so you don't have mix two different colors and match it yourself. Her books and on-line videos are also helpful. The Laura Mercier products are also very nice but the line is less extensive and some of the SAs are better than others.
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Why would a so called make up expert suggest a powder foundation for mature skin? Powders are the worst thing you could use. They settle intro wrinkles and dull the skin. Also, avoid mattefying, extended wear foundations which have a powder aspect and all mousses. It is more the products and tools you use that give a good base. A lightweight, medium coverage liquid applied with a stippling brush (using pat and swirl technique they are made for) will give you your best look. Foundation just sort of floats on your face. I'm in my 50s and see that the old method of applying foundation with my fingers packed on too much foundation and packed it right into the wrinkles and pores. I use half what I used to and my skin has a clean, finished look. Many 'older' faces get a great big brightener with a very, very light gentle dusting of a neutral, lighter bronzer powder swept over face where the sun would hit. If you're using a primer you shouldn't need finishing powder other than that.
I find the under eye area can look dry, crepey, wrinkly so I put a drop of moisturizer on my finger and gently pat- don't rub! it onto the under eye skin.
Also, you might try applying a light colored eyeshadow all across your brow bone, from the inner tear duct area, up to the eyebrow and sweeping all the way out to outer eye crease. If it looks dry try the moisturizer or use cream eyeshadow- lightly. -
cpearce: Two suggestions from me that should be readily available most places, I'd think!
You might like Olay Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream* foundation for more mature skin. It contains glucosamine (an anti-aging ingredient), and has a sunscreen (although it's not high enough, IMO, so I wear a sunscreen underneith). It got my attention a year ago when Paula Begoun reviewed it, with very high praise. She loved its creamy formula and ability to hide imperfections, making the observation that it compares to a high end foundation at a much lower price. It's one of four foundations I turn to regularly. It comes in a jar and is quite creamy in consistency. It makes my skin looks absolutely flawless yet doesn't look heavy. I receive many compliments on my skin when I use this one.
For a tinted moisturizer, I love Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Enhancer. It contains a retinol (another anti-aging ingredient), a sunscreen moisturizer (a little higher SPF # than the Olay product but I still use a separate sunscreen underneith), and sheer tint. Again, Paula Begoun's enthusiastic review of it is how I discovered it (same praise from Paula: it compared to high end tinted moisturizers at half the price). I know a lot of people here on the forum love Laura Mercier's tinted foundation, it just isn't that great on me for some reason. For a light make-up look, this one is heaven! I wear this one every day.
*Edit; The Olay Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream foundation WAS made by Covergirl but has been discontinued. Too bad...but thanks for catching that, Anne! -
This all sounds very interesting. I wish there were more cosmetic and general makeup advice to older women that instructed how to use the stuff to look like a well-put-together and attractive older woman, and not to look like a desperate woman in denial trying to fake being 25.
I'm 43, I'm aging at the rate of one day per day and always will. I make myself up fully perhaps once every two years, but I want to know how to do it and look like a well-put-together 43 year old. I don't WANT to look 25 ... but try convincing ANYONE of that. :-P
But it seems that the world either assumes we're all in poodleperms with little pink cashmere sweaters or else botox-addicts. -
Thank you everyone, for your answers and advice. I am glad that it isn't just me who doesn't like the mineral powder foundation on me (even though it looks great on younger skin!). Another pile of money down the drain...
After reading many of the posts here, I have already started to use a tinted sunscreen (usually use this when I play golf) under the powder, with some improvement, but I am going out on Saturday in search of a stipple brush, and hopefully a lesson on how to use it. Maybe the liquid foundation I have used before (Sothy's, a French product) will look better. My problem is exactly what Crystalcricket describes, it goes on too thick and settles into the pores and wrinkles. I am also going to google the other products mentioned here, I can certainly get Neutrogena and Olay, will check on Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown.
Janis, you are absolutely right, I don't want to look like a warmed over 25 either, I just want information and products that help me me look good at my age. Most of the products targeted at us, promise to eradicate wrinkles, but they either do nothing or leave my skin all tight. And to quote one Sales Assistant, once the words "anti-aging" appear on a product, the price automatically goes up 50%.
BTW, one blog to check out is "barbs-beauty-tips-for-babes-over-60.blogspot.com". Barb posts a lot of good information about all kinds of products, not just make-up. This is also where I found the link to this site.
Thanks again, everybody, and I'll let you know how I make out.
Christine -
Since you're considering a stippling brush I thought I'd tell you that I was a bit intimidated about trying that technique but it is actually amazingly easy. I had no trouble at all even with my first try. I even find it is a quicker method than doing it by hand. Just google a how to for a quickie see how. One thing I'd do differently f- everyone tells you to put the make up on your hand, but I find that squirting a little onto a small hard surface- like a jar lid or other little disk shaped thingie lets the brush pick the foundation up more evenly. If you don't find a reasonable price you might look at Coastal Scents or Lumiere.com- good prices, although I don't know how shipping will be for Canada.
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Why am I not surprised that that's a Mary Kay website?
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I also did not like the mineral powder makeups on first try, but am now using the one sold on Sephora called Bare Escentials and love it. They have a kit for $60 that includes three brushes along with instructions and 2 shades of makeup, a bronzer and a finishing powder. I use the lighter shade as a concealer and after I have finished the entire process my skin looks wonderful. I must admit I have had a facelift within the last year and am also using Obagi skin care products. Before the surgery I was quite happy with Estee Lauder Lucidity as a foundation. BTW, I will soon be 69 and am told I look much younger or at least very good for my age.
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