Midlife Beauty | Impressive Makeup and Skincare Finds, This Year

In today’s post, I’m sharing some impressive makeup and skincare products which I’ve bought, on repeat, this year.   But, first, where does our fascination with skincare and makeup come from? Here are my (young) influences.  My grandma was never without her Ponds cold cream. Makeup wise, she would dab some Max Factor crème puff powder, lightly, over her nose, followed by a coral lipstick, which complimented her titian red hair, perfectly.

Never being a sun worshipper, I remember her flawless peaches and cream complexion. My mum followed her lead by using popular skincare/makeup brands of the day. Such as Oil of Olay, Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream (also a favourite of mine) and “Estee Lauder” night repair cream – which is still a popular choice, today, proving vintage makeup and skincare products were trailblazers. Do you have any nostalgic makeup and skincare memories?

To continue in the family tradition, I have always sought out quality makeup and effective ingredients in skincare such as hyaluronic acid; ceramides; and retinol, to name a few. These help combat dryness that can be caused by the various hormonal changes we travel through in our lifetime.

Makeup-wise, my all time favourite foundation is still the N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Foundation. I have worn this for over six years. Chanel has reinvented it a few times, but, no major changes!!

So, I keep coming back to it. Mainly because I find it super moisturising. And, it works well with my dry skin. But, it is costly. I use the tiniest amount, mixing it with a highlighter. Up until now, I haven’t found a lower budget foundation which matches this product apart from the lightweight IT CC cream (SPF50), which is another favourite. Because I’m no beauty snob, the search goes on for a cheaper version!

I’ve got my make-up application down to eight minutes – five, if I’m quick. But, there’s the occasional possibility of the odd slip up if eyeliner is also being applied! Lately, I’m preferring a lighter natural look, using natural tones – as well as the odd dramatic red lip.

There has been wee changes afoot with the dry status of my skin. I’m not sure if this is my age, the after effects of the summer months, or both. Recently, there’s been a need to moisturise more prior to applying makeup. And, I have to give the cream more time to penetrate, which I haven’t noticed before. Have you experienced this?

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Back to today’ post. I’ll begin with my makeup finds.

First of all……Blusher.  A makeup product which can be challenging to match is blusher – mainly because there are so many shades and choices available.

I’m always uncertain whether to go for a pinky or peachy tone. Sometimes, if the product is a budget makeup, I may go for both. Then, should it be cream, powder, or…..errmm, jelly tint blusher??

I don’t use a lot of blushers in the summer months. It’s a quick sweep of bronzer to give that healthy glow. This year, I have been using two blushers. One is the Revolutions Pink lady powder blush – which is a good match for my colouring. I lightly apply with a brush because the pigment isn’t strong. So, it blends quite nicely and is buildable, if required. The lid’s broken off, so you can see how well used this is. This has been great value for money, efficient, cruelty free and cheap as chips! I will re-purchase.

The other blushers I have been trying were a viral sensation in the summer with the younger crowd. They are the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint, which I purchased in two shades (Burst and Chilli) as there was an offer available at Boots (the chemist). I was attracted, initially, to the jelly like substance. And, the fact this product is a tint for my lips, too. This substance is something I am not familiar with. It sounded hydrating and juicy. And, I thought it would suit my “no makeup, makeup” look.

Both of the milk shades were quite wet when I first purchased. So, I quickly learned to open over a tissue. Now, a few months on, they have dried slightly so they’re easier to apply. I dab onto my cheeks and blend with either my fingers or a makeup brush. They have a lovely cooling feeling on my skin which I like. The colour is also buildable, if required. They have a matt finish and they last!! I also pop one in my handbag as they are so small. My next wish list is a light pink, creamy blusher…watch this space!

Eyebrows
I had my eyebrows microbladed a year and a half ago. My eyebrows have been sparse and patchy for a long time. You can read about it, here – I’ll be back to see my technician in the spring of next year for a touch up.  I had quite a lightweight application and microblading fades, in time. Hence, I’m still pursuing products which will fill the gaps, giving me a natural look. I’ve tried lots of pencils, powders and pomades before trying a lower budget product from Barry M. Initially, what I loved about this product, apart from the realistic price, is the nib – it didn’t break like some of the more expensive eyebrow wands which I found infuriating. I follow this step with the Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, which has always been a favourite because it manages to pick up the few brow hairs I have and make them look fuller. Barry M comes in three shades – light, medium and dark.  I recently purchased some Revitabrow serum as I have had improvements with this product in the past

Eyeshadow

My favourite “go to” eyeshadow is Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks – my favourite is the shade

golden bronze, though they have many to choose from. I have used this eyeshadow for three years or more and it’s simply an excellent product. It’s a frosted, soft brown shade with the perfect amount of shimmer, making it super flattering. It’s easy to apply and stays put for a good while. I use on my eyelids only, blending into the sockets. Along with my mainstay, there’s a new kid on the block, which is Stila’s, Metal Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow 5ml, in the shade, Rose Gold. 

I have always admired Stila’s quality makeup. I came across this eyeshadow while having a wander in Marks & Spencer’s beauty department and had a try. I was immediately impressed. 

Curiously, this lightweight “glitter” liquid eyeshadow falls under the midlife women “do’s and don’t” umbrella, namely, “older women shouldn’t wear glitter”. The teeniest amount is only allowed on the grounds that, any more is “age-inappropriate.” Where do these rules come from?…. I’m curious to know. Alas, I love to wear this “sparkle” – ha ha – on my upper eye lids. The rose gold, which is more shimmer than sparkle, gives the appearance of a lovely, subdued hue. What’s not to love? This also wears well over the top of a matt eyeshadow. I have used this swept over my upper eyelids throughout the summer months. And, I’ve had a few compliments from people asking, “what eyeshadow are you wearing”? I’m currently running low, hence a refill is required. This time, I’m going for “Bronzed Bell”. It’ll brighten up my dreary winter days.

Skincare

Lacura Rejuvenate Day Cream SPF 30 50ml £3.79  The familiar look of these products attracted me while shopping in Aldi, discovering, later, they are are dupes for L’Oreal’s Paris Revitalift, which are large boots to fill – a product I have used and found to be very good. I have checked and the ingredients are almost identical. So, are these day and night creams any good? 

I have bought, on repeat, which speaks for itself. I’m impressed that the day cream has a SPF30 – though I still apply my SPF 50 over the top. The day cream is a good quality moisturiser and sits well under make-up. I haven’t experienced any irritation from both products, which can sometimes happen. It’s hydrating, as required, a good moisturiser. I go through these jars of cream, quickly, I’ve lost count of how many repurchases I have made. My menfolk like it, too, which may be the reason I’m going through more!

*The Solution (Menopause skincare) Night Recovery Treatment £17.50, Cooling Creme Gel Body Moisturiser £14.00 and The 3 in 1 Boost Serum £17.50

I was invited to trial these three products on Instagram. There was no obligation to post, on here – but, I have raced through all three. So, I thought I would let you know my thoughts. 

All of their products are cruelty free and vegan friendly, while using effective ingredients.

As well as the summer months, I try to use a body moisturiser in the colder months, too. It’s easy to forget when we’re covered up from head to foot, half the year. My skin feels more comfortable when I apply a good moisturiser and this ticked all the boxes.  

The 3 in 1 serum is non greasy and it absorbed, well. I found that a little went a long way. The pump dispenser did seem to want to dispense more than I needed so care was taken not to waste the product.

Not only is my skin drier, lately, I’m also prone to irritation. So, this night cream became a welcome addition to my nighttime routine, hence I need to re-stock. This cream absorbed, quickly, and didn’t leave my face feeling greasy.  I have noticed there is 30% off sitewide for a limited time – alternatively use the code MIDLIFE20  to get 20% off.

 

 

And a few more……!

*Astral Intensive Moisturiser Original 500ml. I have been using this amazing product all of my life. The five star reviews speak for themselves.

Skinny Tan Coconut Water Self Tanning Drops 30ml. I used this product throughout the summer and I will carry on using it in the winter months – mainly, to take away the pasty whiteness of winter. This is another favourite of my menfolk.

LACURA vitabase moisturising primer. Another dupe alert! The Aldi Lacura Vitabase is an incredible dupe for Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Facebase! I haven’t worn a primer for a long time. However, I find this product helps with my dryness, so, I can use with or without foundation. I pop some on after moisturising because it helps with the look and feel of my skin, leaving it feeling hydrated & smooth. 

I hope you have enjoyed my post which may contain some affiliate links. If you click through to the product, there is no cost to you. The small commission I may earn helps me with the costs of running my blog. The gifts I have received are marked with a star*

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through to the products, there is no cost to you. If you purchase anything, the small commission I receive will contribute to the running of my blog.

I hope this post has given you a few skincare and makeup ideas.  If you have any comments or questions, please let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

Take care

Alison xx

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