Make up for Older Moms

Updated on February 28, 2011
P.R. asks from Newport, KY
22 answers

I used to use the BareMinerals foundation when I was younger because I don't like to feel like I am using a lot of make up on my face. And the only reason I started wearing any foundation is because around 30 I started having problems with my skin (rosacea and adult acne, and some scarring from that), and felt like I needed to wear something to even out my complexion. But, now that I am getting older, it seems to set in the fine lines and make me look even older! I'm in my mid 40s now. So, I would like some recommendations from older moms. I tried to go to the Sephora near by for a makeover, but the young girls who work there have no clue what to do except spackle you with a pound of makeup. And, the older woman I saw there had herself done up like a 14 year old, so I certainly wasn't going to ask her what to do. So if you have any recommendations for a foundation that you like or a place with mature women to help me do a makeover and try some good products, please let me know.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the ideas, ladies. At least I now have a place to start. I have used BareMinerals with primer, and it stays on better, but it still doesn't look good. I think I would use primer with anything at this point, but I'd like a light foundation that I don't have to use some serious exfoliating scrub to get it out of my pores afterwards (which is what is happening with Revlon Age-Defying). I have also tried the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless. It seems better, but I am having trouble getting the right color in it. I will give Mary Kay a try. I have tried it off and on throughout the years and have never found it good for my skin. And, of my friends who used it, I thought they looked 10 years older because it dried them out so much. But maybe the new line is better. I am really interested in the tinted moisturizer, so any particular brands would be a great help. Where I live is pretty closeted, so I haven't seen any gay men when I have been out to the mall, but maybe I'll get lucky or have to wait till I travel to a more gay-friendly place to try and find something.
Thanks for the ideas so far! Please keep the suggestions coming!

Featured Answers

M.P.

answers from Lafayette on

I highly reccomend mary kay. they have a whole line for older women. i believe its called time wise. i'm only 27 and i use it, because it was what was first introduced to me, but it works amazing. my grandmother uses it, and swears by it. she is 78. good luck finding something that will work for you.

6 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I had laser treatments for my small veins, redness, etc. It was all I needed. My face color got even, skin condition improved, no flakiness. I hate make up and wear it only for special occasions and wash it off as soon as I get home. I found lately that I need a bit of liner, mascara and lipstick to keep myself from looking too bleak. Age changes habits and looks :(. Highly recommend laser. I had one treatment and may go for another one soon but it lasted more than 4 years!

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Go back to Sephora and try Make Up Forever Face & Body foundation. It has a gel like consistency that does not settle in lines or pores at all. It is also a buildable coverage.

Mac makes a spray called Fix that is great to spritz over your face if it is looking too powdery-it kind of makes it set and takes the dryness away.

6 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Mary Kay all the way! They have the Timewise line that is geared toward line reduction (and just won the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval AND was recently approved for all skin types). They also have the mineral foundation and color cosmetics that are in heavy competition with, yet is much more affordable than, BareMinerals. Also, they just released a foundation primer about 3-4 weeks ago that aids in hiding the effects of rosacea. Call your local rep today for a complementary facial and color makeover.

5 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

I used a product call Veil/Hourglass-from Sephora-it is the one that contains a primer and a moisturizer-you can use as much or as little as you want depending on how much coverage you are looking for. I also get from the dermo-IS Skincare cleanser and Tretinoin (retin A)-your skin will slough off all the old layers and leave it smooth as glass.

4 moms found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Dayton on

I used to use Bare Minerals, but didn't like how messy it was. My new favorite is Pur Minerals (it is not loose like BM). They have a great green-tinted primer that covers pink/red tones in the skin. Great products!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I use skin care and makeup from Clinique. They have several formulas depending on your skin type. The one I use is "superbalanced" liquid makeup. I have combination skin, and some wrinkles (I'm 50) and this seems to still work well for me.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Right now I'm really liking the Neutrogena tinted moisturizing foundation in a tube. Before that I always liked Origins foundations.

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

DHC (expensive but so worth it) makes something called velvet coat. just a tiny dab smoothed over your face, and voila! your skin feels like an 18 year old's and lines ...well, they don't go away. but they do become less crevice-y. i put it under foundation on those rare annoying days when i wear it, or just put powder over it.
khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Why not use Bare Minerals now? That stuff is a miracle in a jar! I put my our mosturizer on and then use their PRIMER and THAT really works! I'm 43 years old and one of my friends thought I was in my early 30's like her, so it must be working!

2 moms found this helpful

T.C.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hi,
I ran into the same situation you did at the MAC store, plus all their powders and foundations seemed to make my tiny crinkles look huge!

I use Clinique's "Barley There" makeup when I'm getting really polished up (like for a special occasion or photos), and on a daily basis, I use a tinted moisturizer. I apply both VERY sparingly, and it seems to do the trick.

Good luck!
t

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S.B.

answers from Cleveland on

I was going to suggest MAC but I saw that another poster had a similar problem at their counter. Sounds like you may need to scout out the mall and try to find a counter that has someone older than 20 working there! MAC has some very full-coverage foundation but I found that I could mix it with a bit of moisturizer in my palm when I didn't want such a matte look. I also have acne issues and I finally asked a dermatologist when I had to see one for another reason. I was prescribed some a very expensive cream but it worked and when I realized that one tube lasted me six months, it didn't seem so expensive.

Also - it seems to me that the Clinique counters tend to be staffed with more "seasoned" employees. Just a thought! Good luck.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

BareMinerals DEFINITELY does "that" (settles into fine lines).

I still use bare minerals... but I don't use it around my eyes or mouth. I use a liquid under my eyes and the corners of my mouth (currently just CG, but as the lines get more pronounced I'll probably switch to an 'age defying' liquid). That way I still get the "feels like I have nothing on" + skin benefits from bareminerals, but not the neon sign saying "look at me" on my wrinkles.

I also quit wearing eye liner and lip liner on a regular basis (only for nights out on my eyes). For eyes, I go with a more neutral liner (browns) and then use shadow... so the line doesn't "creep". For lips for every day I use a subtle gloss (in lip color) which makes them look fuller and less lined, as opposed to lipstick. For going out lips, instead of lining (which gets dicy about fine lines) a darker shade applied with a brush for lining, the regular shade, and then a dab of my every day gloss. ((The gloss when I put it on isn't super shine wet look gloss... but more of a gentle glow type gloss)).

1 mom found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

I'm 40, and over the years have had to do less and less foundation with more moisturizer. I was able to do the china doll look with lots of smooth foundation when I was younger, but same thing, fine lines and foundation don't mix!

I'm currently using some new moisturizer (any decent brand works) and when it's still damp and newly applied, I do a LITTLE foundation (I'm using the Bobbi Brown, but doesn't seem to matter as long as color is right) with the sponge or finger. Then I touch up blemishes or red spots with concealer, a bit of brightener in the dark circles, and voila. There is almost nothing on the areas without blemishes, just a TINY bit of foundation to reflect and smooth. I also had to quit powder, because it would look dry and wrinkly, but my friend loves foundation mousse (also applied very lightly with lots of moisturizer) since she quit powder at 40 too.

We also had to quit make up under the eyes, and keep everything including mascara up on top lid to lift up and out, and a well done brow is like an instant face lift-and I never used to do my brows. You want focus lifted upwards. Keep the rest light. Bold lipstick can be too much with the brows.

If you can get your hands on a gay stylist in a department store etc, they tend to be brow and lip shade gurus. I had a young man give me a casual day shade at a Mac store, I forgot to write it down, and it made such a difference-I was getting comments left and right on looking great-even from the hubs! It was light enough not to be noticed, but really complimented my complexion, and it was a shade I never would have picked. He wasn't working there anymore when I went back to try to find it again. :(

Don't forget lots of sleep and water! And sugar ages us!

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C.F.

answers from Columbus on

I turned 50 this year and I have used clinque for years. I have problems with perfume and they have all unscented products. They also have tons of products, moisturizers and foundations for different situations. You probably need to start using a really good moisturizer if the foundation is settling into fine lines. The key to younger looking skin is moisturizer.

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I'm 55 and don't use foundation, but I do use (and sell) a great moisturizer that decreases those fine lines if you need that. I use a little cover up for an occasional mid-life zit, however the line was discontinued. i will be interested to see what info you get! How about Aveda? I use their mascara and its okay.

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Before you give up on the bare minerals my first suggestion is that you use a face primer. The face primer fills in those fine lines so your make up can rest nicely on top of it. You can go into an Ulta or Bare Minerals store and ask them to show you the difference between the face primer and with out. I have a rule about make up "It's a crime not to prime." And the girls that work at Sephora for the most part are not trained in anything.

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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Mary Kay has an awesome line of foundations right now. They just came out with a new liquid foundation that is amazing, perhaps you can meet with a consultant to find the right formula for you. Brush application makes a huge difference as well.

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

There are a LOT of companies that are making products tailored to women with fine lines and wrinkles. I think Olay and Covergirl have made some good stuff. You may have to do a little trial and error to see what works best for you and gives you the results you want. I agree with a pp; you should give Bare Minerals a try again.

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J.R.

answers from Columbus on

I have a few items for you .

first using Mary Kaye Micro Derm abrasion is awesome and helps no matter what foundation you use.

Mary Kaye has a tinted moisturizer cause I too do not like a lot of make up and it evens out my skin I have freckles so it gives me a smoother look I love it and if I want more I use their mineral powder foundation over the tinted moisturizer.

Avon - Avon has tinted moisturizer I just love it is Magix Cashmere liquid foundation - and there is magix face protector that goes under your makeup that is great!! Avon has several different makeups that you would need to read through.

Have a great day

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M.B.

answers from Lafayette on

I totally agree -- the new Timewise foundation from Mary Kay is AWESOME!!! And it's even better when you use the foundation brush. Just find a consultant that is a bit older & has been in the business for a few years (or more). I believe this will work for you and it lasts a long time. Good luck!

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L.C.

answers from Allentown on

I am in my late 40's. I don't use foundation but I use Clinique powder to smooth out my complexion. Works for me. I don't put anything under my eyes though, as it does get into the fine lines and look "heavy".

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