Our debut post was just so much fun, we’re back for more good stuff! Your questions have been coming in fast and furious, with a wide variety of concerns, experiences, or stories about what has worked for you and what hasn’t. I’ve even had a few suggestions for new products that I could try (and you know how I love new products!).
One email in particular made me laugh out loud. It was from a woman who wrote, “Who cares? I don’t wear makeup, now or ever. I think it’s vain and silly. Why do you women need to put that junk all over your face to feel attractive? And what’s up with those expensive skin care routines? I just use soap and water, and my skin looks fine.” My immediate reply was a heartfelt “That’s great! Please feel free to not read my posts.”
Makeup is not for everybody. And it’s not legally required to be worn in any state. If you don’t like it or don’t feel like you need it, don’t wear it. We can still be Facebook friends. It’s all good.
She did make a point, though. Why do women wear makeup? Because we can. Imagine for a moment that you’re a man. Every morning when you wake up, that’s as good as you’re going to look all day. Signs of aging, fatigue, or that second bottle of wine the night before are written all over your face, for the whole world to see. .
We, however, can go into the bathroom looking like Great-Aunt Bertha from Des Moines, and come out a half-hour later with even skin tone, sparkling eyes, darker and longer lashes, a little youthful blush on our cheeks, a dusting of healthy, sun-kissed color on our faces, brighter lips, and mysteriously vanished under-eye circles. Sometimes it’s good to be female.
Makeup is like clothing for the face. We’ve reached the age where naked is probably not our best presentation. It’s easy when you’re young, because everything is pretty much flawless because it’s so new, but five or more decades of being smacked around by the environment, sun exposure, and ill-advised health habits tell us that we look better with a little help. Makeup is like that black leather moto jacket we bought because it was just so cool. Or those fabulous boots we want wear with everything we own. They make us feel more confident and more outgoing. Maybe even more powerful. Less invisible. Makeup has the same effect. It can be an extraordinary confidence booster. And besides, it’s fun.
So let’s get to your questions!
Q. My eyelashes don’t seem to exist anymore. I need a good mascara!
A. Mascara is great, but it’s only as good as the lashes you put it on. ( And I know how you feel. Whenever I get really stressed, all my lashes fall out. All of them. I look like a blonde hoot owl for weeks.) For eyelash 9-1-1, get an eyelash growth serum. They come in a tube, like clear eyeliner, and work to thicken and lengthen your lashes. It takes about four weeks to see results, but as they say, four weeks will go by anyway. My favorite is Lilash. Available online. Full retail can be up to $85 a tube, a 2-3 months’ supply. I disregard that, because I never pay full retail for anything. I get mine on eBay for about 30 bucks. Your other option (although you can do both) is to take 5-10,000 mg tablet of Biotin once a day. I do this when my lashes makes me feel like a hairless cat, and it brings them back to life.
As far as mascara, I’m a lover of all things L’Oreal. I’ve jumped around a little because they have a bazillion choices, but I always go back to Voluminous Superstar. It comes with a primer at one end and mascara at the other. The primer is applied first, for more “oomph,” then apply mascara. This product is my go-to Clydesdale. It’s easy to apply and remove, doesn’t rely on weird wands, and delivers on its promises to make your lashes look longer and more lush.
Q. I’m wrestling with age spots. What’s a good OTC?
A. Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream works great. It takes 4-6 weeks to see results. And remember, age spots are often caused by the sun. Three words to live by: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. And stay out of the tanning beds.
Q. The absolutely best moisturizer?
A. That depends on your skin. Your question implies that your skin is dry. Mine, too. I’ve sold $175 moisturizers for years (women of means love them because they’re yummy, they smell wonderful, and they come in gorgeous jars), but I don’t buy them. I haven’t found any that perform any better than my current fave, Garnier SkinActive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream. The title kind of says it all. I wear it during the day too. (What the hell, your skin can’t tell time.)
Q. What the best product for under-eye circles?
A. When I do makeovers for women, I prefer Maybelline Stick Concealer, in yellow. It lightens and brightens the under-eye area. Apply a tiny amount with a small brush, and blend lightly. (Don’t use your fingers. They pull on the thin under-eye skin. You won’t like how it looks in ten years.) Fingers also tend to put the product on more heavily. You shouldn’t be able to see your concealer. (Kind of defeats the purpose.) Always apply after foundation. The whole point of foundation is to even the skin tone and cover tiny flaws. Start there. Whatever your foundation doesn’t cover is where you put your concealer.
Q. Help for thinning, post-menopausal hair?
A. Isn’t it awesome that the hair on our head thins out and then migrates to our chins? God has a sense of humor. I would go straight to the solution and pick up some Rogaine for Women. It targets exactly that problem. Use it consistently for a few months, and you’ll see a visible improvement. The brand product can be a little expensive, but every drugstore has a generic version which is often less than half the price.
Q. Under-eye puffiness. I constantly need to shrink it down, but can’t find a product that soaks in, but still works. I try to avoid “feeling it” on my skin.
A. Insider secret: Most women in the beauty industry, and many professional models, use Preparation H. (The cream, not the gooey ointment). It works. I use it around my eyes to reduce expression lines. Of course, avoid getting it into your eyes, like you would any eye cream. Put a tiny bit on your fingertips and pat lightly over the area, even on top of your foundation. Pat. Don’t rub. If you haven’t found anything else you like, what have you got to lose? Try it!
See you all in two weeks!
This is such good information. I am getting that night cream today. On my lunch break. That I might take early.
You’re so funny, Michelle! Thanks for your continued support! :)
Great ideas…I used to use Prep H, but never noticed a difference. Of course i was younger and didn’t really have much to shrink then..ha ha!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie, I tried PH when I was in my thirties. You’re right. It didn’t have anything to do, so it didn’t do anything! :) Now that I’m sixty… Ouch. I find it works the best when I dab a tiny bit of moisturizer on my finger, then a tiny bit of PH, and dab on under eyes and around laugh lines. MWAH. Lines gone!
Have I told you lately how much I love these posts??? On your advice, I purchased the BareMinerals BareSkin pure brightening serum foundation, and I got some Garnier SkinActive BB cream, and what a difference vs. the mineral powder I’d been using! My skin looks practically dewy! Next up: the L’Oreal mascara and the Maybelline concealer you recommended today. P.S. Love your response to the woman who poo-poohed makeup.
Thanks, Roxanne! I love that you’re liking my product recommendations. It’s fun to think I’m sharing something that works for you! :)
I have eyelashes again! thanks to your recommendation for L’Oreal Voluminous Superstar mascara. At 71, my eyelashes disappeared but with the Voluminous Superstar they’ve “returned” and look more natural than any other product I’ve tried. Also, as you have written, quite easy to apply.
Can you tell me how to choose the proper shade for foundation or tinted moisturizer? I currently have two different shades of foundation and neither one seems to work for me. ( At my age, you would think that I’d have figured that out long ago!)
Thank you, Vikki. I look forward to your posts and recommendations.
You’re welcome, Feliz! Don’t you just love having eyelashes again? Choosing proper foundation is quite easy. Choose three colors that you think might be perfect and swipe a strip the middle of one cheek to just under your jawline. Under good light, check to see which one is “invisible.” That’s the one. :)
Thanks for the product reviews. I am forever on the hunt for under-eye concealer!!
You’re welcome, Laura! Under-eye concealers are tough to get right. Most of them make what you’re trying to conceal more obvious. This one is creamy, and glides on with a tiny brush. Good luck! :)
You are absolutely right about Preparation H…I used to work for the pharmaceutical company that makes Prep H and in fact, was out just last night with old work friends from there, and sure enough we were discussing how Prep H works for under eye puffiness…good tip!
Thanks, Emily! My only caveat on that one is to be careful if you’re carrying it in your handbag. I’ve had many questioning looks come up when it’s tumbled out of the makeup kit that I carry around! :)
Great tips. What do you suggest for face cleaning. I have not found my Holy Grail yet.
I recommend checking out Garnier products for face cleaning, depending on what kind of skin you have. I really like their 3 in 1 product that has mild exfoliation granules, moisturizing wash, and can be left on as a mask; the amount of scrubbing you do adjusts how much exfoliation you get. It is not drying but helps control oil and breakouts.
Sandra, ValleyCat1 is right. Garnier makes great products, and includes some of my faves. As far as cleaning goes, use whatever makes your skin feel good. Remember that cleansers are rinsed off, so they don’t need to be expensive. I’ve used Dove (unscented, for sensitive skin) bar soap for years. It easily removes makeup. It’s already in the shower, and I use it on my body, so I just keep going to include my face. Look for soaps or liquids that have no added fragrance, which can be irritating or drying and is unnecessary to the function of the product. If you’re really dry, Neutrogena Light Cleansing Oil is fabulous. Makes your skin feel like a babies tushie! :)
More great tips!! Thanks.
You’re welcome, Risa! More coming in two weeks! :)
Wow! Who knew about the preparation H. My eyes have taken a beating from wearing contacts since I was 14. I’ll have to give some of your product selections a try.
Let me know what you think, Rebecca! :)
I forgot about PrepH. I tried it in my 30’s, too and obviously didn’t notice a difference. Now I think it will be quite different! I have been using the Physician’s Formula with ‘extensions’ mascara you recommended once before. Oddly enough, I only need the extensions on one eye. I really am unbalanced!
b
Barbara, that’s true of most of us! I love the extension fibers in Physician’s Formula. It just takes a little longer to apply, so I save it for days when it matters to me. But I apply ONE coat on the right and TWO coats on the left to make them even. And all this time, I thought it just our boobs that were uneven! :)
I sometimes look at men out and about and think how great they would look if they wore some makeup! So sad, too bad. I will have to try the night cream by Garnier. I need a new one. Thanks.
Haralee, it’s so true! Sometimes I just want to lean over and whisper, “You know, Big Guy, you’d look terrific with a little tint in your sunscreen!” :)
Have used Prep H & when I tell others, they eww, it’s for hemoroids! But I want to thank you for the mascara tip. I’m going try the mascara you recommended & let you know how it works!
Yes, please, let me know what you think, Cheryl! Until this post, I rarely tell anyone about Prep H. You’re right, they say eeewww! If they only knew how many women were buying it as eye cream… :)
Vikki, you were so right about the L’Oreal mascara! The “white stuff” in the one end works wonders in thickening up my lashes so the mascara goes on and makes my eyes actually look like there ARE actually lashes there. I also agree with using liquid foundation rather than mineral powders as the liquid doesn’t settle in those nasty face creases. I use L’Oreal foundation made for the more mature ladies. It goes on well , doesn’t entirely cover up my freckles, (which I like) but evens out my skin tone. Thanks for the tips, and I now follow your column religiously. You’re so funny!
Thank you, Deb! I agree with you. I’ll be a Voluminous lover forever! And thanks for your last comment. “You’re so funny.” The nicest thing you could so say to a humor writer! :)
I, too, am a loyal L’Oreal fan. I also use their eye cream and moisturizer. I’m definitely going to give the Aveeno product a try – those dark spots are popping up despite the fact that my vampiress self eschews the sun. But I especially thank you for your response to the “correct behavior for woman” police to just move along. I wear make-up because I damn well feel like it, and yes, I can. You rock!
Thank you, Lee! It’s always a gamble when we respond to someone who doesn’t connect with our writing, but she was gracious and it made me laugh, so I decided to use it in this post! :) Give your dark spot product some time. It’s not overnight, but it will work. (And you’re a rock star too!)
I don’t wear makeup 95% of the time, but it’s that 5% I need help with. These answered a lot of my questions and I’m taking notes!