A little beauty diversion…

I might get older, but I’ll probably never quit loving makeup 🙂 I had to learn how to do a selfie with my phone for this post, but I’m getting there.

Truth – I’ve been researching makeup techniques for ‘mature’ skin and so on. Pinterest has been a great source of Youtube videos on the subject. And I think I’ve learned a lot!

So, today I was in Target for lampshades and visited the beauty aisle. I was looking for lots of new stuff based on what I’ve seen. This afternoon I decided to do one half of my face with the suggested techniques – and I have pics! What a difference.

These photos are untouched, so give me points for being brave, right? And I didn’t do any concealer on my nose, so my morphea lesions are visible.

I don’t mind getting older (I think it’s a blessing), and I accept that my skin is looser and so on with age. Plus I have telangiectasis and morphea on my face, everywhere in fact, from scleroderma. I really don’t try to cover them, because most concealers, if not all, just look so artificial. But I want to look alert, bright, happy, and healthy.

On to play with makeup!

Foundation – I’ve been using Neutrogena Hydro-Boost for a couple years. It’s light and hydrating, and doesn’t settle in wrinkles and lines. The thing I learned is to apply it as a concealer in a triangle rather than use concealers that create owl-eyes.

 

 

 

 

Foundation laid, I used an eyelid primer for the first time in my life. Wow – this is a great product. It lightens the entire area between eye and brow, and creates a wonderful surface for eyeshadow.

Applying shadow – I have typical hooded lids for my age, and the Youtube videos were so helpful. I want a neutral/nude look with contouring that lifts my eyes. I chose Elf’s Shadow, Brow and Liner Palette. All the colors are matte and very dense. A little goes a long way. Elf is a new product at Target, and apparently it’s pretty popular. I was looking for Boots No7 products, but no go. My Walgreens does carry Boots, an old love from when I was based in Brighton. Great quality and selection.

And a weakness or an asset: I only use brushes for eyeshadow and so on. I’ve tried many sponge applicators and just don’t like them. I do keep my brushes clean, it just takes a minute to soap, rinse, and set aside to dry.

Those eyebrows – I used to have very thick brows, and now I have the sparser brows typical of my age. I want those super pretty outlined and shaped brows that look so presumptuous and pretty. I got Revlon Brow Fantasy in dark blonde. It has gel/brush on one end, and pencil on the other. Fantastic. I applied the gel first, then the pencil, and I was able to draw just the brow I wanted. Whoopee1

I don’t use mascara, it’s just too much of an irritant. And I have a similar aversion to lipstick. But I’ve found a way to overcome the latter. I line my lips with an NYX taupe brow pencil, and fill in with my creme blush! The result is matte, not heavy, in fact I don’t mind it at all.

That blush – it’s generally my last touch. If I feel that any areas of my face are too dry, I dab a little olive oil on them, and then I apply Revlon Insta-Blush, which is a cream blush stick. I follow Queen Elizabeth’s example and put it fairly high and outside on my face. No apples for me. Plus she has great makeup.

Ta da – one half done. This was fun! and now I’m going to cleanse my face with Roc Resurfacing Disks. I love this product, it simply leaves my skin so clean and supple. Daily item, and I included it in my daughter’s Christmas stocking 🙂

 Ciao! Coco