Ask Angie: Updating Make-Up - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Updating Make-Up

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Dear Angie and fab ladies,

I don't remember any discussions on this subject in the past and would like to ask you two questions.

are there any general principles what makes make-up current, modern, not outdated?
what do you personally do to keep your make-up and routine fresh?

Regarding the 1st question, I cannot put my finger on why some look is outdated, yet I feel I know one when I see one. As an example, shiny colourful eyeshadows scream 80s to me, as does lip-liner in darker shade than the lipstick itself. (Yeah, when and where was I growing up?)

On the other hand, that gorgeous mod eye-liner does not look out of place today, some 50 years later. How, why? What makes it so eternal?

Regarding the 2nd question, my own make-up routine has nothing to do with being modern, but as with anything else it's about nailing what makes me feel most like myself. The routine consists of simple eye make-up, blush and lipstick. I have found three shades of lipstick that work the best for me in terms of shades, quality and price range (my 'nude', red and mauve), and rotate between them depending on the occasion, outfit vibe and my own inner state. And that's all. I almost have no need to visit the make-up counters, I just browse for pure fun but usually leave feeling relieved I don't need any of those things.
Even to me this may sound like I'll be stuck looking the same forever -- but is that wrong?

Your thoughts?

General

43 replies

Latest reply was from

Style Fan

Veteran

Excellent question Ornella. I love make up even though I wear very little. I watch You Tube videos and read blogs of some make up artists that I like. Some of my favourites are Lisa Eldridge and Wayne Goss. There are lots of others. I also go to make up counters like Mac and Laura Mercier for advice when I am in the big city.

This is what I do:
I don't actually change my make up that much. I go for the "no make up make up" look. I refine it. Eyebrows are big right now. There seem to be lots of products for eyebrows. I have a few. Fortunately I have eyebrows but they are blonde. I use a product to colour them. Mascara for eyebrows. That is new for me.
Highlighting products are also big news. Also contouring. I pass on those.
Tightlining I have been doing for over a decade but it seems the thing.
I wear the same lipstick all the time. MLBB. My lips but better. For me that is Dolce Vita by Nars. Sometimes I add a lip gloss by Mac.
I also wear the same eye shadow. Grain and Soft Brown by Mac. Sometimes I use Saddle to darken the crease if I want a bit more drama. Laura Mercier Mahoney Brown eyeliner. Lancome Black mascara. One coat. I have enough eye lashes. They are just blonde and need darken.
I rarely wear face make up or concealer. I have pretty good skin and I hate the feeling of that stuff. I wear a little blush if I think I need it. I have a colourful face already. I don't need to be adding more colour to it. I did a quiz by Imogen Lamport and I score high on the colour part. My hair, eyes and skin are all high colour.

Lisa Eldridge did a video of a look that she said was timeless. That is the look I try for. She said it was her most requested look. I work on trying to improve my artistic skills when contouring my eyes. I will leave the fancy stuff to others.

I am the same with my hair. I have the same basic hair cut. Longish with some layers. I just update it. If it works don't mess with it.

chouette22

Veteran

Hi Ornella, so nice to see you on the forum again!

I almost have no need to visit the make-up counters, I just browse for pure fun but usually leave feeling relieved I don't need any of those things.
Even to me this may sound like I'll be stuck looking the same forever -- but is that wrong?

I could have written this exactly! Except for the browsing for pure fun, as I don't even do that. I have never been interested in make-up, do the absolute minimum (so glad to have somewhat decent skin) and also think that I look the same every day. But I am okay with that, because I love fashion and mix up my appearance through my clothes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'll be following this. Now that my hair is silver, I have a special reason. I asked the other forum members how their style changed when they went grey and almost all mentioned that they updated their makeup routine. Angie also suggested this.

The problem? Makeup's a mystery to me on the whole. It's not that I don't wear it. I wear light makeup pretty much daily, and have done so since the age of about 20.

The thing is, my routine has never really changed. In fact, I only change products when I absolutely have to (usually because I develop some sensitivity to the one I was using, as with Lancome mascaras).

So my makeup is basically like yours. I wear a bit of concealer under my eyes. I have 3 lipsticks (MLBB, my red, my orchid/pink). I wear a swipe of dark blue eyeliner on top, black mascara, a bit of cream blush. About a decade ago I started filling in my brows to darken them.

If I'm going to a really special event (like 4 times a year?) I might add some eyeshadow. I don't really like wearing it though because it often irritates my eyes. (Even the non-irritating kinds.) I don't wear foundations, powders, or anything else.

I guess the idea is that I might change my makeup colours now...but honestly, I don't see a need to. Maybe I am deluding myself? Yours in perplexity...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's a personal thing, Ornella. FWIW, here's my 2 cents:

I don't think you can achieve a polished appearance without make-up.
I think everyone looks better with mascara - try a colour. I've gone blue this year.
Try tint-lining. I've also gone blue (and have green eyes). It does WONDERS to accentuate your eyes.
White eyeliner looks fab too. I prefer dark blue, but have seen white look fab on others.
I much prefer shiny skin to matte skin. Personally, I think matte skin looks dated.
Personally, I prefer to see the imperfections in the face so that the skin matches the rest of my body. So I don't use foundation for coverage. I use a tinted moisturizer.
It used to be stylish for all make-up to look "natural". Well, that's a dated concept too. Heavy make-up is AS fashionable - for men as well. Personally, I prefer natural make-up on myself - but there are other ways to go. Heavy make-up during the day can be a brilliant look these days. Although I don't wear any, eye shadow can be brilliant, and very modern.
Brows. MUST define the brows.
Lips are important. ANY colour these days is fab - blue and green too. I like lippie and a coat of gloss.
And do not underestimate the power of blush.

Hope that helps.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've wondered about this too, if one is like me and doesn't really change makeup often. My routine is pretty simple and almost unchanged for many years: tinted moisturizer, a light sweep of powdered blush and maybe a hint of bronzer, a bit of pencil eyeliner in one of several subtle colors (usually bronze, plum, or black), a coat or two of mascara, and lip color. In the last couple of years I've also started filling in my brows a little with brow pencil, and that's about it. On special occasions or if the mood hits me I'll use eyeshadow (again, mostly shades of brown/plum to contrast with my blue-green eyes), but I've had the same shadows in my makeup drawer for years and years. Bold lip color doesn't work on me, so I don't bother with trendy lipstick.

So I'm not sure what I would do to "update" my makeup either! I'll be following this thread with interest.

rachylou

Veteran

So...not a direct answer...but I remember my mom having an old tube of lipstick when I was a little girl. It was orangey. My daycare lady as a baby had orange lipstick. I remember this because I hated being kissed by her lipstick! Lol. I assume she was way out of date then, especially in combo with her green tinged hair (old fashioned hair colour products). I remember a lot of blue and green eyeshadow in the 70s (dating myself now!). Then I remember pinks and purples in the 80s and the makeup being quite heavy, with that bronze Nike swoosh on the cheeks. In the 90s there was a move toward a more natural look - yet the makeup could be quite heavy. The gesture towards natural was really more of a beige lip. Big-eye mouthless look that one. I think now it's more natural natural. Dewey skin, tinted lip ... But the caveat is strong eyeliner lines. Like a catseye.

Which is all to say, I think there ARE general trends and also they follow the zeitgeist. And they've been moving toward a less plastered, ever more natural look...along with things like the electric car...

Of course, there are some aesthetics that don't bend at all to trends - like Alien Face. Huge black eyes, cut off nose, pointy chin. But I do think Alien Face peeps have bent the trends to yield the same Alien Face look all these years...

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Firstly, I had to look up what MLBB was. Seems like the terminology I used, "my nude lipstick", has itself become dated during my absence from the forum.
MLBB it is

Thanks for chiming in and I'm glad I'm not alone in the attempts to decipher the mysteries of updating the make-up. I love the suggestions from Angie and will ponder over some for sure. For one, I'm perplexed by "all natural" look being dated and while I see heavy make-up as interesting, I simply cannot shake off the feeling it's unnatural and makes the person unapproachable. As in "I cannot kiss or hug you without either running your look or getting stains on my clothes".

A few things I figured out over time were that in winter shiny skin and a bit of colour go such a long way; as I see it, it' got nothing to do with being modern but about simply looking healthier.

I have also noticed that there is a certain look, selfie/blogger look as I call it, amongst early 20s population, where eyebrows especially are a big deal, but the entire make-up looks as if done by a professional. There is obviously some parallel world I'm unaware of (perhaps the video tutorials?) which breaks down this process entirely but even if I had time to dedicate to nailing it, that would look wrong on me - I simply think younger women can carry certain looks much better, which is why I stay on the side of caution and wear what works. But I also don't want to be stuck, hence this thread.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ornella, I was unclear (my apologies). I meant that - say 20 years ago - the only way to look stylish was to wear make-up that looked very "natural", whereas wearing lots of make-up was considered a faux pas. This is no longer the case. Natural make-up and heavy make-up are equally stylish and fashionable these days.

Anonymous

Alright. Every one meet at my house tomorrow morning at 10 am sharp and we are going shopping. Bring your credit cards, your own coffee, and wear sensible shoes. Do not wear makeup.

I sound like a broken record. I can't help myself though because I love makeup - the science and artistry behind it, the marketing and trends, all of it. I get my info/ideas/updates from Instagram and the 15 or so magazines I read every month. Blogs and websites too. My 20 year old DD is now giving me a run for my money and occasionally mentions hot new product/line releases (for that age group, but still interesting). Because my job has me in stores of all kinds almost every day of the week, I see the makeup counters all the time and am really interested in new products and new trends -in skin care and makeup both.. I figure it's one way to keep myself looking "with it". Plus polished and professional , as Angie says.

Running back to the computer to add two thoughts: you have to replace your makeup every 6 months or a year (depending on what it is) anyway, so that;s a good time to check out what's going on at the better makeup counters.

I always think it takes more courage than I have to go without makeup. I have always admired women with the confidence to go bare -faced, but I have never had that. Perhaps it's having low-contrast or not very intense features was my reason - but I never felt confident enough in my looks to go without . Maybe I overcompensate for that fear - which is a new fear altogether - lol. Do I wear too much makeup ?? Ha.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if this is a bit like the "fashion" vs. "style" discussions we have sometimes here.

Maybe what I'm saying is I'm slow to adopt trends in make up. Like, dinosaur slow. I don't even notice them. I see what Rachy mentioned -- I'd know an 80s face or a 70s "natural look" or whatever, but that's about as far as it goes.

To me, faces have attractive make up or unattractive makeup or no makeup and I don't make distinctions other than that.

Here's a question...how does one become good at shopping for makeup? I am serious about this. I feel a great distrust at most makeup counters and do not want the women behind them messing with my face! The few times I've had my face "done," I left feeling awful and had to wash it off as soon as I got home. I immediately went back to my own tried and true routine.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the clarification Angie.

Great question Suz: how does one become good at shopping for makeup?

Really ladies, how?

Lisap, I wish I could come!

crazyone

Veteran

Suz, I'm with you on that question about how one becomes good at shopping for makeup. I do find it helpful to just hone in on trying one type of product at a counter instead of getting my face "done"--that tends to be overkill.

lisap: if I lived in Canada I would show up at your house sans makeup but with credit card I'm always in awe of people who "get" makeup---it seems so impenetrable to me!

Rachylou: LOL at Alien Face. Though I thought that was a recent thing, brought on by selfies and youtube vids?

Gaylene

Veteran

My preference has always been "polished natural", so I've never ventured into the heavy makeup world. But I don't think, even once you've figured out what colours and products give your desired level of "polish", that you can keep to the same routine as the decades roll by without looking dated. It's those subtle tweaks and changes which make a huge difference--even for us "natural" gals.

I usually haul myself to a Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Clinque, or--if I'm feeling adventurous--a MAC counter every few years to let the youngsters have a go at "updating" me. I rarely try to repeat the look (and usually head home to wash my face!) but I almost always find a new technique, colour, or product to update my routine.

One of my most recent changes has been to eliminate under eye concealer in favour of an illuminator/sunscreen/moisturizer (Clinque Even Better Eyes), The product seems to brighten instead of conceal and doesn't settle into the creases the way a concealer did. And, after decades of using a smudged pencil for lining, I've also switched to Kat Von B's Ink gel liner. Works like a charm for tight lining with no flaking bits to settle into creases. I've also switched from my old favourite dusty rose powder Bobbi Brown blush to a brighter MAC cream blush which seems to lighten and brighten my face. And my MAC brow pencil and spooly is a new necessity. I've also ditched most of my taupey "nude" lipsticks for a Clinique Chubby Stick in a brighter watermelon shade. The stick is moisturizing and layers nicely over my Black Honey gel stick if I want a deeper colour on my mouth.

None of my updates are earth shattering, but I've found that even a "natural" makeup needs to be updated as my skin and colouring change.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, Gaylene, and C1, both of those thoughts are helpful. I guess I need to get more adventurous and also more focused.

I have in fact made a few switches over the years, from powder blush to cream, from one type of mascara to another, and I do choose different lipsticks every couple of years, and eye pencils. But always with great trepidation and uncertainty. And suspicion, I might add. I dislike spending a lot of money on makeup that I won't wear, so don't hand over my credit card all that easily when it comes to this stuff....

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

(nodding again to Suz) "I dislike spending a lot of money on makeup that I won't wear, so don't hand over my credit card all that easily when it comes to this stuff..."

Hence this thread...

Anonymous

I will admit that it does cost money to learn and experiment - which is necessary to get good at picking products. One thing I try to do is buy a drug-store version of something before investing in a makeup-artist line or boutique line. I did that with liquid eyeliners, BB creams, highlighting pens, etc. Good way to learn what you don't want without having spent a fortune. I never have much success either with having someone else do makeup on me - I think that truly talented makeup artists are few and far between, and the best ones aren't working the counters at department stores.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm with Suz on this one. I see when something is dated and I can say I like a look or not, but the particulars are a mystery. I just don't get make-up and I'm very bad at picking and applying it for myself. The only thing I use daily is a brow pencil and brow gel, I don't even use Mascara anymore because my eyes have been itching like hell with each one that I tried lately. I sometimes put some color on my lips, I like the Clinique Chubby Stick I have and similar products. Easy like lip balm.

Ginkgo

Veteran

So excited over the prospect of makeup shopping with Lisap! That would be so much fun and I definitely need a guide as I'm another one who is quite intimidated by the makeup counters. Don't worry, I'm 2000 miles away and will not turn up on your doorstep.

I agree with needing the small tweaks to stay current looking, who wants to look like a blast from the past? There was an online article a couple of years ago about a 1940s/50s actress who always updated her eyebrows (and was lucky enough to be able to regrow them after plucking) and the photos of her through the years showed that she stayed remarkably young and current looking just doing that alone.

deb

Veteran

Lisa, what a great idea. Now I want to go makeup shopping at the YLF meetup.

Anonymous

lol. What do I know? I'm just an enthusiastic shopper

Vix

Veteran

Hi Ms O, nice to see you around!

Lisa's process is very similar to how my 74 YO pal operates but it ain't for me.

But my preferred look is Fitness/Skincare/Just Rolled Out of Bed Looking Awesome Model, so....

Alas, I've found looking naturally lovely takes a lot more artifice and skincare as 50 looms, ha!

My skin and I are both picky so I find the hunt for the new best "natural look" X tedious. But I do it when I become bored or dissatisfied with a staple. Some of this is driven by my aging skin...I always have an open ear re hydrating products...some by my preferences for eco beauty.

When I do it the long way, I focus on a single product category, read reviews, and run around comparing. My shortcut is to book a facial with someone whon is also an eco makeup artist. I get great tips on trends and try stuff she knows has a high chance of working for me. LIke most MUA she uses low and high end stuff. She introduced me to Zoya Hot Lips ($6, lasts forever) which I adore.

If outsourcing slash an ongoing collaboration is an option for you, you might consider it. Good luck exploring!

DonnaF

Veteran

Makeup counters intimidate me, and I always worry that I'll end up looking like the heavily painted MAs behind them. Plus, they are almost always white girls or occasionally very fair Asian ones so they rarely understand my coloring. I really don't like looking orange!

Is there a makeup gene that some of us have and others do not? Or is it a developmental thing, such that if you don't get it by age 14 or 15 it's a much harder thing to pick up later?

I keep reading that mascara makes such a difference, but it's so hard to get me to do it. My lashes are straight and they grow down and crisscrossed. And kinda stick to the lower lashes if I wear mascara. Curling results in corners, never a nice *U* even if I try to crimp a lot.

Anonymous

I've always had bad experiences at makeup counters. Foundation is the most difficult thing to get right, but I wear it because my face is pinkish and doesn't match my neck. I also have to deal with melasma on my jawline and temples. I can't completely cover it without wearing thick makeup that looks unnatural, so I just try to minimize it as best I can. I also have white eyelashes, and sparse eyebrows that are turning white, with light skin. I pretty much need a full face of makeup if I want to have a face, lol. I do prefer a shinier face, so the powders I use are not matte. I use a setting spray right after applying my makeup to give it a more natural look.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

DonnaF, you said what I sort of wanted to say.

But then, I figured...this is why I came to YLF, but on the fashion end of it. Wondering..is fashion a trick you needed to have picked up at 15 or can one still learn it? And I think I've discovered that one can learn it.

Whether one can learn makeup, I still don't know. And in a way, don't want to know, if you know what I mean. Because I don't have the deep interest in it that I have in clothing.

So there is that.

I want to look polished and beyond that? Don't care.

jenanded

Veteran

Not a plug for the brand per se, but I have found Bobbi Brown consistently good tor a 'natural' look even thought wouldn't use that much make up per se daily. I too freak out at coming away with what i call the orange face green eyeshadow purple lip look from a makeup counter.... even I can't see how anyone can mix those colours together... it is a scary world but great results when it works right...

Lyn D.

Veteran

This was an interesting read, Thank-you!
I am with you and Suz and others in the sticking to the same -old Make-up routine -don't fix it unless it's broken (dated) thing!
Hmmm, I will give this more thought for sure.

Gigi

Veteran

I stayed away from makeup for many years...I just wasn't interested, and I wasn't doing well enough financially to want to spend money on it. But a few years I decided that I wanted to go back to wearing some makeup. Since it had been so long, there was now a dizzying array of products and colors, and I had no idea what to do. My solution was to go to a local spa and have the makeup artist do my makeup. It was a decision that I have been so grateful for! It was exactly the right thing to do. If you go to a spa, you can get a real makeup artist who is very well trained, and there should be many lines of makeup available, so you shouldn't be limited.

I found that I started very small, with just the basics (one foundation, one eyeliner, one blush, etc.). Then I added a few more colors on the cool side of the spectrum (I run pretty neutral and had bought mostly neutral or warm makeup on my first visit). In the past year, I started feeling more adventurous, and now I am branching out into really colorful makeup palettes and more complicated eye looks. After a while, I started viewing makeup not simply as a way to improve my appearance but as a way to get different looks, like I might put together different outfits (glam, subdued, natural, etc.). That is what the fun part of it is for me--using the makeup to put together completely different looks.

K. Period.

Veteran

Isn't makeup exactly the same as fashion? You start with some interest and maybe a decent eye for starting to see what is there. Then you train your eye and develop your expertise to the level that makes you happy.

I've always loved makeup. I wear natural looking makeup most of the time. Just like I've always loved clothes, but I also have a basic style that I tweak this way and that to make me happy and to keep it current. We follow fashion blogs and look at magazines and catalogs to keep our eyes educated about what is current. Some of us follow makeup blogs (like the super awesome Lisa Eldridge, mentioned before) and look at magazines and catalogs to keep our makeup eye current.

If you've got a classic style in fashion that you are happy with, you don't go and try to force yourself into extreme boho festival wear and expect to feel comfortable, but you do update your classics to keep them current. Same idea with makeup, right? You don't go wild with an extreme look and expect to feel comfortable.

Classic makeup, like classic clothing, undergoes subtle shifts. In the '80s we wore more makeup to get a subtle (for the time) pretty look and somehow lining our lower rims with bright blue was part of that (?!?). In the '90s we stopped lining under our eyes. In the '00s we started tight lining but probably wore a lot of brown lipstick and gloss. Right now it's all about winged liquid liner. If you like a classic, subtle look, you likely don't go for the extremes in color and finish that make something look dated. Classic is nice for that! So a classic look isn't necessarily dated because it doesn't change a lot. But if you are the only one who is still doing something (frosted hair anyone?), you are either a trendsetter or need some updating. I suspect you are just a modern classic for makeup!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Right. It makes sense that Ornella and I would fall into that camp, since it fits with our overall style.

Just thinking...I never lined my lower lids with bright blue in the 80s, never wore brown anything (it looks like death on me), still haven't learned how to tight line, and don't know how to do a winged eye without looking ridiculous.

Some of this ignorance/ avoidance has probably served me well, and some is perhaps serving me ill. Off for a makeover I go!

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