Was reading Allure last night - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Was reading Allure last night

Mo

(website)

Veteran

. . . and thought maybe I want to take more time with the whole beauty thing. I am terrible at 'upkeep' shall we call it. I don't really do much of anything to my hair 90% of the time, and I know I could use 5 more minutes worth of make up in the mornings. Heck, I was reading how some makeup artists use like 3 mascaras on the celebrities and some lipstick layering tricks that take up to 9 products!! I don't use gloss more than once in the morning and call it done.
I don't mean to say I want to look like the celebrities on red carpets, but perhaps some foundation over my sunspots and brow pencil or lip color wouldn't hurt this over 40 face.
Having to put my hair up for work for most of the last 20 years has also possibly affected my experimentation, or lack thereof, of styling it.

Anyway, I took out my deep wine colored polish and did my nails last night at least. Put on some Jergen's gradual tan lotion this morning. Might bleach my teeth with white strips later on Lol.

Off Topic

21 replies

Latest reply was from Irene

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Mo! But you're so pretty already!

But I totally get you. I still do the 5 minute makeup thing, and I figure if anyone has an issue with it, then THEY can wake up extra early in the morning to do 9 layers of lip stuff.

I am a little worried about the chemicals that I expose myself to in makeup, so I always check on the Skin Deep website

Btw; bleaching your teeth makes them really sensitive! I had better luck with a better toothbrush (I have this flippin' expensive sonic set up) and a better toothpaste.

Jules

Veteran

Pshaw, you don't look a day over 30. Talk to me when you're actually aging

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Lyn, thanks! Yeah, I my steps toward a beauty 'routine' would still be mild in comparison to most gals, I'm sure I just got to thinking, I spend quite a bit more time or effort on my clothes in comparison to any beauty rituals. I don't do salon days. Never have. A haircut is it. (TMI, but I never even tended my bikini line or tweezed my brows until my mid to late 20's!) That's what dating a hippie for 7 years will get you LOL.
Basically, a few more minutes (at least on my off days if not waking earlier on work days where I put my hair back anyway) might yield some better results and present a whole package look, if you will. Just something I want to play around with a little I think.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm lax, but the horse is already out of the barn, but the best beauty routine is probably no smoking, sunscreen w/o much sun, no/little drinking, no yo-yo dieting, and good genes. Well, at least I have never smoked and weight doesn't yo-yo too much!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I don't know. I wore more make in my 20-30's than I do now. I do like a bold lip now more though.

Raisin

Veteran

That's funny Mo, I'm going completely the other way, I guess having a baby back in the mix makes me want simple routines. Today I used just moisturizer, sunscreen, and mascara. Oh yah, a dab of concealer under my eyes. It was fast, though maybe I didn't look my red carpet best, lol.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Well, for what it was worth, I curled 4 sections of hair, put on lip stain and make-up on my blemishes/spots. A touch of bronzer/blush.
My before pic is my usual tinted moisturizer with mascara, maybe blush (but no one ever sees because I put so little) out bowling last week. I have a friend who is a regular Alan Funt with his little candid camera moments

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Good topic Mo. I think it's important to keep up with "maintenance" especially as I get into my, more adult years. Tweezing those little stray hairs on the chin, or the noticeable mustache hairs. Exfoliating. And more exfoliating. lol. Keeping the long eyebrow hairs and nose hairs trimmed. Using good moisturizer. Using good conditioner. And then more conditioner (for me at least). I use a salicylic acid for skin imperfections and for fine line reduction. I use it one day and within 2 days I get a very mild peeling at the location it was applied.

I have done at home whitening strips. I don't find them to be too strong for me but then again, I also don't find them to work miracles. And I don't plan to give up red wine anytime soon.

I keep makeup to a minimum but I still wear it every day. I use a light foundation from Origins only where needed - unless I will be in the sun, then I use an SPF version more liberally. Bare minerals "Clear Radiance" blush is hardly noticeable so no fear of red "marks" on or under the cheeks. I use it on my eyelids too. I add some plum or navy eyeliner on top and upward just a hint (never downward at the edges) to define my eyes and divert attention from any bagginess under them, and brown-black mascara for me. Then I use one of several colored natural lip glosses I like from Buxom or Alba. I find that many darker lip colors make teeth look worse than they really are. For me, more of a natural, neutral color works or something just a bit pink.

I wonder if Greg is going to add that makeup section someone suggested...

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I don't think you need to pump up the volume on either the hair care or make-up. Your look is more of the naturally pretty girl next door and too much make-up might detract from that. Wasn't it Christie Brinkley who was considered to be in that group in her heyday? She seemed to gravitate to the less is more style and it really worked.

catgirl

Veteran

I felt that need recently too. And I am TOTALLY low maintenance but birthdays give me a nudge sometimes. Don't even own a hairbrush!

My solution has been BB cream. I'm testing an expensive (Two Faced) and a cheap (Garnier) brand. Not that much difference from what I can see between the two, but it really gives a natural yet polished look, almost blurred like you're in soft focus. I just slap it on over moisturizer and it's good for the day.

Jules

Veteran

Yeah I like the BB cream too for the soft focus effect. And after someone on the forum mentioned it I got some Burt's Bees tinted lip balm. I think in additon to colour it makes my lips look smoother/younger. This is the closest thing I've had to a makeup routine in my life
I still can't be bothered with mascara every day but I do like the Stila tube product. It does not smudge and comes off with just warm water and light pressure (you basically pull of the tubes). I hated the removal process with regular mascara. Shh don't tell... sometimes I even leave the Stila on overnight and wear it the next day too! How's that for RATE!

Jules

Veteran

Your hair looks gorgeous like that btw. But so does your regular 'do!

Jules

Veteran

Excuse my triple post but the edit button is a lttle flaky for me. Just wanted to say that I never thought I'd be hanging out with fellow low maintenance types, talking about how little makeup we wear, on a fasion forum Love it!
But yeah, as I am actually aging, I find a few simple things help.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Jules cracked me up with the overnight mascara confession. The Origins product I use comes off very easily with glycerin soap and water in the shower. I never use waterproof versions. I remember back in the 80's when some mascara products were like ink - VERY hard to get off! That never suited me. I like a lip product that I'm not afraid to eat - Burt's Bees, Alba and a few others are good in that regard.

Isabel

Veteran

This is such a timely post...and now I want to run out and buy Allure. I was actually at the pharmacy picking up meds for my dad and I was looking for it, but they were sold out.

I have also been starting to feel that I need to do more....and yes, maintain more. I just keep reading and hearing how that is more important as we get older and how the make up needs to get more natural. So I started youtubing how to videos the day after my surgery ( hey, I had time to kill between naps ).

And this is what I found : there is a gel/cream cuticle remover ! My god ! It is wonderful. So I did my nails. They look good. : )
I went back to vitamin E oil to put on my nails and cuticles at night. They look sooo much better. There is a serum that I have been using for the last two weeks that combines antioxidants ( Vit. A, E, and Ferulic acid ) and Hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl ( a retinol substitution ). So now, instead of having 3 steps, that I skip because I am tired, I do one step. Done. Nighty night. Also about 80% cheaper. I have learned how to use a little "shimmer" on my cheekbones. Yes, I have been practicing. So now, I am actually wearing make up everyday. Even when I don't go out. I get up, use a moisturizing witch hazel on my face to clean it and apply my serum. Then a BB cream that I mixed in with a sunscreen. A quick concealer swipe that I also mixed with BB cream and some blush. If I am going out I do the mascara. Two coats. I have also started using a cheek and lip tint that I am really liking. So after I do the my cheeks , I tint my lips. If I go out, Burts Bees gloss, which I love and lasts me a good while. I have it down to about 7 minutes. I do all the same treatments on my hands, neck and chest : Serum, sunblock. ( At night I use the Mia with CeraVe moisturizing cleanser . )

And yes Mo, I was shocked when watching the tutorials at the amount of make up and time that it was taking to "do" and "easy" face. One video by Bobbi Brown actually had her applying FIVE coats of mascara. Apply, wait to dry, apply, wait to dry , OMG !

Like you, I want to have a good skin routine. I want to look "maintained" and not "camouflaged". Does that make sense ? ( I am a sunblock fanatic, BTW. )

My hair is always the struggle for me. I just hate doing it. Hate it. I also have not colored it in months. So I am seriously thinking of taking $300 out of my clothes budget and going to a good hair salon and saying "give me a cut natural to my hair characteristics that I don't have to do much to
. "

I am exhausted just writing about it ! LOL !

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, Isabel! I didn't even think about my hands. Maybe because they are so abused with climbing. I recently discovered highlighter too - it just makes me look more awake and glowy. I am using this:

http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.....w/watts-up

My entire face routine post shower is:

Lotion
bb cream (as of the last week or so)
highlighter
eyeliner
lipstick

It takes me 3 minutes max. I don't bother with mascara or other fancy eye stuff because of my glasses.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am going to add the covering up my spots and using brow pencil. I already do mascara and lipgloss in the mornings. Maybe I can get in the habit of lip reapplication throughout the day. Confession: I don't always wash my face at the end of the day, either. I really need to do this every night, no matter what.
As for the hair, I am going to have to break down and color it. Either myself or at the salon. My hairdresser is also a good friend, so I should just ask her about products the next time I see her out and about. My biggest hair fail is just letting it go. I'm sure the right product or two could really help style it - whether that is a piecey look or beachy waves or whatever.

Isabel

Veteran

I swear Mo, my age spots have lightened since I started using BB cream almost a year ago. I am also considering saving up and doing a laser treatment in a couple of years. I only have a small area, so it may be worth it and then sunblock, sunblock !!

I hate having to reapply lip stuff, so I like a tint. But I don't work so I can be alot more laid back about it.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Mo, for you I feel using lip color will have the most impact on your look. Possibly also try some eye shadow or liners as you have gorgeous large eyes so placing more focus on them could net satisfying results.

I have tried one BB cream and actually returned it as it was a universal color yet very orange on me, it did not work. No soft focus look.

Una I am curious what your cheap vs. expensive BB cream test results are.

Can any one else recommend a BB cream that would work on fair, aging and lightly freckled/sun spotted skin? Although if I used one, I would have to give up my Jergens gradual glow tanner which I love in the summer. Even though it seems to call out said freckles and sun spots even more.

Sheila

Veteran

(feeling ignorant...) What the heck is BB cream?

Irene

Veteran

My full-face involves.

- concealer (BARE MINERALS)
- lose powder foundation (BARE MINERALS)
- a bit of blush (Sephora, it's a peachy color)
- beige eyeshadow and mascara (sometimes) (L'Oreal and Bourjois)
- a mist of thermal water, which helps make everything look natural, plus is great for sensitive skin (try it, ladies!) (Avène eau Thermale)

it doesn't take me more than 5-10 mins (it's 10 if I ruin my mascara and have to re-start). I also straighten my hair a bit.

Some mornings I do it because I want to feel better about myself, other mornings I do it out of due respect to the people who have to see me and my unhealthy looking complexion (i think stress and anguish are giving me more breakouts, redness and purple eye-circles than what used to be normal).

I don't wear so much make up that I look like somebody else though, and I am perfectly capable of going out without any make up.