Looking for a Makeup Line - Seeking Objective Advice for Age Appropriate

I'm not a big make-up wearer, but Mary Kay is my go to brand for all things make-up. They'll often come to you! You don't have to go seek it out. It's more personal and the consultant gets to know you and things that will work for you.

Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals) make up is wonderful. If you tune in to QVC today, you'll see a today's special value of skin care, but the Q has many nice kits. You can order from bareescentuals.com; it is also sold at Sephora, Ulta, some Macy's and Ulta stores. There are many shades so you shouldn't have a problem getting color matched. Some people say an e/s pot is expensive, but it lasts forever. Good luck. (PS, I live in VA, too)

Bare Essentials - I'm 40 and love them. If you can go to the Bare Essentials store and have them show you how to apply it and which of the products to use.

Mary Kay all the way!

Check into Mary Kay. 100% satisfaction guarantee and you get to try before you by!!!

I love Mary Kay, but don't sell it (just buy from a friend who does). Their makeup comes in nice colors that suit my fair 40-year-old skin. The makeup is high quality and lasts. Really happy with all of my purchases. I used to switch brands all the time, but haven't since I started using MK about six months ago.

Love my mary kay. I've been using it since my teens and now in my early 30's still using it.

Bare Escentials & Mary Kay....Love 'em :)

I would skip the department store and go to a Sephora. Sephora only hires licensed cosmetologists and estheticians. A LOT of the people hired at department stores are not licensed. They are simply hired and given a bit of training. (Not all of them are not licensed, but many many aren't) I have used mineral makeup for years now and I have incredibly sensitive skin. I have had good luck with Bare Minerals. They might seem pricey but last a lot longer then the drug store makeup.

I've used all Clinique since I was about 11. I am 49 now and I look earely 30's. I attribute that to Clinique products, my face cleansing routine, moisturizing routine, sunscreen and good genes.

THey stand by their products, money back if you do not like it. I don't use a ton of make-up but I love the mascara, blush, eye liner and shadow.

I've changed the CLinique products as I age. My 16 yr old has used it since she was 11 as well.

Well, you won't find my recommendation at Nordstrom, but it's definitely the best in my opinion - and I DON'T sell it. Mary Kay is where it's at as far as I am concerned. I'm 31 and Caucasian. I've tried Clinque (the worst stuff I've ever used in my life! I've never really had skin problems, but when I started wearing Clinique my face broke out terribly! Men were asking me what was going on with my skin that's how bad it was! After having used it for two months, it was the only thing I could think that I had changed and within three days of discontinuing use my face was completely clear and back to it's old self.) as well as MAC and a few other drug store brands, but Mary Kay is really the best stuff I've ever used. I've been using it for 6 years now and it's worth every penny! The one thing I don't do that they tell you to do with the system is wash my face twice per day. I only wash my face at night and then in the morning I simply splash my face with warm water, pat it dry and then add moisturizer and continue with the foundation and so on. It really is a great system, but remember, every one's skin is different.

I agree with skipping the department store and going to Sephora. I'm 40 and love Bare Minerals. Have fun finding a new make-up!

I am just 2 years younger than you, and I really like Bare Minerals. I went into Ulta (it's a chain, but I'm not sure if you have it there in VA) back in November and got the starter kit. It included 3 brushes, a small lotion, your base, warmth (for color), and the mineral seal. I do not recall the exact price, but I waited until I got the 20% off discount coupon they run periodically. I went in and had the girl help with selecting my shade and she applied it to me.

I am not sure about the lotion since I have n ot even opened it. I have a fantastic skin regimen that I am very happy with (the estiticians always ask me what I use whenever I go in for facials) so I have no need for it. I just ran out of the veil, but the base and the warmth should last for at least the year. My only complaint is that it is not travel friendly for the car. Since I am on the phone a lot during the day I need touch up on that side of my face, and I hate not having it with me.

Hi - If I were you, I'd go to Sephora and ask them to suggest products across brands. That way you won't be limited to one brand or one set of colors - you can pick and choose what works best for your skin type and coloring. I like Bare Minerals foundation or Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (depending on season - Bare Minerals feels dry to me in the winter), Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer (great for under-eye circles, especially if you have fine lines), Tarte cheek stain (so much better than powder blush - gives you that "lit from within" look) and lip stain, Smashbox eyeshadow, and CoverGirl Remarkable mascara. The only one I can't get from Sephora is the mascara, but I buy that cheap at drugstore.com. Have fun!

EDITED: Sorry, forgot to say that one of the most important things if you have fine lines is a good primer. It smoothes the lines and helps your foundation and blush stay on (and prevents them from settling into the lines). I like Sephora brand primer, but Smashbox's is also good.

So, as my 32nd birthday approached, I realized I still had (and used) makeup from when i was in high school. I told my mom it was time I learned to do my makeup as an adult. She made me an appointment at le Norman for a consultation/lesson. They guide you through using their products, help you choose colors and learn how to apply using samples, and at the end you buy what you like. My mother bought me about $200 worth of makeup, but nearly two years later, I've still got plenty.

Love my Mary Kay mineral powder foundation. Won't use anything else.

I think I tried them all and with I would have found Arbonne sooner. I an 47 and started using Arbonne 4 years ago. I wish I would have started using it sooner...I would have had fewer wrinkles to get rid of. I love how my skin looks and feels and using vegan, botanically based products is also good for my whole body. The anti-aging line is amazing. Make-up is organic and also vegan certified. The makeup primer is my favorite. The make-up stays on beautifully all day and looks great.

I am 32, pretty fair skin. Before kids I wore Clinique. It really worked for my skin. Then after the kiddos came it seemed like a lot of money to spend on me and looked a little too "made up" for a stay at home mom in jeans.
Now I use the mineral make up. LOVE IT! I've actually used the stuff Mary Kay sells and the mineral make up they sell at Ulta (Bare Minerals or Bare Escentuals is the name). It really is great stuff. Even on days when I don't do much I just swoop that powder on and I look so even and awake! No caking or sticking or looking like makeup. I always use this for my powder but eye shadow and other things I actually just pick up a drug store brand to save money. I am very happy with Carmindy's line of make up (from what not to wear). It's made my sally Hansen and only sold at CVS - use those rewards bucks to get free :)

Hope that helped!
For drug store brands

I would go with Bobbi Brown for sure-esp if you are going for an 'everyday face' At our age I think MAC can be a little too much for everyday-although I love the line. Bobbi Browns shades and formulations are really flattering IMO and look very natural. You should call for the appointment and make sure you get it with their 'artist' and not just a makeup salesgirl. It makes a difference. I recently had a MAC makeover at Nordstrom and the MAC artist was great and he pulled from all of the lines and not just MAC.

BTW-mineral makeup is a chief offender of accentuating the fine lines so be careful with that.

Most of what I use these days comes from Avon. I like their mineral foundation a lot.

Smashbox! My mom and I both use it. LOVE IT! And they have a clear, weightless, grease-less product that you put under your make up to smooth everything out so there is no worry about it settling into lines. Have fun!

I am biased when it comes to this because I love this company.... Origins. It is an estee lauder company so they do know what they are doing when it comes to makeup. They have some great eyeshadows, and you can really get some key colors that you can make different combinations with to either dress up or go casual. You should always have these few things, because they will make ALL the difference: Foundation ( liquid is always better than powder ) Blush, and at least two eyeshadow colors and mascara. Eyeliner is nice for evening, but not always necessary during the day- AND you can use a darker shadow and a line brush and make it your eyeliner. Oh and one lipstick is always good. I know it may sound like a lot but its not. I would say go in there with a plan. Know what items you want, and ask them for suggestions. They are trained to sell you more than you came in for- it wont be stuff that you wont need, but if price is an issue, stick to what you want and thats it. good luck, and I wish you had included your eye color so I couldve made color suggestions!

A lot of products out there do more damage than they are worth. Here in DE there was recently a big write up in our local paper about the long term damage that may products cause so be careful and research the ingredients.

I strongly suggest Sei Bella products.

Sephora is great! I like having a ton of brands in one place. I enjoy the website too, as you can read reviews of the products before you buy. That helps me narrow it down and then you can go to the store to pick a color, if you are more comfortable with that. I also just discovered Laura Gellar products and I really like them. I don't think Sephora carries her line, but she has a website and also sells on QVC. I use some Philosophy stuff as well. I use a variety of brands but I do alot of research and try to find the best of whatever it is.

Definatly look into Philosophy, it is amazing. Good coverage, good for your skin, and they have a million different products and they are all wonderful! I dont wear anything else.

I love Nars and Stila for eyecolor and lipstick. Clarins for skincare and drug store for mascara, covergirl or revlon foundation and definitly drugstore nailpolish. Like one person suggested go to Sephora but if you go to Nordstroms jsut walk around look at the counter person whose make-up you most admire and ask them to make you up. Then hold strong for the big sales pitch and buy only what you want.

Hi, I am not sure if I'm too late to the game since I just saw this in my email, however, I am almost 37, a Mom of a 1 year old, and have hormone issues that make my skin a bit difficult to handle at times. I totally go with Bobbi Brown all the way. I tend to go to Norstrom at Tyson's, or to Neiman Marcus at Tyson's II - not that I'd even stepped foot into a Neaman's before wearing Bobbi Brown.

I use it because it doesn't feel like I am wearing heavy makeup, I always look natural, their coverage products really cover (either dark undereye areas, hyperpigmentation, red splotches, etc.) since they are yellow-based, and they never try to sell me something I don't want! I still have some of the first shadows I purchased 10 years ago, and they are still great - I just add a thing here and there to update my look when I want to.

I would also highly recommend getting a good skin care regimen going if you don't already have a good one for your skin, at our age, since our skin changes every few years. I go to a one-woman small business - Esthete European Skin Care, in the Tyson's area (not the mall) and my skin is always clear and healthy, which makes any makeup look more finished and polished. I tend to use either the right GM Collin or Dr Grandel products throughout the year. The aesthetician (Shari) is amazing, and has a four year degree from Germany in just skin.

Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me with any questions. I have no affiliation with either Bobbi or Esthete.

Take care,
J

My mom likes Mally (I don't have lines yet and I don't wear anything but mascara and something on the lips on the very rare occasion so I can't vouch for it myself). Good luck.

I love Neutrogena's Mineral Make up foundation powder. It's light, yet covers what I need it to. Also, their mascara is awesome. I also use their blush. Other than that, I don't really wear much else. Good luck!

Hi SM,
Have you tried Avon's ANEW line of skincare? There is a product for each age starting at 30. I use the blue which is the Rejuvenate line and I really like it. Even my husband uses the facial cleanser.

I love Laura Mercier, especially the skincare line. It's pricey, but the ingredients (no silicone!) promote healthy skin. You look like you only more polished.