Looking for New Skin Care/Makeup Suggestions

I am just starting to wear more make-up myself (I'm 37). I have my fathers (Indian) skin, so it has always had pretty good elasticity and very rare problems with acne. I have used Noxzema since I was about 12, and still sear by it to this day. I don't wear foundation, but did start using powder earlier this year due to wanting to even things out. I really like Clinique's "Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder" - it just seems lighter than other brands I have tried. I also like their eye shadows a lot - they last the whole day. For eyeliner and mascara I have tried lots of brands, but keep going back to Maybelline Great Lash and their quickliner (I think that's what it is called). Lips, I just buy what's on sale. It all seems the same to me.

I use 4 things every day - powder, eye shadow, eyeliner, and gloss. I use the mascara if it's date night or something special is happening. All total, less than 4 minutes and I'm done. :)

My sister just got the Clairsonic and raves about it!

For makeup, have you tried Bare Escentuals? It's amazing. My sister is really good about makeup & stuff, and gave me a kit, and it was easy to use, and I just felt like I looked great whenever I used it. Try it out at Sephora, or I think Macy's might even have a counter for them now.

Don't we all wish we could do celebrity facials & makeup artists daily? :)

Hi Jen,

I use Sei Bella and Body Satin brands from Melaleuca, the wellness company. They are very natural (nobodys is completely) and actually are healing because of the pharmaceutical grade supplements and botanicals. Nicole Miller, a customer of Melaleuca, instigated the line in 1997 because of a need for her models. The fragrances are all fruit oils and feel good on the skin and my awful crow's feet were gone within six months of using their eye cream. I really like looking younger than my husband....vanity I guess :)

M.

Used Mary Kay stuff for years and loved it. But once I hit 40 my chemistry changed and I can't use it anymore. *Yes, I've tried the Time Wise stuff and don't like it so please don't message me to try it.

But I struggled for years. We were on vacation a few years back and I got a facial with Naturopathica products. My face didn't turn bright red, feel like it was on fire and breakout! I still used them. Of course no one around here carries the products so I just get them from the website. I just turned 49 and people are always telling me they are surprised.

I really don't wear much make up. But a year or so ago discovered Lover Cosmetics. Literally 4-5 steps max!

I am a Clinique fan. I am 49 and I have used this line since I was around 11. I pass for early 30's. I know a lot of it has to do with good genes and a lot of it has to do with my routine which I am very faithful about.

My 16 yr old daughter also uses Clinique and loves it.

We both use the makeup products as well.

Currently, I am using the repairwear laser focus to keep little wrinkles at bay, repairwear intensive eye creme, youth surge day and night creme. Of course, SUNSCREEN.

My favorite place to shop Clinique is Neimans because they have excellent reps who know what they are talking about. They also give out good samples!

Another good place to try is Sephora if you have one in your area. They carry many of the top brands and can help you. For instance, I use a Christian Dior lash conditioner/primer and Clinique High Impact mascara. Since I started using the primer, I've had 4 people ask me if I had lash extensions because of how it enhances lashes. It is not cheap, around $30, but I love it.

Ok, so here is what my suggestions are ...
Face routine Aveeno Positivly Ageless line- my mom started using this after my reccomendation and instantly saw and felt improvement. You should only need Cleanser and Moisture day/night including their eye cream.
Make Up options -- For an everyday light/natural look I like the Aveeno Tinted Moisturizer with a face powder to set the right brozer/blush combo, brown mascara and soft eye liner with a cream shimmery shadow (use a eye make up primer), with lip gloss.
IF you are going out at night you can add the bare minerals powder foundation to areas that might need a bit more coverage, same liner, cream shadow (Benefit's "birthday suite" is great) add a rich eye color like a warm/rich brown - plum - carbon/black (takes practice for this color) to the corner/crease depending on the shape of your eye and a black mascara for night with a lip color vs gloss. Honestly, make up should enhance for the most part, unless you enjoy having fun ... but be aware darker colors can add age and it depends on your eye/face shape -- so many people use colors WRONG for their eyes/face and add age. I have seen a 20yr old who was not tought how to properly apply that made her look closer to her mid 30's.

Arbonne International has all natural products, they don't leave you feeling greasy or weighed down with makeup they don't contain mineral oil, they are hypallergenic, have no animal products or by products, no fillers,They are gluten free, PBA free and the list of has and has nots goes on and on. Our RE9 Advanced Anti Aging products are wonderful they smell great and work great. There are 4 steps wash, toner, serum for day night, day cream and night cream. Once you do it a few times it takes like a minute to follow the daily regime. We also have masques, make up etc. I can send you a free sample of it if you would like. The sample lasts at least 10 days. You will see results in a few days. Just PM me and I will gather your information and get that in the mail right away. It is never to early to fight those wrinkles.

Great suggestions here. I just wanted to add some great advice I recently got from my facialist after I had microderm done - the point of sloughing off (scrubbing/clarisonic) is to allow your skin to (yes, look brighter/youner) but also make it easier to absorb/accept the lotions/treatments. SO you will definately want a great skin cream to go with your clarasonic.
Here are some other tips given to me (33 yo skin). Eye cream!! Salsylic (sp) products, skin brightening/retinol, sunscreen daily and scrub weekly:)
I use a combination of products, but do like the timewise collection from MK. Got as a gift and really noticed a difference.
I use aveda powder occassionally, so no help on the makeup front here LOL!
Good luck.

The only skin care stuff that doesn't make me break out is DHC. Even cetaphil makes me break out! I was skeptical at first but it's been great. Kind of on the expensive side but worth it, knowing what my skin would be like otherwise. I don't use the "mild lotion" toner, but the mild soap, olive oil makeup remover and olive oil moisturizer are great.

Hello, sounds like you have looked into make up, however remember you must use a skincare regimen so that you have a good foundation to use the makeup. Think of your skin as a painters canvas. Also, your skin is your bodies largest organ. Remember that it needs nourishment. Mary kay has a minerals line.
Www.mWww.marykay.com/jearnold-dillow

I use Walgreens as my cosmetics department. This after years of being a Clinque girl. Simply cannot afford that anymore! LOL

I use the Garnier line of skin care, cleansers and moisturizers. And while I may not see an noticeable improvement in the fine lines around my eyes, I have not seen them getting any worse.

I exfoliate my face when I take my daily shower, apply an under eye cream and a light day moisturizer. At night I wash my face with a cream cleanser, use an overnight cream before bed, and the same under eye cream.

I also just discovered Cover Girl's NatureLux foundation. It feels like a dream, fairly sheer, low shine, easy to apply.

I use Almay and the occasional Maybelline eye makeup also.

Best thing about Walgreen's - keep the receipt, try the make up, if you don't like it you can return it - no questions asked.

IMHO

God Bless

I love Melaleuca's Sei Bella skin care and makeup line. I have oily skin with some dry patches and have just started to notice some lines getting just a little bit deeper and more more ingrained on my face ( I was actually considering Botox too). I switched to Sei Bella moisturizer and anti-age serum, and noticed a huge difference in my skin in a very short time.
And I don't have a lot of time either, so my bedtime routine is less than 5 minutes and the morning routine is 10 minutes and that is including makeup.

Check out the cell labs line. I love it. It's the same as 3 labs which they sell in Saks but a fraction of the price. Also, try motives cosmetics. Google motives and you will see some great press. It's in a ton of magazines right now. The idea behind Motives was to make the quality better than Channel but with the price point of Mac. The colors have more pigment then other lines so it lasts longer. I own franchises on the internet but the make up is what I specialize in. If you have any quesitons please feel free to contact me. I use both of these lines and love them.
You can find them at.........
www.coliryan.com

Origins. Every time I have switched products and had one of those demo "facials" with the other brands, I have wanted to RUN home and wash my face with soap and water. Not with Origins. I love the way my skin feels since I started using their products. My skin feels soft and looks great!

I tried this at an event, and thought it was pretty good. I'm very minimal for makeup, and I liked the fact that you only need a few items to do your whole routine. I also don't feel "greasy" after few hours of wearing their stuff.

http://www.mommymakeup.com/

Like you, I have small children and very little time for myself. I love Origins products because they are healthier for my skin, easy to use (none of those 10 step beauty routines), and moderately priced. They help me keep a natural look with just a couple products. They also have products that help improve the look of "mature" skin ---I guess that's what you call our skin in our 30's and 40's and beyond. Check them out online at www.origins.com or find them in a local mall. I've used Origins products for about 4 years now.

I like my Mary Kay Regiment. Timewise by Mary Kay. Easy to use and no there are not 15 million dif products LOL! Not nearly as pricey as Chanel :)

A huge Mary Kay fan. I use the Timewise Cleanser and Moisturizer daily and all the glamour products. I guess this is why I'm a consultant. :)
But go with what makes your skin feel clean and fresh. If your face feels weighted down, then you are using way to much product. And try to stay with one brand because switching brands up can make your face break out or have the opposite effect you are looking for.
Good luck.

Nordstroms is the only store that seems to carry it but Smashbox is amazing makeup. Their cleansers and such stink, if they have them at all, but makeup wise I have never seen anything that can perfect skin like theirs does.