Wearing Makeup at 60+

Well, folks, after not wearing makeup for years, I am having to practice using foundation. I have a wedding to attend this winter, should the good Lord let me live and nothing happen. 

I have worn the occasional cosmetic, but I usually stick with eyeliner and lip gloss. The last time I owned foundation was a few years ago and I think I wore it three or four times total. Normally, I wouldn't bother, but I am going to be in the company of some fabulous girlie girls and would like to join in the reindeer games - at least when it comes to the photos! Also, this wedding is a 3-day affair; no need being the homeliest one in that many photos.

Now, here's the thing, I haven't worn makeup for so long the I was really having a time finding something suitable. My requirements are pretty standard:

• The shade has to be right. I don't want to look "made up" and I don't want my face to be a different color from my neck. 
• Back to the not looking made up, I'm shooting for a "no makeup" effect. Basically, I just want to even things out and have a "finished" look. Without looking like I tried!
• I don't want to leave makeup marks on everything. My or other people's clothing, dinner napkins, etc. That's so unattractive - especially with "deep" brown makeup. 
• Most of all, I don't want to irritate my skin.
• It would be nice if the result lasts for several hours. Back in the day, I hated doing touchups and regular blotting for shine control.
• Finally, sunscreen is a must.
• Final finally - LOL - is price. This makeup situation is temporary, so I don't want to splash out!

After 3 days of looking at different brands shades (and considering my requirements), I found something decent. I will have to make adjustments for sunscreen and the transfer situation.

I still had some Juvie ad Black Radiance to play around with (even though they are old) and am disappointed. The Juvia is as I remembered and good, but too heavy, My amazing Black Radiance no longer makes the same BB cream I loved. 

What I have learned is that cosmetics have come a long way since I wore them. 

The first thing I found was a color-matching product from Almay that did its job so well, it was like magic. I kind of love it for an everyday look. 

Goes on grayish &
blends in matching

Almost invisible 
it matches so close

My neighbor said it was fabulous for every day, but suggest for the wedding photos, I might want to "build it" more. Hmmm.  Since the Deep shade was only $4 and change, I'm going to try the concealer from the same line to see if it has more coverage. And I love that all the Deep shades are half what the other shades cost... And sticking with the under-five price, I went ahead and ordered some Maybelline Age Rewind. Just in case. 

The next wonderful thing I found is this stuff that... "grips" your makeup...

Child!

The first one I ordered, Amazon lost in the mail and had to refund me. The second one was so late arriving that the lost got to me. I've tried both and the work about the same, but maybe the Sheglam is friendlier to my skin and lasted longer.

That grip stuff solved some serious problems. First, it kept the foundation in place for hours. Also, it prevented transfer. It suctioned the foundation to my face like crazy - without drying my skin, Of course, I first applied all my moisturizer and sunscreen beforehand...

Now all I need to do is find some decent lip stain and I will be ready. I have some time to play around any get better at applying the makeup. Wedding photos, here I come!

Peace

--Free