Finally...
...yes, finally, we are being listened to. It's happening ladies. We - women of a certain, FABULOUS, age are having our views listened to.
So it's something slightly different from me today. It's something where you get a chance to have your say, before I embark on an exciting project with Max Factor.
Max Factor are relaunching their brand and are listening to women over 40 about what OUR needs are from our make up (behind the scenes video here). In the coming months, I shall be working alongside Max Factor to bring you a personalised approach to how we tackle what, for me, has become a slightly thorny subject.
For us to get the answers we want, you're going to have to ask me the questions. What do YOU want from your make up? Do you feel that the beauty industry are interested in us at our age? Is there anything in particular, any products or techniques that you would like to know more about? What sort of look would you most like to answer? Are you more interested in new products or how to apply them? Or do you feel that someone else on the market has already sussed exactly what you need?
So I'll go first. For me, it's confusing. I find make up counters and the sheer volume of product available, confusing. Until recently, the last time I had a makeover by someone who knew what they were doing, was for my wedding. Yes my wedding, which was 15 years ago. In fact, I still use the blusher that I bought for my wedding. The. Shame.
And even when I've had a makeover, I still haven't learnt how I should use the products and WHAT products work. Which reminds me - when I say "products", I don't mean an arsenal of them. For an every day look, I want to use not very many and I want to use them quickly. I am happy to spend an extra... ok let's be honest, three minutes or thereabouts - on an evening look. But I'd rather have fewer products that I regularly use.
I am confident in saying that most of us are hungry for knowledge and WANT to know more but for example, we don't want to learn how to contour within an inch of our lives. Personally, I am happy to invest in new products but ones that work for me and for my life.
I don't want to look younger, I don't want to look different, I just want to look like the best version of me that I can.
So over to you...tell me what you want from your make up? What look do you find most difficult to easily achieve? What would you like to learn? Is there a holy grail product that you're looking for?
I am so looking forward to this journey and you are all welcome to join me - championing the beauty of the older woman, embracing the faces that we have earned and making the very most of them.
And a blog post wouldn't be a blog post without an outfit...last night out for dinner.
Blouse - Boden (gift aw17)
Trousers - Karen Millen (part of paid partnership ss18)
Boots - Zara (current)
Glitter Bag - I Know The Queen (gift aw16)
Really looking forward to hearing your queries, comments and suggestions. Their new video can be seen here - it's definitely nothing like I've seen from a makeup brand before! Happy Saturday!
This post was written as part of an ongoing paid partnership with Max Factor. All editorial content and opinions are my own.
I'd love to know how to achieve a good base. By that I mean something that's not too heavy, I want my skin to look plump and dewy without looking oily and something that doesn't settle in the cracks!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI don't want to look like a drag queen when I go out. Lots of evening make up feels too sparkly or too dark.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been a lover of foundation because I’ve always found it too heavy but now I’m getting older I feel I need a bit more coverage on my skin. I’d like a foundation that looks like I’m not wearing one an my skin still looks & feels like my skin. I take a lot of medication which makes me look tired so also something to make me look like I’ve had a good nights sleep! Not a lot to ask for there I know ��
ReplyDeleteI've not worn makeup for around 5 months - nothing - nada! I'm fed up of the plethora of products out there. I'm 47 years old and to be honest I've never worn a lot of makeup but geeze the whole industry has exploded into one confusing lot of creams and contours and bronzers and highlights and brow gels and this and that. Who has the time to figure all that out. And the teeny-bopper at the makeup counter who's made up from here to Timbuktu certainly isn't going to understand my need for simplicity.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to look like me - a put together me. I don't want to feel like I have 15 layers of paint on my face - honestly gravity is bad enough without having heavy makeup pulling my jowls south.
So natural simplicity is key for me.
Congratulations on working with Max Factor! So exciting �� My makeup problem as I get older that I can't find a foundation for my skin - my pores are getting more visible which the dewy finish foundations aimed at my age group only highlight. But the heavier more matt coverage foundations make me look half dead. And also eye makeup. I'd love to apply my eye makeup better but the all eye makeup tutorial are for younger eyes
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! Would love to know how to apply highlighter when you don't have cheekbones and don't want to look like an extra from Lion King and how to put eye shadow on when skin us starting to get a bit crepe -i am avoiding the top half of my eye!!! Also what order to put stuff on what goes first etc. Hope that's helpful -love your blogs!!
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head "I just want to look like the best version of me that I can."
ReplyDeleteSomething simple, that takes max 5 minutes, enhances the colour of my eyes, doesn't feel like a mask, and stops me looking too washed out (I'm a brunette with increasing amounts of grey 'highlights').
Oh and I would love to be able to do an eyeliner flick (If that's the right term)!
Concealer. One that doesn't flake or settle into (and magnify) fine lines. One with excellent coverage but isn't too thick, so that it covers dark circles and other imperfections. I've tried them all and have spent a fortune looking for the right one. Estee Lauder's double wear concealer is the best I've found but it isn't perfect, and is expensive when bought frequently.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's exactly what I was going to say
DeleteI agree re the foundation...the ones which actually stay on.my skin all day tend to be a bit heavy (double wear anyone?) Definately needs sun screen in it too. I'd also like eye make up...mascara and liner....which doesn't slide off my eyes by the end of the day. Finally
ReplyDelete..yes..I want to look like the best version of me..with dewy skin and long eye lashes. ..but not to look like I'm wearing a shed load of make up!
I would love to have a foundation that stays put all day without looking as if you are wearing a mask and that doesn’t make your collars look like shit within a nanosecond. Also a pencil liner that is soft and stays in place without running down the cheeks. I may be in my 60’s but- hello I want to look good
ReplyDeleteWith you on the pencil business Eunice
DeleteFor me it's all about the eye pencil..I have hoods (delightful term) every pencil on my top lid comes off I am forever having to reapply.As I have matured I steer clear of black and usually go for a grey..I would just like it to stay put at least for a while..Congratulations on the new string to your bow.Its great to have the view from someone over 35 great they want to listen..We are a big group of ladies who have disposable income to spend on the right product
ReplyDeleteHelp with hoods! Soft soft eye pencil, blushers that look natural and not too pink, mascaras that add volume, I don't need length I need volume as my lashes seem a lot sparser (weeps). I use Bobbi Brown foundation and I do think that gives a bit of oomph without too heavy, the same with the corrector and concealer - would recommend. I would like some instruction on brushes - what to use for what. I've got some Becca highlighter that I just shove on randomly and a dark contouring thing that again I just shove on with a different brush but I'm not sure.... would also like to know how to use powder, it can be very aging but a quick once over with something light and pearly would look nice I think. Will be very interested in this.......
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Cat! This is fantastic news. I’d like bases that give glow and light coverage and add moisture. Nothing heavy or that looks caked on but thin in texture! And glow without glitter/shimmer. Non drag queen eye makeup and reiterating what others have said about soft eyeliners that don’t run down your face. I’ve given up wearing any eye makeup except mascara. Matt lipsticks that don’t feel heavy or dry lips out. More cream based blushers.
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to see your full collaboration with them.
I’d love to know how to do eye make up for approaching 40.....when everything is a little bit saggier! I don’t want to look like mutton but I don’t want to look older for my age either. Oh and absolute honesty from a beauty brand wouldn’t go amiss!
ReplyDeleteI'm 50 but want to stay fresh looking, I want to be able to do a natural looking make up even if it takes a bit longer.Have started trying more complicated (!) Skin care (the ordinary) in an effort to make the canvas better!
ReplyDeleteLove the ordinary, my skin hasn't been this well hydrated in the winter for about five years!
DeleteDewy. Moist... long lasting. Eye liner that doesn’t ‘transfer’ to under brow area. Mascara that doesn’t melt. Products to add to day make up to ‘tart’ it up for the evening...
ReplyDeleteI’m 54 and wear a little make up every day, but I would love some makeup designed for my age group. I don’t feel old, but without make up I look a bit pale and tired, with too much make up I look worse. My skin is getting that slightly crepey texture, and shimmer just emphasises fine lines, red lips especialy mat deep reds are very aging. My brows are getting finer every year but I think drawing them on looks harsh, so yes any help in this area would be great
ReplyDeleteI’m 46. I want a dewy, day look that makes me look fresh but doesn’t involve a zillion products. Also tips for eye bags and smokey eyes
ReplyDeleteFoundation with anti aging serum (ie skin care benefit) and mature sales assistants - not young girls with flawless skin who have no life experience.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with many of the other comments - afoundation which is not like a mask but which offers good coverage but with a radiant , fresh look - without being shiny ! Too much to ask ??!! And also containing SPF . I’d also like the perfect eye palette - not a massive one - but a neutral for the lids, a bit of shine, something to contour and a dark shade ( plum or dark brown ) to line the eyes. I’ve never found the perfect combo . Then I’d like to know how to achieve different looks with those colours - quickly !!
ReplyDeleteDelighted for you with the collaboration - well done . Go and represent us all ! X
Great news Kat. Love your blog. Companies really need to understand that women over 40 are a key demographic. I became peri menopausal at 42 and this really affected my skin among many other things so had to change skincare and make up;(peri menopause great craic all the pms but with hot flushes etc). Now 47 I have found after much experimentation, Kiehls skincare works for me, hydroplumping serum under 24 hour moisturiser. I don't know uf these will work for anyone else but they work for me. Make up wise this is my go to: Touch eclat foundation, lightweight, good coverage, dewy without shimmer, Mac creme blush and Mac Twig lippie, love Benefit mascara but would take JCB to remove it so keep for special occasions. Use Mac Extended Play mascara daily for very fine eye lashes and Benefit brow pencil, use urban decay eyeshadow and angled brush instead of eye pencil just along lash line. Big find from last year was Hour Glass bronzer (can also be used to contour) available from Space NK. Bought for wedding in Rome in August so had to look natural and stay put in 35 degree heat. It really worked as photos through out the day showed. It's €50 but I reckon I'll probably get another two years out of it. I'm a mother, head up an organisation and doing an MBA part time so no time for extended make up routine. Everything has to work. Ha! I can now get make up done using the above in 7 minutes (time available from dropping youngest to running for train).
ReplyDeleteGreat news Kat. Love your blog. Companies really need to understand that women over 40 are a key demographic. I became peri menopausal at 42 and this really affected my skin among many other things so had to change skincare and make up;(peri menopause great craic all the pms but with hot flushes etc). Now 47 I have found after much experimentation, Kiehls skincare works for me, hydroplumping serum under 24 hour moisturiser. I don't know uf these will work for anyone else but they work for me. Make up wise this is my go to: Touch eclat foundation, lightweight, good coverage, dewy without shimmer, Mac creme blush and Mac Twig lippie, love Benefit mascara but would take JCB to remove it so keep for special occasions. Use Mac Extended Play mascara daily for very fine eye lashes and Benefit brow pencil, use urban decay eyeshadow and angled brush instead of eye pencil just along lash line. Big find from last year was Hour Glass bronzer (can also be used to contour) available from Space NK. Bought for wedding in Rome in August so had to look natural and stay put in 35 degree heat. It really worked as photos through out the day showed. It's €50 but I reckon I'll probably get another two years out of it. I'm a mother, head up an organisation and doing an MBA part time so no time for extended make up routine. Everything has to work. Ha! I can now get make up done using the above in 7 minutes (time available from dropping youngest to running for train).
ReplyDeleteI want a foundation that is light, an excellent colour match, won't sit in my fine lines, won't rub off, will last the day and most importantly will make me look young and dewy (dewey??) Must have a high SPF in it!
ReplyDeleteI also want simplicity..... why stock mascaras where one promises length, another promises volume, another promises drama, another promises waterproofing, I WANT IT ALL! Same for brows!
Oh and how about colour matching.....if this is your skin shade (maybe from a range) then these lipsticks will suit you, or something like that.
Keep it all simple, affordable and don't baffle me with too many choices or I'll panic and go elsewhere.
I find there are plenty of products that do the job but I'm always moving onto another one in case they do the job better! I feel I've been wearing the same eye makeup since I was 20 so could do with some new ideas! There is just so much stuff now and every eye shadow palette seems to have 12 colours that all do the job of 4! xx
ReplyDeleteReally very happy to say, your post is very interesting to read.I never stop myself to say something about it.
ReplyDeleteYou’re doing a great job. Keep it up
Time for extended make up routine. Everything has to work https://banksnear-me.com/bank-of-america-near-me/
ReplyDeleteHa! I can now get make up done using the above in 7 minutes