Aging Thread

[Nessa 23]

So here's my deal. I just turned 30 and I just don't like the way my face looks. So it's time for a change. I have to confess i don't wear sunscreen on my face. I have a very oily face and have been suffering from acne since I was a teen. I keep it under control only if I wash and treat with benzoyl peroxide. And the reason I avoid sunscreen is that anything I put on my face makes the acne even worse.

My problem nowadays is that I see a lot of wrinkles under my eyes, dark circles and uneven skin tone. I avoid buying products because I'm afraid it'll give me more acne.

Would you share what you wear, if any anti-wrinkle cream, what works for you. What kind of concealer, foundation and/or powder that looks natural and do the job.

I don't wear make-up, because I just don't know how to make it look natural. Every time I buy something to hide my skin problems, like concealer, powder, it makes it look so fake, flaky and unless you're 20 feet away you can see it. And also, the powder or concealer makes my wrinkles even more visible, it helps with skin tone and hide the dark circles, but my wrinkles look way worse.

I see most women with perfect make up, how do they do that? Is there a place I can learn how to do it, a person that can tell me what I can and cannot use? If I was in my country I could go to a dermatologist that would help me. But here I'm lost. Tricare will probably decline if i ask to see a dermatologist, since it's cosmetic, not a medical condition.

I appreciate any input.

btw, Here's a poll I started

[웃 910]

There are 1000s of YouTube videos on makeup and anti-aging applications. I didn't know this until recently (last week) when I found my wife watching them. She did this "rainbow" look the other day:

This is 2 minutes long on 'advanced skincare--aging skin', I have no idea what is said because my headphones are out of batteries:

Hello Kitty makeup:

[Staashi 371]

Nessa, have you tried the L'Oreal mineral makeup? I have found that CVS normally has it buy one get one free, plus if you don't like it you can return it no questions asked with your receipt. I don't know what your skin is like, but I use their (L'Oreal's) translucent powder just to even out my skin tone and then use a bronzer from Milani just to give me a little glow. I enjoy the mineral makeup as it seems to give me a natural look, which I prefer. I hate to feel really made up. I would also suggest checking out Serious Skin Care, it is a line on HSN - I've seen amazing results for some people with their products - they've been on HSN for more than 13 years. Very good track record for results. Honestly, HSN wouldn't carry it if it didn't work.

[Nessa 23]

i'll check out the youtube videos

Nessa, have you tried the L'Oreal mineral makeup? I have found that CVS normally has it buy one get one free, plus if you don't like it you can return it no questions asked with your receipt. I don't know what your skin is like, but I use their (L'Oreal's) translucent powder just to even out my skin tone and then use a bronzer from Milani just to give me a little glow. I enjoy the mineral makeup as it seems to give me a natural look, which I prefer. I hate to feel really made up. I would also suggest checking out Serious Skin Care, it is a line on HSN - I've seen amazing results for some people with their products - they've been on HSN for more than 13 years. Very good track record for results. Honestly, HSN wouldn't carry it if it didn't work.

thanks. yes i've tried loreal mineral. i have acne holes, it's not gigantic, little tiny holes, they're on my nose and my and my cheecks, next to my nose. when i put powder on the holes look even worse. the only part of my face that handles makeup looking natural is the side of my cheeks, where i put blush, my forehead and my chin.

i don't know what kind of concealer would look less visible, if the stick one, or the liquid one, or the cream style.

Edited June 17, 2009 by Nessa

[Amby 490]

Nessa my sister has really bad acne. I will call her later to ask what she uses. Her makeup routine takes about 30 minutes

[Nessa 23]

Nessa my sister has really bad acne. I will call her later to ask what she uses. Her makeup routine takes about 30 minutes

wow

[SP&JM 0]

i'll check out the youtube videos

Nessa, have you tried the L'Oreal mineral makeup? I have found that CVS normally has it buy one get one free, plus if you don't like it you can return it no questions asked with your receipt. I don't know what your skin is like, but I use their (L'Oreal's) translucent powder just to even out my skin tone and then use a bronzer from Milani just to give me a little glow. I enjoy the mineral makeup as it seems to give me a natural look, which I prefer. I hate to feel really made up. I would also suggest checking out Serious Skin Care, it is a line on HSN - I've seen amazing results for some people with their products - they've been on HSN for more than 13 years. Very good track record for results. Honestly, HSN wouldn't carry it if it didn't work.

thanks. yes i've tried loreal mineral. i have acne holes, it's not gigantic, little tiny holes, they're on my nose and my and my cheecks, next to my nose. when i put powder on the holes look even worse. the only part of my face that handles makeup looking natural is the side of my cheeks, where i put blush, my forehead and my chin.

i don't know what kind of concealer would look less visible, if the stick one, or the liquid one, or the cream style.

My skin is pretty oily too, and the L'Oreal mineral powder works for me reasonably well. It doesn't really stay 'till the end of the day of work, but any makeup that is "long-lasting" usually makes me break out. One thing that seems to make makeup look nicer longer (and hide some imperfections like pores/slight scarring) is using a base before applying makeup. I had YSL matt touch primer (it's easy to find on the website, I just did) and I really liked it. It made foundation last longer and reduced some of the shine factor. It costs $42 a tube but it doesn't take much per application, but when I quit working and moved to Spain I stopped spending money on myself so I don't use it anymore. *Note to self - start using it again.* Again, doesn't seem to cause any breakouts.

I still use Clearasil like a 13-year-old. My mom swears by safeguard soap...and it does seem to clear things up (yes, I know, it's a dermatologist's nightmare, but hey - she looks pretty good). I also use Neutrogena Healthy Skin face lotion SPF15 (can be found on website). It doesn't seem to make me break out, and I only use a little and let it soak in completely before applying makeup (as long as possible, but def the length of time it takes to brush teeth, get dressed, style hair). The soak-in time seems to help keep makeup from melting off.

As for eye cream, as I understand it the skin around your eyes is fragile and different from the rest of your face. Because of that, it doesn't break out - so go as rich as you want to. I used to use Clinique back when I spent $ (see above) and liked it - they have a couple different options but I used the one with SPF15. There is another one that doesn't contain any sunscreen but does contain light-diffusers which did brighten the area pretty well and also moisturized. Now I'm using some olive oil-based stuff that I bought on sale at CVS because it was going out of business and it seems to hydrate pretty well. It doesn't contain sunscreen, though, so it won't work for the summer. I'll probably buy the Clinique stuff again next time I go through the airport.

I haven't found a natural-looking under-eye concealer. I use some stuff now that isn't the best and BLEND. Once it runs out I'll try to find something different. Basically, my makeup takes 2 minutes; the skin care/prep before-hand takes 5-10 with some wait time. It seems like a lot, but I also started to notice some little wrinkles on my forehead when waking up or after frowning/squinting and I want to stop that before it gets started. I hate to admit it, but someday I'll probably go the Botox route. I never thought I would, but the first signs of aging are scary and I'm vainer (more vain?) than I thought I was.

Right, sorry about the epic novel.

Sam

[JVKn'CVO 11]

To make my foundation look natural I moisturize with Aveno clean complexion daily moisturizer, then apply a dot of foundation (Neutrogena skin clearing foundation) on my forehead, one on my chin, and one on each cheek. Then I put an extra dot of moisturizer on the finger(s) that I use to spread the foundation - this makes the makeup slide better. The result is a very light coverage that does not look pasty or overdone

I used a heavier foundation before (Neutrogena's pretty light) and what I would do is just mix it with moisturizer in my palm to make it less heavy and help it spread more evenly.

Also, whenever applying anything around the eyes, like cream, concealer, etc start from the outside and work inwards, never the opposite - so you go against the wrinkles and not with them, and help prevent them.

Saludos,

Caro

[Amby 490]

Nessa my sister has really bad acne. I will call her later to ask what she uses. Her makeup routine takes about 30 minutes

wow

I'm not joking here...all together it takes her almost 2hrs to get ready each day! I am NOT that dedicated to looking hot. I get frustrated when it takes me like 20 minutes to get ready.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

I use cliniques age defence moisturizer with SPF 25 because they one for combination to oily and oily to oily skin. I'm too fair to be in this sun with nothing. If you go to a macys or any department store with clinique counter and ask the counter if the have any samples of what you are looking for to try before you buy. That sample lasted me well over a month and it was free. A lot better than paying$40 and finding out it's not right. They also has some sort of dermabrasion thing aswell that's new feels nice still working on the free sample.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Physicians formula makes a tinted moisturizer called "Organic Wear" with SPF 15. I it. http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/pro...ail//02157.html

Its just enough to even out the skintone and the most important thing... SPF!

In my early 20's I wouldnt leave the house without makeup on, well most foundation has SPF. I stopped wearing foundation for about a year and could really tell that the sun was starting to change my skin. So I started hunting for something natural with SPF.

sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen

[Jenn! 918]

Spas that have cosmetologists on staff often offer makeup consultations. Around here it would cost about $100, but they would tailor instruction to your skin type and recommend products that you should be using. I think it might be worth the cost rather than just trying products that other people recommend and finding out they're not quite right for you.

You could also look up "image consultants". Sometimes they market themselves under that title, although image consultants really encompass a broad range of specialties.

Edited June 17, 2009 by Jenn!

[Peikko 1,575]

I do not use make up. I agree that if you are close, it is very hard to make it look anything but fake particularly if you are trying to hide blemishes.

If your skin is actually damaged by sun exposure I would think that some kind of cosmetic surgery is the only answer if you deem that you can not yet live with fine lines and shallow wrinkles. There is one cream that is supposed to repair damaged skin that they have been promoting in the UK but I have not used it and do not know if it would make your acne problems worse or not. Perhaps there are other creams that genuinely work, but I do not know.

I would imagine that from now on, you would need to avoid sun exposure. I have several friends who have over the years done exactly that and their skin is remarkable for people in their age. It is possible to avoid exposure by wearing hats but that may not be a look you can live with either.

I believe there are dietary means of keeping skin elasticity but it is not grounded in any evidence, just something that seems to work for me, but then again it could simply be hereditary and skin type.

I am in the minority, but personally I can live with the character that aging brings, at least I can with looks. When it comes to health and mobility I will be a lot more pissed off

Edited June 17, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Nessa 23]

thanks for all the advices, it helps a lot. I talked to a Lancome lady at the PX, she helped me some. She applied a concealer on my face, and it had the same flaky fake look of when i do it at home. She said the skin under my eyes are different and i need to apply something different there ( i applied the retinol i have to treat acne and my skin under my eyes got extremely red). i never tried foundation, i should buy one with sunscreen.

[natty bumppo 297]

So here's my deal. I just turned 30 and I just don't like the way my face looks. So it's time for a change. I have to confess i don't wear sunscreen on my face. I have a very oily face and have been suffering from acne since I was a teen. I keep it under control only if I wash and treat with benzoyl peroxide. And the reason I avoid sunscreen is that anything I put on my face makes the acne even worse.

My problem nowadays is that I see a lot of wrinkles under my eyes, dark circles and uneven skin tone. I avoid buying products because I'm afraid it'll give me more acne.

Nessa ... you're a working mom with a charles to raise (ummm ... not sure that was stated correctly )

sleepless nights and long days do take their toll and leave dark circles and sometimes an uneven skin tone around the eyes. Isa and I have this going on. have you gotten to the point where you sleepwalk for the first hour after you wake every morning?

don't forget to review your diet. some foods will cause me to break-out (and I'm an old person) and I can see the same in Isa as well.

Edited June 17, 2009 by Natty Bumppo