Very little is the answer.
I’m having a three-way conversation with Cindy, Sandra and Beth about how our make-up has changed since we embraced our silver hair. My make-up has altered but I am not entirely sure whether this is to do with a change of hair colour or a few extra years under my belt.
For me, less is more.
I’m noting I wear less and less when it comes to make-up but what I do use I am most particular about. Other elements reflect my choices and they come down to how my skin is looking. Less sleep, a high sugar diet and dehydration have a huge impact on my face. No make-up can hide the fact I have over-indulged or underslept.
Coincidentally since leaving my hair to its natural state my use of serum and rich moisturising cream have intensified. Not only does my skin require this but also it enhances any type of foundation. Serum plus a thin mix of primer is everything in terms of finish. By the finish, I mean smooth with an element of “glow”, “dewy” or “sheen” and a slight swish through the T-zone of translucent powder. The only time I excessively use powder all over is when I am filming a video for IGTV or Live. Too much powder enhances any imperfections in our skin but when filming it seems to have the reverse effect.
I have accepted I will never look how I once imagined or wished but I have also become content and relaxed about my appearance. Looking my best is my goal but no longer do I want the impossible or seek a miracle cure.
What goes on?
*A liberal dose of Serum (Suzanne Kaufman Serum Line A is amazing and my choice right now) and a good amount of Moisturiser – mixed with Smashbox Photo Finish primer – ensures the tinted coverage will be smooth and without streaks.
*The Tinted Moisturiser – I’m mad about Bobbi Brown’s Intensive Skin Foundation for Day and Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda for the evening. Both are wonderful products and give the skin a decent coverage without looking over-done. The “too much make-up look” with a silver hair complement is not where I want to be. Laura Mercier Translucent Powder is my go-to for the T-zone. Baggy eye days and I reach for the Clé de Peau concealer.
*For Lips and Cheeks – I’m working with minimal products – it’s my mood right now – and for lips and cheeks, I am using Bobbi Brown Art Sticks. The colours are well pigmented, creamy enough for a decent finish on both and eliminate the problem of a clash between facial areas. I use a nude or a deep red when the mood strikes.
*Around the Eyes – I leave pretty much alone. They were never my most striking feature and I tend to stick to a pencil and mascara to do the work. These days I use the Sisley Paris Eye-Twist or the Nars Eyeliner Stylo if I want a more defined line. I don’t underline my lower lashes as the eyes tend to look smaller so it’s really all about shading the upper lids and coating the eyelashes generously. My mascara of choice is Chanel Le Volume. The greatest asset for my eyes is a statement pair of reading glasses.
*Eyebrows make the world of difference – These I tint to be a much darker shade as they define the area and really enhance the face. It’s one treatment I never want to go without and one I do myself between beauty appointments. An eyebrow gel from BBB London holds them in place.
There are other make-up must-haves I wax and wane with – the bronzer, a highlighter here and there and oftentimes a lip pencil but when I’m truly feeling low maintenance, these are all I need. Give me a choice of only 3? Eyebrow gel, translucent powder and red lipstick can get me pretty much anywhere. As long as my eyebrows and lashes are freshly tinted.
My hair hasn’t really changed my approach to make-up other than I wear what works for me.
Join Beth, Sandra and Cindy to read their thoughts. xv
p.s
Have you read better, not younger?
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HELLO!
I have been using the BOBBI BROWN ART STICKS for a few years now!I LOVE THEM!They are the only lipstick that does not run into my lip lines!I had NO IDEA I can use for cheeks too!OFF TO TRY THAT If I can MOVE from LA COMPUTER this morning!SO MANY great TIPS and YES I READ BETTER NOT YOUNGER!YOUR NEW BOOK IS A DELIGHT!
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!
XX
Thank you Elizabeth… Be gentle with the pencil on your cheeks you only need a dab.. and put it on your hand and warm a little first and apply with your fingertips.. you will get a very good result this way :)
OKAY, will try that TIP TODAY!!!
MERCI!
XX
Vicki-What do you use to tint your lashes? That is my biggest beauty challenge In this time. Thank you for your wonderful emails. I have been a fan for quite a few years!
I have been using an at-home kit Nancy, from Amazon… it’s very easy although don’t leave it on too long like me!!
https://amzn.to/2APX6dt
I apply then wipe off after 30seconds, re-apply and wipe off again after 30seconds… until I’m happy with the result. The first time I just left it… not great .. ha ha. If there are stubborn greys I use an old mascara brush to re-apply on those at the end… all the hairs take colour at different times. I’m no expert but it will work well enough until you can…
Thank you so much, Vicki! I have ordered….been hesitant to do myself, but with your recommendation I feel much more confident! Thanks for all your good writing and messages.
Wonderful… just go slowly with it Nancy.. you can keep re-applying until you get the desired effect… but if you leave it too long it takes weeks to fade… Also don’t be frightened that it is too dark when you open it… it’s ok…. :) Good luck and let me know.
Oh, I love the European view on all things beauty. You definitely have a European. Look. I can’t get away with less the way you can. How interesting to wear a serum with your primer. Of course I must try that. I also love those Bobbi Brown Pencils. I do wear some lip gloss on top. Interesting when I did a cooking show for the Food Network they simply used a nude lip gloss for my lips. I thought it would never show up, but it does. I also have to use powder when filming. Otherwise I just use a touch down my t-zone. Your curated look is just perfect!
You are legendary with your make-up Sandra and such an expert in application… it’s not my strong suit. I wish I lived closer and I would knock on your door for a session!! :)
…and you can be content about yr appearance. You really look fantastic , particularly
on the first photo. Don’t know B.B. sun protection but with SFP35 it is the right product for my beach walks …though I will try. Thank you for your extensive and interesting advice.
Thank you Rena :)
Hi Vicki
This was a wonderful post. I am interested in the fact that you combine your serum with your primer as well. I gave up on primers because I could not find one that I liked. I also want to try the brow gel. I am wondering what color I would need. Does it do a good job coloring the stray grays? I think these posts are especially beneficial now since we cannot get into the stores to try anything. We have to rely on each other. Thank you again for joining us.
The Tom Ford Illuminating Primer is extraordinary if you want to invest but the Smashbox is excellent esp mixed as I suggested. Brow gel with a slight grey or brown tint .. I chose the grey/dark option because I like dark brows with my hair… it is really great for holding the brows and in between tints. When my brows are well tinted a clear gel works fine and I find applying the wand so much easier than powders or pencils. :)
Good morning, Vicki!
OK, I have bookmarked this post. First of all, you look so beautiful without makeup. I go without makeup the entire summer since I don’t go anywhere, and pre-pandemic days, all I’d wear was lipstick when going out to the shoppes. However now, with having to wear masks, I don’t even bother with my signature red lips.
What I can see in your beautiful face is HEALTH. That natural glow that comes from within both a happy soul and a healthy lifestyle. That is what I strive for and the glow from good health is what I hope to have all the days of my life. I do however, love the sound of these products because though I still perceive myself as having decent skin, I do think that a good serum as you mention here will be critical to use. Now that my hair is growing (It’s getting long!) and has streaks of gray, I think it will be essential to keep a healthy skin glow to complement the inevitable challenges that brittle gray hairs bring around the frame of the face.
Thank you again my friend for such a lovely share.
It’s hard work to look natural ;)
I cannot wait to see your hair longer and with a little silver… it will suit you so well ..
Thank you for this well researched post! So many things to try….
I am curious to learn about where you shop for your reading glasses??
Donna,
I shall write a post on this later on this week with all my tips and tricks :)
I shall do a bit of research so I can let you know where to find some good frames..
Oh how I love your dramatic glasses!
One trick… recycle your old sunglasses as reading glasses… I often do this if the lenses are worn or I feel like a change. Often sunglasses have fabulous shapes…
Love the black “frames” on you!
Thank you Stephanie :)
Those are from Cutler and Gross… :)
Hi Vicki, you mentioned the reading glasses as your “important product”. I love it, and I would like to know the brand name of the yellow ones. As always, I enjoy every one of your posts.
The yellow ones I found in Venice at Ottica Urbani.. I will write a post on them soon as I’m always looking for great glasses :)
https://www.otticaurbani.com/en/collections/3/classic
I agree with you that less is more when it comes to us ladies with graying hair. A few top quality products is all we need.
Would you mind sharing where you got your brown eyeglasses from. They are beautiful and it covers a large area.
I would appreciate it. Thanks.
I will do a feature on glasses very soon… and share all my favourites.. :)
I love your look. It is actually very similar to mine (Facebook: Linda Boardman Kerr, if you are curious). I agree that less is more, and skincare is more important than makeup as we age. But WOW, the price of some of these items!! I’d rather spend my hard-earned money on a meal splurge, or nice hotel room…There are great products which are more affordable. The markup on some cosmetics is crazy!
I’m very middle-class I guess. But style doesn’t require lots of money, I know….Your blog is one of my very favorites, hope you don’t mind my criticism….
Never and I agree.. i am always happy to hear your views.. I love that… and agree some things are too much .. which is why I use the Smashbox Primer when the Tom Ford is amazing but very exy… I do use my products sparingly so find over time it works out pretty well… :)
Less is more…i like that! Having dry sensitive skin my whole life I’ve had to be careful on what I use. So, this is what I use for the day …for my face I use a mineral based sunscreen with a drop of serum, eye creme on the wrinkles around my eyes I brush a bronzer around my face and under my cheek bone and some blush for my cheeks and always my lipstick. For night I use a creme and spot corrector. Having white/grey hair tends to wash me out so this is my daily routine. I appreciate you posting updates on facial care and make up and how you add sensitive skin to the mix. Bobbi Brown Art sticks and the Sisley eye creme is on my check list…Love your glasses Vicki…they are truly eye candy:-)
Thank you Jeanne.. I think they make all the difference.. I wear them for reading and as I seem to be doing some version of that most of the day, they are always somewhere close :)
Thank you Vicki for posting what we all want to read in this disturbing world we are all in at the moment. Opening my inbox to see something I love reading is just the distraction we need as everyone in the public eye doesn’t have to make a comment on what is happening as we are all aware of it.
I’ve found it relaxing to spend more time on home facials and masks and feel my skin is much better for this along with no make up at all. I have emptied all drawers and decided to use up all the pots of creams and lotion mainly French before I buy any other and have loved it. It’s given me time to really look what suits me too. I also love the Art Sticks and always have the Bare colour tucked in all bags, it’s so easy to use and the colour stays. The one thing I can’t do without is my reading glasses and have a couple of pairs thank goodness as last week I accidentally sat on a pair and the arm is now loose!! Opticians opening soon I hope!
Janet, That was my biggest fear during lockdown here… that I would break my glasses!
Can you suggest some bronzers? I’m very pale, very sun- sensitive, and still a bit oily.
Thanks for the skincare and makeup post- need the diversion!
I will … I am always cautious with them as I have a habit of looking ridiculous with bronzer… too strong in shade or badly applied… sometimes I use a highlighter from Charlotte Tilbury which has the same effect and I find easier.
Thanks V, for the respite. I taught in racially isolated schools and buried students who left too soon.
I so appreciate every post and admire your style and attitude. Thank you.
Georgia, thank you… it is impossible for me to put into words what I feel about what is happening.. so I leave it to those who I feel can express more succinctly and expertly than me. We all have much to learn .. and I am sure your experience makes you very aware of this. Your compliment has made my morning :)
I certainly subscribe to the less is more as I’m ageing and I’ll certainly check out a couple of those recommendations but the truth is, I’m here to confess ….oh Vicki I felt sooo ready for my silver crown after 3 months of iso but I’ve weakened after spotting a particularly unflattering glance at my regrowth under fluro lighting last week. I’m so annoyed and find myself feeling regret because I was probably only two haircuts away from a full crown!! (regret also because the dye has really grabbed my white wings and they are now a shade of what I’m calling Ronald McDonald) Oh well, back to the start of the process.
Don’t give up Andrea… it’s a minor setback and will make you been more determined to follow through now. And don’t look in the mirror from the back for now!! ;)
I enjoy your advice and have subscribed to your newsletter, but I don’t receive it in my email. I’m not sure why it doesn’t arrive to my inbox, I also check my spam box and it’s not there either. I usually go to your site each day to read your newest post. Thanks for your perspective. Loya
Hello Loya,
Thank you so much :)
It may be that you subscribed to a “weekly” and I very rarely send those… I shall update your subscription, so you receive them as they show here.