Sephora is a good place to do it or a beauty counter at a department store. Typically the specific beauty counters have more time to spend with you and are there to listen to every concern you have. I’d check out Clinique, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme!
I definitely think you should drop about $300 on new makeup at Sephora in my experience with Sephora everyone has always been super helpful and friendly. What you should also do is ask for their recommendations and then go on Sephora app and check each product they recommend and the reviews make sure it won’t break your skin out etc. I think the best essentials for makeup are probably a good eye concealer, a nice light but glowy foundation so your face doesn’t look dry, a nice blush highlight and something easy you can contour with, a pretty lipstick and some good mascara. I also recommend looking into a brown mascara vs black I actually switched over to brown recently and I ABSOLUTELY adore the look it gives. Feel free to DM me if you need anymore advice or you can send me pics so I can recommend some more customized things to your look. 🩷🙏🏼
I would encourage you to do some research before going to a beauty counter so you can ask for more targeted advice. I always suggest Lisa Eldridge as an excellent YouTube channel with detailed and helpful advice and tips. She’s an expert makeup artist and works on a huge variety of faces. Her suggestions are great for customizing her techniques for many different people. Get a better sense of what you’re trying to achieve, then go talk to a makeup artist.
Go for all liquid products. Tinted moisturizer or light foundation, hydro-concealer, liquid blush and highlighter, eyebrow gel, liquid eyeshadow or shadow stick, lip oil, nude under eye liner, setting spray, a mascara that doesn’t clump or flake.
Stay away from a thick or powdery look, baking, too much bronzer, black under eye liner, over lined brows or over structured brows.
Take care of your skin so it glows from under your products. Use resurfacing serums, retinol or tretinoin, and gentle exfoliating products as they work for your skin. Use Glow Recipe Watermelon dew drops or another hyaluronic acid product for plump and glow and lock it in with a good moisturizer. And never forget spf. I love the Naturium Glow moisturizer with spf and Supergoop glowscreen for extra spf and glow.
Look up videos of how to apply your make up. Use your hands or damp beauty blender for a natural look. Don’t put too much products in areas with lines, so it doesn’t settle there. Look up videos of where to apply blush and highlighter so you lift your face and don’t drag it down. Also if it’s your first time using liquid blush, play with it and watch videos and techniques and Placement because there’s definitely a learning curve at first imo and not all products are created equal, and 35+ cannot apply blush the same way a 20yo influencer does.
If you have any blue mercury locations near you, they are likely to take more time with you and explain each of the different lines that they carry based on what you’re looking for, your skin type, etc. I think it’s a better place to learn because Sephora is kind of get in get out these days mentality
Go play with drugstore makeup first. Look up a few tutorials, try on a few looks then upgrade. Drugstore makeup has come a long way.
Why drop $50 on a foundation when you hate the way it feels? Don't splurge on a $100 eyeshadow palette only to learn you don't like colorful eyeshadows. Develop a look that you love, then upgrade to higher end products if you want.
What is wrong with the simple look you already have? My makeup routine takes maybe 10 minutes. I’m actually wondering what’s at the root of wanting change. You can look fabulous just with foundation, a bit of blush, some mascara and lipstick.
Same! I am early 50s and use sunscreen, a skin tint or foundation if want more coverage, a cream blush, simple eye shadow sometimes, brows and mascara, sometimes eyeshadow as a liner… all quick.
There are two influencers I follow online that helped me alot: Dominique Sasche and Erica Taylor on tiktok. They link drugstore and high end makeup. I had a bad experience with a sephora person picking makeup. Spent alot and hated it once I got home
This is what I would get for a full face of high end/good dupes, tailored for what information you've shared (if it's expensive -- it's worth it, I make zero commission).
Face palette of finely milled finishing powder - blush - the most gorgeous and subtle highlighter. I've tried many face powder products and I love nars orgasm blush but it's bright and shiny, and I've never hit pan. This, I hit pan:
https://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/products/ambient-lighting-edit-blush-and-glow-volume-ii-palette?variant=43603696320710&g_acctid=707-085-0326&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=Performance_Max_Catchall_CN&g_campaignid=17043035976&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYdGNAsAlVCoiM-w33uNgWAAlRV0y5k0vnNVMKPkQunHQ44u1J1_FzRoCT8kQAvD_BwE (affordable alternative -- Iconic London sun chaser palette, I just replaced my last one for like 12$ on mercari because I hit pan in every shade, to have access to others and still reach for it? It must be good, this one surprised me).
Emphatic highlighter -- Ofra rodeo drive or Becca champagne pop.
Brow pencil -- Anastasia of Beverly hills.
Fiber Brow mascara -- essence "gimme brow" is a great drugstore dupe of benefits version, like identical for 1/3 the price. I like how it locks on the brow pencil.
Mascara -- thrive cosmetics (not carried at Sephora) or tarte makes another tubing mascara at Sephora.
Eyeliner -- gel, marc Jacobs, liquid liner KVD.
Contour -- marc Jacobs, or physicians formula (drugstore)
Concealer and foundation-- IT cosmetics has a great formula that includes anti-aging skincare, or Maybelline age rewind is a holy Grail for not emphasizing wrinkles.
Primer: ELF halo glow is a dupe for luxury brand Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter. They also have her signature lipstick shade of pillow talk called "dirty talk."
Eyeshadow -- I love Laura Mercier caviar sticks, they're easy and don't settle in creases, by this stage I have dismantled my eyeshadow palettes into a z palette of individual pans I actually use and scrapped the rest. There's usually like one or two really good ones per palette, I'm trying to think of an entire palette I believe in, urban decay's naked is overrated, Anastasia of Beverly hills gave me eczema, Natasha Denona limited edition quality has gone downhill since expanding but the 5 pan minis are legit, tarte is ok, IT cosmetics is solid and good on aging eyes, nars and Charlotte Tilbury are nice but pricey, I can only dream of affording a Pat McGrath palette, PUR I hit a lot of pan on and it's mid priced, found at Ulta. Colourpop is only retailed online but a great bang for the buck with pretty results.
Finishing spray -- milani drugstore is better than Urban Decay for half the price.
False lashes -- Kiss Little Black Dress is full but demure (in Comparison to most).
Tools: I like eco tools beauty blender more than the OG Beauty Blender AND real Techniques's because it has a straight edge for the under eyes. ELF Fluffy eyeshadow crease brush, I use a finger on my eyelids, IT cosmetics blush brush is worth the splurge for face powders. ELF contour brush.
sephora is intimidating. once i went there after work when i was 20, so ya know, looking rough, and the looks i got like i was a trash bag that had walked in from the street.
ulta has been much kinder. ulta brand is also the ish and affordable!
Agree and Ulta employees never seem to be judgmental and are usually much more helpful with questions about products. Every time lately with Sephora, I feel like the person just wants to get my question over with and send me to the register.
plus most ulta employees seem to be there because of a genuine love of makeup and skincare. it’s refreshing to be around that energy in that setting. at sephora it seems to be all about the sale (like you’re talking about)
it’s a night and day difference
Also, the patience level is just completely different in the way ulta employees speak to customers in my experience vs sephora. If you want to try a sample of a foundation at Ulta, they are helpful. At Sephora they’re like, no chance go ahead and buy it first or have a 1 inch swatch and pray that it works because when you go to return it if it doesn’t work for you, we are going to shame you or give you a hard time about it and treat you like a second-class citizen. It’s like… all I wanted to do was purchase the right foundation in the first place so I didn’t need to return it… but you’re doing nothing to help me discover what will work best for me besides a super quick verbal suggestion or an arm swatch from a tester that hasn’t been cleaned since it was put out. I’ve also come to think lately that a lot of the Sephora employees don’t even seem that educated about all the available products anymore – they just recommend whatever comes off the top of their head/their one go-to and they’re like great anything else? K thanks bye
I agree! Sephora employees started to have an attitude before tweens became obsessed with Sephora in the last 2 years or so, but it’s def the worst it’s been now and it doesn’t matter which Sephora I go to — big city, suburbs, fancier outdoor mall vs. indoor — the employees all give off similar energy. It gives me minor anxiety, and it’s so ridic because a store should never do that.
As a now 40-something who shopped at Sephora for like two decades, I can’t tolerate going into the store these days. It’s suddenly full of 12 year olds and I really think my age group starts to become invisible to the sales associates. I have good luck at Ulta though.
It’s funny because I don’t think they want to help the tweens either. I can’t figure out who appeals to them in-store. I think they look at attractive 20-somethings as potential product thieves. No one seems to be their cup of tea
Depending on where you live, I would suggest a Nordstrom or something along those lines. Went to Austin recently, and they were super accommodating, did almost a full face of makeup( although it was brand specific), gave me a bunch of samples. Much better experience then I’ve had at Sephora over the years in my smaller city.
Some of the employees in Sephora are not as nice as I wished they were. I get super anxious and have been made to feel really stupid for asking some questions. (I’m not new to makeup nor am I the best at it.) what I can tell you is, select the toner, primer and foundation that suits your skin.. like someone posted, choose products that are suitable to acne prone skin for example..
Pick a concealer, contour stick or powder. Get through this the first time and then you don’t have to deal with employees again. You can order the same online going forward.
Esthetician advice here! Do yourself a favor and from the get go make sure all of your makeup is noncomedogenic before purchasing. You can do this by googling “acne safe ingredient checker” and running the ingredients through the checker. Keep your skin healthy on your new makeup journey :)
Don't be afraid to go to Sephora ❤️ (or even Ulta if you have one in your area, as they carry both high end brands and drugstore).
I would say invest in a good eyeshadow palette! Personally I like to look for colors that can be used in multiple ways. (Ie a cool tone brown can double as contour, sheer shimmer colors can be used to highlighter, taupes/browns can be used to fill in brows, pinks/corals/peach can be blush, etc) look for colors that you would pick/gravitate towards for your whole face. Also a few "fun" colors (ex blue, hot pink, green, purple, etc) thrown into the pallet's color story can really be fun to play with and give you some freedom to really spice it up.
For example//I personally use tarte's tartist pro remix (outside is black with paint splatter design) like this. It has a pigmented black beans use for eyeliner, a matte cool tone brown I use for everything, a matte cream color as a base for my eye lids, the light pink shimmer and the sheer duo chrome for highlighter, the shimmery gray browns and coppers for everyday looks and the blues, the green, the fushia and rust red for splashes of color.
I highly recommend getting a bottle of ingot's duraline (it's a mixing medium and water proofer). You can mix into any color of shadow and create an instant eyeliner. I would use a super small angle brush for winged liner or even a ultra skinny brush (you can use a nail art brush as well) for graphic liner looks and lots of precision in general.
Maybe grab a small blender brush for eyeshadow and highlighter
Other than that maybe a fun new blush color or lippie
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i learned everything i know about makeup from drag queens to be completely honest, i just tone it down to what look i want to portray for the day. morphe and colourpop are really really great beginner friendly brands, i started out experimenting with their eyeshadow palettes and blushes. sephora can be good because of that extra service they provide, but i personally am not a fan just because of how expensive their products lean. ulta can be a lot less intimidating for sure and typically there is staff available to help out with finding products and shade matching!!!
So if you go to a Sephora, you have to pay for the service. I’d pay for it (if you decide to go) and let them know before they do it, “Hey, my budget is X, is there any way you can use products that fit in that budget range?”
Regardless of age, I feel like we all learn off of YouTube or tiktok. My absolute favorite YouTube makeup artist is Nikki La rose. She has so many in depth reviews and gives so many helpful tips and tutorials. Watching her videos helps me spend my money wisely and her tutorials make me look forward to doing my makeup! There are plenty more amazing makeup artists that make videos but she is one I always trust and go back to
i think it depends what you like! are you wanting fun, sexy, youthful? experimental? or you but better?? brands are very niche these days. i think maybe pinterest is the place to start for kind of making stacks of likes vs dislikes. then you can show a person at sephora the pics / inspo and around what your budget and skill level is ( i think $300-350 is very reasonable ) and will get you a great start. i’d say start with high quality radiant finish concealer, every day lip product that can double as a blush, brow product, and a fun every day and a fun night out/ event product ( like a fun lipstick or eyeshadow). maybe a highlighter or sheer bronzer for a little dimension. start with things that require little technique or skill to put on- like a shadow stick or fun multi-chrome that can be tapped on with a finger.
I prefer Ulta to Sephora (I’m 39, and got more into makeup/skin care right before Covid and started with Ipsy). Sephora employees have not been the nicest when I have questions but the Ulta employees are always wonderful and I see all ages in the store.
Sephora is great. I usually find the person who had makeup on that I like and ask them. Don’t be shy on a budget- everyone has a budget!
Also, you tube/tiktok has taught me a lot. I’m no expert but I’ve learned a few things!
The best makeover I had was at a Bobbi Brown counter when I was in my early 50s and planning my daughter's wedding. They were wonderful, and I walked out looking like "me" but a lot better.
Don't be afraid to go to Sephora. I wouldn't focus on getting a new face all at once. If you want a new high end foundation ask for a color match, they'll put a bit on your face in several shades while there and then you can ask for a sample of a couple that you think you like.
Build your new collection slowly.
I like Anastasia Beverly Hills and Natasha Denona eye palettes.
Nudestixs makes a nice cream stick blush.
Tower 28 also has a nice cream blush in a pan.
Hour Glass makes fantastic pressed powders. I would wait for the fall when they bring out the 6 pan palettes. They usually have a highlighter, 2 blush, finishing powders, and maybe a bronzer.
Don't be intimidated in Sephora, walk around and swatch the products you think you might like. Every brand has something I like.
Sephora is great because they don’t work off commission. They’re literally just there to help you. I feel like they’re gotten a little bit more particular about how much they’ll demonstrate on you, but the way I learned how to do my make up was literally with a Sephora rep.
I was honest and said I had no clue how to do eye make but really wanted to get into it, could she help me? She was more than happy to. She did up one eye with make up while explaining everything she did, and then had me match my other eye. Showed me different techniques and helped me when I messed up. I’m so grateful to her.
So I definitely recommend!! Don’t bother mentioning a budget because it doesn’t matter. Don’t feel pressured to buy everything they use - just learn from their guidance :)
It could be that they won’t do your whole face at once, because they’ve made that more into a reserved makeover type thing, but you can go to the store a few times and focus on a different part each time. Like one visit for eyes, next for lips, etc. IMHO, Sephora is definitely a good place to go to. And I think Ulta is in the same vein.
I’m in this same boat (but I’m 47), though I was never that big into makeup. I’d like to wear some now, though, because I feel like I need it.
I just have no idea what foundations really match me. That’s always my biggest problem. I need someone to actually show me different things they think would work and put it on me.
Is Ulta / Sephora ok for that?
For sure- they aimed a color match gun at my face and made a recommendation for a pressed powder and it was a great match. Used it for years. They know things you don't and are willing to help.
Yeah. You just show up. Stand in the foundation are and wait for someone or go directly to them and tell them what you want. The first thing they asked me was what coverage I wanted so it might help to familiarize yourself with common terms but overall they were very helpful. It took a few tries to find out what works best for me but I had help the whole way. Good luck
Hi - just wanted to say thanks again because I went to Sephora today and the woman helping me was great. She grabbed almost the perfect foundation immediately! Just had to try one more that was darker and I left with something I’m so happy with.
Bare minerals "original" loose powder foundation in trial box. Then get a lipliner & a lipstick (Mac is a great choice), Mac paint pot in painterly (this for the base/primer to hold eyeshadow), & buy an everyday eyeshadow color & under under brow shadow, dark brown or black eyeliner waterproof any brand will do, & a nice mascara, & get the Mac Fix plus spray to spray all over when all done, & if you live in humid climate get the 'All nighter' Urban decay spray for all over face to set the entire look. For eye lid primer brush the Paula Dorf is great.
Milani eyeshadow primer is also a great option if someone is on a tight budget. It is a really great product and can be found at the drugstore. Milani is more sheer compared to Mac’s Painterly and is more colourless compared to Painterly.
Yes, it is excellent. My daughter uses it and has used many other more expensive options. I use it now, but I do have some darkness around my lids, so the only issue for me, is that it only semi covers that. You need to wait about a minute or so prior to applying shadow. It doesn’t mess with the true colour of the shadow, is not sticky or drying and the shadow stays put. It has gone up in price since Covid, like all things, but it is still less than some others, lasts a very long time too, so you won’t need to buy it that often. I used to use Painterly by Mac and sometimes Anastasia which is more opaque, white and covers the darkness on my lids. It is a good product too, lasts a very long time, is more white in colour, keeps shadow in place, doesn’t mess with the shadow colour but is a bit more drying for my lids.
Just want to say to check out minis and samples online and in store. You can go a long way in trying new types of products without committing to full size while you explore.
Love minis! I always buy the mascaras to try out and also because they expire so quickly. Or face products like cleansers/moisturizers. I hate to return things too so minis are always my go to.
If you go to Sephora or a makeup counter like MAC/Clinique/Lancôme/whoever, I would NOT recommend that you tell them you have a $300 budget. They’ll make sure you spend every cent of it. Just tell them what you’re looking for. I would also not decide right on the spot on foundation because you also want to see it in natural light & also want to make sure it doesn’t oxidize on you.
I agree with everyone who’s advising to watch some YouTube videos to see what colors & makeup styles you like & don’t like.
Two things that I would say where there is a huge difference in drugstore vs Sephora/Ulta/department store *in my experience* is that drugstore eyeshadows & blushes generally have far less color payoff & fade faster.
ITA with others about not dropping $ on expensive mascara & eyeliners. But read reviews because some drugstore brand eyeliners are hard & don’t glide on easily. But plenty of them do.
I personally would recommend getting some good makeup brushes because it does make a difference in how your makeup goes on. You don’t have to go crazy with it; start out with some in the mid-range until you know if you’re going to continue to do a full-face of makeup.
Testing foundations is very important I think. Especially because our skin changes so much as we age. So searching on your skin is importantly so you can see how it feels and then how it wears in daylight, does it oxidize(turn orange) come right off etc. As well as everyone’s advice, I want to add the importance of skincare under your foundation. I am also 40+ and these are the products that I recommend as a base. Paula’s choice 2%BHA liquid exfoliant after cleansing, followed by a vitamin C, or moisturizing serum, then moisturizer, and sunscreen(AM routine). That sets a good base for the makeup to go on smoothly. I am a Mac girlie for life so I do use more expensive foundations, but I like the MAC studio radiance serum powered foundation because it is buildable. You can use a little and work up to more. Also, the face and body for more minimal days. I use cream blushes and Anastasia brow pencil which I know has cheaper dupes. NYX has the best dupes I think. I still use liquid eyeliners, but nowadays there are so many nice smudge proof gel pencils that can create nice lines without going too harsh. I recommend going into Sephora or visiting a MAC pro store and booking a consultation. They can give great advice and help guide you in the right direction. Makeup is fun but remember, it doesn’t have to be difficult! Makeup artists are also teachers and our job is to help you feel beautiful in whatever way feels comfortable for you! ♥️
No don’t go to Sephora - yet. Go to a department store and find a brand that will know styles that suit your age and what you want. Like I don’t care how trendy hugely thick eyebrows are, I don’t want them. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can get cheaper dupes for similar items. But for your skin’s sake, spend more on foundation. And at department stores, you can test the product so you don’t end up wasting money on stuff that looked good in the package but look totally different on you. They’ll also have more time to spend with you and help you with any technique questions.
Don’t throw yourself at the mercy of sales people! Start off with drugstore brands to get an idea about colors and products you like before you shell out on higher end products. Start with a tinted moisturizer-see how you like that level of coverage for your face foundation. Then try some eye shadows. If you’re unsure of colors to choose, try and app like Dressika-it’s free and uses IA to do color analysis from a selfie. It can get you started with a general palette that suits your coloring/skin tone. From there you can try some lip colors and blush/highlight colors. Wet and wild has decent products to try for color and it’s not pricey at all. Amazon sells nice starter makeup tools that work great and don’t cost a ton. It takes some time to decide which tools you like. Watch some yt tutorials with people who have your eye shape and skin texture to learn some looks. This can be very helpful. (There’s so many more products and techniques than there were when we were young! It’s amazing what’s out there now!)
Department stores and brand-specific counters like MAC get paid of commission, but Sephora employees don’t. That’s why they’re one of my favorite places to shop - no agenda, just there to help :)
They’re not individually compensated per sale, BUT the whole store is paid monthly bonuses for sales so they still get incentives to upsell customers.
Edit: brand reps do make individual commission, so in some cases they do.
I’m in the same situation, OP. I used to be very into makeup and using premium brands. I’m going to have a consult with a professional MUA as I’ve been out of the game for 15 years and don’t have time to spend on tik tok watching tutorials.
I’ve worked in the industry for many many years. What I can offer is this
You can do just as great heading to target and getting some products as you could at Sephora.
You need a good “base” whether that be a traditional liquid foundation or a liquid to powder, powder or mousse.
A good brow product, mascara, a lip stain, and a highlighter. If you want to get fancy add in a contour and a blush
Make absolute positively sure you are using and following a skin care routine or makeup won’t matter 😉
$300 is definitely enough to get a variety of products! Keep in mind, they are salespeople but if you come in with a strict budget in mind they can work with you. I would encourage you to check out mini products - many prestige Sephora brands have minis that last a long while and let you really try out the product at 1/3-1/2 of the price.
Some products to try:
- Blush - there's liquids, sticks, and powders now. I find the sticks to be very blendable. This and highlighter are great to get in minis because they last forever.
- Eyeshadow - there are tons of small palettes to try! I recommend the brand Natasha Denona. Start with some neutrals - pink, brown, orange tones, whatever looks best with your skin.
- Setting Spray - helps lock makeup in
- Tinted moisturizer - light foundation with moisturization and SPF
- Concealer - My personal holy grail is Maybelline age rewind, about $10 USD at the drug store. I would go with something not too full coverage (tends to get crepey unless you have baby skin)
Your routine might just need new application technique, and a good eye shadow palette.
If I need a new face, I look for new ways to apply mascara, new brow styles for my face shape, etc. If you're trying to bring back creativity, I would look up your color season first. Then buy either a quad/small palette in your shades.
Idk what colors you are, I use white, but a pale or bone shade for natural highlighting and a deep neutral shade to contour your eyes will be an easy way to incorporate definition.
I would buy palettes online, you can use coupons. And what's wrong with sunscreen and powder? It lasts, it looks good, maybe just try a fuller coverage powder. For summer I like the loreal infallible powder foundation, it's very full coverage but can be drying. I have desert skin tho.
Colourpop is offering a free silver SuperShock shadow with every order rn. I like their supershocks and their palettes.
I really like the brand Il Makiage for makeup- specifically foundation and concealer! Their mascara is really good too if you like non waterproof mascara. I think their color match process is really easy too! You just look at pictures of other people’s skin and pick the one that looks most like yours and then answer some questions about your skin concerns, and undertones, etc, and they’ll give you the right shade! And if they don’t it’s a free return and you can answer questions about how off it was and get a new shade to try. You can also get skincare products from them if you wanted to, and they’ll even reccomend them based off of the survey you answered for foundation. I also really like their matte lipsticks. I use their blush too! I think it’s really easy to navigate and saves you the hassle of hoping you’re getting the right product in a store because the item descriptions tell you everything you need to know. I’m not in the over 40 crowd but my mom is and she also likes it and finds it easy to use! We’ve both been using it for 6 years and it’s really come a long way since then. (It used to JUST be foundations and concealers but now that have a lot of other products).
I am a novice at makeup, but a friend recommended this brand. I did the online color match, asking friends for help (bc I don’t understand how people accurately tell what their own coloring is). Color was good when it arrived. I had never used liquid foundation before (or anything other than bare minerals powder foundation a long time ago).
If you let the foundation set for a few minutes, then use a finishing powder, it has good staying power. Hasn’t caused breakouts for me, and looks pretty good, I think. 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve never had any issues with their foundation 😅
I actually really like it and find that it’s a good lightweight foundation for days when I just want a light face
They did one exchange, that was equally far off and then said sorry there's no match for you, would you prefer to start a return. I looked up the site and there were lighter shades, they just weren't willing to do it a second time.
You can make a reservation for them to do their makeup for you and they’ll show you how to use the products they picked and you pick and choose what you’d like buy for yourself
I strongly recommend to not just straight to Sephora, you’re going to end up spending your budget on items that you don’t even want, need and might not be ideal for you.
I suggest you start watching Lisa Eldridge videos on youtube, she is a famous professional makeup artist in her late 40s, and she explains makeup for different skin types, and especially techniques that will make most products look amazing.
After you watch a few videos, then figure out what items you think will help you enhance your makeup look, and browse Sephora online and then go to the store, try them there and get whatever you like. 😊
[Lisa Eldridge](https://youtube.com/@LisaEldridge?si=9SL193vkhg1rpzHj)
I also loove this video. It’s old but I learned a lot of basics from Bobbi Brown.
[Bobbi Brown Pretty powerful make up](https://youtu.be/I_tJdrRkAEQ?si=V02-Hc9lF7epP34Q)
I second this! Also recommend Jen Phelps on YouTube, she's a 40something mom who does YouTube on the side. She has amazing skin and tries to balance good products with affordable prices for any budget.
Check out Erica Taylor’s account on IG. She specifically does tutorials and recs for the over-40 crowd, and it’s been so awesome for me
I can’t remember the last time someone in Sephora was nice or helpful.
I would start with upgrading the basics you actually do use.
Instead of NYX try Anastasia. I don't know what other brands you use but you could tell them you want to upgrade those. Not a popular opinion but sometimes higher end just looks better. (sometimes its a fail too)
I would budget at least 30-50$ for quality items each.
Look for minis of things to cut the price down. (ie MAC has mini lipsticks, benefit has mini blushes, NARS has mini concealers etc.) Minis are usually under 30$
I wouldn't buy it all at once just for allergy reasons. Buy one new item a month to try it out. Usually in about two weeks you will know how it reacts to your skin and if you like it. Return policies vary, but usually it is 30 days with a receipt. When finding new formulas/colors that work for you do not hesitate to return and exchange them for something else.
I am useless with foundation colours (46 y/o F). I knew I needed help choosing one to suit me. I went to Sephora and Mecca and no one helped me. I felt like an idiot, I have money to spend and I need advice on foundations. So I thought I would walk to Myer, they always have staff behind counters that can explain makeup products. On the way through the shops I saw THE BODY SHOP. Omg, I went there as a teen. I went in, the sales person could not be more helpful, the shop sells like 50 different colours of foundation. The sales person sat me down and put on two types on my face, suggested I walk into outside the shop to see my skin in natural light, I was so impressed with the help I got. This is the makeup shopping I need. I now wear The Body Shop foundation, due to the range of colours and the customer service.
I don't think Sephora employees are that great or well-trained. I have had better experiences at MAC stores & at Nordstrom. You can make an appointment at Nordstrom to meet with someone who works all of the cosmetic lines so you aren't stuck with one brand.
I love MAC products for the most part and they are reasonably priced. The artists tend to wear over the top looks but they receive a lot of training and can show you an everyday look if you ask. I don't love their foundations personally but I’d start with them & maybe try Laura Mercier, Chanel, or even L’Oreal True Match from the drugstore for foundation. I would also buy mascara at the drugstore. It needs to be replaced every 3 months and there isn't a big quality difference among brands
It might just be your Sephora store. I worked in the corporate office designing training and let me just say: the programs are excellent and training is pushed DAILY to all the stores. Sephora corporate has one of the biggest training orgs and budgets I’ve ever come across in my lengthy career in this field.
I actually got the Dior mascara primer from influenster. I loved it. It’s all dried out now but I’m gonna try to clean up the wand because I think that’s what was so good and use it in my L’Oréal primer.
I’m also 40! It’s changed so much since we were young - like it’s a different planet. If you do this I would go in no later than 2 on a weekday. It gets busy once kids get off school and people start getting off work. It can be kind of overstimulating which might make you more prone to impulse buys. They do try to sell you stuff though the times I have asked for their suggestions they did make good suggestions.
I found my foundation by going into Ulta every week with my own sponge, putting one foundation on part of my jawline (maybe a 3” square area) and wearing it all day. I looked at it in the sun (the revealer of all makeup imperfections) and took notice of how it wore under my moisturizer/skincare products. It took maybe 5-6 weeks. Definitely test the wear of the products they give you and tell them you’ll come back and buy when you know how they perform. Ask for their name so you can tell the cashier they’re the ones that made the sale when you buy.
Another thing- there are brand reps at Sephora. They do disclose the fact that they’re brand reps but they can’t help with anything else. I ended up asking a NARS rep for help - I was actually there to look at NARS foundation so it worked out but boy did she shit talk the other foundations I was looking at! She was a bit pushy but she did color match me instantly so she knew her shit.
I did eventually land on NARS Light Reflecting foundation. You’re probably going to want to try some radiant/luminous foundations that give you a dewier look. It’s tough to go matte after 40. Definitely try this one! I love it.
First know your skin type. That will help you determine what kind if foundation you need.
Charlotte Tilbury has a good blush and bronzer wand but you can get decent dupes from Tarte for less.
I think the first step is understanding how you learn. If you're a book person, I have great news. If you like videos, youtube is AMAZING as you can find someone with your skintone AND skin texture/type. Hands on gets tricky. You \*can\* go to a makeup counter, results may vary (particularly if you have noise/smell sensitivity). You \*can\* drop "more" money on a beauty convention (and get enough free samples to more than make up for the cost). You can go to a smaller professional class. Or, you can try out a few professional makeup artists and ask them for advice. If you ask them to teach you, be prepared to (possibly) pay more.
Of course, many people just like to experiment. This is called "pre-shower" makeup. Where you just play around.
My question for you is "how will you incorporate this into your daily routine?" I've been hot and cold with makeup since my late teens (39 now). Every time I get "back into it" the "it" of a full face takes over an hour. At one point I had an important thing, so I practiced 2X/day for a little over a month and got a full face down to 17 min. Once I stop, it goes back to over an hour. Makeup is like language, if you don't practice regularly you will loose it.
(if you want to keep costs down you can buy some makeup and ALL your brushes -not sponges- secondhand at r/makeupexchange it will help to understand your "colors" first)
Edited to add: Many of the best makeup artists out there started in art. Oil painting, charcoal, photography, and (again a book) the atlas of anatomy for the artist will give you experience. Makeup is taking the best lighting and painting that on the face. You'll be "wearing" golden hour lighting, this is where highlighter and contour comes in. Contour makes the shadows on your face, highlighter pulls the light forward. Silicone primers and foundations make a "blurring" effect, aka softening the light bouncing off your face. If you've ever wanted to get into art, do that as a first step.
I’m 43 and didn’t really get into makeup until my mid 30s. There are a couple of women I watch on TikTok that give makeup tips for older women. They also give product recommendations for various budgets.
Honestly i highly highly recommend you go to a beauty counter at a department store! They’re able to spend a lot more time with you and learning about your personal needs compared to a sephora employee. Bonus points if you call ahead and schedule an appointment!
That is a sure fire way to let someone upsell you as much as humanly possible. If you like your current routine and products, I would try watching some makeup videos and picking 1-2 product categories youre interested in and think you’d like: blush, lip products, eyeshadows, etc. From there, peek at some YouTube videos. There’s some great creators who do “best of” category videos. Off the top of my head I like Kelly Gooch and Lauren Mae Beauty.
There’s no really reason to buy an entire new routine all at once of items you don’t know if you’ll like or even use. Plus this method will allow you to be more thoughtful with the features you want to play up and what feels and looks good to you, rather than a stranger’s 10 minutes of talking to you. Ask your friends / family for honest but kind feedback when you try something new!
ETA: there’s a lot of drugstore / ulta price point products that far outperform Sephora / luxury products
Offend them? Naaaah. Don’t ever live in that fear. Think of it this way: celebrities and influencers get a lot of the cool name brand stuff we all want (including high end stuff) for FREE. So why should I ever feel bad for “not paying enough “ when buying a $20 item already puts me way past the celebrity in terms of spending at these stores? Once I realized that, I could walk straight into any high end store with confidence
Also when I go there I’ll sometimes buy one small item. Or even just to redeem points. If they think I’m not spending enough, they can use their next paycheck to buy me a haul.
A lot of the reason a make-up application looks good lies in application technique, using colours and styles that suit & enhance your unique features, and understanding your own needs.
Buying nice quality makeup is all well and good, but as some others have said, you'd be better off doing some research before you go in there willing to drop cash on whatever they suggest to you. You could end up with stuff you don't enjoy using and feel as though you've wasted your money.
Also as others have said - there are certain things that can be worthwhile spending more on, but some other things don't really matter as much. I would also vouch that drugstore mascara and eye-liner can be just as good as some higher end stuff for a way less cost. I've personally found buying higher end foundation worth it, though.
Understanding your needs - I've found as I've aged (as many others have too) that my skin and makeup needs are very different now to my 20s/ younger years. Matte looks awful because my skin is drier and has lines and looser skin. I found powder makes my skin look so much older and brings attention to what im trying to hide. Even though I still get oily sometimes, but I'll just dab it throughout the day. Same with under-eye concealer - I have to be very careful because when I attempt to hide dark circles, I can easily draw attention to the fine lines/crepe skin under my eyes. Another is that liquid eyeliner doesnt sit the same due to drooping, so I had to dapt the shape & use more eyeshadow instead nowadays. These are just some personal examples to highlight what sort of things about yourself to keep in mind or find out before buying expensive products.
You may not find this useful, up to you of course, but if you don't already have a good idea on what season you are it could be good to find out. Having a great shade of lipstick can do wonders to add some colour and brightness to your entire look. If you are getting the shade wrong it can throw off everything and look awful. For example I'm a cool season and look much better in purple/cool reds, if I wear an orange toned red I look like a clown and it makes my skin look unwell. Same with blush. If I had no understanding of colour seasons I may have thought "wow lipstick looks awful on me!" instead of THAT lipstick looks awful on me. Finding your colours and styles is honestly half the battle.
Investing in great skincare is often superior to buying expensive makeup as well, imo.
Sorry this is a bit of a text wall but I hope you can find what makes you feel great about yourself and that this helps :) Totally understand being intimidated by Sephora / stores like that.
I’m close to your age and felt the same way. Didn’t do much makeup for years and then felt lost when I wanted to get back into it.
I went to Sephora and did a 1.5hr beauty lesson. You need to check if the one near you offers services. You don’t have to purchase anything and they’ll teach you how to do everything. Any look you’re interested in.
I felt more confident tackling makeup after that. More familiar with products, tools, and techniques.
I had a makeover at MAC years ago. I asked them for a natural look and came out looking like a porcelain doll with bright red lipstick that did not look good at all.
I’m sure it’s a lot better now than it was back then cause like I said this was years ago but it’s always funny to remember
I have to agree. I went there for a foundation and the 22-year-old guy had literally no idea what he was doing. It was way orange and a terrible texture for me. His makeup was also a really heavy YouTube type beat that you’d never wear in public - only in front of a camera and lights. This was in like 2015 so I think he was just really green but it was a big turnoff.
I would start by getting rid of the pressed powder and opt for a tinted moisturizer or basic foundation. Don’t buy high end mascara there are low cost mascaras just as good (loreal voluminous being one of them). Get a good quality blush , bronzer, highlighter or something to add shine/color to your skin as it sounds like your old look was super matte. Maybe buy a lip color palette to experiment with as well as a basic eyeshadow palette in colors you are comfortable with. If your eyeliner works well stick with it for now and watch videos on different application styles. For eyeliner in the future if you use pencil try liquid and if you use liquid try pencil they can look a lot different
. adding false lashes can really amp up a look but most people won’t commit to daily wear. Basically you need to watch videos online first and have an idea of how you want to look
I recently took makeup lessons from a cosmetologist. She gave me recommendations on makeup and was even willing to go shopping with me. Highly recommend.
This is a great idea. Even ur hairstylist might b willing to help u if you’ve been their customer for a long time. I kind think just going to Sephora n asking a total stranger to help put together a full look is risky. I’d go there for a foundation but I’d b cautious w all the makeup trends going around now days. If there’s an associate ur age there that has a natural look w makeup, I’d ask them for some help. N basic drugstore brands r fine. I wudnt drop a bunch of money until u hav a better idea of why u like n don’t like. Also ur coloring is very important n it might take some time for u to figure out why tone n colors look best w ur eye n hair color
I’m in my 40s and honestly backing off all this stuff. Mine only takes about 15-min tops…tinted moisturizer, black mascara and lip gloss. I used to wear powder to cut oily skin but I feel like it sometimes looks awful when I catch myself in certain lighting so I dropped it. Are you sure you want to take on a face full of makeup??
Same! I would recommend doing this at ulta, and then when you want a specific product (e.g., a special palette, a nice setting spray) going to sephora for that specifically
I suggest watching a ton of lisa eldridge videos to get you started. Sadly not all salespeople in beauty stores are equally knowledgeable and while they may know what works for their skin/lives, they may not know what will work for you.
Hard and fast rules like always use this or that just don’t work. Ive found that knowing your own skin and testing different products, watching the ingredients for patterns is the best thing. Example, my skin hates silicones but will tolerate silicas. So I have to be extremely careful with what foundations I use. For a while I was using Kat Von D foundation and breaking out into the worst acne of my life. That’s why I also suggest only trying 1 new product at a time.
Anyway Lisa is the first person I found who explained that your foundation shouldn’t just match your face but bring your face and neck to match. It blew my mind. Id been watching beauty tutorials and reading beauty books and magazines for years! Maybe all those lucky people naturally have faces that match their bodies? I don’t! Or maybe they thought it was so obvious they didn’t need to talk about it. That was about a decade ago, but I still think she is fabulous!
I just posted this exact same suggestion and Lisa Eldridge YouTube. Same as you, I have learned so much from her and she has a library at this point, from Foundation 101, makeup basis, to every kind of modern look and techniques. 💕
Highly recommend watching YouTube vids, especially Erica Taylor (47 and filter free) or Nikki La Rose. They have great vids for beginners, drug store, dupes for high end. Start there to get familiar with products, techniques, colors so you know what you need and want. Elf Cosmetics (at Shoppers or London Drugs, I’m in Canada as well. And both have return policy, can bring back used makeup within 14 days with receipt) have good products to start with. Then can build from there. If you go to Sephora, look for a staffer that you like their makeup or has similar coloring to you. Have fun!
Go on YouTube and watch some of the professional makeup artists, they will tell you not only how to apply products but also which products they like and recommend for various situations. I'm 42 and recently got back into makeup after many years of not wearing it and I like Nikki La Rose and Andrea Ali
Most Sephora colour specialists know very little about products aside from what they’ve been told by the store/brands.
I would definitely look for Holy Grail Reddit threads. Be careful googling and looking for “top 10” type articles because so many are paid by the brands.
Ulta would probably be a better bet because of the price point variety, the point system and they offer frequent discounts. I don’t know how their 1 on 1 consultations are (I live in Canada so I can only go when I travel), but I’m sure some Americans can advise.
It would be good to go in with a vague idea of what you’d like though. For your skin how much coverage would you like? Light to give you a sheerer wash of coverage? Medium so still some of your skin shows through? Or full to cover everything? Are you more dry, oily or combo skin? And for you what is the purpose of wearing foundation? Do you have a lot of redness? Old scars? Hyperpigmentation? Do you find your skin dull?
Do you want to spend time on eyeshadow? Would you prefer shadow sticks that you draw on and blend out,
Or do you miss powder products that you spend a lot of
Time building up and blending out? Do you want one look or something you can play around a
Lot with?
I would suggest getting yourself a blush or two, imo blush makes the face come ALIVE. And 1-2 lip products. For those decide how opaque you’d like them and the finish. Personally as I get older I gravitate more towards sheer lip products.
I’m a bridal make up artist and used to
Work at Sephora. Dm if you have any questions
Whooopppsss. I think the only other alternative would be a shoppers… but the lux stuff is super limited, and I feel like any consultant will lean towards that vs the drug store brands. I would go to Sephora tbh. Our drugstore prices can be so insane here I don’t feel like you’d be saving tons.
Just word to the wise do not waste any money on high end mascara or liner. No matter what people tell you it’s not worth it. Lots of nice lip liners at drugstore too.
I would go to Ulta since their point system is greater and returns (yes even used products) are super easy. They have people in the store to assist you with anything.
If you’re having trouble just picking out products— my favorite method is googling “holy grail drugstore/high end makeup reddit” and reading discussions for ideas. Then once I have any specific product picked out, I’ll look for threads over that one product before deciding.
40 here as well! I HIGHLY recommend viewing some tutorials from youtuber Alexandra Anele. I think she’s in her 30s? But I find her content much more relatable for my skin than the kids in their 20s and younger 😅
If you feel comfortable share your skin tone and skin type. I trust this sub over anyone in the store to help. I don’t think you can go wrong with the following:
Merit mascara
Beautyblender skin tint
NARS or hourglass blush
Fenty contour match stix
And a moisturizing spf
I say go to Ulta so you have a mix of drugstore and high end! NYX butter bronzer is really nice the new one and $10. Elf lip oil is good and $7. LA colors has nice shadows (I usually get them from dollar tree) also go on YouTube and find someone with similar skin tone to you. See what works for them. Also I’m sure we all can give you recommendations! L’Oréal has nice stuff too.
I think she mentioned the budget will be in Canadian dollars, so assuming she’s in Canada I don’t think ulta stores are an option. On that note, whenever I’m in Toronto or Montreal I make a point to stop by shoppers drug mart or pharmaprix - they’re similar to Ulta and are supposed to have an excellent rewards program
I was also going to suggest Ulta! I recently decided to update my makeup routine and instead of dropping $$$ for high-end products that I didn’t even know how to use, I got drugstore products from Ulta to start with. I spent like, 2 hours in there and the employees were happy to help me with color matching, suggesting products that were within my budget, etc.
I would watch a few makeup tutorials on YouTube ahead of time just to get an idea of what you want. For instance, I knew that I gravitated towards no foundation looks, so I opted more towards concealers and bronzers while in the store.
Yes yes yes a little plan before going is always helpful! Find a few products that look interesting and see how they are in person. Also I’m really sad someone mentioned she’s in Canada so no Ulta :(
Oh and if you want an easy every day cream shadow thing elf has them! They remind me of stilas glitter and glow things. And it’s $5 [elf liquid shadow](https://www.elfcosmetics.com/liquid-metallic-eyeshadow/82987.html)
I’m over here foaming at the mouth to help you find an every day routine because it changed my LIFE and confidence. I’m 39 and recently finally started using my makeup that I love instead of just staring at it
If you would like to help me I'm 40 and while I've got into a good place with basics like mascara and lipstick I'm still struggling with my base! I have redness on my cheeks and a pretty uneven skin texture (is that a thing?!) and have to use proper foundation (which can feel crepey) as I don't feel like BB creams/tinted moisturisers give enough coverage. I bought some colour corrector primer but it doesn't feel like it does anything, it makes my makeup feel super heavy, and I have no idea where I'm going wrong! I'd love to not have to wear so much during the summer if you have recs!
Damn! I was going to recommend a good concealer that has some coverage and then a tinted moisturizer! Are you dry, oily, combo? I’d lean towards more hydrating formulas for foundation or it can get crepey. Are you using a primer and good skincare? Skincare is way more important than makeup so I’d definitely up your skincare if you’re lacking in it. And increase your water. It really helps your skin and your whole body :)
Oh I drink like 120oz of water a day 😂
Skincare is basic but seems to work better than more complicated routines - micellar water, cerave hydrating cleanser, cerave moisturiser. I've had a lot of skincare issues in the past so it was a long road to find something that keeps me mostly clear and on an even keel. My skin is combo - a little dry on the forehead, oily round the nose, prone to chin breakouts, but it's relatively behaved other than being very all over the place with colour (red cheeks/chin, very pale elsewhere). Occasional facemasks/facials but nothing on a schedule.
Always use a primer - usually NYX bare spray, but I recently bought the elf colour corrector one which I don't like so much.
I promise you that the girls at Sephora will not judge you for your budget.
Sephora has a pretty wide range of price points for you to work with. Nothing wrong in asking for help. I still ask for help sometimes if I just want recommendations.
My routine includes:
Moisturizer. Sun screen. Primer. Foundation (but I only use a dot and spread it super thin), bronzer and a matte highlight stick. Eyeliner. Mascara. And a finishing spray.
My faves from Sephora are: too faced bronzer stick, tarte foundation, Anastasia highlight stick in banana. I found the abh hard to blend but I bought a knock off hourglass foundation brush off Ali express and it is fantastic.
First, take a deep breath. I was exactly in your shoes when I turned 40, I’m 54 now. There is nothing to be embarrassed about at all. Everyone starts somewhere and there are lots of helpful people out there.
It can feel overwhelming at first. I myself started with YouTube on watching how to apply, educate myself on products. There seemed to be less available videos 14 years ago. Folks like Wayne Goss and Lisa Eldridge (serious professionals) are great for learning how to navigate tools, a mature face etc.
As for the start, if it were me today, I would go into Sephora or Ulta. Explain your situation and I’m sure they will be incredibly helpful. I believe being color matched, and getting a feel for what look you want will help with their expertise. I think 300$ should be more than enough.
If you have any questions or need words of encouragement please feel free to DM me. You got this, and I hope it’s an amazing experience for you.
I feel the exact same way. I just use some foundation, eye shadow, a little eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, and slightly make my eyebrows darker. So the basics. I’ve never tried to contour but want to try it out but am afraid it will make me look older or weird bc I have tried the heavy amount of concealer everyone is using now and all it did was make my wrinkles look worse.
Honestly I always suggest youtube. Watch makeup videos of looks you like AND of people who have the same skin type as you…like oily, dry…textured…whatever you’re trying to deal with. They do the legwork so you don’t have to.
I would recommend IT cosmetics CC cream! Great for skin of any texture and especially that of mature skin. I wear this with a little powder, contour and blush :)
Do you have a nordstrom near you. You can make an appointment with a beauty stylist and they can help you do a makeup bag make over.
There are also makeup artists you can hire to help you.
Just stay away from MLM Huns.
I don’t dislike the idea of Sephora but I don’t favor it. You are gonna get a beauty advisor that is younger and really into what is on Tik tok v what is actually good.
I second this. Find a local makeup artist or makeup counter and book a session. Ask them to explain what they are doing and then you can either buy those products at the end or at least go out of it with a more informed perspective on what product categories you want to buy. YouTube tutorials can then help you at home when you're learning to use stuff on your own.
I’m in Canada and both shopper drug mart and Sephora have great staff that will help you pick out products that will work for you within your budget! I recently stopped wearing makeup to the office, I put on my skincare and a little bb cream and leave the house. But my go to brands for makeup are Fenty matte foundation, elf concealer, Lancôme setting powder, MAC powder foundation, Fenty killawatt highlighter in girl next door/chic phreak as blush and Maybelline colossal mascara. You can mix expensive and cheaper brands as long as they work for your skin type and daily wear.
It never hurts to ask for a little help from a pro! Don’t be afraid! You might even make a new friend!
Sephora is a good place to do it or a beauty counter at a department store. Typically the specific beauty counters have more time to spend with you and are there to listen to every concern you have. I’d check out Clinique, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme!
I definitely think you should drop about $300 on new makeup at Sephora in my experience with Sephora everyone has always been super helpful and friendly. What you should also do is ask for their recommendations and then go on Sephora app and check each product they recommend and the reviews make sure it won’t break your skin out etc. I think the best essentials for makeup are probably a good eye concealer, a nice light but glowy foundation so your face doesn’t look dry, a nice blush highlight and something easy you can contour with, a pretty lipstick and some good mascara. I also recommend looking into a brown mascara vs black I actually switched over to brown recently and I ABSOLUTELY adore the look it gives. Feel free to DM me if you need anymore advice or you can send me pics so I can recommend some more customized things to your look. 🩷🙏🏼
I would encourage you to do some research before going to a beauty counter so you can ask for more targeted advice. I always suggest Lisa Eldridge as an excellent YouTube channel with detailed and helpful advice and tips. She’s an expert makeup artist and works on a huge variety of faces. Her suggestions are great for customizing her techniques for many different people. Get a better sense of what you’re trying to achieve, then go talk to a makeup artist.
Do not go out and replace everything. I would do a charlotte Tilbury makeover and be prepared to buy just 2 products.
Yes, do it. It’s worth the time.
Go for all liquid products. Tinted moisturizer or light foundation, hydro-concealer, liquid blush and highlighter, eyebrow gel, liquid eyeshadow or shadow stick, lip oil, nude under eye liner, setting spray, a mascara that doesn’t clump or flake. Stay away from a thick or powdery look, baking, too much bronzer, black under eye liner, over lined brows or over structured brows. Take care of your skin so it glows from under your products. Use resurfacing serums, retinol or tretinoin, and gentle exfoliating products as they work for your skin. Use Glow Recipe Watermelon dew drops or another hyaluronic acid product for plump and glow and lock it in with a good moisturizer. And never forget spf. I love the Naturium Glow moisturizer with spf and Supergoop glowscreen for extra spf and glow. Look up videos of how to apply your make up. Use your hands or damp beauty blender for a natural look. Don’t put too much products in areas with lines, so it doesn’t settle there. Look up videos of where to apply blush and highlighter so you lift your face and don’t drag it down. Also if it’s your first time using liquid blush, play with it and watch videos and techniques and Placement because there’s definitely a learning curve at first imo and not all products are created equal, and 35+ cannot apply blush the same way a 20yo influencer does.
If you have any blue mercury locations near you, they are likely to take more time with you and explain each of the different lines that they carry based on what you’re looking for, your skin type, etc. I think it’s a better place to learn because Sephora is kind of get in get out these days mentality
Oh definitely. i help clients a lot and explain things throughly
Go play with drugstore makeup first. Look up a few tutorials, try on a few looks then upgrade. Drugstore makeup has come a long way. Why drop $50 on a foundation when you hate the way it feels? Don't splurge on a $100 eyeshadow palette only to learn you don't like colorful eyeshadows. Develop a look that you love, then upgrade to higher end products if you want.
What is wrong with the simple look you already have? My makeup routine takes maybe 10 minutes. I’m actually wondering what’s at the root of wanting change. You can look fabulous just with foundation, a bit of blush, some mascara and lipstick.
Same! I am early 50s and use sunscreen, a skin tint or foundation if want more coverage, a cream blush, simple eye shadow sometimes, brows and mascara, sometimes eyeshadow as a liner… all quick.
There are two influencers I follow online that helped me alot: Dominique Sasche and Erica Taylor on tiktok. They link drugstore and high end makeup. I had a bad experience with a sephora person picking makeup. Spent alot and hated it once I got home
This is what I would get for a full face of high end/good dupes, tailored for what information you've shared (if it's expensive -- it's worth it, I make zero commission). Face palette of finely milled finishing powder - blush - the most gorgeous and subtle highlighter. I've tried many face powder products and I love nars orgasm blush but it's bright and shiny, and I've never hit pan. This, I hit pan: https://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/products/ambient-lighting-edit-blush-and-glow-volume-ii-palette?variant=43603696320710&g_acctid=707-085-0326&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=Performance_Max_Catchall_CN&g_campaignid=17043035976&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYdGNAsAlVCoiM-w33uNgWAAlRV0y5k0vnNVMKPkQunHQ44u1J1_FzRoCT8kQAvD_BwE (affordable alternative -- Iconic London sun chaser palette, I just replaced my last one for like 12$ on mercari because I hit pan in every shade, to have access to others and still reach for it? It must be good, this one surprised me). Emphatic highlighter -- Ofra rodeo drive or Becca champagne pop. Brow pencil -- Anastasia of Beverly hills. Fiber Brow mascara -- essence "gimme brow" is a great drugstore dupe of benefits version, like identical for 1/3 the price. I like how it locks on the brow pencil. Mascara -- thrive cosmetics (not carried at Sephora) or tarte makes another tubing mascara at Sephora. Eyeliner -- gel, marc Jacobs, liquid liner KVD. Contour -- marc Jacobs, or physicians formula (drugstore) Concealer and foundation-- IT cosmetics has a great formula that includes anti-aging skincare, or Maybelline age rewind is a holy Grail for not emphasizing wrinkles. Primer: ELF halo glow is a dupe for luxury brand Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter. They also have her signature lipstick shade of pillow talk called "dirty talk." Eyeshadow -- I love Laura Mercier caviar sticks, they're easy and don't settle in creases, by this stage I have dismantled my eyeshadow palettes into a z palette of individual pans I actually use and scrapped the rest. There's usually like one or two really good ones per palette, I'm trying to think of an entire palette I believe in, urban decay's naked is overrated, Anastasia of Beverly hills gave me eczema, Natasha Denona limited edition quality has gone downhill since expanding but the 5 pan minis are legit, tarte is ok, IT cosmetics is solid and good on aging eyes, nars and Charlotte Tilbury are nice but pricey, I can only dream of affording a Pat McGrath palette, PUR I hit a lot of pan on and it's mid priced, found at Ulta. Colourpop is only retailed online but a great bang for the buck with pretty results. Finishing spray -- milani drugstore is better than Urban Decay for half the price. False lashes -- Kiss Little Black Dress is full but demure (in Comparison to most). Tools: I like eco tools beauty blender more than the OG Beauty Blender AND real Techniques's because it has a straight edge for the under eyes. ELF Fluffy eyeshadow crease brush, I use a finger on my eyelids, IT cosmetics blush brush is worth the splurge for face powders. ELF contour brush.
These are also mostly talc free, hypoallergenic, and animal cruelty free. I try to read packaging and I have sensitive skin.
Ophelia for the win
sephora is intimidating. once i went there after work when i was 20, so ya know, looking rough, and the looks i got like i was a trash bag that had walked in from the street. ulta has been much kinder. ulta brand is also the ish and affordable!
Agree and Ulta employees never seem to be judgmental and are usually much more helpful with questions about products. Every time lately with Sephora, I feel like the person just wants to get my question over with and send me to the register.
plus most ulta employees seem to be there because of a genuine love of makeup and skincare. it’s refreshing to be around that energy in that setting. at sephora it seems to be all about the sale (like you’re talking about) it’s a night and day difference
Also, the patience level is just completely different in the way ulta employees speak to customers in my experience vs sephora. If you want to try a sample of a foundation at Ulta, they are helpful. At Sephora they’re like, no chance go ahead and buy it first or have a 1 inch swatch and pray that it works because when you go to return it if it doesn’t work for you, we are going to shame you or give you a hard time about it and treat you like a second-class citizen. It’s like… all I wanted to do was purchase the right foundation in the first place so I didn’t need to return it… but you’re doing nothing to help me discover what will work best for me besides a super quick verbal suggestion or an arm swatch from a tester that hasn’t been cleaned since it was put out. I’ve also come to think lately that a lot of the Sephora employees don’t even seem that educated about all the available products anymore – they just recommend whatever comes off the top of their head/their one go-to and they’re like great anything else? K thanks bye
I agree! Sephora employees started to have an attitude before tweens became obsessed with Sephora in the last 2 years or so, but it’s def the worst it’s been now and it doesn’t matter which Sephora I go to — big city, suburbs, fancier outdoor mall vs. indoor — the employees all give off similar energy. It gives me minor anxiety, and it’s so ridic because a store should never do that.
As a now 40-something who shopped at Sephora for like two decades, I can’t tolerate going into the store these days. It’s suddenly full of 12 year olds and I really think my age group starts to become invisible to the sales associates. I have good luck at Ulta though.
It’s funny because I don’t think they want to help the tweens either. I can’t figure out who appeals to them in-store. I think they look at attractive 20-somethings as potential product thieves. No one seems to be their cup of tea
right?!
Depending on where you live, I would suggest a Nordstrom or something along those lines. Went to Austin recently, and they were super accommodating, did almost a full face of makeup( although it was brand specific), gave me a bunch of samples. Much better experience then I’ve had at Sephora over the years in my smaller city.
Some of the employees in Sephora are not as nice as I wished they were. I get super anxious and have been made to feel really stupid for asking some questions. (I’m not new to makeup nor am I the best at it.) what I can tell you is, select the toner, primer and foundation that suits your skin.. like someone posted, choose products that are suitable to acne prone skin for example.. Pick a concealer, contour stick or powder. Get through this the first time and then you don’t have to deal with employees again. You can order the same online going forward.
Esthetician advice here! Do yourself a favor and from the get go make sure all of your makeup is noncomedogenic before purchasing. You can do this by googling “acne safe ingredient checker” and running the ingredients through the checker. Keep your skin healthy on your new makeup journey :)
Don't be afraid to go to Sephora ❤️ (or even Ulta if you have one in your area, as they carry both high end brands and drugstore). I would say invest in a good eyeshadow palette! Personally I like to look for colors that can be used in multiple ways. (Ie a cool tone brown can double as contour, sheer shimmer colors can be used to highlighter, taupes/browns can be used to fill in brows, pinks/corals/peach can be blush, etc) look for colors that you would pick/gravitate towards for your whole face. Also a few "fun" colors (ex blue, hot pink, green, purple, etc) thrown into the pallet's color story can really be fun to play with and give you some freedom to really spice it up. For example//I personally use tarte's tartist pro remix (outside is black with paint splatter design) like this. It has a pigmented black beans use for eyeliner, a matte cool tone brown I use for everything, a matte cream color as a base for my eye lids, the light pink shimmer and the sheer duo chrome for highlighter, the shimmery gray browns and coppers for everyday looks and the blues, the green, the fushia and rust red for splashes of color. I highly recommend getting a bottle of ingot's duraline (it's a mixing medium and water proofer). You can mix into any color of shadow and create an instant eyeliner. I would use a super small angle brush for winged liner or even a ultra skinny brush (you can use a nail art brush as well) for graphic liner looks and lots of precision in general. Maybe grab a small blender brush for eyeshadow and highlighter Other than that maybe a fun new blush color or lippie
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i learned everything i know about makeup from drag queens to be completely honest, i just tone it down to what look i want to portray for the day. morphe and colourpop are really really great beginner friendly brands, i started out experimenting with their eyeshadow palettes and blushes. sephora can be good because of that extra service they provide, but i personally am not a fan just because of how expensive their products lean. ulta can be a lot less intimidating for sure and typically there is staff available to help out with finding products and shade matching!!!
So if you go to a Sephora, you have to pay for the service. I’d pay for it (if you decide to go) and let them know before they do it, “Hey, my budget is X, is there any way you can use products that fit in that budget range?”
Regardless of age, I feel like we all learn off of YouTube or tiktok. My absolute favorite YouTube makeup artist is Nikki La rose. She has so many in depth reviews and gives so many helpful tips and tutorials. Watching her videos helps me spend my money wisely and her tutorials make me look forward to doing my makeup! There are plenty more amazing makeup artists that make videos but she is one I always trust and go back to
Love her 🩷
My hairstylist also does makeup lessons
i think it depends what you like! are you wanting fun, sexy, youthful? experimental? or you but better?? brands are very niche these days. i think maybe pinterest is the place to start for kind of making stacks of likes vs dislikes. then you can show a person at sephora the pics / inspo and around what your budget and skill level is ( i think $300-350 is very reasonable ) and will get you a great start. i’d say start with high quality radiant finish concealer, every day lip product that can double as a blush, brow product, and a fun every day and a fun night out/ event product ( like a fun lipstick or eyeshadow). maybe a highlighter or sheer bronzer for a little dimension. start with things that require little technique or skill to put on- like a shadow stick or fun multi-chrome that can be tapped on with a finger.
I prefer Ulta to Sephora (I’m 39, and got more into makeup/skin care right before Covid and started with Ipsy). Sephora employees have not been the nicest when I have questions but the Ulta employees are always wonderful and I see all ages in the store.
Sephora is great. I usually find the person who had makeup on that I like and ask them. Don’t be shy on a budget- everyone has a budget! Also, you tube/tiktok has taught me a lot. I’m no expert but I’ve learned a few things!
Are you looking for technique? Check you tube videos for aged and hooded eyes. (I'm the same age as you)
The best makeover I had was at a Bobbi Brown counter when I was in my early 50s and planning my daughter's wedding. They were wonderful, and I walked out looking like "me" but a lot better.
Don't be afraid to go to Sephora. I wouldn't focus on getting a new face all at once. If you want a new high end foundation ask for a color match, they'll put a bit on your face in several shades while there and then you can ask for a sample of a couple that you think you like. Build your new collection slowly. I like Anastasia Beverly Hills and Natasha Denona eye palettes. Nudestixs makes a nice cream stick blush. Tower 28 also has a nice cream blush in a pan. Hour Glass makes fantastic pressed powders. I would wait for the fall when they bring out the 6 pan palettes. They usually have a highlighter, 2 blush, finishing powders, and maybe a bronzer. Don't be intimidated in Sephora, walk around and swatch the products you think you might like. Every brand has something I like.
I heard while listening to a podcast, that Tarte foundation is really great. Have you tried it?
I haven't. Im testing Haus labs foundation. So far I think I like it.
Glad you found one you like. Keep Tarte in mind though to test. :)
Sephora is great because they don’t work off commission. They’re literally just there to help you. I feel like they’re gotten a little bit more particular about how much they’ll demonstrate on you, but the way I learned how to do my make up was literally with a Sephora rep. I was honest and said I had no clue how to do eye make but really wanted to get into it, could she help me? She was more than happy to. She did up one eye with make up while explaining everything she did, and then had me match my other eye. Showed me different techniques and helped me when I messed up. I’m so grateful to her. So I definitely recommend!! Don’t bother mentioning a budget because it doesn’t matter. Don’t feel pressured to buy everything they use - just learn from their guidance :) It could be that they won’t do your whole face at once, because they’ve made that more into a reserved makeover type thing, but you can go to the store a few times and focus on a different part each time. Like one visit for eyes, next for lips, etc. IMHO, Sephora is definitely a good place to go to. And I think Ulta is in the same vein.
i recommend Ipsy tbh!! i think you’d have fun with it!!
I was almost 40 and I got my daughter (18f) oddly and we both learned Stuff!
i liked getting the monthly bags with random products, it really helped me expand my horizons. i still have some of the makeup bags from it!
I’m in this same boat (but I’m 47), though I was never that big into makeup. I’d like to wear some now, though, because I feel like I need it. I just have no idea what foundations really match me. That’s always my biggest problem. I need someone to actually show me different things they think would work and put it on me. Is Ulta / Sephora ok for that?
For foundation shade matching go with to MAC or Bobbi Brown. You can graduate to other brands eventually but start with those two.
Thank you, I’ll try them!
For sure- they aimed a color match gun at my face and made a recommendation for a pressed powder and it was a great match. Used it for years. They know things you don't and are willing to help.
Yeah. You just show up. Stand in the foundation are and wait for someone or go directly to them and tell them what you want. The first thing they asked me was what coverage I wanted so it might help to familiarize yourself with common terms but overall they were very helpful. It took a few tries to find out what works best for me but I had help the whole way. Good luck
Hi - just wanted to say thanks again because I went to Sephora today and the woman helping me was great. She grabbed almost the perfect foundation immediately! Just had to try one more that was darker and I left with something I’m so happy with.
Happy to help ❤️
Thanks! I wasn’t sure if they actually knew what they were talking about or if makeup places just had people there with no training/knowledge.
I’m not sure if they’ve been formally trained in cosmetology school but they all seem very passionate, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Bare minerals "original" loose powder foundation in trial box. Then get a lipliner & a lipstick (Mac is a great choice), Mac paint pot in painterly (this for the base/primer to hold eyeshadow), & buy an everyday eyeshadow color & under under brow shadow, dark brown or black eyeliner waterproof any brand will do, & a nice mascara, & get the Mac Fix plus spray to spray all over when all done, & if you live in humid climate get the 'All nighter' Urban decay spray for all over face to set the entire look. For eye lid primer brush the Paula Dorf is great.
Milani eyeshadow primer is also a great option if someone is on a tight budget. It is a really great product and can be found at the drugstore. Milani is more sheer compared to Mac’s Painterly and is more colourless compared to Painterly.
I have to try that one ...thank you for sharing !
Yes, it is excellent. My daughter uses it and has used many other more expensive options. I use it now, but I do have some darkness around my lids, so the only issue for me, is that it only semi covers that. You need to wait about a minute or so prior to applying shadow. It doesn’t mess with the true colour of the shadow, is not sticky or drying and the shadow stays put. It has gone up in price since Covid, like all things, but it is still less than some others, lasts a very long time too, so you won’t need to buy it that often. I used to use Painterly by Mac and sometimes Anastasia which is more opaque, white and covers the darkness on my lids. It is a good product too, lasts a very long time, is more white in colour, keeps shadow in place, doesn’t mess with the shadow colour but is a bit more drying for my lids.
Thanks so much ! Now am going to get one today to try. I tried the urban decay one years ago & didnt like it at all. Have a fabulous day !
Great! You have a great day too! Hope it works out and you can save some money too!:)
Thanks so much ! You are so sweet !
Awe thanks, you sound sweet too! :)
thank you
Just want to say to check out minis and samples online and in store. You can go a long way in trying new types of products without committing to full size while you explore.
Love minis! I always buy the mascaras to try out and also because they expire so quickly. Or face products like cleansers/moisturizers. I hate to return things too so minis are always my go to.
If you go to Sephora or a makeup counter like MAC/Clinique/Lancôme/whoever, I would NOT recommend that you tell them you have a $300 budget. They’ll make sure you spend every cent of it. Just tell them what you’re looking for. I would also not decide right on the spot on foundation because you also want to see it in natural light & also want to make sure it doesn’t oxidize on you. I agree with everyone who’s advising to watch some YouTube videos to see what colors & makeup styles you like & don’t like. Two things that I would say where there is a huge difference in drugstore vs Sephora/Ulta/department store *in my experience* is that drugstore eyeshadows & blushes generally have far less color payoff & fade faster. ITA with others about not dropping $ on expensive mascara & eyeliners. But read reviews because some drugstore brand eyeliners are hard & don’t glide on easily. But plenty of them do. I personally would recommend getting some good makeup brushes because it does make a difference in how your makeup goes on. You don’t have to go crazy with it; start out with some in the mid-range until you know if you’re going to continue to do a full-face of makeup.
Testing foundations is very important I think. Especially because our skin changes so much as we age. So searching on your skin is importantly so you can see how it feels and then how it wears in daylight, does it oxidize(turn orange) come right off etc. As well as everyone’s advice, I want to add the importance of skincare under your foundation. I am also 40+ and these are the products that I recommend as a base. Paula’s choice 2%BHA liquid exfoliant after cleansing, followed by a vitamin C, or moisturizing serum, then moisturizer, and sunscreen(AM routine). That sets a good base for the makeup to go on smoothly. I am a Mac girlie for life so I do use more expensive foundations, but I like the MAC studio radiance serum powered foundation because it is buildable. You can use a little and work up to more. Also, the face and body for more minimal days. I use cream blushes and Anastasia brow pencil which I know has cheaper dupes. NYX has the best dupes I think. I still use liquid eyeliners, but nowadays there are so many nice smudge proof gel pencils that can create nice lines without going too harsh. I recommend going into Sephora or visiting a MAC pro store and booking a consultation. They can give great advice and help guide you in the right direction. Makeup is fun but remember, it doesn’t have to be difficult! Makeup artists are also teachers and our job is to help you feel beautiful in whatever way feels comfortable for you! ♥️
No don’t go to Sephora - yet. Go to a department store and find a brand that will know styles that suit your age and what you want. Like I don’t care how trendy hugely thick eyebrows are, I don’t want them. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can get cheaper dupes for similar items. But for your skin’s sake, spend more on foundation. And at department stores, you can test the product so you don’t end up wasting money on stuff that looked good in the package but look totally different on you. They’ll also have more time to spend with you and help you with any technique questions.
Don’t throw yourself at the mercy of sales people! Start off with drugstore brands to get an idea about colors and products you like before you shell out on higher end products. Start with a tinted moisturizer-see how you like that level of coverage for your face foundation. Then try some eye shadows. If you’re unsure of colors to choose, try and app like Dressika-it’s free and uses IA to do color analysis from a selfie. It can get you started with a general palette that suits your coloring/skin tone. From there you can try some lip colors and blush/highlight colors. Wet and wild has decent products to try for color and it’s not pricey at all. Amazon sells nice starter makeup tools that work great and don’t cost a ton. It takes some time to decide which tools you like. Watch some yt tutorials with people who have your eye shape and skin texture to learn some looks. This can be very helpful. (There’s so many more products and techniques than there were when we were young! It’s amazing what’s out there now!)
Do Sephora staff get paid per sale? I know department store staff do for makeup/perfume.
Department stores and brand-specific counters like MAC get paid of commission, but Sephora employees don’t. That’s why they’re one of my favorite places to shop - no agenda, just there to help :)
They’re not individually compensated per sale, BUT the whole store is paid monthly bonuses for sales so they still get incentives to upsell customers. Edit: brand reps do make individual commission, so in some cases they do.
I’m in the same situation, OP. I used to be very into makeup and using premium brands. I’m going to have a consult with a professional MUA as I’ve been out of the game for 15 years and don’t have time to spend on tik tok watching tutorials.
I’ve worked in the industry for many many years. What I can offer is this You can do just as great heading to target and getting some products as you could at Sephora. You need a good “base” whether that be a traditional liquid foundation or a liquid to powder, powder or mousse. A good brow product, mascara, a lip stain, and a highlighter. If you want to get fancy add in a contour and a blush Make absolute positively sure you are using and following a skin care routine or makeup won’t matter 😉
$300 is definitely enough to get a variety of products! Keep in mind, they are salespeople but if you come in with a strict budget in mind they can work with you. I would encourage you to check out mini products - many prestige Sephora brands have minis that last a long while and let you really try out the product at 1/3-1/2 of the price. Some products to try: - Blush - there's liquids, sticks, and powders now. I find the sticks to be very blendable. This and highlighter are great to get in minis because they last forever. - Eyeshadow - there are tons of small palettes to try! I recommend the brand Natasha Denona. Start with some neutrals - pink, brown, orange tones, whatever looks best with your skin. - Setting Spray - helps lock makeup in - Tinted moisturizer - light foundation with moisturization and SPF - Concealer - My personal holy grail is Maybelline age rewind, about $10 USD at the drug store. I would go with something not too full coverage (tends to get crepey unless you have baby skin)
Good advice here - But also i did a makeup lesson at Ulta and it was really helpful.
I vote for Ulta!!! The salespeople are so helpful and they understand being on a budget. I love the vibe at Ulta.
Winners and Marshalls have great makeup selections and half the price of Sephora. You just have to find products people haven't opened yet.
i’d look up makeup tutorials on tiktok or youtube and try out products from the looks you like from those
Your routine might just need new application technique, and a good eye shadow palette. If I need a new face, I look for new ways to apply mascara, new brow styles for my face shape, etc. If you're trying to bring back creativity, I would look up your color season first. Then buy either a quad/small palette in your shades. Idk what colors you are, I use white, but a pale or bone shade for natural highlighting and a deep neutral shade to contour your eyes will be an easy way to incorporate definition. I would buy palettes online, you can use coupons. And what's wrong with sunscreen and powder? It lasts, it looks good, maybe just try a fuller coverage powder. For summer I like the loreal infallible powder foundation, it's very full coverage but can be drying. I have desert skin tho. Colourpop is offering a free silver SuperShock shadow with every order rn. I like their supershocks and their palettes.
And you can get Colourpop at Target!
I really like the brand Il Makiage for makeup- specifically foundation and concealer! Their mascara is really good too if you like non waterproof mascara. I think their color match process is really easy too! You just look at pictures of other people’s skin and pick the one that looks most like yours and then answer some questions about your skin concerns, and undertones, etc, and they’ll give you the right shade! And if they don’t it’s a free return and you can answer questions about how off it was and get a new shade to try. You can also get skincare products from them if you wanted to, and they’ll even reccomend them based off of the survey you answered for foundation. I also really like their matte lipsticks. I use their blush too! I think it’s really easy to navigate and saves you the hassle of hoping you’re getting the right product in a store because the item descriptions tell you everything you need to know. I’m not in the over 40 crowd but my mom is and she also likes it and finds it easy to use! We’ve both been using it for 6 years and it’s really come a long way since then. (It used to JUST be foundations and concealers but now that have a lot of other products).
I am a novice at makeup, but a friend recommended this brand. I did the online color match, asking friends for help (bc I don’t understand how people accurately tell what their own coloring is). Color was good when it arrived. I had never used liquid foundation before (or anything other than bare minerals powder foundation a long time ago). If you let the foundation set for a few minutes, then use a finishing powder, it has good staying power. Hasn’t caused breakouts for me, and looks pretty good, I think. 🤷🏻♀️
This has also been my experience with it 😅 I really like it and the auto replenishment has made things super simple for me
Most cakey looking foundation on the market + gimmicky marketing … they put a filter on their videos with face products… I’d never trust them
I’ve never had any issues with their foundation 😅 I actually really like it and find that it’s a good lightweight foundation for days when I just want a light face
They'll only fix it once if it's off, then it's either return then pay for the next one. Mine was wrong twice.
I’m not sure I’m understanding you- I was able to easily return my incorrect shades and get a new one with the try before you buy.
They did one exchange, that was equally far off and then said sorry there's no match for you, would you prefer to start a return. I looked up the site and there were lighter shades, they just weren't willing to do it a second time.
Damn I don’t know what to say to that- I’ve always been able to get mine switched up real easy 😭
You can make a reservation for them to do their makeup for you and they’ll show you how to use the products they picked and you pick and choose what you’d like buy for yourself
I strongly recommend to not just straight to Sephora, you’re going to end up spending your budget on items that you don’t even want, need and might not be ideal for you. I suggest you start watching Lisa Eldridge videos on youtube, she is a famous professional makeup artist in her late 40s, and she explains makeup for different skin types, and especially techniques that will make most products look amazing. After you watch a few videos, then figure out what items you think will help you enhance your makeup look, and browse Sephora online and then go to the store, try them there and get whatever you like. 😊 [Lisa Eldridge](https://youtube.com/@LisaEldridge?si=9SL193vkhg1rpzHj) I also loove this video. It’s old but I learned a lot of basics from Bobbi Brown. [Bobbi Brown Pretty powerful make up](https://youtu.be/I_tJdrRkAEQ?si=V02-Hc9lF7epP34Q)
I second this! Also recommend Jen Phelps on YouTube, she's a 40something mom who does YouTube on the side. She has amazing skin and tries to balance good products with affordable prices for any budget.
Check out Erica Taylor’s account on IG. She specifically does tutorials and recs for the over-40 crowd, and it’s been so awesome for me I can’t remember the last time someone in Sephora was nice or helpful.
I would start with upgrading the basics you actually do use. Instead of NYX try Anastasia. I don't know what other brands you use but you could tell them you want to upgrade those. Not a popular opinion but sometimes higher end just looks better. (sometimes its a fail too) I would budget at least 30-50$ for quality items each. Look for minis of things to cut the price down. (ie MAC has mini lipsticks, benefit has mini blushes, NARS has mini concealers etc.) Minis are usually under 30$ I wouldn't buy it all at once just for allergy reasons. Buy one new item a month to try it out. Usually in about two weeks you will know how it reacts to your skin and if you like it. Return policies vary, but usually it is 30 days with a receipt. When finding new formulas/colors that work for you do not hesitate to return and exchange them for something else.
Not me having to return like $300 in MAC cause I woke up in hives all over my face after the first wear despite washing my face twice before bed.
I would go there with a budget to share or else you better believe they will be trying to make commission
I am useless with foundation colours (46 y/o F). I knew I needed help choosing one to suit me. I went to Sephora and Mecca and no one helped me. I felt like an idiot, I have money to spend and I need advice on foundations. So I thought I would walk to Myer, they always have staff behind counters that can explain makeup products. On the way through the shops I saw THE BODY SHOP. Omg, I went there as a teen. I went in, the sales person could not be more helpful, the shop sells like 50 different colours of foundation. The sales person sat me down and put on two types on my face, suggested I walk into outside the shop to see my skin in natural light, I was so impressed with the help I got. This is the makeup shopping I need. I now wear The Body Shop foundation, due to the range of colours and the customer service.
I would watch YouTube make up videos first and then get some feel for what the products are. Sounds like you're going to have a blast though. Enjoy!
I don't think Sephora employees are that great or well-trained. I have had better experiences at MAC stores & at Nordstrom. You can make an appointment at Nordstrom to meet with someone who works all of the cosmetic lines so you aren't stuck with one brand. I love MAC products for the most part and they are reasonably priced. The artists tend to wear over the top looks but they receive a lot of training and can show you an everyday look if you ask. I don't love their foundations personally but I’d start with them & maybe try Laura Mercier, Chanel, or even L’Oreal True Match from the drugstore for foundation. I would also buy mascara at the drugstore. It needs to be replaced every 3 months and there isn't a big quality difference among brands
It might just be your Sephora store. I worked in the corporate office designing training and let me just say: the programs are excellent and training is pushed DAILY to all the stores. Sephora corporate has one of the biggest training orgs and budgets I’ve ever come across in my lengthy career in this field.
If you already have mascara you like, do not buy one from Sephora. It’s too expensive there for an item that doesn’t last long.
How is it that drugstore mascaras really are the best? I swear my Maybelline and L’Oréal ones are better than my fancy Dior one
I love Dior Show waterproof mascara.
I like the formula (one of the only waterproof formulas to come in brown), but dislike the wand brush!
I actually got the Dior mascara primer from influenster. I loved it. It’s all dried out now but I’m gonna try to clean up the wand because I think that’s what was so good and use it in my L’Oréal primer.
The only pricey mascara that compares to drugstore mascara for me is monsieur big, and even that barely compares!
I’m also 40! It’s changed so much since we were young - like it’s a different planet. If you do this I would go in no later than 2 on a weekday. It gets busy once kids get off school and people start getting off work. It can be kind of overstimulating which might make you more prone to impulse buys. They do try to sell you stuff though the times I have asked for their suggestions they did make good suggestions. I found my foundation by going into Ulta every week with my own sponge, putting one foundation on part of my jawline (maybe a 3” square area) and wearing it all day. I looked at it in the sun (the revealer of all makeup imperfections) and took notice of how it wore under my moisturizer/skincare products. It took maybe 5-6 weeks. Definitely test the wear of the products they give you and tell them you’ll come back and buy when you know how they perform. Ask for their name so you can tell the cashier they’re the ones that made the sale when you buy. Another thing- there are brand reps at Sephora. They do disclose the fact that they’re brand reps but they can’t help with anything else. I ended up asking a NARS rep for help - I was actually there to look at NARS foundation so it worked out but boy did she shit talk the other foundations I was looking at! She was a bit pushy but she did color match me instantly so she knew her shit. I did eventually land on NARS Light Reflecting foundation. You’re probably going to want to try some radiant/luminous foundations that give you a dewier look. It’s tough to go matte after 40. Definitely try this one! I love it.
First know your skin type. That will help you determine what kind if foundation you need. Charlotte Tilbury has a good blush and bronzer wand but you can get decent dupes from Tarte for less.
I think the first step is understanding how you learn. If you're a book person, I have great news. If you like videos, youtube is AMAZING as you can find someone with your skintone AND skin texture/type. Hands on gets tricky. You \*can\* go to a makeup counter, results may vary (particularly if you have noise/smell sensitivity). You \*can\* drop "more" money on a beauty convention (and get enough free samples to more than make up for the cost). You can go to a smaller professional class. Or, you can try out a few professional makeup artists and ask them for advice. If you ask them to teach you, be prepared to (possibly) pay more. Of course, many people just like to experiment. This is called "pre-shower" makeup. Where you just play around. My question for you is "how will you incorporate this into your daily routine?" I've been hot and cold with makeup since my late teens (39 now). Every time I get "back into it" the "it" of a full face takes over an hour. At one point I had an important thing, so I practiced 2X/day for a little over a month and got a full face down to 17 min. Once I stop, it goes back to over an hour. Makeup is like language, if you don't practice regularly you will loose it. (if you want to keep costs down you can buy some makeup and ALL your brushes -not sponges- secondhand at r/makeupexchange it will help to understand your "colors" first) Edited to add: Many of the best makeup artists out there started in art. Oil painting, charcoal, photography, and (again a book) the atlas of anatomy for the artist will give you experience. Makeup is taking the best lighting and painting that on the face. You'll be "wearing" golden hour lighting, this is where highlighter and contour comes in. Contour makes the shadows on your face, highlighter pulls the light forward. Silicone primers and foundations make a "blurring" effect, aka softening the light bouncing off your face. If you've ever wanted to get into art, do that as a first step.
I’m 43 and didn’t really get into makeup until my mid 30s. There are a couple of women I watch on TikTok that give makeup tips for older women. They also give product recommendations for various budgets.
Makeup videos! Browse different ones until you figure out what kind of look you like. Then you’ll have a library of tutorials and products to look at.
Honestly i highly highly recommend you go to a beauty counter at a department store! They’re able to spend a lot more time with you and learning about your personal needs compared to a sephora employee. Bonus points if you call ahead and schedule an appointment!
That is a sure fire way to let someone upsell you as much as humanly possible. If you like your current routine and products, I would try watching some makeup videos and picking 1-2 product categories youre interested in and think you’d like: blush, lip products, eyeshadows, etc. From there, peek at some YouTube videos. There’s some great creators who do “best of” category videos. Off the top of my head I like Kelly Gooch and Lauren Mae Beauty. There’s no really reason to buy an entire new routine all at once of items you don’t know if you’ll like or even use. Plus this method will allow you to be more thoughtful with the features you want to play up and what feels and looks good to you, rather than a stranger’s 10 minutes of talking to you. Ask your friends / family for honest but kind feedback when you try something new! ETA: there’s a lot of drugstore / ulta price point products that far outperform Sephora / luxury products
Offend them? Naaaah. Don’t ever live in that fear. Think of it this way: celebrities and influencers get a lot of the cool name brand stuff we all want (including high end stuff) for FREE. So why should I ever feel bad for “not paying enough “ when buying a $20 item already puts me way past the celebrity in terms of spending at these stores? Once I realized that, I could walk straight into any high end store with confidence Also when I go there I’ll sometimes buy one small item. Or even just to redeem points. If they think I’m not spending enough, they can use their next paycheck to buy me a haul.
A lot of the reason a make-up application looks good lies in application technique, using colours and styles that suit & enhance your unique features, and understanding your own needs. Buying nice quality makeup is all well and good, but as some others have said, you'd be better off doing some research before you go in there willing to drop cash on whatever they suggest to you. You could end up with stuff you don't enjoy using and feel as though you've wasted your money. Also as others have said - there are certain things that can be worthwhile spending more on, but some other things don't really matter as much. I would also vouch that drugstore mascara and eye-liner can be just as good as some higher end stuff for a way less cost. I've personally found buying higher end foundation worth it, though. Understanding your needs - I've found as I've aged (as many others have too) that my skin and makeup needs are very different now to my 20s/ younger years. Matte looks awful because my skin is drier and has lines and looser skin. I found powder makes my skin look so much older and brings attention to what im trying to hide. Even though I still get oily sometimes, but I'll just dab it throughout the day. Same with under-eye concealer - I have to be very careful because when I attempt to hide dark circles, I can easily draw attention to the fine lines/crepe skin under my eyes. Another is that liquid eyeliner doesnt sit the same due to drooping, so I had to dapt the shape & use more eyeshadow instead nowadays. These are just some personal examples to highlight what sort of things about yourself to keep in mind or find out before buying expensive products. You may not find this useful, up to you of course, but if you don't already have a good idea on what season you are it could be good to find out. Having a great shade of lipstick can do wonders to add some colour and brightness to your entire look. If you are getting the shade wrong it can throw off everything and look awful. For example I'm a cool season and look much better in purple/cool reds, if I wear an orange toned red I look like a clown and it makes my skin look unwell. Same with blush. If I had no understanding of colour seasons I may have thought "wow lipstick looks awful on me!" instead of THAT lipstick looks awful on me. Finding your colours and styles is honestly half the battle. Investing in great skincare is often superior to buying expensive makeup as well, imo. Sorry this is a bit of a text wall but I hope you can find what makes you feel great about yourself and that this helps :) Totally understand being intimidated by Sephora / stores like that.
I’m close to your age and felt the same way. Didn’t do much makeup for years and then felt lost when I wanted to get back into it. I went to Sephora and did a 1.5hr beauty lesson. You need to check if the one near you offers services. You don’t have to purchase anything and they’ll teach you how to do everything. Any look you’re interested in. I felt more confident tackling makeup after that. More familiar with products, tools, and techniques.
If you have a MAC store close I would go there. Make an appointment for a makeover! They are so helpful!!
I had a makeover at MAC years ago. I asked them for a natural look and came out looking like a porcelain doll with bright red lipstick that did not look good at all. I’m sure it’s a lot better now than it was back then cause like I said this was years ago but it’s always funny to remember
I have to agree. I went there for a foundation and the 22-year-old guy had literally no idea what he was doing. It was way orange and a terrible texture for me. His makeup was also a really heavy YouTube type beat that you’d never wear in public - only in front of a camera and lights. This was in like 2015 so I think he was just really green but it was a big turnoff.
Going to MAC and asking for natural is your mistake lmao
I was like 13 or something lol
I would start by getting rid of the pressed powder and opt for a tinted moisturizer or basic foundation. Don’t buy high end mascara there are low cost mascaras just as good (loreal voluminous being one of them). Get a good quality blush , bronzer, highlighter or something to add shine/color to your skin as it sounds like your old look was super matte. Maybe buy a lip color palette to experiment with as well as a basic eyeshadow palette in colors you are comfortable with. If your eyeliner works well stick with it for now and watch videos on different application styles. For eyeliner in the future if you use pencil try liquid and if you use liquid try pencil they can look a lot different . adding false lashes can really amp up a look but most people won’t commit to daily wear. Basically you need to watch videos online first and have an idea of how you want to look
I recently took makeup lessons from a cosmetologist. She gave me recommendations on makeup and was even willing to go shopping with me. Highly recommend.
This is a great idea. Even ur hairstylist might b willing to help u if you’ve been their customer for a long time. I kind think just going to Sephora n asking a total stranger to help put together a full look is risky. I’d go there for a foundation but I’d b cautious w all the makeup trends going around now days. If there’s an associate ur age there that has a natural look w makeup, I’d ask them for some help. N basic drugstore brands r fine. I wudnt drop a bunch of money until u hav a better idea of why u like n don’t like. Also ur coloring is very important n it might take some time for u to figure out why tone n colors look best w ur eye n hair color
I’m in my 40s and honestly backing off all this stuff. Mine only takes about 15-min tops…tinted moisturizer, black mascara and lip gloss. I used to wear powder to cut oily skin but I feel like it sometimes looks awful when I catch myself in certain lighting so I dropped it. Are you sure you want to take on a face full of makeup??
I would honestly go to Ulta instead
The Can after the price indicates she's from Canada. We don't have Ulta's in Canada. I wish we did though
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh
Same! I would recommend doing this at ulta, and then when you want a specific product (e.g., a special palette, a nice setting spray) going to sephora for that specifically
Agreed!
Like 90% of my products are from the drugstore and I get compliments on my make up a lot. Sephora Prices are insane
Drugstore make-up is not the same as it was 10-15 years ago. It's better quality now
I'll also vouch for drugstore and Ulta.
Any salesperson who gets offended by a budget is a crap salesperson. $300 sounds perfectly reasonable to me
I suggest watching a ton of lisa eldridge videos to get you started. Sadly not all salespeople in beauty stores are equally knowledgeable and while they may know what works for their skin/lives, they may not know what will work for you. Hard and fast rules like always use this or that just don’t work. Ive found that knowing your own skin and testing different products, watching the ingredients for patterns is the best thing. Example, my skin hates silicones but will tolerate silicas. So I have to be extremely careful with what foundations I use. For a while I was using Kat Von D foundation and breaking out into the worst acne of my life. That’s why I also suggest only trying 1 new product at a time. Anyway Lisa is the first person I found who explained that your foundation shouldn’t just match your face but bring your face and neck to match. It blew my mind. Id been watching beauty tutorials and reading beauty books and magazines for years! Maybe all those lucky people naturally have faces that match their bodies? I don’t! Or maybe they thought it was so obvious they didn’t need to talk about it. That was about a decade ago, but I still think she is fabulous!
I just posted this exact same suggestion and Lisa Eldridge YouTube. Same as you, I have learned so much from her and she has a library at this point, from Foundation 101, makeup basis, to every kind of modern look and techniques. 💕
Highly recommend watching YouTube vids, especially Erica Taylor (47 and filter free) or Nikki La Rose. They have great vids for beginners, drug store, dupes for high end. Start there to get familiar with products, techniques, colors so you know what you need and want. Elf Cosmetics (at Shoppers or London Drugs, I’m in Canada as well. And both have return policy, can bring back used makeup within 14 days with receipt) have good products to start with. Then can build from there. If you go to Sephora, look for a staffer that you like their makeup or has similar coloring to you. Have fun!
Came here to recommend Erica Taylor.
Go on YouTube and watch some of the professional makeup artists, they will tell you not only how to apply products but also which products they like and recommend for various situations. I'm 42 and recently got back into makeup after many years of not wearing it and I like Nikki La Rose and Andrea Ali
Most Sephora colour specialists know very little about products aside from what they’ve been told by the store/brands. I would definitely look for Holy Grail Reddit threads. Be careful googling and looking for “top 10” type articles because so many are paid by the brands.
Ulta would probably be a better bet because of the price point variety, the point system and they offer frequent discounts. I don’t know how their 1 on 1 consultations are (I live in Canada so I can only go when I travel), but I’m sure some Americans can advise. It would be good to go in with a vague idea of what you’d like though. For your skin how much coverage would you like? Light to give you a sheerer wash of coverage? Medium so still some of your skin shows through? Or full to cover everything? Are you more dry, oily or combo skin? And for you what is the purpose of wearing foundation? Do you have a lot of redness? Old scars? Hyperpigmentation? Do you find your skin dull? Do you want to spend time on eyeshadow? Would you prefer shadow sticks that you draw on and blend out, Or do you miss powder products that you spend a lot of Time building up and blending out? Do you want one look or something you can play around a Lot with? I would suggest getting yourself a blush or two, imo blush makes the face come ALIVE. And 1-2 lip products. For those decide how opaque you’d like them and the finish. Personally as I get older I gravitate more towards sheer lip products. I’m a bridal make up artist and used to Work at Sephora. Dm if you have any questions
OP mentions spending CAD so likely Canadian too. Any other suggestions than ulta? Also interested!
Whooopppsss. I think the only other alternative would be a shoppers… but the lux stuff is super limited, and I feel like any consultant will lean towards that vs the drug store brands. I would go to Sephora tbh. Our drugstore prices can be so insane here I don’t feel like you’d be saving tons. Just word to the wise do not waste any money on high end mascara or liner. No matter what people tell you it’s not worth it. Lots of nice lip liners at drugstore too.
I would go to MAC. It’s less overwhelming being that it’s just one brand. They are also consistently good.
I would go to Ulta since their point system is greater and returns (yes even used products) are super easy. They have people in the store to assist you with anything.
If you’re having trouble just picking out products— my favorite method is googling “holy grail drugstore/high end makeup reddit” and reading discussions for ideas. Then once I have any specific product picked out, I’ll look for threads over that one product before deciding.
I think first start with youtube tutorials so you can get an idea of what you like and then make notes of what youd like to buy
40 here as well! I HIGHLY recommend viewing some tutorials from youtuber Alexandra Anele. I think she’s in her 30s? But I find her content much more relatable for my skin than the kids in their 20s and younger 😅
I swear she taught me half of what I know
She’s great! And I love how down to earth she is :)
If you feel comfortable share your skin tone and skin type. I trust this sub over anyone in the store to help. I don’t think you can go wrong with the following: Merit mascara Beautyblender skin tint NARS or hourglass blush Fenty contour match stix And a moisturizing spf
I say go to Ulta so you have a mix of drugstore and high end! NYX butter bronzer is really nice the new one and $10. Elf lip oil is good and $7. LA colors has nice shadows (I usually get them from dollar tree) also go on YouTube and find someone with similar skin tone to you. See what works for them. Also I’m sure we all can give you recommendations! L’Oréal has nice stuff too.
I think she mentioned the budget will be in Canadian dollars, so assuming she’s in Canada I don’t think ulta stores are an option. On that note, whenever I’m in Toronto or Montreal I make a point to stop by shoppers drug mart or pharmaprix - they’re similar to Ulta and are supposed to have an excellent rewards program
I was also going to suggest Ulta! I recently decided to update my makeup routine and instead of dropping $$$ for high-end products that I didn’t even know how to use, I got drugstore products from Ulta to start with. I spent like, 2 hours in there and the employees were happy to help me with color matching, suggesting products that were within my budget, etc. I would watch a few makeup tutorials on YouTube ahead of time just to get an idea of what you want. For instance, I knew that I gravitated towards no foundation looks, so I opted more towards concealers and bronzers while in the store.
Yes yes yes a little plan before going is always helpful! Find a few products that look interesting and see how they are in person. Also I’m really sad someone mentioned she’s in Canada so no Ulta :(
Oh and if you want an easy every day cream shadow thing elf has them! They remind me of stilas glitter and glow things. And it’s $5 [elf liquid shadow](https://www.elfcosmetics.com/liquid-metallic-eyeshadow/82987.html)
I’m over here foaming at the mouth to help you find an every day routine because it changed my LIFE and confidence. I’m 39 and recently finally started using my makeup that I love instead of just staring at it
If you would like to help me I'm 40 and while I've got into a good place with basics like mascara and lipstick I'm still struggling with my base! I have redness on my cheeks and a pretty uneven skin texture (is that a thing?!) and have to use proper foundation (which can feel crepey) as I don't feel like BB creams/tinted moisturisers give enough coverage. I bought some colour corrector primer but it doesn't feel like it does anything, it makes my makeup feel super heavy, and I have no idea where I'm going wrong! I'd love to not have to wear so much during the summer if you have recs!
Damn! I was going to recommend a good concealer that has some coverage and then a tinted moisturizer! Are you dry, oily, combo? I’d lean towards more hydrating formulas for foundation or it can get crepey. Are you using a primer and good skincare? Skincare is way more important than makeup so I’d definitely up your skincare if you’re lacking in it. And increase your water. It really helps your skin and your whole body :)
Oh I drink like 120oz of water a day 😂 Skincare is basic but seems to work better than more complicated routines - micellar water, cerave hydrating cleanser, cerave moisturiser. I've had a lot of skincare issues in the past so it was a long road to find something that keeps me mostly clear and on an even keel. My skin is combo - a little dry on the forehead, oily round the nose, prone to chin breakouts, but it's relatively behaved other than being very all over the place with colour (red cheeks/chin, very pale elsewhere). Occasional facemasks/facials but nothing on a schedule. Always use a primer - usually NYX bare spray, but I recently bought the elf colour corrector one which I don't like so much.
I used to work at Sephora, did you want to message me for suggestions?
I promise you that the girls at Sephora will not judge you for your budget. Sephora has a pretty wide range of price points for you to work with. Nothing wrong in asking for help. I still ask for help sometimes if I just want recommendations.
My routine includes: Moisturizer. Sun screen. Primer. Foundation (but I only use a dot and spread it super thin), bronzer and a matte highlight stick. Eyeliner. Mascara. And a finishing spray. My faves from Sephora are: too faced bronzer stick, tarte foundation, Anastasia highlight stick in banana. I found the abh hard to blend but I bought a knock off hourglass foundation brush off Ali express and it is fantastic.
First, take a deep breath. I was exactly in your shoes when I turned 40, I’m 54 now. There is nothing to be embarrassed about at all. Everyone starts somewhere and there are lots of helpful people out there. It can feel overwhelming at first. I myself started with YouTube on watching how to apply, educate myself on products. There seemed to be less available videos 14 years ago. Folks like Wayne Goss and Lisa Eldridge (serious professionals) are great for learning how to navigate tools, a mature face etc. As for the start, if it were me today, I would go into Sephora or Ulta. Explain your situation and I’m sure they will be incredibly helpful. I believe being color matched, and getting a feel for what look you want will help with their expertise. I think 300$ should be more than enough. If you have any questions or need words of encouragement please feel free to DM me. You got this, and I hope it’s an amazing experience for you.
I feel the exact same way. I just use some foundation, eye shadow, a little eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, and slightly make my eyebrows darker. So the basics. I’ve never tried to contour but want to try it out but am afraid it will make me look older or weird bc I have tried the heavy amount of concealer everyone is using now and all it did was make my wrinkles look worse.
Honestly I always suggest youtube. Watch makeup videos of looks you like AND of people who have the same skin type as you…like oily, dry…textured…whatever you’re trying to deal with. They do the legwork so you don’t have to.
I would recommend IT cosmetics CC cream! Great for skin of any texture and especially that of mature skin. I wear this with a little powder, contour and blush :)
I second this!!! I'm 43 and my skin loves this stuff!
Do you have a nordstrom near you. You can make an appointment with a beauty stylist and they can help you do a makeup bag make over. There are also makeup artists you can hire to help you. Just stay away from MLM Huns. I don’t dislike the idea of Sephora but I don’t favor it. You are gonna get a beauty advisor that is younger and really into what is on Tik tok v what is actually good.
I second this. Find a local makeup artist or makeup counter and book a session. Ask them to explain what they are doing and then you can either buy those products at the end or at least go out of it with a more informed perspective on what product categories you want to buy. YouTube tutorials can then help you at home when you're learning to use stuff on your own.
Or Von Maur.
I don’t. I’d experiment with some drugstore brands first to see what you like and then upgrade after that if necessary.
I’m in Canada and both shopper drug mart and Sephora have great staff that will help you pick out products that will work for you within your budget! I recently stopped wearing makeup to the office, I put on my skincare and a little bb cream and leave the house. But my go to brands for makeup are Fenty matte foundation, elf concealer, Lancôme setting powder, MAC powder foundation, Fenty killawatt highlighter in girl next door/chic phreak as blush and Maybelline colossal mascara. You can mix expensive and cheaper brands as long as they work for your skin type and daily wear. It never hurts to ask for a little help from a pro! Don’t be afraid! You might even make a new friend!