That’s disappointing.
I just bought a bunch of new Bonne Bell and Revlon lipsticks & glosses in colors that were being discontinued, but were actually good shades. Reds, a wine, coral & nude.
I almost use Bobbi Brown exclusively. You can barely see the foundation, it blends right into my skin tone.
I also spend more money in skin care. A jar of night or day cream could be 100-200, and the eye cream too. I use serum C&E on my face, eye mask, face mask, you name it.
There’s a Dior makeup boutique on RuLaLa site today…
Oh no, Bunsen. I like their pink lipstick. So, I’m off to that site.
Not exactly makeup but in my early 40s, I spent, oh, well, about what D has spent on college application fees, on “look younger” face creams. That, combined with massages and great diet and tremendous exercise and meditation…made me look about 18 months younger than i would have otherwise…
@conmama Check out this site for dupes of that lipstick. http://www.temptalia.com/product/charlotte-tilbury-kissing-lipstick/coachella-coral
You should be able to find something close to it for half the price.
I am happily mid-range in what I spend for makeup. Love my IT cosmetics CC cream. For skincare, I love Paula’s Choice as my skin is sensitive with mile rosacea.
I"m going to try bobbi brown next. I have light olive skin, and if I wear coral it has to be a pinky coral. I just looked at BB website, and it looks like they might have some. They are not cheap, either…but at least I can try them at the store. I used to wear exclusively drugstore brands, but they hurt my lips now. My favorite lipshade of all time was a Maybelline. I used to get compliments on it regularly…but it makes my lips so sore. I still have a couple tubes of it. I read that many have a certain ingredient that clinique doesn’t use. I researched it a long time ago…wish I could remember the name of it.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-brilliance-new-york-24-karat-gold-indulgence-face-mask
I received this 12-pack as a gift (it was kind of an inside joke between me and the gift-giver). It was fun and relaxing to do - my D and I did a spa day with it. Can’t say I would have spent the money on it myself, but that’s the purpose of a gift!
I do have to say, though, I think the thing which makes the biggest difference in my skin is when I am exercising regularly vs not. That makes way more of a difference than any creams, facials, etc. And I also think that a lot of it is genetic - I happen to come from women who don’t look their age, so I don’t either, but that’s just the luck of the draw. The other thing I think makes a huge difference is staying out of the sun and wearing sun protection on one’s face consistently.
@trojanchick99…thanks! I noticed that the one gal that gave it a 2 looks like she might have had my skin tone. The picture of it on the model’s lips looks really pretty. But her skin looks fair, and the lipstick seems to have more pink in it on her. I might take a look at the givency rose one along with the Bobby Brown…my quest continues!
@Pizzagirl…I do agree genetics plays a big part in the condition of one’s skin. Asian women have great skin! My father is spanish, and I’ve inherited his great skin…barely any wrinkles show on my face at 55 unless I smile…then you see my smile wrinkles. However, I really was noticing a couple of years ago my pores were bigger, my skin just seemed to lose it’s luster. Retin A brought that all back. A generic brand that is $85 lasts about 18 months. I do no other skin care regiment other than covering my face from the sun (and it still gets tanned)
I used to wear Bobbi Brown and Chanel (+ RIP Prescriptives). But I found with better skin care & nutrition, I don’t need expensive makeup. I don’t even wear base makeup everyday, just some concealer under my eyes and in strategize areas. ( I do wear primer) But my skin is fair, and but neutral rather than pink or yellow and I just can’t find a good match anywhere. The fluorescent lights in the dept stores don’t make it any easier.
I agree with you Pizzagirl about exercise. Improving circulation makes a huge difference, especially since otherwise I can look too pale. I’m also very lucky to have good fascia.
ladies, can you recommend a miracle cure for puffy eye lids?
Tea bags, is an old classic remedy. I’ve never had puffiness, but Ive used it for redness.
I’ve heard cucumber slices and I might have even tried it, but I don’t remember if it did anything.
What about a saggy neck/chin? Does anything topical work for that, or do I just have to wear a scarf like the late great Nora Ephron?
conmamma, which generic retin a do you use?
I use a mixture of expensive and inexpensive brands for my skincare and make up. I used to use skinceuticals CE and then found a generic at about 1/6 the price (really great products). But then the generic wasn’t available so I’m using something that doesn’t have the same ingredients. When this bottle is gone, I’ll go back to $$ skinceuticals if the generic is still unavailable. I also use the skinceuticals sunscreen and do think the two have helped my skin considerably over the past few years.
Bearpanther, I think, at this point, it’s my neck that is aging me! I get facials occasionally and she said to use the same products on my neck that I use on my face. I’m just starting now and it may be too late!!
@collage1 …it starts with a tret… If you google generic retin a. It will pop up. As far as saggy necks…I’m not sure there is anything tropical that will shop that.
I use a lot of Clinique products, they have some great pore minimizer things. I use mascara from the drugstore unless I got one in a Bonus from Clinique and I honestly cannot tell the difference. I have friends who swear by department store mascara but I cannot see a difference.
I buy my shampoo and facial cleansers at the drugstore. Frankly, I can’t see paying more for something that you rinse right off. When I use foundation I use Clinique, I do see a difference in foundation and eye shadow and eye liner. Oh and lipstick. I cannot use any drugstore lipsticks, they look chalky or feel funny. I have a Burts Bees tinted balm and that’s it. My kids used to buy my a Cover Girl lipstick for mother’s day etc back when they were little and had no money, and I would smile and use it in front of them, but didn’t really care for it. 
I use a mix of things. I used Clinique everything for years, but now I’m venturing out. I think I spent about $50 for moisturizer and for night creme. I really like Bobbi Brown Lipstick. My dermatologist recommended Cerave moisturizer, which is very inexpensive. I’m now trying to decide what to do for sunscreen for a two week trip coming up. I think I’m doing the opposite of many people. I’m starting to spend less as I get older. I am using a retin A product that I thin is about $60 or so for a multiple month tube.