FOR THE OVER 50s

From make-up artist and model Cindy Joseph, who happens to be the same age as me - but looks far better.  (well, it's her job (and perhaps her genes?)! - or perhaps her make-up ............)

Make up for the over 50s

The whole idea of less is more, that women shouldn’t be slaves to dozens of makeup products, is what I really believe in,” said Cindy Joseph, a makeup artist and model who’s pared down her own cosmetics kit to just a few items.  

Cindy goes for pro-ageing, rather than the usual anti-ageing, which sounds good to me, ageing gracefully and not over-doing the makeup.

see: http://www.boombycindyjoseph.com/pages/5-makeup-tips-for-baby-boomers-by-cindy-joseph?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=ads&utm_campaign=new-image&pp=1

and for her hair-do see: http://www.refinery29.com/2014/08/72253/cindy-joseph-short-hair

Very dry skin ...

From: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/nov/11/sali-hughes-dry-skin-moisturisers

Very dry skin is a bit like wheat intolerance or seasonal affective disorder; seemingly half the population claims to have it, yet most haven't the faintest idea what it means to be a genuine sufferer. As someone whose skin chaps, flakes and actually hurts without plenty of very rich cream applied the moment I exit the shower, I can say with bitter experience that most moisturisers marketed at the dry-skinned don't work (my skin is also dehydrated, ie lacking in water, a condition that often sits alongside dryness, a shortage of oil).

While summer generally offers some relief, winter can be hell and demands an extra-emollient, takes-no-prisoners, mega-moisturiser to avoid stinging, chapping and dullness. Pharmacy brands like E45, Vaseline and Diprobase are great on the body, but usually very poor as a make-up base – which, for me, is almost as intolerable as the dryness itself. But all of the facial day creams below did two things:

1. kept my very dry skin moist and comfortable in both blustery Brighton wind and my centrally heated house.
2. sat ungreasily beneath my foundation without interfering in its business. Apply liberally over serum and leave for a minute before making up.

Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter £2.89, ocado.com
I love this on my legs, but feared it would cause my face to break out. It didn't. Wonderful as a night cream, too.

Decléor Hydra Floral Anti-pollution Cream £31, decleor.co.uk
Don't be deceived by the light texture: creamy richness with no buttery grease.

This Works No Wrinkles Extreme Moisturiser £45, thisworks.com 
This brand "gets" dry skin. The retinol is ideal if you're 35-plus.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Ultimate Day Cream Moisturiser£7.99, boots.com
One of the few affordable creams that didn't cause break-outs.

Laura Mercier Mega Moisturizer SPF15 £41.50, urbanretreat.co.uk
My long-term winter companion. Rich, comforting moisture that lasts all day.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture £59, murad.co.uk
Superb. Natural oils and hi-tech anti-ageing ingredients left my skin glowing.

See also: http://www.salihughesbeauty.com/reviews/sali-loves-im-using-right-now/

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Jessica Jones* decided to investigate what really went into her beloved beauty products.  What she discovered alarmed her - but also led her to unearth a host of brilliant all-natural alternatives.

She decided that on top of the chemotherapy, radiotheraphy, phychotherapy and green-juice therapy she would introduce a new therapy to her regine - Product Replacement Therapy.  She vowed that, as each of her products ran out, she would replace it with a new potion as natural and unsullied as angel's breath.   Only, what were the alternatives?  Where would she find them?

Since that day she's scoured the shelves of health-food shops and high-end salons alike.  What she christined 'Good Glamour' has become a subject as dear to her heart as it is to her wallet.  For safer, cleaner costmetics can be more costly than their mass-market counterparts - but that's because they contain superior, more expensive ingredients.  

From all her homework, here are some gorgeous potions to help us to kick off a beauty revolution.

Product Replacement Therapy

Body Basics
Soap: Dr Bronner's 18-in-1 Help Pure Castile Soap (£5.49, lovelula.com).  Not sure what the 18 uses are but the magic liquid is silky-soft and comes in a variety of tempting fragrances.
Body Lotion: Biona Organic's Raw Virgin Coconut Oil (£7.99, goodnessdirect.co.uk).  Raw coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and it sinks in nicely, leaving a supple- but not greasy- finish.
Deodorant nearly all seem to contain aluminium chlorohydrate, a powerful neurotoxin, but unfortunately there isn't a completely effective alternative.  However Soapwalla's Deodorant Cream (£13.80, beingcontent.com) doesn't prevent sweating. Rather it uses a mixture of natural clays, vegetable powders and antibacterial oils to absorb kmoisture and keep one's armpits acceptably fresh.  There are also Pitrok Crystal Deodorant Wipes (£2.50, goodnessdirect.co.uk) for when you're out and about. (I use Pitrock Crystal Deodorant and find it brilliant, since I discovered that it has to be wetted to apply - Jen!)

Face
Cleaners: MV Organis Skincare's Energizing 9-Oil cleanser (£57, beingcontent.com) is more a nourishing facial than just a cleanser.  
Scars: rosehip-seed oil
Wrinkles and age spots: Pai Skincare's Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit and Seed Oil (£20, beingcontent, com) contains a high concentration of this precious elixir.  
Face cream: Pai Skincare's Avocado & Jojoba Day Cream (£19, lovelula.com).
Make up substitute: Oskia's Get Up & Glow (£64.50, beingcontent.com) has light-reflecting properties.

Makeup
Concealer: Vapour Organic Beauty's Illusionist Concealer (£20, beingcontent.com).
Skin: buff with a kabuki brush (£8.49, lovelula.com) to bring out the skin's natural oils.  
Foundation: Inika's Mineral Foundation (£27.50 amarya.co.uk) provides a natural SPF as an added benefit.
Lipstick: Organic Glam (£17.95, theorganicpharmacy.com) is velvety and moisturing with intense colour. Also Ilia Beauty luscious lipsticks (£20, beingcontent.com).

Hair
Shampoo: John Masters' Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair (£16, amaryaco.uk).  Non-foaming shampoo, helps with flaky scalp and hair needs to be washed less frequently.
Conditioner: Rahua haircare Conditioner (£27.50, beingcontent.com), the best!

Top Toxics to avoid
Debate rages about which chemicals are the most harmful.  The issue is complicated by the fact that some chemicals react together to release further toxic substances, and new ingredients are being developed all the time.

Here are some common toxics to avoid.  Read the labels on your products.  If any of these ingredients are listed ask yourself.  'Whose best interests to the manufacturers have at heart: mine or their own?'

• Parabens (ethyl-,methyl-, propyl-, butyl-)
• Phthalates
• Petroatum/liquid paraffin/mineral oil/petroleum distillates
• Coal-tar dyes
• SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) and SLES (sodium lauteth sulphate)
• Oxybenzone and octinoxate
• DEA (diethanolamine), cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA
• TEA (triethanolamine)
• Fragrance/parfum/polycyctic musks
• PEG (polyethylene glycol) compounde
• Anything ending in -siloxane or -methicone
• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
• Triclosan

For more information visit: ewg.org/skindeep


*Jessica writes about natural beauty at goodglamourguide.com.


Taken from the Sundy Telegraph Stella magazine, 14 October 2012

NB I can't find beingcontent.com  on the internet...

How to adapt your make-up with age

Way to glow
As you get older you need to work to achieve a radiant glow.  It all starts with good skincare, so look out for products that give you a dewy, moisturised complexion.  Then use a gold-coloured illuminating primer on your cheeks, forehead and the bridge of your nose.  Avoid matte face powder as it looks too tough.  It's nice to have a little shine.


An ace base
If a product makes your skin look drier or more wrinkled, it's not the right one for you.  Always test foundation on your face before you buy; it can look nice on your hand but the texture and colour of your face are totally different.  Apply a creamy concealer with a foundation brush on any dark spots.  And on days when you don't want to wear too much make-up, opt for a sheer tinted moisturiser.


What a cheek
Use a pink or peach powder blusher on your cheeks to make your face look fresh and radiant.  Take your index finger and line it up with your iris, then start applying your blusher from the pint on that line level with your nose, brushing up from there towards your ear.  Never bring the cheek colour too close to your mouth or nose; it will just make that part of your face look droopy.  There's a 90 year old woman who uses one of the cheek colours all over her face under foundation for added radiance, and she looks brilliant.


The eyes have it
Your eyes appear to shrink as you get older, which is very annoying.  Always use mascara.  It's a myth that you should switch to brown mascara as you get older.  It is not necessary; black will make your eyes look more sparkly.  Eye shadows can look heavy so stick to one colour in a shade lighter than your skin tone.  use a pencil liner to give your eyes a little strength.  Blondes are best with charcoal or dark green, but brunettes can use black.


Take a brow
Don't make your eyebrows too dark and don't over-define them; the lighter and softer the better.  If you're brunette and were using a black pencil when you were younger, switch to a brown or grey.  Use a little peachy iridescence on the brow bone, but nothing too frosted or sparkly. Alternatively, when you have finished applying the blusher, sweep the little bit of the powder left on the brush under your eyebrows.


Lip service
As you get older you need to use a nourishing, non-drying lip-gloss or lipstick.  You can wear any colour apart from dark brown or deep purple.  A medium pink tone with a touch of red suits most women, although some women can wear bright orange and look amazing!  You should change your li0p colour the same way you change your shoes, so you have different looks for different occasions, such as dark red lipstick for special occasions.

Coda:  I heard recently that the best thing for avoiding ageing our skin would be to cut down  on sugar - difficult if, like me, you love chocolate!