Ok guys. This is one of those weird posts. I planned to start out with a bit of a rant but then I had a change of heart. My original thought was to go into yet another blog post on how our demographic and every woman over the age of …60, 70 and upwards (and I’ll add mid-to-high-50’s too) is ignored by the beauty industry.
This is me, begging cosmetics companies to pay attention to our demographic. As you can see, I’m ignored!
Kind of like No Country for Old Women—but beauty-related!
True dat. We are the girly version of “No Country for Old Men”! (Do you like the look I gave to Javier Bardem?)
But seriously—how many times can I write about the lack of inclusion?
How many times can I go on about the beauty industry not being truly diverse when they don’t recognize us?
No! I’m NOT going away! You need to include my peers…and me!!!
As much as I love and admire the beautiful Helen Mirren—just because a cosmetics or skincare company uses her in an ad doesn’t mean they are being inclusive. In fact, sometimes I think it’s a bit patronizing!
But overall, I love me some Mirren because she embraces her lines and she’s age proud!
And so, I’ve decided to change my tune to a more positive note because we need those cosmetics. Those cosmetics not only make us look good but they make us feel good.
Truth be told, this is how I feel after I put on a full face of makeup!
Screw it. It’s not about them. It’s about us!
Wanna know what I’m doing? I’m Age Crashing! That’s right I’m crossing the boundaries into the land of over-photoshopped, over-filled, completely unnatural Instagram, Blogging, Pinterest and Brand Name Cosmetics website galleries to do makeup geared to the way we can wear it!
That’s right. I am shasaying and sauntering my way across the age border to take charge of makeup that is not marketed to the mature woman. Come to think of it there aren’t any cosmetics companies exclusively marketed to the mature woman!
A couple of weeks ago I took a chance and ordered a lip balm and a palette by the brand “Winky-Lux”. This is a brand marketed to the very young. The palette I ordered is named “Mini Uptown Kitten Palette”. Word to the wise—any makeup with “kitten” in the name is not geared to your average older woman. Regardless, I made the purchase.
When I first opened the box, I thought the palette was covered in sandpaper. Then I realized it was glittery glimmer!
The palette, six shadows. Three shimmery shades and three mattes. I would say overall; these shades are in the berry family. But—this actually is a pro-aging, mature woman friendly palette. The shadows are not heavily pigmented and would work very well for a no-eye makeup look—understated but with a hint of something-something. I’ve worn the shadows once (and didn’t take a pic) and liked the way the shadows blended. The shimmery shades are very subtle with a hint of glimmer so this is a great palette for those who shy away from shimmery shadows.
Surprisingly pro-age friendly! These shadows are not heavily pigmented and blend well. I’ll be taking pics of an eye look with this over the weekend to share with you!
The lip balm in Rosé is beautiful. It’s really a bit more than a balm because it has decent staying and wear power. It changes color. From first look, the balm has bits of golden shimmer, but once it touches the lips, it changes into a gorgeous pink. I have to say I really, really love this!
The Winky Lux Lip Balm in Rose. See the glitter? But see the top of the bullet–it’s pink. That’s from use…
Goes on pink. I LOVE this stuff!!!
Both were purchased, along with a metallic Winky-Lux cosmetic bag for $21.00 and it was a very good deal!
My love for Jeffree Star knows no limits. I have his Sarcophagus highlighter and I absolutely love it. But recently I purchased one of his lipsticks. Beam Me Up. This is another glimmery lipstick that, back in my youth, I would say it’s a frosted shade. I’ve been wearing it under the Winky-Lux lip balm and am very happy. At $18.00 on Beautylish, it’s a great buy.
The Jeffree Star “Beam Me Up” lipstick. I have been using this under all the lipsticks I use and this is good. I feel like I’m revisiting all my frosted lipsticks from the 70’s!!
I only wish Jeffree was inclusive of the mature woman.
Today I wore the Jeffree Star Beam Me Up underneath the Winky Lux Rose Lip Balm. It’s a great office look!
And now…. for the greatest purchase in eyeshadow palettes. Anastasia Beverly Hills Riviera Palette!
I swore up and down I wouldn’t buy it. But I did. And I’m so happy that I did!
A mix of neutrals and Easter-egg colors and is just fun and perfect for the upcoming warm weather and it’s so …. well…it’s just plain ol’ feminine!
This palette is like a basket of bright colored Easter Eggs, but with the shades, Estate, Yacht, Coastline, Palm and Sails, you can achieve a beautiful neutral look!
Now—I’ll tell you, I have seen many reviews and all the reviews were by younger women ranging in age from around 19-ish to 30. And most of the reviews had “looks” that not only would not suffice the more mature woman…but would be questionable under normal, everyday situations like at the office or a trip to the OB/GYN!
I’ll leave this look to every Instagramer and YouTube reviewer. But a more subtle and understated look CAN be achieved with this palette.
But anyway, I decided to pull the cash outta my wallet and I bit the bullet. Here’s another look at the palette.
And in my ultra clumsy way, I’ve managed to mess the Seychelles shadow a bit. The Bahamas, Cannes and Palm shades are all pure pigments. It’s instructed to use caution with these shades as they may irritate. I used all three –two as liner and they were fine!
Isn’t it beautiful?
The beauty industry loves fabulosity. And flamboyancy. And makeup looks that, if you left your home and ventured outside under normal circumstances, you would get a ton of side eye. But—our young peers can carry those looks off with no problem.
If you are interested in leaving your comfort zone, these looks are actually pretty darn creative and the YouTube channel, Annette’s Makeup Corner is a good makeup channel. This young woman has a very nice way about her and I may try the bottom left look. It’s colorful but not over-the top!
I prefer a more…. sedated look and the Riviera palette offers that. That’s what I love about it. You can go with the brights one day then tone it down for the office the next. Take a look at how I used these shadows!
Sunday’s look. I washed lid to brow bone with the white shade “Sail”. It’s very pigmented and gives a good base color. Then I went into the crease with “Cannes” and blended it out. I lined my lid with the pigment shade “Bahamas” and lined the bottom lid with “Yacht”.
The color is there but it’s pretty-much toned down.
Monday’s look was more subtle. I went with “Estate” on the lid and used it as a transition shade. Then ever-so-slighty, I took the pigmented “Palm” and went into the crease. Again, “Yacht” lined the lower lids and I lined my upper lid with “Seychelles”.
Here’s today’s look. Neutrals with a punch! I used “Sail” as an allover wash up to the browbone. Then used “Cabana” as a transition shade and lightly added a bit of “Palm” to the crease. I got very bold and applied “Inheritance” to the inner corners of the lid and touched the brush with both “Monte Carlo” and “Bahamas” and dotted it to the center of my lid. “Yacht” is very popular with me as a liner for the bottom lids. There’s a lot to love with this palette!
What do you think? Are you willing to crash the age border with me? I do have to say, the Anastasia Beverly Hills is quickly becoming a favorite brand for me. The shadow palettes are wonderful and the dipBrow is my HG brow product.
Have a great mid-week. I’ll be back with what I wore this week in a couple of days!!!