Allow me to give my opinion on what I liked for 2024. There are items I used that will not be repurchased. It isn’t because I despised the, it’s simply they didn’t work for me. There are a couple of reasons for not repurchasing products. If I find something is lackluster and very expensive but doesn’t work wonders, it will be a one-off. If a product doesn’t live up to the hype, I won’t repurchase. If I find the product just doesn’t work for me despite what Instagram and Social Media influencers promised with their filler-filled and filtered visages, I won’t purchase; or, if I foolishly spent money on said product(s), I deserve to feel like a fool.
LOL! I’m spending this gray and freezing Saturday enjoying writing this post. Dressed to the nines in pajamas!
2024 was the year I started to wear less makeup. I didn’t take a cue from the gorgeous Pamela Anderson, I just realized that at my age of soon-to-be 70, less is more. Heavy makeup and foundations can look caked-on. The foundations will also creep into those wrinkles and crevices making you look older. NO foundation, despite what influencers or social media ads pontificate, is going to make a 50, 60, 70 and older year-old woman look 25 or thirty. Truth. Stop being delusional!
2024. The year I decided that less (makeup) is more!
Foundation is a naught for me I rely on skin tints to give my skin a bit of an extra “oomph.”
Contour? Never got fully into it. I do like a bit of a bronzer—especially in winter when I am vampire-pale.
Let us just get into my recommendations and other opinions.
Skincare: As a firm believer of a good night’s sleep, protecting your face from the elements, and washing that makeup off every night, skincare is basic for me. Not loyal to many brands when it comes to caring for my skin, I cannot exist without Albolene makeup remover. It is, as I have said in the past, lard for the face. It has been around for years and on an average, I will pay ten bucks for a substantial tub full. I think this is my fourth mention over the years of this wonder product!
This image is from a past blog post. I cannot ever run out of this. It is my holy grail of makeup remover!
It does have a balm-like texture and when I see brands and influencers yapping about the greatness of any new balm, I chuckle. They are overpriced and over-scented. Gimme unscented Albolene any day. It is the greatest makeup remover out there.
I also love Jergen’s body lotion. The original scented. The one that smells like cherries and almonds. I slather this on all year. The scent reminds me of days gone by. Decades gone by. And, it does the job.
Legs, arms, neck. Jergens original scent is the one moisturizer I have used since childhood!
Inasmuch as I love Albolene, I follow up by cleaning my face with water and…whatever facial scrub is within my reach. Skin cleansers all do the same job. Apply, work it in with H20 and rinse. Two dollars to Thirty dollars. When you are finished—your face is clean. Kudos to those using a washcloth. You are my people!
I buy this in bulk at Walmart. Cheap and when they get extra grimy from mascara I trash them.
Toners? I’ll use the ones I have on hand (i.e. Fragonard’s Fleur d’Oranger) and mostly in the summer when my skin gets sweaty. In the winter I tend to leave my skin alone because toners can be drying. At least for my very dry skin they are. I love the Fragonard toner because it is so light and my face never feels taut after application. The price in the USA is about $21 per bottle but I purchase cheaper in France. I very much recommend this.
Best toner out there. And the scent. Orange Blossom. Warms my heart!
Serums? I will admit, I do like the snail ones. I was thrilled to see this in the stocking that Jake, Roman and Oona had in my stocking this Christmas. I’ve purchased this on repeat and it’s the one serum I always return to.
I’m also subscribed to this serum on Amazon. I save a dollar or so by subscribing
Guerlain’s Abeille Royalle Skincare Line: I received three full-sized products from this line from Influencer. I received it to write a review, which I did and post a picture on Instagram, which I did.
The items I received were: The Fortifying Lotion with Royal Jelly, The Double -R Serum, and the Advanced Youth Watery Oil. This trio retails for $285. There is no way I would repurchase unless I won a few million bucks in the Lottery. To be perfectly honest with you, this trio is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I received it in early Autumn and the Serum and Watery Oil are both almost finished. The Fortifying lotion is ¾ full. Based on the two items alone, one would have to repurchase at least one time during the year, making the products pricier. Not gonna lie, I noticed that my skin had a glow to it after a couple of months. Wrinkles were still there. Redness was too. However, my skin still really looked better.
These products are great but way out of my price range.
It’s too bad that the products are so expensive. My recommendation on this trio is—if you are the one percent and can afford it with no thought that it is pricey—buy it. If you are retired and on a fixed income, or working to make ends meet (as many of us Boomers do), do not go into debt for it. Ask for it for next Christmas!
Of Note: The one brand that I did get hooked on in 2024 was Typology. The skincare products are excellent, albeit, not cheap. Not as pricey as the Guerlain. The products can be purchased online at: Typology.com I could kick myself in the ass because the only store the products are sold in is Printemps. I cannot believe that I was in that store, shopped there and wasn’t aware they were sold at that location.
Some serums and creams from Typology. The Face Balm and Moisturizer will definitely be a repurchase.
Anyway……in 2024, I started ordering the products. The serums are good but I’m not sure about repurchasing. What I will repurchase from the brand’s skincare line is the Lipid-Replenishing Face Balm and the Nourishing Moisturizer. The Face Balm is great for applying before heading out into the winter weather. It is a great product for daytime use. The Nourishing Moisturizer, I use at night (among other products).
These “limited editions” really bother me. I keep this face scrub at my bathtub because I love to use it while taking a bath. Now it isn’t available. I’m pissed.
I really loved the cleansing face scrub but it was limited edition and no longer available. What I suggest is trying out the products before deciding on which work for you. I ordered their Discovery gift set which has ten products. Many of which I have but I love the smaller sizes for travel…
Lots of mini-goodies in this Discovery Set. I haven’t used anything yet because it arrived last night!
…..I ordered the Travel Set and it worked perfectly when we were in Paris last month. I was able to put the products, in the pouch they came in, in my carry-on and had no problem. The sizes are TSA-approved!
This travel set is perfect. And the sizes are TSA-approved which means you can put them in a carry-on or purse!
They arrived in this pouch which you can throw other products in as well!
These French skincare products:
I wrote about these in my last post regarding our Paris trip. The A313 is something I would not repurchase. The hype is ridiculous. I’ve read reviews that women saw a difference in one application. That is bullshit. The Biafine is something that I would repurchase though. It’s pretty darn good!
And, as usual, I cannot be without my Embryolisse. Picked two more tubes in France. If you can’t make it to France, buy it from Amazon! * Full disclosure. Any links to Amazon, I receive a minute commission. I am not an affiliate of any other site.
Makeup: Let us talk about it. Since I am wearing less these days.
I’ll show you which products I used go get from point A to point B! Without a TON of makeup!
Skin Tints: Coming back to Typology, I am absolutely loving their face tint. Because I am no longer working in Corporate and am at the State Hospital, I don’t wear face makeup every day. However, when I am going out and about and, on those days, when I want my skin to look not as winter-sickly, I will use the skin tint. This is the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is undetectable since it doesn’t cake up and doesn’t slip into wrinkles. It works wonders to tone down the redness yet it is as light as a feather. Like a second skin. It stays put all day as well. I cannot say enough great things about this. And yes. I have two of these and will absolutely repurchase.
The skin tints and the shimmering dry oil. I honestly have no idea what the difference from T 10 to T 12 is. They both work the same. The shimmering dry oil is fantastic for just a tiny glow up. The bottle will last forever.
I know the lighting is weird but look at the photo on the far right. It was taken before adding the skin tint. See how blotchy and red my skin is? The Typology skin tint evened out everything . Wrinkles are still there. So is my skin texture but my redness is gone!
It’s akin to Brylcreem because ” a little dab’ll do ya”!
Glossier also has a face tint that I’m quite fond of. It is lighter in weight than the Typology and doesn’t cover the redness as well, but still—it is a wonderful skin tone. I have a backup and would repurchase.
Glossier is another “mature” skin friendly brand. The Futuredew gives a nice glow under the Glossier skin tint! And the concealer is wonderful!
MAC Cosmetics as a “Face and Body Foundation” that is not a foundation—it is more of a skin tint and it is good. I would not repurchase simply because I’m ridiculously happy with Typology.
Although deemed a foundation, the MAC body and face “foundation” is more of a heavier skin tint. I also used the Merit lip oil a lot in 2024.
Concealers: I am hooked on Glossier’s concealer and have been for a few years. It isn’t for everyone because many deem it “greasy.” If you have dry skin, such as mature skin, this concealer is wonderful. It comes in a pot and I apply it with a mini blender sponge. It works as both an eyeshadow primer and brightens the undereye as well as conceals.
The Glossier concealer. Works great for super-dry skin!
Eyebrows: Ugh. The older we get; the eyebrows disappear and make their way to the chin! (Have a tweezer on hand at all times). There was a time when I had thick brows. No more. My eyebrow pencil or pen, of choice for 2024 was the same as previous years. e.l.f. has the best brow pencil. It is downright cheap, it has a spoolee at one end and product on the other. It works. It fills the brows in and that is what you want. One does not need to spend a lot of money.
Used regularly through 2024 as you can tell from the marks on the pencil.
The brow gel that I use to keep them in place? I have a few. The one I like the best and used the most in 2024 is the Typology. It has a good amount of product in the tube and you need but a light hand to keep those brows in place. It isn’t the cheapest in price on the market but it works.
You can see this brow gell has been well-used!
Eye Shadow: I don’t like colors in eyeshadows. A bit of glitter? Yeah. But, no color except for neutrals. Although I have way too many neutral eye shadow palettes, these were the ones I used the most in 2024. The Mally palette was discontinued a long time ago but I found three of them on eBay so I’m good for a while. The Kat Von D palette has also been discontinued. I’ve had this for years and the shadows work well.
I’ve hit pan on three of these palettes. What can I say? I’m a fan of neutrals because I feel they make the eyes more awake and attractive!
The Jones Road palette is the only one not discontinued. And it is very good.The MAC palette? I made it myself. Purchased individual shades and can replace them as needed.
There’s not much more I can say on this subject because a neutral is a neutral is a neutral. My personal thoughts are neutrals work well for the mature woman.
Mascara: OMG! I LOVE mascara! I’m that one who also loves a bit of a clumpy mascara because they make the lashes look fuller—especially from far away! I use a lot of mascara. A LOT!
I use all of these mascaras. They make the lashes look thicker!
Every mascara pictured is a repurchase except for the yellow tube by Nocibé. I’ll repurchase on my next trip to France. It was purchased last summer in Theoule. Our lashes thin out as we age and I can’t stand a weak mascara. I’ve also learned that not wearing eyeliner and mascara only makes the lasher look longer.
Lips: Okay. Back to Typology. Their lip oils are wonderful for my perpetually-chapped lips. The Powder Pink shade is gorgeous and the Ruby Red when applied very lightly is nice for dressing up! Suffice it to say, I am NOT a red-lip person, but this lip oil isn’t a harsh red. The Luminous Glow lip oil is my favorite. I use it every day and will be repurchasing into 2025! The staying power isn’t great but sets the tone for a hydrated kisser!
2024. The year of the lip oil for me. I’ve read pros and cons regarding these oils but in my opinion, I think they work well for the woman of the mature demographic. Granted–they don’t last long but they give a good base for hydration.
My go-to’s and most go back past 2024. Lip stick and gloss! Loreal’s Number 165. A beautiful pink, I’ve been wearing this shade for years and I have multiples for various purses. Guerlain’s Kiss Kiss Rose Glow is another balm with color that works well. Again, not as harsh as a deeper lipstick, my preference these days is balms. Jone Road Cool Gloss. This squeeze tube is great for a bit of a glittery glow and shine. Chanel Coco Baume in Dreamy White. Plain. Simple. Basic. Hydrates lips beautifully.
These are all in a pouch that is in my everyday purse.
Here are the shades. 165 is the prettiest pink ever!
Here’s the finished face. I applied too much of the Jones Road gloss as you can see. But. This is the face of age. And that skin tint is far better than any foundation!
Bronzer and Blush: During the summer, the people at Boom got in touch with me to see if I would like to sample their Boomstick Bronze. Naturally, I accepted the offer but, what happened was I never received the bronzer, in error I was sent the Boomstick Parisian Red blush stick. I did get in touch with them to let them know of the error and the bronzer was sent.
These sticks by Boom are a 2024 treasure!
Let me tell you, I have not used any other blush since receiving this. It was, hands down, the greatest error ever sent to me. I use it every day. I love it. The “red” is more of a pink on my skin and blends so well with my natural skin tone.
The bronzer is also quite nice. I use it almost daily to add a bit of depth and to warm up my face. Sometimes I’ll use it alone and sometimes over a skin tint. I apply it by rubbing a brush over it then lightly brushing on my face.
I apply each product with a brush instead of applying from tube to face!
At $28 per stick, I think this is a fair price—especially considering you don’t need a lot of product.
That’s about all folks. My skincare routine is simple. I don’t spend hours mulling over taking care of my skin. I follow a basic routine.
As far as makeup goes, I don’t wear as much as I used to. In addition, if something “drugstore” such as e.l.f. works—I’ll buy it. I don’t mind spending money on other items but I have a limit. As much as I loved the Guerlain trio, I simply cannot justify the price.
Done! I took these photos by the window where the light is brighter. I’m no makeup artist but for the most part, all of these products work well….
AND, for those who cannot bear to see an ageing face…
Here is “fake” face me. The kind that makeup and skincare companies use to entice older women to buy products. They foolishly believe makeup will make them look 25 again. Ain’t happening. Embrace your age. It sucks at times but overall, be glad you’re around!
Thoughts welcomed in comments. How much would you spend upwards on skincare and makeup? Are you wearing less or more as you age? What tips to you have and what favorites?
Great post!!! Always fun to see what people are doing with skin care and makeup. You look fantastic, as always. I’ll turn 70 on May 3rd. I use the Ursa Major Golden Hour moisturizer after washing my face (with a wash cloth) with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. I’m addicted to it. I no longer use any form of makeup other than a tinted lip balm from time to time. Not even mascara. I wear glasses and consider them ‘jewelry for my face’.
This whole influencer situation is quite something these days. You are a breath of fresh air. So many of the influencers are hocking anything on which they can to get a commission. I’m sick of seeing all the photo editing, fillers, fake nails, breast implants, eating disorders, etc. on young women who are barely into their 30s. I just wonder how they will cope with their appearances as they age – if they are lucky enough to be able to do that. (I know too many people who never made it past 50.)
Hi Vava! You’re a couple of weeks younger than me!!!! I’m glad you mentioned Ursa. I sent the brand a message on IG because I had questions about ingreeds, and how it really worked on unfiltered faces. They responded with such an insulting response that I was turned off completely. I just might give the brand a second chance.
I don’t post on Instagram as much these days because of the bullshit. I don’t need to look at “click for my chico’s” link. I’m sick and tired. One influencer in our demographic posts stories that are nothing more than ads. It is sickening.
At almost 73, I have adopted the less is more toward makeup also. I do make sure that whatever I wear it has sunscreen since I had basal cell carcinoma and graft surgery to repair my nose, and it is evident that I have scarring. (Unless I photoshop the pic, but who am I kidding?). Usually it is Elta MD tinted sunscreen or Erborian matte cc cream. With age, my skin has not changed basically. I’m Ali Baba’s oil well, and always have been. In a way, that’s good because fine wrinkles are less apparent on me. (My mother had the same skin.). I do wear mascara and eyeliner sometimes, and sometimes I play with bronzer down the sides of my nose and a pop of highlighter on the tip to narrow my nose some. It works, but I gotta be going somewhere special. Lip balms are what I use too, the feel of matte lipstick is icky, and I just reapply it as I want it. A slightly blurry outline looks better on mature faces anyway. Skin care is Neutrogena hydro gel scrub every night, with a lightly abrasive pad a few times a week, and their serum and gel face moisturizer. Heavier moisturizer on my neck and chest.
Am sooo sick of influencers everywhere. How do they deal with getting old? And it does happen, like you said, ain’t gonna lie. Getting older is not for the faint of heart!
Hoping to be in Paris and London again next year and to shop at the pharmacies!
I hear you on the Skin Cancer Susan. I have the Elba that you’re speaking of but it’s really dark on me. I can’t wear it in the winter–however, it is an excellent product. I think influencers deal with getting old by filtering their faces more. It’s so funny because as I age and given the state of our country with Medicare, Social Security etc being taken away from us (possibly), I’m really offended by the constant ads that influencers are throwing our way. They no longer have anything of substance to say other than “click the link for my LTK” . It’s disgusting.
First thank you for sharing, love having someone write about and for women our age. Also you doing all the testing for “cosmetics” saves me time and money. I’ve cut back but still like to look presentable, don’t want to scare little children or adults for that matter. I’m dealing with evening skin tone without looking like I have a theater pancake makeup on. I would also like to have wrinkles filled but not with makeup. My lips dry out anytime I use lipstick, it looks good going on and then a couple of hours later my lips are flaking and peeling. Dermatologist told me to purchase one with moisturizer in it, well that didn’t work. The lipstick/balm you recommend sounds like it’s worth a try.
Would it be possible for you to make a list of just the items you would repurchase? My brain struggles trying to make the list myself. I travel vicariously to Paris with you each time you go. It’s been years since I was visited but my daughter and I are planning a trip for granddaughter’s 13th! Keep on sharing!
Hi Travy. I would repurchase every lip oil from Typology. Like you, lipstick has a tendency to dry my lips–especially in winter. I cannot wear red lipstick at all because it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo harsh. Both Boom products, the blush and the bronzer are an absolute repurchase. Ugh. I have to go to my dermatologist in March. I’m not looking forward to it because I have so many dry spots on my body no matter how much I moisturize.
I really enjoyed this post. I’m with you. I’m using tints on my face. At 84 I like the look better. In fact I’m posting a YouTube video tomorrow all about that. I do think it’s much more youthful. What are the brushes you’re using for your blush and bronzer? I would love to see you actually applying your makeup. You do a great job. It looks like you use powders instead of creams for your eyes. What ever you use it looks great. Oh, and I prefer the real you to the fake you. Much prettier. You’ve got it together! Looking great.,
Hi Sandy! RIGHT?? The skin tints are miracle workers. I use cheap brushes. No creams on my eyes. I find that with concealer-as-primer, the shadows last all day. Thanks so much!
At 64, I have ‘pared down’ (not really) my skincare to Vitamin C serum and a combo moisturizer/sunscreen in the AM, and retinol, glycolic, some kind of serum, and a cream in the PM. I am a big fan of exfoliation as I grew up with oily, acne-prone skin that can take a licking and keep on ticking, so to speak, so I use an enzyme exfoliator in the shower in the morning and a gentle scrub at night after taking off my makeup and before cleansing. I guess – it’s a lot, isn’t it? But I find my nighttime skincare routine calming and I enjoy it.
Regarding makeup, I have some faves – Luminous Silk foundation, Touche Eclat under eye, Westman Atelier blush, Sisley Phyto Eye shadow stick, and NYX black liner. The Luminous Silk goes on sale, the blush stick lasts forever, NYX is really inexpensive, and I buy the Sisley stuff when I am in France. I do not have any makeup beyond what I have listed above, except some lipsticks, but I do have a duplicate set of my cosmetics for travel so I don’t have to transfer each time I pack.
Most of my skincare is reasonably priced – a $40 cream for me does just as good a job as a $400 cream. However, I do make one splurge purchase each year – I order the Liberty advent calendar as it is packed with great skincare products, many full size, so it ends up being a very good value and introduces me to some great products.
By the way, I think you are beautiful and that you do not need that filter. I cannot help but reflect how different (and good) we 60-something women look these days compared to our parents’ (and our grandparents!) generation. We are aging well and you are a great example of that.
Finally, I love, love, love your travel posts, and I’m quite jealous that you have someone to drive you around Paris. I’ve driven throughout France but never in Paris because I am not brave enough! That’s what G7 is for.
Hi Debra, you’ve convinced me that the next time in Paris, I need to buy a couple of Sisley products. I never hear that much about them so your words make me happy. OMG. I definitely think we all look so much better than our parents or grandparents at our present age. And women should embrace it instead of making an attempt to look like they are 16. No matter what they do to their face with botox or filters, the neck and hands give it away!
Oh, this is a good post! I love reading about what other people use for their skin care. I am a skin care junkie and am constantly switching brands. Right now, I really like The Ordinary. I do treat myself to a facial every month and have a couple of laser treatments to get rid of huge brown spots on one side of my face. That was the only thing good about Covid…the masks covered up those spots. I finally figured out why they were only on one side of my face…it was the side exposed to the sun when I was riding in the car! I also use a sunscreen because I also use a retinol in the evenings. I love balms to remove makeup. I used to use DHC cleansing oil and then found a balm. Like you, I’ve tried the expensive ones and have found the cheap ones work just as well. I’m going to look for the Albolene. I’ve never used that. I just hate the mess using balms creates. That’s the only downside. A serum and a good moisturizer (whatever was on sale at Ulta) and the night is done. The morning is just about the same with the addition of the sunscreen. Eyeshadow is my guilty pleasure. It’s the one thing I could always buy when I was really, really heavy. And, mascara! I love it. I lost half of each eyebrow (like from the pupil toward my hairline) due to my thyroid so drawing them on is a must. I’m going to look for that e.l.f. liner because I have tried every one out there, and none of them last. I have silver hair and really don’t know what color to wear.
Marsha, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post. I rarely get to read about skincare or makeup because all the bloggers are trying to make a buck with constant ads and showcasing clothing. In addition, the YouTube ladies are all botoxed to kingdom come so it’s difficult to get a good view on how the products look in real life. The elf brow stuff is great. And a bargain!
You look Absolutely AMAZING!😍 WONDERFUL Post! It’s always so comforting to return to a beloved product THAT WORKS! You have done all the leg work and Thank You for sharing! I LOVE your natural hair! It has Grown so much! LOVE IT
Hi Fran! HOnestly, I don’t mind doing the legwork. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised with Typology. Would I purchase the entire line? Nope–but I will repurchase what works for me. I also love the fact that the brand has that discovery kit and a travel kit. It’s genius!
So happy you’ve written a post about skincare and makeup, I must admit if I see a drippy looking influencer pouting her way through a product I make a mental note to avoid and then block – no way in heck am I paying for young skin to wear something I then have to pay full price for, essentially thats asking me to pay twice and that makes me livid. And Im very proud of every single flipping wrinkle I have earnt – yes, thats right – I have EARNT my wrinkles from living and laughing and having a life, no wrinkles can look really freakish at our ages, I like to look human. Eventually those young ‘uns will catch up with us and realise wrinkles are cool/even desirable – it spells life experience and rocking a wrinkle or two can look really dont-give-a-bleep confident, you dont earn wrinkles overnight and with a bit of lippy and mascara can look mighty fine. One product I found in France is the biotherm lait corporel – if you can lay your paws on that, it is not too greasy and has a delectable orange scent much like the Fragonard fleur d’oranger, you wont stick to your pyjamas and its lovely and light and just right, good for layering with the fragonard in fact.
Hi Juliet!
I gave up completely on overfiltered influencers (and YES the ones OUR age) and the fakeness of the beauty industry. I buy what works for me and want to share. I’ll definitely look for the biotherm lait corporel. Sounds like a product I would love. Thanks for the heads up!
I don’t remember how long ago I started doing this, but with things I use every day like skin care, I mark the date when I first start using it on the container. Then when I’m finished, I calculate how much it cost per use, if it is something I really like. I’m often surprised when more expensive things are cheaper per use, but they aren’t always. My husband finds my “system” hilarious, but my friend has titled it “Bridget’s Mathematical Spending Theorem,” and has shortened it to the BMST. 🙂 So if I like something, I’m always trying to figure out if it is worth it price-wise as well …
Oh Catherine, 😁 thanks to this post I just spent $264 on Typology’s website. They should pay you for your endorsement of their products. Big hug to you, can’t wait to try the products. 😄
I like to try lots of skincare. I’m always looking for what works best for my skin, but I seem to always return to Jouviance (a Canadian brand). To be exact, the eye cream, elixir, and face cream (from the aging line). I find the work really well together. I notice a difference (in hydration) if I DON’T use all three. While it is a bit pricey, I always wait for sales or points deals to purchase.