Recently, I had the joy of creating my friend’s wedding make-up look ahead of the big day, so she could practise doing it herself.
I was struck by the paradox of how much we are so focused on latest products when midlife beauty is about what.
It’s possible for a woman to spend millions on the latest state-of-the art slap. If she adds more, it can have a devastating effect on her finances.
I recommend that you take your time. This qualifies for trolling if it is said to a woman in her middle years. And I’m definitely not talking about hours each morning — not even one’s wedding morning.
Every once in awhile, you can take some time to play. Clem, my 46-year-old friend, and I took five hours to create the perfect 30 minute face.
Hannah Betts shows how to use bronzer for a glowingly fresh winter makeup look (file photo).
Next, look — really look — in as punishingly bright daylight as possible. I have the world’s most gigantic mirror, with normal and ultra-magnifying options, positioned in direct light. Clem hadn’t gazed at herself properly since her teenage years.
Number one Seismic realization: Her make-up line was too pinky-rosy to match her glowing complexion.
Our second discovery was that, although she may be a shade two in base come summer, in winter she’s a one, which immediately makes things look more natural.
You can build on the foundations that will make you look great. First, I apply oil and then sunscreen with enough gaps to allow for absorption. At the very least, you’ll need moisturiser.
I also use an eyelid primer — Kiko’s Pearly Eye Base (now £5.99, kikocosmetics.com) — to prevent eye make-up slippage.
Take texture into consideration. The traditional ‘heavy foundation plus bronzer plus powder’ face can look a tad matte and one-dimensional — ‘done’, rather than alive.
To keep things dewy, Clem and I experimented with the latest ultra-glowy, second-skin bases — Sisley’s Phyto-Teint Nude (£68, johnlewis.com) and Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint (£35, shiseido.co.uk) padded on with fingers — then added as much gleam as possible.
Consider: Three sweeps of bronzer on either side of your face, in the shape of three; from your brows to your cheekbones and jawline to highlight the skin; then a blush to the cheeks. Finally little C-shapes to add some highlighter to the area between the eyebrows and top of the cheekbone.
Because we are only talking about the smallest details, brushes are vital. But you don’t have to spend a fortune. I adore Charlotte Tilbury’s Eye Smudger (£25, charlottetilbury.com), and Eye Liner Brushes (£18). Otherwise, most of mine are cheap as chips, from Boots, H&M, TK Maxx and Amazon. The bristles are flexible enough to fit my purpose.
Hannah, a UK beauty columnist shares her picks for overnight masks
My mid-life musts are a flat brush for under-eye concealer; a slim eye brush for lid-lining and a fatter one for blending shadow; a double-ended blusher brush; a slanted highlighter brush; a big powder number; a brow comb (or old mascara wand); a lash comb (£2.69, amazon.co.uk); and a lip brush. Try Ruby Hammer’s multi-tasking Magnetic Brush Sets (£28, rubyhammer.com).
I was scared of my friend’s eye make-up. She had tried the heavier liner in her youth, but wasn’t sure what she should do. I suggested Chantecaille’s Le Chrome Luxe Eye Duos (£48, spacenk.com), cleverly coordinating combos that make the shading thing a cinch: paler colour across the lid, darker one to lend shape.
Then silver or gold kohl on the lid’s inner corner, and a touch of dark liner on the waterline at the opposite end for lift.
Lightly fill your brows with mascara before you swish them upwards. I also swiped concealer around Clem’s brows to give them sculptural elegance.
The lips were lightly lined and then topped with cream kohl. They were filled with Sisley’s ridiculously pretty Phyto Rouge Shine (£31, sisley-paris.com, launching next month), which combines the pigment of lipstick with the lustre of a gloss. The final touch was adding the smallest amount of powder.
The reaction was that our heroine looked ‘gloriously fresh’. You are done, reader.
Get in touch with us to book your weddings or bat mitzvahs.
RACE TO IT
Mutha has recently arrived in Los Angeles. It is an award-winning LA brand loved by Kate Hudson, as well as other Kardashians. The brand’s goal is to care for you the same way your mother would. That means it uses skin-feeding formulas. Its bestselling Mutha Body Butter (£80, cultbeauty. co.uk), is filled with essential fatty oils to reduce the appearance of dryness or stretch marks.
cultbeauty.co.uk
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MY ICON DU MONDAY
REESE WITHERSPOON
Hannah Betts’ icon for the week is Reese Witherspoon. She is a 45-year old actress and producer
The 45-year-old actress and producer has sensitive skin, and fell in love with Biossance’s science-backed, plant-based formulas.
‘In the mornings, I wash my face and put on eye cream, the Squalane And Omega Repair Cream (£45, cultbeauty.co.uk) and sunscreen.
At night, I clean my skin with the Squalane And Elderberry Jelly Cleanser (£22), and put on the Squalane And Vitamin C Rose Oil (£55).’
MAKE OVERNIGHT FACE MASKS
To combat redness and irritation, infuse with soothing niacinamide and kombucha.
boots.com
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This rich, plumping mask features soy cells to boost lipid content and therefore hydration.
bamford.com
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This creamy, decadent formula smooths fine lines, eases signs of fatigue and makes skin glow.
votary.co.uk
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COSMETIC CRAVING
Eve Lom believes that cleansing is the foundation of beautiful skin. This has been their core belief for over three decades. I stumbled across the brand’s Cleansing Oil Capsules (£20 for 14 capsules, evelom.co.uk), and, boy, I’m glad I did.
Scented with clove, eucalyptus, chamomile and hops, these oil capsules remove the day’s ills in one fragrant sweep, waterproof mascara included.
They are completely biodegradable and can be used for traveling. These pods are helping me get through January and into February. I am longing to be able to pop one in the back of my sack. Catch the brand at M&S from February 10.
Evelom.co.uk
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