Can you keep a secret? I have a pretty big birthday coming up, and I’m a little bit scared of it. Well, not so much the day itself but what it signifies, not to mention what this looming date has done to my make-up bag…
I never used to use what I would consider to be, for want of a better word, ‘corrective’ make-up – foundations, primers, concealer, CC cream etc – give me a slick of mascara and a bold lip and I’m done. But now I’m staring down the barrel of the big 3-0, I’ve noticed it creeping into my routine more and more.
I’m still a firm believer in no make-up days and despite my love for lipstick, more often than not you’ll find me fresh faced without a stitch of make-up on during the day. But when it comes to nights out, taking blog photos and meeting new people, I’ve started to feel like my age is beginning to show.
In the last two years or so I’ve noticed fine lines appearing around my eyes, under eye bags and the more than occasional grey hair around my temples. I’d love to blame it on stress, poor diet or not getting enough shut-eye, but ultimately it comes down to one simple thing: ageing. Last summer I bought my first concealer – Collection’s Lasting Perfection concealer in the shade 01, a godsend on particularly early mornings – and Benefit’s POREfessional has become my new best friend on days when I need a pick me up. I’m still resisting the urge to wear foundation, but I always prick my ears up when it’s mentioned by the beauty bloggers and vloggers I follow.
I stand firmly in the ‘make-up should be fun’ camp, and I’ve never felt like I can’t leave the house without it on, but I’m bothered by the fact I feel the need to correct part of me in the first place. I was lucky enough to have pretty clear skin growing up (what can I say, I love drinking water), which has definitely helped shape my attitude to make-up, so why bother now you might ask?
Perhaps it’s because the majority of adverts aimed at my gender focus on youth – not just the fashion and beauty industries, but in food, fitness and lifestyle, too. Perhaps it’s because, according to one Vagenda contributor, your employer still expects you to wear make-up in the workplace or that beauty brands feel the need to infantilise us with the offer of ‘Baby Skin’ – a product that I just can’t bring myself to try, despite the hype.
The visible signs of ageing bother me and they seem to bother movie moguls and news broadcasters, too. The lack of female representation in the media is worrying, particularly when it’s reported that (female) news anchors are given the heave-ho once they reach a certain age – something that their male counterparts don’t have to worry about. And, like Caitlin Moran says, if the men aren’t worrying about it, then it’s probably a little bit sexist.
For the record, I’m not dissing make-up or anyone who choses to wear it, I’m simply a little frustrated that A) I’m ageing and B) that I care about it.
As always I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – are you worried about ageing (or worried about worrying about it)? Embracing the visible changes? Perhaps you’re a fan of a full base and always have been – let me know what you think in the comments below.
I hate wrinkles! I am getting more fine lines the closer I get to 30 but I’ve always had a relatively good skincare regime. I love my eye cream and moisturiser. Most people think I’m at least a few years younger which I’m grateful about, I think it’s probably because I don’t have kids haha! I have to wear makeup at work but I keep it natural, even if everyone else thinks I need more slap on. ;)
Ahh it’s always nice when people think you look younger isn’t it? I guess that’s part of the issue – that we see it as a good thing to be told we look youthful – but it still feels blooming great to get ID’s, doesn’t it? I’ve always thought you have flawless skin, T :) x
I am a big fan of tinted moisturizer with SPF in it but with my 30th looming this year as well I feel that I also need under eye cream and all sorts of other things I have never thought about!
Annoying isn’t it? I’ve been using eye creams on and off for a few years but I think the problem is not using them consistently, as it’s the patting/massaging motion that helps stimulate blood flow around the eye area.
I can totally relate to this post SJ! I turn 35 this year. 35!!! I spot more and more lines around my eyes and I won’t even talk about the grey hairs! It bothers me that I think about it and try to conceal it but I still do it. I don’t know how you feel, but I definitely feel more aware of how my hair and makeup look since we moved to the USA; female American TV stars are ridiculously flawless! I’ve started to wear more make-up over the last couple of years, but I still like to keep it light. I’m not much good at experimenting with my makeup ( wish I was, but I end up looking clown like when I try anything too fancy) I tend to wear makeup simply to even out my skin tone and to add some color to my super sun starved skin.
Thanks so much for your comment Niki. I’ve definitely noticed that the beauty industry seems to be ‘bigger and better’ out here – lots of huge, white smiles and lots of blusher and eye make-up going on. Fortunately SF is quite a sporty city, so it’s normal to see women fresh faced but at the same time they seem to have that flawless look down in a way that I definitely don’t after exercising!
I have had grey hairs since my late teens and my dad went grey very early one so I’m guessing my fate will be very similar!
Maria xxx
Maybe we should just embrace it Maria – hair dye be damned! :) x