Age appropriate cosmetics – Should we tone it down?

Posted by Lipglossiping On July - 17 - 2009

So, I’ve been thinking…

My latest FOTD was quite bright (for me), it’s my 28th birthday today and I’m someone’s Mum.

Should I start being more aware of my age when it comes to cosmetics?

I currently don’t give it much thought.  It’s just not something that inhabits my radar when shopping. 

Perhaps it should be?  I mean, loads of factors influence my purchasing decisions: skintone, seasonal trends, cost, if something is work appropriate/occasion appropriate etc…  But I have never questioned myself on whether I might perhaps be a little too mature to wear that sparkle infused lip gloss.

I’m not the kind of person to bathe myself in glitter, but I do find myself more drawn to shimmer than matte.  It might not have the sophistication of matte, but ooh look! pretty!…

I also spent most of my childhood rubbing my eyes.  Why my eyes always itched and why no-one took me to a doctor to get drops I’ll never know but anyway, I digress, where was I?  Oh yes, Consequently, my eyelids aren’t particularly smooth.  They’re quite creased, which probably isn’t going to look good combined with increasing wrinkles.   Throw in some shimmer eyeshadows and it’s probably not the best look past the age of 30.  That’s not to say it’ll look THAT bad, but it’s just not going to be the best way to draw attention to my features.

I have a confession.  I own a rather pretty NYX dark red glitter polish.  When it came in the post, I ooh’ed and ahh’ed over it, twirling the bottle between my fingers and making my husband agree with me at least 5 times a day that it was the sparkliest, prettiest polish he had ever seen…

I wore it once, and honestly… it made me feel massively self-conscious.  I took Leila to the surgery to get weighed and I hid my nails convinced they’d snatch my daughter off me citing the reason that I obviously wasn’t emotionally mature enough to care for a baby if at the age of 28, I was still painting my nails with red glitter.

Please tell me that I’m not the only one who occasionally thinks this when indulging in a bit of sparkle or a lovely bright colour?

The whole thought of having to consider age as a factor when shopping for cosmetics is quite frankly, depressing.

Youth, as they say – is most definitely wasted on the young.

Now please excuse me, I’m off to play with my Dazzle Dusts and Opi Brights.


8 Responses to “Age appropriate cosmetics – Should we tone it down?”

  1. I did a post about this last month — so I know what you mean. I think you should embrace it and do what you love — with makeup!

    I do hear you though on glitter – I love it myself (I’m way older than you and am a mom too) so I tend to go for shimmer instead which I think is softer. But I don’t think any makeup is wrong per se when done well and I think you have great skills!

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  2. mizzworthy says:

    Nah, with age comes wisdom, so you can work the colours on the best way!

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  3. Hi Michelle, glad you’re a sparkle lover too. I’ve just bought my first MSF and I’m desperately trying to work out how to use it best without looking like I’ve dunked myself in a vat of the stuff! Love it though!

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  4. Good point Jen! Who do I need to get in touch with for my fair share of wisdom? I think the wisdom hander-outer keeps bypassing me!

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  5. tali says:

    Your too young to be thinking about this.. when your 40 like my sister with wrinkles on the eye.. the only thing you have to change is eyeshadows. Switch from shimmer to matte as shimmer gets stuck in wrinkles and creases.

    I agree with Mizz Worthy.. now is the time to make the most of what youve got!

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  6. Lipglossiping says:

    Thanks Tali, I think it’s a great excuse to go shopping for some gorgeous mattes. I’ll ease myself into it sloooowwwwllllyyyyy. That way, by the time I’m 40 – I won’t give a crap anyhow right? :) plus, I always like a reasonable excuse to go shopping!

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  7. VexInTheCity says:

    I think you can wear what you want – it’s all in the application. Thanks for being my 200th follower! :-) I’m following you too now. Which camera do you use, your pics are so crystal clear – they’re amazing!!

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  8. @VexInTheCity – you’re welcome! I use a Canon 30D, I’m a hobbyist photographer.

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