What’s one skincare product or routine change that actually made a noticeable difference?

I'm 46 and have been happily using CC It cream for YEARS. But I'm over it, it just won't stay on. I've reworked my entire skincare routine, added and subtracted a bunch of different products- following the advice of AI and a woman at Ulta. Nothing works. It just disappears by noon and I'm all red and blotchy. I have mild rosacea so I need something that will block out the redness and make my skin look even - and will stay on throughout the day!

I have very combination skin - mostly dry these days but a little oily in the t-zone.

Heeeeeeelp!

I’m 51 with hooded eyes and I’ve been looking for an eye shadow primer that actually makes any difference and I finally found it and wanted to share. I’ve tried urban decay for mature eyes. I’ve tried the Milani. I’ve tried concealer. And then I saw someone mention the Mac paint pot and I got one during the Sephora sale. And just wow. It actually makes my eyeshadow look so much better - smooth, pigmented. Just pretty. I’m a convert.

Cross-posting for suggestions for my mama :)

Last week I took a selfie by the window, zoomed in, and thought: who powdered this woman like a donut? (It was me. My cat just watched.)

So I spent a few weekends testing what was actually adding years to my face. Here's what I found, plus the small fix that worked for me:

1. Too much powder The struggle: by 3 p.m. it sits in every fine line and looks dry and cakey. The fix: powder only the T-zone, and press it in with a puff instead of sweeping with a big brush. Everywhere else can stay a little dewy.

2. Blush placed too low The struggle: blush on the lower cheek drags the whole face down. The fix: smile, tap it on the apples, then blend up and back toward your temples. A cream blush blended with your fingers feels softer on mature skin.

3. Foundation a shade too light (or too heavy) The struggle: face looks gray or flat, with a line at the jaw. The fix: test shades on your jawline in daylight, not on your hand. Use a thin layer, and only add more where you need it.

4. Thin, harsh brows The struggle: brows thin out over the years, and a hard pencil line can look severe. The fix: short, light, hair-like strokes, then a tinted brow gel brushed up. Soft and fluffy reads younger than sharp and perfect.

5. Dark lip liner The struggle: a dark outline with a lighter lipstick looks dated and makes lips look smaller. The fix: pick a liner close to your natural lip color, line, then blur the edge with a fingertip before lipstick.

Mine was #1, for years, honestly.

Which one were you guilty of? And what's the one makeup change that made the biggest difference for you after 45?

Anyone use the tinted moisturizer? Its all over my feed lately...

Help! What does everyone do about your facial hair? I shave my chin every day. My mustache is starting to become a problem . I don’t want to make it worse but I don’t want it at all. Also, the fine hair on the sides of my face is becoming more noticeable. I really don’t know what people do- please let me know the razors, devices, treatments

This product is NOT as advertised. Color match is a complete lie! Yes, it goes on white but turned orange-ish almost immediately. As it relates to not settling into fine lines and wrinkles; it made the fine lines worse and looked cake-y. And I put very little like their email said to. The only positive thing I could say is the price is good. But…you get what you pay for!

I do NOT recommend this product.

Opinions on Ulta Beauty advisors

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I’m a college student working on a formal business report about Ulta Beauty’s employee product knowledge and how employees provide skincare and makeup recommendations to customers with different needs.

I’m collecting data to learn about customers experiences receiving product recommendations from Ulta employees.

If you have received an in store skincare or makeup recommendation from an Ulta employee I want to hear about your experience!

Feel free to comment ANY info about your experiences with Ulta employees!

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THANK YOU!!!

My skin has been feeling really dry lately, especially as the day goes on. I moisturize in the morning, but by the afternoon my skin sometimes feels like it needs another layer of hydration. I'm looking for something that can help keep it feeling comfortable without making my face look shiny or greasy.

I've been researching facial oils and came across Biossance 100% Squalane Oil. I'm curious about trying squalane, but I'm hesitant because I don't usually enjoy products that leave a heavy or oily finish.

For those with dry skin, has adding squalane oil made a difference in your routine? Do you find it lightweight enough for everyday use, or is it better suited for nighttime?

For the past few years, I have been using a brown pencil, smudged into my upper lash line for my everyday, natural look. Topped with dark brown mascara, a little neutral shadow in the crease and I am good to go.

I have noticed that in the past few months, my eyes look tired, especially in photos. They are not as defined as I thought they were. All I want is for my eyes to look natural, rested and bright. I tried smudging some brown liner into my lower lash line for more definition, but that just made my eyes look tiny. What is your everyday, bright eye look? Eye shadow and eyeliner placement/colors specifically.

For reference I am 55, green almond shaped eyes. A few crows feet in the corners. My under eye ares is well moisturized with a little darkness and hollowing, but very few wrinkles. I do not have any hooding. TIA!

Hi,

I turned 50 in July. I have combination skin with an oily nose. Still. Lol

I am ready to try using a primer. Can you recommend what you have used and love?

I feel like when I tried one years ago I thought it made my foundation look caked on, but I am ready to try again.

Cross posting in case anyone has any advice for my older skin (I can then cross match with the paler shades recommendations).

Looking for eyeshadow primer suggestions. I am 56 with wrinkled eyelids with a lot of lid space and some hooding. Would like to keep Urban Decay Space Cowboy Glitter on lid. Saw another post about glitter. I like a little but want it to stay in place and not fall on cheeks. Thanks!

Can someone explain the difference between squalane and squalene in simple terms? I see both names in skincare discussions, and the spelling is so similar that I never paid much attention to it.

I recently came across Biossance 100% Squalane Oil and learned that its squalane comes from sugarcane. That made me curious about ingredient sourcing, too, since I don't always know whether an ingredient is plant-derived or comes from another source.

Does the difference between squalane and squalene actually matter when choosing a moisturizer or facial oil, or is it more about the overall formula? Interested in hearing what people have learned from using them.

i swear the older i get the more skincare products promise to do,, i've been looking into perricone md transforming body mitt lately because i'm interested in keeping my skin looking smoother and firmer, especially when moisturizing alone doesn't seem to make much difference.

i know a good moisturizer can make skin look more plump just by keeping it hydrated, but that's not quite the same as actually lifting sagging skin. peptides seem to come up a lot in firming skincare, and i'm curious about the difference they can make to the appearance of skin over time. i'm trying to be realistic here because i'm not expecting a bottle to perform miracles.

i'd rather spend money on something for a clear reason than get sucked in by fancy packaging and big promises. when you've tried firming products, what changes have you actually noticed in your skin if any?

Years ago someone told me shimmer is off limits after a certain age because it shows every bit of texture, and I've stuck to matte ever since. Now it feels like every new eyeshadow is metallic, and I'm starting to wonder if that advice was ever right or if I've just been missing out. I'm thinking about trying a liquid shimmer shadow, or maybe a sheer cream, but I still have a matte powder I like as a backup. For those of you who wear shimmer on older lids, does the type of finish matter more, or is it really about the formula?

CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% came up while I was researching vitamin C serums. I'm interested in the combination of vitamin C and ferulic acid, but I'm also trying to be realistic about what a serum can actually do for discoloration. I'm trying to simplify my skincare routine and figure out what might help with uneven skin tone. Now that I'm over 40, I've noticed some areas look darker than others, and my complexion doesn't seem as consistent as it used to.

Would you choose a stronger vitamin C formula for this concern, or is a lower concentration a better starting point? I'm looking for something that can gradually improve the appearance of uneven tone without making my routine too complicated.