For most of my life I’ve been told by well-meaning women, “You’d be so pretty if you’d just learn to apply your makeup properly.” I know they meant well, but those words, rather than feeling like a compliment always came across as put downs instead. What I heard was, “Damn, girl, you’re ugly, but you’d look better if you’d cover up your sad looking face.”
I’ve worn makeup since my early teen years, but I never learned the fine art of turning the bare canvas of my face into a work of art as so many women can. Unless that work of art is akin to a Picasso. I’ve got that whole cubist period look down pat. Or was that his blue period? I forget.
Several years ago I discovered a makeup brand I loved. Pür Minerals 4 in 1 foundation provided appropriate coverage for me–not too light, not too heavy–in an easy, breezy format. Makeup application took all of two minutes, including a swoop of blush, a splash of finishing powder, and a dash of mascara. I wasn’t going to win any beauty pageants, but hey, that was never on the table anyway.
Then just a couple of months ago I realized that my foundation was gathering in the creases and wrinkles of my face. It looked as though someone had crumpled up my skin like a sheet of parchment paper and dusted it with beige powdered sugar. It was not becoming.
Since that discovery I’ve been on a mission to find a new foundation, a new routine, an entirely new look. And the whole thing is pissing me off. Liquid foundations don’t stay where I want them even after applications of primer and finishing powder. I end up with a ghostly white upper lip after only a couple of hours of wear. It’s discouraging.
Today I spent thirty minutes in Ulta allowing an enthusiastic young woman to try out a new foundation on me, and then she filled in my eyebrows to make a frame for my face. Why do I need to frame my face?
Oh, yeah. Picasso.
Even after all the young woman’s careful ministrations, the makeup around my mouth wore off much more quickly than it did on the rest of my face. I look like a reverse raccoon. My eyebrows are holding up nicely, though.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
I am with you in regards to frustration with foundation! I never quite got the hang of makeup “enhancing” my looks. I recently decided I would only wear foundation if I go out somewhere special and then only sparingly. I mostly just wear the basics ~ moisturizer, mascara, a little blush, and lipstick. My “beauty” routine takes me less than a minute.
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I’m getting there! But I’m afraid I’ll scare small children if I go out with no foundation. 😳
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Foundation is all in our minds. When you stop using it, you realise how unecessary it was!
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Mayhap I will someday, but I doubt it. I’m so very pale sans foundation that I appear sickly.
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Pale is cool !
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Snort. Vampire pale on a woman my age just looks ghastly.
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(heard that snort all the way here!) 😦
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I’ve never used foundation. It’s actually horrible for your skin. Clogs up all your pores and will only serve in making one age faster. Special occasion only is probably a good idea.
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Well, I’m 61, and my skin is still terrific other than a few wrinkles around my eyes. I’m just very pale and foundation keeps me from looking like a ghost.
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You look fabulous for 61! Kudos
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Thanks! I might not be good at makeup but I know how to moisturize!
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I was horrible for moisturizing most of my life. Thank goodness for good genetics!
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Your eyebrow prayers have been answered at last
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Hahaha! I hadn’t even thought of that! Oh Derrick, you made my day.
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🙂
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I never learned how to do makeup either, and am constantly amazed at how expert some women are at transforming their face. I’ve got really expensive foundation that I use when I go out. Have you tried tinted moisturizer?
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I have tried it. I like it, except it also refuses to stay put on the area around my mouth.
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My 13-year-old granddaughter can already outdo me in the makeup department.
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Your motto….. Doing the best you can with what you have!!!! You’re looking great!!!! I go out with burned noses, blotchy skin, eyebrows unplucked, etc… At 61 I don’t give a damn!!!! hahaha!!
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And you always look fabulous!
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Love this… comparing makeup to Picasso! – Marty
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Thank you, sir.
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So you’ll be drawing the eyes on one side of your face and waiting to see if anyone notices?
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That could be interesting. Have you seen the zigzag eyebrows that are hot in some areas? I could just do that.
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Ha ha, nice post! I can relate 🙂 Following.
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Thanks!
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