Testing New Makeup Products On Mature Skin – Will They Work?

Beauty Thought Leader: Elise Marquam-Jahns

I definitely do—but that list is an ever-changing work in progress as I keep changing my mind about what products are most enticing.

Well things have been so busy lately—but in a good way thankfully—that I haven’t had a chance to really test and try out my new Sephora makeup to see how well it works on mature skin, so today is the day! And I’m really excited to be able to just chat with you, play with makeup and just relax during today’s video.

Let’s Start With Eyeshadow:

My skin prep, brows, and eye primer are all done, so let’s start with eyeshadow. There were rumors about a possible Natasha Denona purple palette launch for several months before Natasha Denona revealed that she was—indeed– coming  out with a purple eyeshadow palette. And those of us who love purple—including myself—couldn’t have been more excited—especially since her last three eyeshadow palettes –the “I Need a Nude” palette the “I Need a Warm” palette and her “Gold” palette all had neutral color stories.

” I always like to look at product reviews before I purchase makeup—especially foundation– since it’s so pricey.”

But I have to say that when I actually saw Natasha Denona’s Roxa palette (which, by the way, is the word for purple in Portuguese), I was really on the fence. And that’s because –number one—I already have a gorgeous all purple palette from the indie brand Bella Beaute Bar –which is not only great quality, but also gorgeous—and number two—I was a little confused and underwhelmed by two of the shades in the Natasha Denona palette—the shades “Heather” and “Cerise.”

Purple Pigments:

Natasha Denona describes the shade “Heather” as a “silky matte medium dusty coral rose” and the shade “Cerise” is described as a “silky matte medium dark muted fuschia.” Now to me, fuschsia does make a little more sense to include since it’s in the same color family as purple, but a dusty coral rose shade?

But since purple eyeshadows are notoriously difficult to create and the description of the palette says—and I quote– Natasha Denona “transformed the commonly tricky-to-use purple pigments to a new luxurious, never-before-seen standard with her new silky matte formula—which debuted in this palette.”

And since the palette is also described as being “fall-out free”—I caved in and purchased it during the Sephora sale. I’ve swatched some of the colors in this palette, but haven’t actually created any looks, so I’m going to experiment and create two different looks in today’s video. I’m not sure if I can bring myself to dip into the dusty coral shade “Heather,” but if I’m feeling super bold today, I just might. 

Testing New Makeup Products Is Fun:

I’ve been really excited to try this new HD Hyra Glow Foundation from Makeup Forever. On their website, it’s described as an 86% skincare based foundation that has buildable coverage. It’s also said to provide 24 hour hydration and glow with a natural, luminous finish that’s creamy and lightweight. That is a lot to promise! I always like to look at product reviews before I purchase makeup—especially foundation– since it’s so pricey.

And I was glad to see that on the Makeup Forever website, most of the reviewers checked what age range they’re in. So I immediately headed for the reviews written by women who are in their 40s and beyond—because—as we all know — the makeup products that worked well for us in our 20s and 30s don’t work as well for us now. And all the reviews I saw from older women were very positive. So I have high hopes for this foundation. Let’s get at least a first impression of this foundation as I try it in today’s video.  

Amazing Coverage:

Now, onto concealer. Since I love Natasha Denona’s Hy-Glam concealer so much—and I was running low on it, I repurchased it during the sale. It’s a favorite of mine for two reasons. First, it has amazing coverage and I definitely need help covering my age spots—and two, it’s wonderfully creamy which is great for my mature skin.  

Under my eyes, I’ll use Elf’s Hydrating Camo Concealer in the shade “Light Peach” as my corrector and the shade “Fair Beige” over it. My powder is Maybelline’s Banana Powder. 

I didn’t purchase a new contour, so I’m going to use one of my standout favorites from Westman Atelier—which is their Face Trace Contour in the shade “Biscuit.” One of the most important qualities a contour has to have to reach the top of my “favorite contours” list is a formula that glides on and is mistake proof to apply. And this contour checks off both of these boxes.

I have the mini size—which is fast disappearing since I use it so much, so I’ve dropped several hints that a replacement would be a great Christmas gift! So I’m hoping that one of my two daughters might take me up on that hint. 

Powder And A Crème Blush:

One of my all-time favorite blush formulas is from makeup artist Patrick Ta since his blush duos contain both a powder and a crème blush. I have two of his blush duos in a bright neutral pink color called “She’s a Doll,” and in a vibrant blue pink called “She’s Giving.” His most recent pink shade is “Just Enough.”

It’s a soft blue pink and it’s the one I purchased during the Sephora sale. Patrick Ta recommends applying the powder first and then the creme. He suggests using this application method because applying the crème last creates a dewy look and layering the two blushes also helps them last longer. He also recommends using a slightly damp sponge to apply the crème blush. 

“He also recommends using a slightly damp sponge to apply the crème blush.” 

Now I didn’t purchase this next product during the Sephora Sale. It’s Gucci’s new Glow Highlighter. It’s made in Italy—which almost always means excellent quality—and it’s described as a “multi-use super illuminating powder that glides effortlessly onto the skin.” It also supposedly leaves the skin feeling hydrated and can be used on face, eyes, body and lips. And it’s the shade I couldn’t resist.

It’s “Frosted Lilac.” I am really hoping that this doesn’t dry out my really dry skin, but it does feel extremely creamy to the touch. I’ll swatch it for you in the video. I’m only going to apply it one of my cheeks in case it’s more drying than hydrating. Note: I did find out later that although this product was gorgeous, it did emphasize my fine lines! 

New Lip Balm Color:

Now we come to lips. I already absolutely adore the lipsticks and the blushes from the clean beauty brand Lawless, but I was especially excited when I saw two new shades that I immediately fell in love with. The new lip balm color is called “Candy Girl”–which is a pearly candy pink mauve–and I purchased two of their glosses: “Daisy Girl” which is a soft baby pink and “Daisette” which is a cool candy pink with a pearl finish. First I’ll apply my L’Oreal Age Perfect Lip liner in “Splendid Plum,” then I’ll apply my new Lawless Lip Balm in the shade “Candy Girl” and the Lawless “Daisette” gloss over it. 

Of course in today’s video I could only give a first impression of these products. And it has happened on more than one occasion that my first impression of a product has been dead wrong. So I’ll definitely need to work with all of these products for a longer period of time before I can truly make an informed decision about them.  I hope that if you purchased any beauty products during the recent Sephora sale that you absolutely love, you’ll share them with us and tell us what you love about them.

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