My 40-ish Face: My Two Makeup Must-Haves

Luckily, my mother was beautiful and aged well. In fact, my boyfriends were appropriately impressed with mom. So, it's not a bad thing that I'm in my mid-40s now, but my makeup priorities have changed along with my face, and this face requires two makeup items: foundation and mascara.

Foundation

Foundation is important. You wouldn't build a house without a proper foundation and you wouldn't put on your face without a proper foundation. Yes, blush, eye shadow and all of that is decorative, but I can do without it if I must. Foundation; however, is a must, especially as I age.

Foundation evens my skin tone, corrects minor flaws, and gives me a younger, softer look. I apply makeup foundation with a light touch and a foundation brush because blending is key and a heavy application of foundation adds years - a look I'm not going for. Since I want my foundation to last, I use Revlon Color Stay. I get complete natural looking coverage and I can hug people and not leave part of my face on their clothes. One complaint about Revlon Color Stay foundation is difficulty in removing it. I use Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes and all my makeup comes off easily including my number two must have makeup item - waterproof mascara that holds a curl.

Mascara

I'm fascinated with the aging process. Since gravity eventually wins, I feel no need to lift anything to delay the inevitable. But that doesn't mean I'll let myself go. I don't feel as though I look awake without mascara. My eyes began big and brown and now they are still lovely, but the lids are getting slightly heavy and the eyelashes need help to keep a curl. Enter Maybelline mascara. I used to buy Sky High Curves, but they discontinued it, prompting my search for a suitable replacement. Since I want the mascara to 1) keep my lashes curled, and 2) stay on until I decide to remove it (no flakes no smudges), the hunt was not easy. Some mascaras promised curl and didn't deliver, while others gave me an unwanted Goth look early in the day as the mascara migrated from eyelashes to under my eyes.

I've discovered Maybelline XXL Pro Curl mascara. It's a two-step mascara - primer coat for length and curl and second coat for color that lasts 12 hours. I may not need one, but I begin with an eyelash curler, then I apply the mascara. Many days I don't even use the primer coat and I'm still very happy with the result.

So, with an even complexion thanks to makeup foundation and wide-awake eyes thanks to mascara, I can face the mirror and whatever the day holds. Yes, I'm looking like mom and she never left the house without her face on.