This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Both Grace and I like wearing makeup. However, we both feel as we get older that less is more. Some days I may only use mascara and some tinted moisturiser but on other days I will enjoy to put on a ‘full face’.
We were very interested when Look Fabulous Forever ran a survey to find out the answer to, “How does makeup make you feel?” Below you will see some of the many responses that they received. You may be able to identify with some of them.
The headline stats were:
- Of the women surveyed, 86% wear makeup every day or most days
- It’s not about looking more youthful (only 20%), it’s about looking prepared (73%), confident (62%) and positive (56%)
- 54% feel positive about getting older, only 6% say it’s more bad than good
- 95% think that makeup makes them feel more positive about how they look as they get older
- 58% wore makeup every day or most days during lockdowns
- 89% felt wearing makeup help them to feel more normal during lockdowns; 86% said that it helped them to feel more positive; 69% said it make them feel like they still mattered
- Amongst women who wear makeup everyday, 96% said that makeup can help you to stay positive when there are worrying external factors (like a pandemic or cost of living crisis) which are outside your control
- 90% of survey respondents are in their 60s or 70s
- 94% are LFF customers
Responses to survey:
As a younger user, I feel I have the role models of older women in looks & advice. It has made me stronger in a world that would have me put down at any chance
As I get older, wearing makeup becomes more important rather than less. Where once I would have felt that I looked ok anyway, my made up face is an important part of leaving the house as ‘me’ as I know myself to be, rather than an easily dismissed, less interesting person. The make up equals the ability to be more assertive and confident.
As I wear makeup on a daily basis regardless of whether I am going out, I know that I am primarily doing this for me. However, I hope that when I do go out I am telling the world that I care about my image and that I definitely have not given up regardless of my years.
At the age of 75 I moved to Scotland with my husband to be closer to grandkids. I have missed friends and my social life from the South Coast but have started again by joining art groups, book clubs etc. Always very mixed ages which is lovely. Wearing makeup makes me feel my best and really does act as a kind of armour out in the new world, the new to me city that I now live in. I think wearing makeup is part of having a sense of style which remains just as important with age. All these things contribute to confidence.
Cancer has altered my appearance and, while learning to live with the new normal during my husband’s job transfer to London, I discovered LFF and it made me feel feminine and pretty again. LFF gave me back what chemo, radiation and surgery stole.
Caring for my skin and wearing makeup is pure joy, as is choosing the day’s outfit. Tricia understands this. I’m inspired by and grateful to her for being a smart, savvy, creative exemplar of the evergreen power of older women.
Encourages me to go out and do something when I might otherwise stay home alone.
Except for one very serious family emergency, I haven’t been out without mascara for 58 years. Wearing makeup is part of who I am, making me feel I look as good as I can, as is dressing well. I hate being patronised by companies who use pictures, all the time, of young women to advertise makeup; but even more I hate airbrushed pictures of famous women advertising ‘anti-ageing’ products as if growing old is a disease. Why would I care less about how I look and feel about myself than I did 30 years ago? It matters to me now!
Having suffered from episodes of depression in the past, makeup has had the effect of helping me face the day. A bit like wearing my armour
I am beyond retirement age but cannot afford to retire, I lack confidence but makeup and presentation can be quiet acts of defiance against those who think I am past it.
I disliked everything fading as I grew older, becoming a ‘beige’ blob without definition or colour. Until I discovered LFF. Now I thoroughly enjoy giving myself a cheeky smile of approval and appreciation when I catch sight of myself in a mirror. Thank you Tricia for all you’ve done and continue to do for us ‘wrinklies’
We are not invisible and we are worth something.
I feel I would have to be at ‘death’s door’ to not put on my make-up and then I hope someone would put it on for me. I will have a word with my granddaughter!
I feel if I don’t take the time to present the best version of myself to the world, to show that I am important to me, then who else will think I’m important enough to bother with?
I feel transformed. I now always wear LFF makeup to go out, however small the errand. For me, make-up is not a mask to hide behind. When we ‘paint’ our faces we are engaging in an act of identity creation which is, I think, vital for older women who would otherwise be invisible, overlooked and disregarded. Applying makeup to an older face is an act of resistance in a society that devalues ageing.
I replied to one of Tricia’s blogs a while back saying that she and LFF had changed my make-up life. I’ve learned so much from her and her team. I have always loved wearing make-up and experimenting etc but I’m now so much better at it and happier with the result. I can honestly say these are absolutely my best make-up years. It’s a big thank you from me!
I think it signals that I don’t mind if you look at me, and that I’m happy to engage with you. Maybe that means that it’s a form of communication.
I really think continuing to wear makeup, at least eyebrows and mascara, even to the post office or to pick up bread and milk makes me friendlier and more receptive to others. I feel like I cared enough to make an effort, and I think others respond to that.
I’m no longer hiding my light under a bushel. I walk straighter with my chin held higher. I look forward to the transformation every morning. I now love being out and about and interacting with people. I feel so much more available to share with others.
I’ve just read my previous views about wearing makeup to my husband, and he said that he thinks it’s about giving yourself time and is a self-affirmation as well as seeing a reflection of yourself looking good afterwards. Please note he has no expectations and is the least vain person I know about their appearance.
It just makes me feel great. At nearly 67 I still work as a professional musician, both performing and teaching. It includes working with people from ages 6 to mid-eighties. I need to feel I look as well as I can in order to give out and try and make others feel positive and confident in their playing. I can’t do that if I look pale and wan so LFF is absolutely vital to my work as well as every other part of my life.
It’s just part of the many things I know make me feel my best self, so I am able to participate well in life, be open to ideas, and feel optimistic. Also to come to terms with the past. Sort of ‘Well, at least I’m starting to get a few things right now!’ . So the other things are keeping fit and as well as possible ( getting overweight is disastrous to my mood in so many ways). So it’s part of the pattern which is the ‘best me’, ie doing my hobbies and voluntary work, being positive about trying new things, keeping a supportive routine which helps me feel secure but adventurous, seeing friends, family … all that stuff! And this comes from only wearing Bring Back Brows! Sensitive eyes mean I can’t wear eye make-up or lipstick, as my lips are almost non-existent they just look even more pathetic even with the most helpful extra colour/finish! And my skin is rather good, just needs lots of cream!
Make-up is more than ‘just make-up’. It makes you feel more positive and in control and are most definitely noticed more by shop staff and bank employees. Without it, when you are older, you just fade into the background. I tend to dress up more when wearing make-up too – a dowdy face seems to go with dowdy clothes. I’m more smiley with it and hence other people smile more too.
Not beautiful but definitely prettier. At home in the corporate world where I still work and whilst the younger women often wear very little makeup I enjoy showing up looking polished – and it made ALL the difference when I was doing all my work on Zoom which is a very unforgiving medium
Seen. I’ve noticed in group gatherings the people who are well groomed get more positive feedback even if it’s subtle than those people of both genders and all ages who look unkempt or not well put together. Those who clearly don’t try with their appearance don’t get fast attention from clerks or service personnel. People who keep up their appearance also seem quicker to smile when acknowledging others and being noticed by others. Attractiveness no matter what age yields more positive results from others.
Six years ago, I had a hip operation and could wear no makeup on the day. On the following day, I was allowed a shower and followed it by doing my hair and putting on makeup so that I felt like me again. A nurse came into my room and took a step back, commenting on how different and good I looked – not as if I’d had a major operation the day before.
Tricia’s mantra opened my eyes to the function of making up. I had previously viewed it as armour: presenting an image of myself as an older woman in a young workforce. Refocusing on making up to present a better version of me FOR me was quite liberating.
If you want more information regarding the Look Fabulous Forever makeup and skincare range, click HERE for their website.
Also, we have written articles on this makeup range, as both Grace and I are big fans. Click HERE to read them.