The Best Cosmetics for Baby Boomers - a Primer for 50-60 Year Olds (And Beyond)

Do you look in the mirror each the morning and wonder who the face looking back at you really belongs to? Come on now, 'fess up, somebody swapped their face with mine, right? That CAN'T be me! 

With even the best facial care, age brings some lines and fine wrinkles to the skin. The disruption of smooth skin is accentuated by some cosmetics. Oh boy, do I know! My garbage can has acquired more cosmetics in the last five years than my face has. When I was young, I could smear on just about anything and look good. These days the heavier foundations and eye shadows accentuate every rumpled bit of skin. I've been made up by someone selling their wares, then gone home and washed my face and wondered why I looked 10 years younger when I removed their makeup! 

So what is a woman to do? Here's what I've used, and the results I've noticed. If it saves you even $5 in tossed make-up, then reading this is $5 saved. If you found a five dollar bill lying in the street, you'd consider it a lucky day...so if I can save you the same amount, it's another five dollar bill in your wallet. 

Delving back through the years, I can remember using Mary Kay Cosmetics in my 20's. Back then they offered a solid pancake foundation. One added water to it (warm worked best) and mixed the water into the foundation with a sponge. The result was sort of a liquid base which could be applied with the sponge. This stuff went right into the pores...and stayed there! As a result, using a masque once a week was essential. 

I found the Mary Kay pancake foundation very useful when a wealthy date asked me to a New Year's Eve tennis match. I went out and bought a new Head tennis dress, then woefully examined my lily-white legs. Mary Kay to the rescue! The solid foundation was applied with water and a sponge, then "set" with a very cold washcloth. The result was a gorgeous tan which garnered tons of compliments at the club that night. A little came off on my dress, on the inside hem, but generally the wet washcloth had done the trick. By the way, it took days of showering for the make-up to come off entirely.