Honestly, I would go to a make-up counter, like Bobbi Brown, Lancome, Clinque etc.

Let the sales associate apply and figure out what works. Don't feel obligated to buy, if you are unsure it you will have the same issues.

How long did it take for the product to cake?

One word: Primer!

Kaths, I always have liked a somewhat sheer foundation, most of mine over the years have been Lancôme although I've varied from time to time.

What I'm finding at this age - I'm better off with a tinted moisturizer type product. I don't want to be checking my purse mirror during the day to see if foundation has settled into wrinkles or creases, accentuating them. A tinted moisturizer just subtly evens out imperfections without aiming for heavy coverage (that then moves around ;:)

I can always tap on a smidge of concealer if I'd like to more fully hide a dark spot or blemish.

One product I've enjoyed and had complements with is Perricone's No Foundation Foundation. I haven't bought his whole line, most of the samples I've been given (moisturizers, night serums) had a scent I'm not interested in - but I do find the 'No FF' quite good.

I'm 65 and in the past couple of years have started using a tinted moisturizer...Aveeno Positively Radiant CC cream with sunscreen. I use a brush to apply it and blend it...blend, blend, blend. It's been the answer for me. foundation brush

Ellen, that's what I did. It looked good in the store but when I got home, and I looked in the mirror I could see every crease.

Morz, is it like BB cream? I've tried two brands of BB cream in the past 6 months, Lauren loves them, but she's 19. They don't cover any spots and sink into my creases.

Evenshade, bought a foundation brush too, which is what the girl at the cosmetic counter used to apply it. Only I bought a cheapy at Wal-Mart for $3 instead of their $30 one.

I agree with Mimi, primer. I have been using bare minerals prime time foundation primer. I know it's sold on QVC, I usually get mine from ebay.

I like YSL Awakening Radiance Foundation. I stopped buying into the magic face creams that cost so much.

Kath, I'm 64 years old and in the last few weeks I've been told by my primary care doctor (female), my hair stylist, my hygienist, and the woman who was bagging my groceries that my skin was beautiful, glowing....all at different times in the past month or so.

The biggest thing that I've changed in the past few months is using coconut oil and only coconut oil on my face, neck, chest, hands, after washing at night. I use it to take my eye makeup off, and as a moisturizer during the day without makeup.

I use an inexpensive BB cream as my makeup, nothing more than a tinted moisturizer. The one I'm using now is Neutrogena, purchased at the grocery. I apply it wih a moist sponge. I love the way it looks.

Twice a week, I apply THIS vitamin C serum to a clean, dry face and its use has revealed a more refined texture. One bottle lasts over two months for me.

I've used that makeup and that serum for over two years and was very satisfied. But it wasn't until I started with the coconut oil that my skin began to look and feel so good.

Oh....and drink lots of water, lol!

I don't use any foundation, just moisturizer with usually Bare Minerals powder over it if I'm going out. But I'm intrigued by the comments about primer, because the other day my granddaughter (she's 25) told me she uses it under powder. I'd never even heard of it, although I do know about eyeshadow primer.

Sheesh, I must not have the current language, I had to look to see what a BB cream is ;) And yes, the No Foundation Foundation may be similar, it moisturizes, has a bit of color/coverage, sunscreen. I don't find it settling in lines, but I suppose everyone is different. I feel like I have a lot of fine lines (some not so fine) - I've been outdoors all my life, have spent quite a bit of time on the ocean so I've definitely weathered ;)

Like Rhizo, I use a moist sponge to apply.

I like Boots #7 Photo Fix (wrinkle filler and primer) and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind makeup in classic ivory. Sometimes just use some BB cream if not going anywhere. I like Clinique's Hefty Highlighter to use on cheeks ,forehead, etc.

Thanks for all the ideas. Will have to google everything when I'm off next. (work early tomorrow) I wrote the products you all suggested down. Thanks.

Well I don't wear makeup at all any more other than a little lipstick and blush on a rare occasion. So please someone fill those of us not in the know what the heck BB is. I so hate abbreviations. I try to never use them.

Raven, Beauty Balm or BB cream. I think I've been using one, or something similar to one, without knowing it.

Meant to streamline your time, budget, and vanity counter space. Travels easily too. May be a 'hybrid' cream/product that might contain moisturizer, sun protection, skin treatment, concealer, and foundation - an all in one. The Perricone product I've been using doesn't deeply moisturize, but is supposed to have some treatment effect, a little color, some sunscreen. I just notice it evens out my skin tone without looking heavy on my skin.

And now you know what I learned about an hour ago ;)

It's not an abbreviation, Raven--that's what it's called. I forget what it stands for (Beauty something, I think), but that's what the packaging and tube say: BB Cream. I was going to link you to one of the BB Cream products on Amazon, but I can't get on the site. Weird.

Raven....THESE products have been around for a few years and are labeled BB creams. It's not an abbreviation....just like Alisande says.

They are simply a lightly tinted moisturizer plus sun screen. I find that mine has more coverage than I was expecting, covering my sun spots easily and making my skin color uniform.

P.S. I'm not 'in the know', either...and never use abbreviations. ;-)

I will be 76 in a coupke if weeks.....I rely on my inner beauty.

Fortunately, I inherited good genes.

I like Bare Minerals or Prescriptives base makeup, and I am in my mid 70s.

I've never heard of BB cream. I have never used foundation or powder in my life. I have dry skin, so I use a good moisturizer all the time even though it's a night cream. I wear no make up at home and when I go out neutral lipstick and gloss, in the winter cream blush and cream pencil eyeshadow. I use coconut oil sometimes too.

I gave up foundation when I developed rosacea 15-years ago because the foundation just made it worse (btw - the rosacea has significantly improved since going gluten-free, but I still have a mild case of it). What I use instead of foundation is a light moisturizer with a dab of expensive skin cream that was developed for rosacea from Lifevantage, and a dusting of cornstarch (or arrowroot) that I tint with a tiny bit of unsweetened cocoa powder to match my skin tone to keep the shine off and I'm set for the day.

When I could no longer find Cornsilk face powder (a brand I used for many years), I looked for something that was "natural", not heavy, actually worked, didn't break the bank, and came up with the cornstarch/cocoa mixture. It's actually the best face powder I've ever used. It has all-day staying power and doesn't cake. I'm a less-is-best kinda' gal.

Well live and learn. I am 62. use make up most days, and have never heard of BB cream either. Gotta love these forums. I do use moisturizers fairly routinely. I think a tinted moisturizer/bb cream sounds like something I should have been aware of so thank you all. When I finish up my current supply(not loving it by the way, loreal) I will start to check out which bb cream I should get.

On a make up board I saw some advice to use Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a primer. I tried it and it did just as good a job as the Smashbox and Spackle brands I had used previously and is very inexpensive. Primer makes my foundation go on smoother and more evenly. I only use a pea sized amount but it makes a real difference.

In stage makeup if you want someone young to have wrinkles stand out you use highlighter and light catching powders to intensify them. So all this "dewy", "glowy", "light catching" stuff marketed for more mature skin defeats the purpose. It's not much different than using frosted eye shadow on older women.

I'm just a few weeks away form 65. I use water based foundation only. Right now my favorite is Tru Blend by Covergirl. Years ago I hoarded Jane foundation. When it got used up I finally found Tru blend. All the moisturizing foundations I have tried as an adult sit like heavy grease paint on my skin. The water based ones are light, translucent and more natural looking.

I don't use moisturizer unless my skin is feeling parch from a day at the beach or in the wind. I do like using a primer under the foundation for when i will have a long day. Elf primer works well for me and it's cheap.

I agree with Rhizo that coconut oil is the best thing to use on your skin. Just a tiny bit goes a long way. Rub it on and allow a few minutes for it to soak in.

Go to Amazon and search for the Kindle version of the book Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut by Dr. Bruce Fife. Amazon has a "look inside this book" feature where you can read a small portion of the book. Click on the link for Chapter 1 -- The Miracle Man and read it. At the end of the chapter there is a photo of Paul Sorse -- when he turned 100 years old. He used coconut oil every day.

Where do you buy coconut oil?

Walmart has it.

You can order coconut oil from Amazon, too. Keep in mind that at temps above 76 degrees F it is liquid, but it is solid (white) at temps below that. It does not need to be refrigerated, and if you buy a jar now, the expiration date will be at least two years away.

A good brand is Nutiva Oganic Virgin Coconut Oil, which we buy a lot. A really, really good one is Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. Through Thursday of this week, you can get two pints free with two pints purchased of the Tropical Traditions, and it comes in glass jars.

There are so many health benefits from adding coconut oil to your diet, too.

Yep, the c. oil is never a liquid in my house, always solid. A small amount will liquify in your hands quickly, allowing for application. I also keep some on my hands regularly, making sure that I massage it into my cuticles and nails. I've mentioned before about the benefit to my nails.....it's the first time in my life that I've had nice, strong nails.

I use the Tropic Traditions mentioned by Lindsey; one jar has lasted over a year, but I don't cook with it.....too coconutty for me. I'm not a baker or I would use it that way; c. oil has great health benefits when ingested.

I love coconut oil. It's awesome for skin and hair!

Moisturizer and foundation together, works really well. Cake and powders are enemies of aging skin when it settles into creases. Maybe the moisturizer thins it out and makes it "lighter" foundation? And I said dewy look. Not go buy some dewy foundation. Maybe I could warm some coconut oil in my hands and then add the drop of foundation to that. I'm going to try that next.

I'm another fan of coconut oil, both for cooking and body use which is kinda weird when you think of it. It's always in solid form in my kitchen cupboard, and when I use it in cooking, my hands are so smooth that I get a beauty treatment while cooking.

If you want to use coconut oil on your face, hands or hair is it the same coconut oil that's in the cooking oil section at Walmart? Or is it in the beauty/pharmacy section? Also, do you, any of you.... think there is a difference in the quality of different brands? I have never tried it before but now it sounds intriguing.

The stuff in the cooking aisle is the same. However you won't be able to convince those that that believe in it's magical properties of marketing of that. Every decade we have a new "miracle" oil. Bottom line is when it comes to skin oil is oil. You could use Crisco if you didn't mind the grease. In the past women swore by mayonnaise. Oil doesn't change the skin, it only holds in moisture that is already there. Coconut oil does smell nice to some people. We used to use it as a tanning oil when I was young.

Coconut oil gets a lot of press about health benefits, etc., but my body reacts to it the same way it reacts to any saturated fat. Makes me wonder if some people are doing themselves more harm than good by cooking with it.

Debbie, I use a cold pressed, organic brand and honestly don't know of a difference between brands. I haven't been using c. oil long enough to go through the jars that I have.

Sorry to get OT but Grainlady, Penaten diaper cream clears up the bit of rosacea, that I have, overnight. I then slather Vasoline on top - I will go to a petroleum free one once I finish this one up. Granted, the red returns when I eat a certain food but will usually clear by morning if I use the diaper cream. I also take a zinc supplement when my rosacea doesn't clear up with the diaper cream. Seems to help.

I haven't used foundation in years but do use cover stick for blemishes, yes, I still get a few. I've used coconut oil for cleansing my face too.

For the little make up that I wear, usually for special occasions, I like the Bare Minerals. It's about the only make up I have been able to wear with out itching like crazy in years. I do like the foundation Primer, but have found I can not use the eye shadow Primer. I also have to be very careful what eye shadow I use. I have very oily skin and almost no wrinkles, so I can't help you there. I will be 57 in a couple of months. Also, with the Bare Minerals foundation you can blend the different colors to make the right color for you. We have a Bare Minerals store at one of the big malls about 45 minutes from here. I went there before DS's wedding 3 years ago and had them do my make up a month before the wedding.

I agree with Mimi, primer. I have been using bare minerals prime time foundation primer. I know it's sold on QVC, I usually get mine from ebay.

I also use the BM Prime Time & love it. BTW, so does my 70 yo Mom who has never taken good care of her skin until recently. I also use a matt foundation from Clinique & it never settles into my pores or wrinkles when I use the 2 together.

In the summer months, I still use the primer but switch to Smashbos Photo Finish and use a tinted moisturizer, no foundation. My favorite tinted moisturizer is a CC cream as well, made by NARS.

I buy everything at Sephora because I get tons of samples & I can return anything that I don't love. I returned 3 mascara's within a months time until I found the one I love. Benefit's "They're Real"

I'm intrigued with some of these recommendations, but you guys are way out of my budget! I think I'll have to stop reading this thread, because now I'm lusting for "They're Real" mascara--and that's not all. LOL

Alisande - I should have mentioned that I was first turned onto these products with samples from Sephora. The only truly expensive product I use is the NARS tinted moisturizer/CC cream but it will seriously last me a full year.

I so love Clinique for foundation. I use their Acne Solutions which is just the right amount of coverage for my oily skin, but does not pronounce any wrinkles. On days I do not want to wear much makeup I use the foundation under my eyes and use the Acne Solutions "invisible" powder.

Wayne Goss a make-up guru on YouTube says, add one drop oil (I use avocado) to a pump of full coverage make-up and you'll give yourself the best coverage and dewy finish ever. I've been doing this for a couple months now and I think he's right. :) Added benefit; I can take the make up off with just the avocado oil and moisturize with it too. I bought mine in CVS, I haven't looked to see if you can get it in the cooking section.....I bet you can. :) I don't use powder anymore, it does a lot of caking and you can only get so much mileage out of "they are laugh lines" lol. Wayne Goss YouTube

I like avocado oil too. I use the Now brand.

Here it is on Amazon.

I also like to eat them. :-)