If you know someone about your age who uses makeup that you like you might ask her for suggestions as to where to go to try products - and who to see at the store. Since I live in Toronto, many lines are exclusive to one particular store and over the years (I will turn 59 tomorrow) customers who don't really know each other, but have seen each other over the years and how we each have aged - and changed our makeup etc. - often ask each other for suggestions before approaching the sales staff. It will be helpful if you know of any skin issues you might have - I am a disaster - very pale, yellow-toned, thin, extra dry skin - with rosacea - facial and ocular - with extreme sensitivities to anything formulated for sensitive skin - and products containing botanicals - and acids of any sort. Makes life hard. I also can't use a product that has a combined SPF. My skin is naturally dry - as dry today as at 16. I also can't take anti-histamine so a problem with hayfever etc. I am extremely acidic - a brown lipstick will turn hot pink in a matter of minutes - and I don't suit pink. I have auburn hair (now coloured of course) and hazel eyes - but I can't use lavender shades of e/s that would normally suit hazel eyes due to my yellow-toned skin and I also can't handle the lavender pigment. I need a full coverage, oil based foundation - apply a lot of it, a cream blush, loose powder - and look as if I am wearing just a touch of makeup - kind of funny but sad. My lips are colourless without lipstick and hard to find one that doesn't turn. So basically I have one lipstick and one lipliner, one blush and foundation etc. My eye shadows are neutral - all I have ever really suited. Nothing I use is cheap - sure wish I could find something a little less expensive. But on the other hand, my one lipstick, while expensive is only one lipstick. So many women have drawers full. Same with blushes, foundations etc. I don't wear perfume because it turns something awful on me - so savings big time there. So just check around, see who you know or could ask. Anyone I send to the 2 ladies I trust at the store in Toronto have always been told the truth - and they use my name as a referral. One thing - get a good foundation - not a cheapie - this makes a big difference in staying power.

I use Alima Pure currently. I've used Bare Minerals in the past and it's comparable to that except it's even better ingredient-wise. I feel like I need to use a lot of the Alima Pure to get decent coverage, though. I ordered a bunch of foundation samples and chose one I thought worked for my skin tone but I definitely chose too light of a color so if I order more I'll go darker next time. They have SO many colors it's difficult to select the best one...but that also means that even if it's not the perfect shade, it will still blend nicely. I didn't care for the concealer at all, at least not for blemishes. I think it would work well to cover general redness but I've never found anything to cover pimples well at all. The finishing powder is okay I guess...I'm not sure it really does anything. I have oily skin and I get VERY oily throughout the day with any brand, Alima Pure included. I really like their blush, and I LOVE their contouring powders! I have extremely fair skin and am still able to use the contouring powder which is awesome. I'm not totally satisfied with Alima Pure, but I have terrible skin...oily, HUGE pores (I mean huge), acne even as an adult, and I've never been satisfied with any brand...but with that said, if I had normal skin I really think I'd be in love with Alima Pure.

I turned 60 a few weeks ago. I can't believe I'm even typing that! It was nothing for me turning 50. But 60 is just shocking to me. I'm grateful to be in good overall health. I've never been a gym-goer or a strict dieter, but I've always been active, eaten well, maintained my weight, drink little, used sunscreen, etc. I keep up with everyone in the family whether it's hiking a mountain, doing heavy yard work, housework, kayaking, swimming, ice skating. I don't think my grandkids ever consider that I might be too old to join in any activity. So strange, as I never saw my own grandmother in a bathing suit and can't remember any of the grandparents even going for a long walk. My DH is even more athletic than I am - but he's only 59 ;) He still plays ice hockey once a week on a men's league with my 37 yr. old SIL. The only real issue I have with aging is my eyes. Why did I never appreciate perfect vision?! I didn't need reading glasses till into my 50's. Then 3 yrs. ago I needed help for distance, too. Thought I solved things by getting Progressive contacts, but my eyes became sensitive to them so I can only wear them for several hours at a time. I'm supposed to do eye scrubs morning & night followed by hot compresses. All this to just see clearly and comfortably. Boo. I know that if that's my only complaint I am one lucky person. My biggest fear is Alzheimer's. My Mom was afflicted beginning in her late '70's. She was otherwise healthy and active. Took no meds other than a multivitamin. I was her primary caregiver for the 3 yrs. before she passed. It was hell on earth for her in her moments of lucidity to realize she was losing her mind. She'd been a (wonderful) nurse for 40 yrs. and at one time worked with geropsych patients. Toward the end she did not recognize I was there and would cry, pointing to my picture saying, "She never comes anymore". It was heartbreaking. If I let myself dwell on it, I am terrified it might happen to me. So I try to focus on the present and do the best I can to stay mentally & physically healthy.

It still sounds like a stye to me (but I'm certainly no professional!) and i'm guessing you went through all this due to your respiratory infection, etc. Your body has taken alot of stress recently! Definitely throw out make-up and replace. You can probably find most, if not all, your makeup items on amazon. I've gotten pretty anal about washing makeup sponges/brushes too. I don't wear alot of make-up but I have been dressing, putting on light make-up, doing my hair, etc. because I just feel so much better, AND it makes me more productive. LOL I guess if I look like a slug, I feel like a slug. Glad your eye is doing better. I can remember a stye from years ago and it HURT!