A little beauty spot

Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures  

A somewhat "frivolous" post today, 3 days into the new year.  I have so many topics, subjects, thoughts and ponderings whirring around that I'm excited to discuss and explore over the coming months, but for today, a brief little jaunt into my makeup bag.

As a woman who is embracing perimenopause, living her best life endeavouring to get plenty of good nutrition, exercise and quality sleep into my every days- it had become clear to me that during this transition and time of change, my skin has also jumped on the waggon. 

I have experienced hyper pigmentation (Melasma) with increasing prominence and depth of colour ever= since I had my girls, something I have learned, for the most part, to live with, deal with, or conceal reasonably well. Other than that I have been incredibly fortunate to suffer very little with any skin issues throughout all my years so far- even the teenage ones. But with this change in season of life, a few little niggles- or observations, if you will, have come to make themselves known. 

My eyelids became acutely sensitive, and even the high quality, trusted brands of eye shadows I have enjoyed using for years started to irritate, and if I didn't adjust the products was left with incredibly sore, swollen skin around the delicate eye area.  Not pleasent to experience and also frustrating not using some of my lovelier makeup- especially for evening wear or special occasions. 

My eye-makeup remover - again, a product I'd used for many years, suddenly became stingy and left my eyes burning and red.

On top of this my skin in general was constantly thirsty, dry even after applying moisturiser, or lotion.

So, I had to make some changes and adjust the products I used to accomodate my changing skins requirements.  Changing to balms, creams and liquids over anything powdery or drying.

First step was to switch out my old faithful Clarins make up remover for the Bobbi Brown cleansing balm. An thick gel consistency, which although perfumed seems to replenish not strip as it removes the traces of makeup before I step into my evening shower. 

I have had to abandon entirely the concealer Ive used for several years as after a few hours it began to look cakey and accentuate fine lines around the eye area. 

We are in full simmer here at present so my skin care routine in the morning -after washing my face - is to  apply a daytime moisturiser (Bobbi Brown face Base) followed by al roche posay sun screen tinted in SPF50.

I Have progressed to a cream blush and I was using a Chanel Soleil cream bronzer but when it was time to replace it I came across a bronzer- which is still a powder- by Terry, but with the benefits of providing hydration. Its buildable, long lasting and a beautiful colour- though at a rather higher price point. 

My latest addition which I am thrilled with I stumbled across having eliminated eye shadow entirely- even creams and pencils and smudge sticks- as everything was irritating and was causing a reaction to a point. This tiny bottle is the ultimate le no make up look tool! It provided an incredibly subtle coverage of my lids, masking any redness or tiny thread veins, and feels like silk to apply. Its a brand I had never come across (Probably well known to those who follow trends and new releases but to me a gem of a find) Perricone MD. No make up eyeshadow. Available in 4 shades, and Im so taken with it I have ordered a lighter shade to play with too! 

Their lip oil is a subtle and luxurious, your lips but better, so I have splurged on 2 of the shades. 

The packaging is minimal, and the whole ethos is to enhance what you have so subtly as to almost not notice you are wearing any makeup at all- which, I have come to realise, as a woman in my age and stage in life, is probably the best approach on the every day. Sparkle and glamour should probably be kept for evening and special occasions . As far as I can tell the ingredients are pretty clean, and the products are formulated to put goodness back into the skin rather than take from it. 

A last little cherry on the cake is my latest fragrance discovery- again something I happened upon without really looking while travelling overseas and fell for it in a way I haven't for a fragrance for many years. I adore perfumes and fragrances and love to peruse glossy departments stores and walk around in a cloud at duty free, but this one spoke to me- and simultaneously my husband. I last on my skin subtly, but all day, and I always receive compliments when I wear it. In theory its a limited edition- so my husband bing the lovely man he is, has sourced another 2 bottles for me to eek out and hopefully last quite some time! Again, its light, and naturally derived, and I don't know anyone else who wears it so its become my new signature scent after decades of Coco Chanel. 

Its actually been quite a fulfilling and pleasing journey to find and build  my new repertoire of staples and embrace the changes.