I recently had one of those moments where curiosity got the best of me. You know the kind: it starts with a casual conversation, leads to a thought-provoking idea, and ends with a full-blown experiment. All surrounding the question: Does makeup make you look better?
These ramblings brought to you by my Where Bloggers Live prompt of “makeup/beauty/skincare.”
Quote of the day: “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.” Jerry Dunn
Now, to be truthful, it began with the concept of whether makeup makes you look older. I was sitting next to a woman on a plane a couple of years ago, and she was in her late 80s. Of course, we got to talking about staying “young” and she proclaimed that she looked younger because she didn’t wear makeup.
Then I heard a TT video with a woman discussing the same topic. Now, in reality, I’m sure this is true. Didn’t we start wearing makeup as a tween to look older?
And I’ve seen it with a friend. A friend who always wears loads of makeup, and without it, she looked positively younger.
But as I always say, the goal isn’t to look any kind of “-er” whether that’s younger or thinner. Making us FEEL better is what it’s all about.
Which brought around these ramblings on, does makeup make you look better?
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I Did An Experiment
When I grew up, makeup was the norm. Every day, I’d see my mother sit at her makeup table and “put on her face.” In fact, she still does.
So it’s no surprise that I continued the tradition. Hey, it’s in my DNA, right?
In reality, I’ve always thought that makeup was my secret sauce. You know, that little boost that helps me feel more pulled together, more like “me.”
I guess it’s no different than how clothes can “cover” our imperfections. Makeup is like that, too.
But I started wondering if I was aging myself with makeup? Were my cat-eye flicks and shimmer eyeshadow making me look like I was trying too hard? (I hate that phrase “trying too hard.” When did it become bad to try hard at anything, but I figured you could all relate to the phrase.)
So, of course, I had to experiment.
And let me tell you, going no-makeup when you’re used to “some” makeup is a wild ride. And I don’t even feel like I wear a lot of makeup.
But I also saw a natural makeup routine to “look” like you’re not wearing makeup. I really liked that idea.
Then Came AI
My friend, Kellyann, had asked AI to give her a drugstore list of makeup for her face and complexion. So I decided to ask it to give me a full-blown makeup look. (Because I see those “before” and “after” makeup videos and really don’t know how to do it on myself.)
The result?
Let’s just say the AI version of me looked…beautiful. But also, like a stranger. It wasn’t me. Whereas the time I used that bold filter seemed more me.
So here I was: one version of me with zero makeup, one with AI-generated perfection, and somewhere in the middle was my everyday look.
My Everyday Routine
Since the Where Bloggers Live prompt was “makeup/beauty/skincare,” I thought I should include some details instead of just rambling about does makeup makes you look better.
After all this experimenting, I found myself appreciating what I call my “better me” makeup routine. It’s minimal by some standards, but it’s enough to feel polished and present.
If I could only pick three products, they’d be:
(And you’ll notice that I have written about the products and ideas in the past…that’s how important they are to me.)
- Eyebrow Makeup: Since my brows were sparse even before menopause, I always feel better when they get some help. I’ve used serums in the past to grow more hair, but lately, I’ve been just using makeup.
I’ve talked about 4 options to make them appear thicker, and right now I’m using something new and different (use code Jodie20). - Lipstick: A pop of color gives me life. Pale lips tend to make me feel washed out. And it doesn’t help that I have scarring on my lips from skin cancer, so I like wearing lip color with my favorite all-day lipstick. That’s why I’ve shared 2 of my favorites in an article.
- Foundation: This mineral foundation is my magic eraser. It gives just enough coverage to even things out without feeling mask-like. While powder seems like the last thing an older woman would use, I’ve shared my experience.
Sure, most days I’ll throw on blush, eyeshadow, and mascara. But those three staples?
Non-negotiable. They’re like my breakfast to my health routine.
Insider tip: If you are concerned with looking older beyond what you wish, then there are a load of tricks with makeup that help or hinder. I don’t know them all, but there are a ton of YouTubers who create that kind of content.
My pet peeves
-That heavy black lower eyeliner we wore in the 80s.
-Foundation that sets into my wrinkles (and why I like the LG foundation).
-Lipstick that bleeds outside my lip lines. (Exactly why I use all-day lipstick, yet my mom is happy with this lip liner to help with that issue.)
Makeup as a Tool
So, does makeup make you look better? Well, maybe the real question is: Does makeup help you feel like your best self?
To me, makeup is just another tool in our style toolbox. Like I’ve talked about with clothing, it helps express who we are and how we want to show up in the world. It’s not about hiding or pretending.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, I love it when women figure out a five-minute face that works for them. The goal isn’t perfection because we know by now, perfect is imperfect.
And if your version of “better” means no makeup at all? I am cheering for you just as loudly. The point isn’t the product, it’s the feeling it creates.
Insider tip: Just like anything we put in or on our bodies, we should evaluate how clean and nontoxic it is. I have not found the perfect products yet, but I try to think about it.
Or that could be another good reason to go makeup-free.
We Are Always Changing
I’m the first to admit that what I like now could change next month. Maybe someday I’ll lean into more dramatic makeup. Or maybe I’ll pare it down even more. I’ve already gone through phases of glossy lips, matte everything, bold liners, and neutral nudes.
That’s the fun of it, in my opinion, we’re not statues. We’re ever-evolving women with the right to change our minds and our makeup routines.
Insider tip: IF you do change something about your makeup look, beware…it can look “wrong” at first because we are so used to seeing it the other way. Give yourself a couple of days to get used to something new.
And if makeup today helps you face the day with a bit more joy? That’s a win.
You Do You
I call that the statement of the decade. You hear it all over social media…maybe because it’s powerful. And maybe it’s something different than what we grew up hearing.
Gone are the days when we all have to wear the same things, have our hair styled the same way, or use makeup the same way.
I think the biggest takeaway from my little experiment (besides that AI isn’t perfect) is that makeup isn’t about looking younger or older. It’s about does makeup make you look and feel better.
There’s no one right answer to “Does makeup make you look better?” It’s subjective, personal, and totally dependent on how you define “better.”
If feeling like yourself is better, and makeup helps you get there? Fabulous. If makeup feels like a chore and you’d rather skip it? That’s fabulous too.
My hope is that we all continue to play, explore, and give ourselves grace. Try something new, go bare-faced for the day, wear blue mascara just because. There’s no rulebook anymore, and that’s the best part of life in our modern age.
Where Bloggers Live
What is Where Bloggers Live? It’s kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…Bloggers! Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and hear all about the personal backstories and interesting details? The best part of this group is that I learn something new from everyone’s different perspectives.
FYI, we don’t all post at the same time since we all have different schedules and live in different parts of the world.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own
The Series
We’ve been doing this fun series for over 5 years now.
Want to explore some of the old prompts? Feel free to visit any that might strike your fancy.
Messy & Odd Side-by-Side Refrigerator Organization
My Money Mismanagement
Seasons of your Life
Better health when bored at night
Vacation-Palm Springs
Things I Can’t Live Without
Eco-Friendly Practices
Favorite post –Happy 5 Years
Bedtime Routine
3 Favorite Gifts
Detox your wardrobe
Date night ideas in Phoenix
Spring Cleaning-Laundry Style
180 Degree Journey
What’s In My Bag
Does Makeup Make You Look Better?
Thank You
I hope I thank you enough because your support allows me to continue this journey, which I LOVE!!!
Supporting a blog can be easy and free. Just visiting my pages, clicking my links (especially for small businesses and sponsored posts), and sharing the things you like on your social media make a huge difference. Spreading the word is how I can reach more wonderful people like you!
Or feel free to “buy me a coffee” which is a monetary way to tell me that you enjoy reading my blog.
Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things.
