It’s been a long time since I talked about makeup and skincare, so I thought I’d share an update on what I’m using now. We’ll also talk about nails and I’ll share what I’ve settled on as far as gel nails for myself.
I may have mentioned Laura Geller before, but I finally bought a few pieces to try out and I really do love this line for ahem….mature skin like mine. That’s where we are now, ladies! We’re mature! I don’t love taking close up pics of myself (at 69), and you probably don’t either, but today I’ll do it for you! ha! All the flaws, lines and wrinkles show up with these high def cameras we have, but I do like how this foundation blurs it all just a little bit. I’ll give you a run down on what I have and use. I want to get a few more things to try out, but this is a good starting point.
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I’m using the Laura Geller Baked & Balance marbleized powder foundation in Light and it goes on so easy with their fluffy Kabuki brush, so that is a must. I still have freckles and some age spots and it doesn’t cover them all, but I’m OK with that. I do not like really heavy coverage makeup anymore. Adding this lipstick color too: Mac Sweet Sekura, which I listed below too. It seems to be discontinued.

I also love the marbleized blush in Tropic Hues, it works well with my light warm spring skintone. But they have so many pretty colors to choose from.

I bought this duo foundation recently, so I could try out the heavier coverage and I like them both, but will use the marbleized base every day. You can see the pic below for the heavier one. I used the sponge that came with it dampened and it does apply a little more coverage, which I’ll definitely use on occasions.

Full coverage, still not super heavy which I like. I got the color Light in both foundations. This lip color is Clinique Raspberry Glaze.

If you want to check out Laura Geller for yourself, I’d suggest a kit like this to get started. It has the Baked and Balance foundation, blush, and highlighter and Kabuki brush for one price.

This Cult Classic face kit also has the spackle, lipstick and highlighter with it for $69, so really a good deal. I do like the spackle primer too, it goes on a creates a silky base coat (covering large pores) before you put on the powder foundation.

This is my face with the Balance & Brighten foundation. Lipstick color is old from Clinique, Glazed Berry.

Same makeup with Mac Sweet Sakura lipstick, my favorite red with coral undertones. It looks like this color has been discontinued, but I found some on Ebay. I have ordered many new lipsticks on Ebay with no issues.

It’s the perfect red for me and especially at Christmas.

My favorite eye shadow palette at the moment is Tarte In Bloom, a warm rich palette that is perfect for those of us with warm tone skin.

Now, let’s talk nails. I’ve shared in the past that I do my own gel nails at home and I still do that. I wish I could get regular manicures and the polish would stay on, but it won’t. For whatever reason, my nails will not hold regular polish. They aren’t in great shape anymore, but they do grow when I have on gel. I’ve tried many brands of gel polish, but I’ve now settled on Olive & June gel nails. They say their gels stay on 21 days, but I’ve only gotten to 2 weeks with mine, which is still great. Mine last from 10 to 14 days most manicures. I have collected several colors from their website and also Walmart and Target carry Olive and June gel. Be sure to look and make sure it’s the gel polish and not regular polish. The gel polish has a solid color bottle like those below. I definitely feel better when my nails are polished. I always get asked about removing gel polish. Olive & June has an easy off basecoat, but I’ve read that it comes off too easily, so I haven’t tried it. I do end up peeling mine off after it’s been on for 10 or more days and the edges start peeling up. Once that starts to happen, I just keep peeling until it’s all off. It’s not the best method and my nails aren’t better for it, they get dry and a little damaged, but it’s not deep damage. You can soak them off, but I don’t have the patience!

I have their Top and Base coats, plus several colors that I’ve bought. I love white and use it a lot. The red is pretty too for holidays. If you have an LED or UV light already, you can use this polish and not have to buy a new one. I already had one, so I just buy the polish. It’s worked really well for me and they go on smooth and stay on longer than other brands I’ve tried. They have a whole kit you can build, so if you are starting from scratch, check it out at Olive & June.

As far as skincare, I think I’ve tried every skincare out there (not really, but it seems like it). I’ve had skincare products sent to me to try out and I never loved any of them. My friend, Traci, uses and loves the Dime skincare line, so I decided to try it out last year and I’m happy to say, I really like it. It’s basic, which I like without tons of products. I’ve only got the 4 products to the right above, but the others I’m sure are all good too. The Works Discovery set has all the above if you want to try them out too. I don’t know if my skin is looking younger, but I really am enjoying it all. I buy when they are doing a 25% off sale, so keep that in mind too. I hope you enjoyed this change of pace today for something different to talk about and I hope you got some new ideas!




I use dazzle dry on my nails. Lasts 10-14 days and you don’t have to peel them off. I’ve always had terrible nails, and nothing would stay on more than a day. They have starter/sample kits.
At 60, I just started to use Laura Geller makeup too. I really like that it’s not heavy.
What is the color & brand of your lipstick in the very first photo where you are wearing a blue eyelet shirt?
I want the same info
Mac Sweet Sakura
Interesting post, Rhoda. I had been having gel manicures from a salon for about 2 years, and decided to give my nails a break from the harsh gel removers. I did some research and found that Manucurist has a line of base/polishes called “Active” that supposedly are good for damaged nails. I bought the Base SOS and a couple of polishes and have been wearing them for a couple of weeks now. They are very light and don’t chip easily so you don’t notice the chips even when they do. You get a “soap nails” look that’s very clean and light. I also started using cuticle oil twice a day which works wonders for the dryness around the nailbed.
Thanks for sharing. I do have cuticle oil and need to start using it all the time.
I have been an Estée Lauder Doublewear user for 10-15 years and have switched to Laura Geller unless I am having a really long day. Sometimes I put a drop of Doublewear on my nose and chin and blend it really well and then add the Laura Geller. The heavy matte look ages me!
Lipstick color from very first photo with denim shirt please.
Hi, I went back and added it. It’s the same one as below, Mac Sweet Sakura, which seems to be discontinued, but I’ve found some on Ebay.