Poking about in a rarely-used drawer yesterday, looking for something I had mislaid, I came across a smallish, rectangular silver box. I picked it up, wondering what on earth it was; it was just not familiar. 'Not familar???' I thought when I held it in my hand. It was a slender 6 x 4cm box about 1cm deep. Any guesses girls? (men don't even try). Here's a major clue which will give the game away imediately. It had one word printed on the top - CLINIQUE. Guessed it? Yes, it was blusher. A box I had held in my hand every day when I was a working girl - a new box every year, each year possibly a slightly different shade (because in an effort to tempt you these firms change the names in just the same way that emulsion paint firms change yellow to daffodil to celandine to sunshine - but all really the same colour give or take a couple of spoonsful of whatever the product is made from.) What shade it was I have no idea. The label on the underside had long since worn away.
I looked again in the drawer and there was a small bottle - again men don't attempt to guess - although whatever some of my readers might say we (or maybe I should say I here) did in all honesty wear this product at the very least to leave behind us when we moved on to chat to someone else a slight suggestion that perhaps you might remember we had been there if only for a minute or two. This bottle had Givenchy in small letters on the label. Any ideas girls? 'Je Reviens' my favourite perfume - long empty but couldn't bear to throw away. Just a memory.
I retired in, I think, 1983. Forty years ago. Goodness me, how very lucky I have been to have such a long and happy life.
I can honestly say that in those forty years I don't think I have ever worn blusher. Yes, I did wear Je Reviens until the bottle was empty but it is not exactly cheap (won't give any prices here as any male readers might need the smelling salts)and once the farmer and I married I never wore it again. The farmer was not a man to like expensive perfume (I don't think it was anything to do with the price!!!!!) he just didn't care for the smell - said he preferred the smell of good, old-fashioned skin. He even used to joke that if we had had a bull rather than relying on A I the smell would have driven the bull crazy so that was why farmers' wives never wore perfume.
I asked my carer (in her early fifties) if she ever wore make-up. 'Of course' she replied, ' if I am going out somewhere'. The full works apparently - blusher, lipstick (the redder the better these days) eye shadow, mascara, even false eyelashes sometimes in 'posh' hotels when she was on holiday. I must add that she is petite, very attractive, wears nose studs, has her Bengal cats tattooed on her arms and has myriad ear piercings.
Oh dear lady-bloggers (at least those within 'spitting distance' of my age) how life has passed us by and moved on apace.
Am I envious? No, not at all. I can't think of a single friend who wears make up - I think we all gave up on it when we retired. I have only two beauty routines now apart from good old-fashioned soap and water, body wash, shower gel and the like. Please men do look away now, I don't wish to reveal secrets of the boudoir. Ponds Cold Cream (which I have used on my face since the year dot) and keep the old tweezers handy.
So come on ladies - do any of you wear the full make up? You can even tell me anonymously if you wish - if you don't wish to reveal secrets.
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40 comments:
Other than a little mascara if I'm going out, I wouldn't know where to begin. I believe it all about contouring these days, and the only contours I know about are those on a map :) X
Still wearing make up but just some foundation, a little eye brow colour and mascara - a quick 5 minutes compared to the time I spent getting ready for a night out years ago.
Jules - what in heaven's name is contouring (other than in ky Atlas?
I am 82 and have been retired since 1988. I think I have kept up with the times, but don’t wear much makeup anymore since I am home most of the time alone. My late hubby also preferred the smell of a clean body. I never smell perfume anymore as it gives headaches to so many people. At a group I attend we were asked to please not wear perfume.
I do. Whenever we are not building something or working on a project, I do wear makeup. Mascara, foundation, blush for me. And yes. I keep the tweezers (and wax) handy.
I remember going to school in full make up in the 70s and somehow managing to get away with it. I rarely wear any make up now, just a touch of clear mascara to curl my lashes a bit and maybe a light flick of the brush of some face powder to hide a shiny face on a hot day. Never lipstick as my lips dry out completely with it, even if it promises to be 'creamy'. And luckily for Alan as he never needs to buy me any I am allergic to perfume so I can't wear the stuff. It's so expensive these days.
My Mother had a "signature" perfume and my sister kept her empty bottle for many years after she died. During the pandemic, I stopped dying my hair and had it cut VERY short. As the natural color came out it is shockingly white! But I am okay with it. The funny thing is all the friends and family offering advice on make-up, clothing colors, and even (because it is a very big business here) perhaps a little nip/tuck/botox LOL. No thanks! Great blog topic as usual. Jackie
To give a very brief male perspective, I've never liked to see a woman wearing too much make-up, just the bare minimum, but I do like a nice perfume.
I used to wear foundation, compressed powder, lipstick, mascara and a little eyeshadow. Since my glasses have had to be made stronger and Covid, I do not wear it at all. Sadly, I don't think anyone has noticed the difference! Clean, neat and tidy is now my motto. However, if someone was kind enough to treat me to a bottle of perfume I'd wear it. I haven't the energy to get the bus into the city to a large department store to find out what suits me now, and know nothing about the latest perfumes or even what is available these days.
I only wear a little makeup and only if going out.
Mascara irritates my eyes so I just brush a little dark eyeshadow where eyeliner would normally go. If it is sunny, I use a foundation stick with SPF from the local shop that sells organic soaps, shampoos and beauty products. Lipstick dries out my lips too much so I use a Nivea coloured lip balm (dark cherry). The whole routine takes me about two minutes!
Never used foundation, nothing in my face except moisturiser and sun protection. A little eye make up if I am going out other than for shopping but everyday I wear perfume, unscented body lotion, lip balm and of course my earrings.
No makeup for me. Using vitamin E oil for face and hands to avoid dry skin is beneficial. Many years ago, I liked Joy by Jean Patou. Lately, I like Chance by Channel.
Hello lovely lady. I am 70 and retired three years ago, my working life meant I had to wear make up and have a good hairdo but nowadays it is basics of mineral powder foundation, eyeliner on lower lash line, lots of navy mascara and a colourful lippy. The hair has just grown itself to shoulder length, natural whitish blonde and will stay that way until I pluck up the courage to maybe/maybe not have it cut, who wants to make rash decisions at this age? However my perfumes are expensive (all bought before retirement) and I just adoring wearing them. Thank you for wonderful blog, take care of you. Jan in Castle Gresley xx
I wear makeup to work each day, but otherwise rarely use it at home. A bit of concealer for under eye circles, powder, mascara and lipstick, and that's usually it.
Perfumes surely do evoke memories. I had some I bought because of the names "Havoc" and "Manifesto". I have a tiny bottle of Givenchy that I use sparingly, to make it last. I found the light and natural scents by Jo Malone "English Bluebell", "French Lime" Pear & Fresia" etc. and I use those almost daily.
Havoc by Mary Quant was always my favorite. My husband likened it to starting a diesel engine. I wonder if he knew your Farmer:)
I wear perfume every day, even though I don't normally see anyone. I have three or four favourites, changed according to the season. My one luxury. No make up though, apart from a touch of lipstick if I do go out, which is very rare.
I find I am wearing a little less eye make-up now (at age 89) but I do still use foundation base with some blush. I am very pale skinned so I look pretty washed out if I don't do the blush. And, I love wearing my earrings. A necklace, too. An old woman needs to look her best... you never know when you might run into a handsome prince!!
Every day I always wear lipstick,earings perfume and shoes in the house, slippers are so sloppy. I still wear Elizabeth Ardens Blue Grass or Sarah Jessisca Parkers Lovely. I never coloured my hair until my husband died as he would complained so when I was 70 my hairdresser did it in 3 shades purple, pink and blonde I love it and over the years we have slightly changed the tones.I am now 80 and wear purple eye shadow when out and have purple frames on my glasses. I do get quite a lot of comments when out even the men who sit near me at football( I am along term football supporter Ipswich Town Fc.) like it , might be because when we score a goal they all eat one of my sweets!!!! Love from Poppy she has had her annual jabs today & is nagging me for dreamies as a treat, & Valxx
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No makeup now but always use cologne and change my earrings (pierced since age 22). If going to the library, may put on a bracelet and/or necklace but mostly stay home.
My favorite cologne forever was Gucci No 1 and I still miss it but at 72, perhaps I don't need such a lovely light fragrance. These days I use Gucci Guilty but find that a silly name for cologne.
Hugs!
I once asked a young lady in my car whether she had been using TCP. Apparently, it was Givenchy 3.
Oh, Tasker!!
A hint of blusher here
Daily moisturizer & the addition of tinted lip balm when volunteering, shopping & the like.
I used to use eye-liner and mascara with a subtle shade of lipstick, never bright red as it didn't suit me. Then in later years just mascara until it became difficult for me to do. Now all I use is Oil of Olay which I have used for many years.
Poppy and me - Blue Grass brought back memories - I wore that for years. Tasker Methinks you need to refine the questions you ask young ladies!
English Rider - your comment on whether or not he knew my farmer made me laugh - or do you live round here somewhere?
Derek - Good to hear you like a nice perfume.
No makeup for me. When I was a teen and wanted to wear makeup my Mom wouldn't let me - said I have "natural beauty"! I haven't bothered with makeup for years and years now. No one is looking at me! :)
Ah Weaver, my heart is forever English but I've been in California for several decades now.
I am 82+ and wear full face makeup when I leave the house, no matter where I am headed. At home it is usually at least lipstick and eyeliner, as my eyes disappear if I don't. I worked in the public until I retired 17 years ago and really feel "nekked" without it. Even as a young mother/housewife, I NEVER left the house with rollers in my hair or no makeup, as I felt it reflected on my family/husband if I was unattractive in public.
I retired 12 years ago, but still wear a bit of mascara, lip gloss and occasionally blusher. Never colored my hair or wore much makeup ever, really. I do use ome moisturizer or olive oil scented with lavender oil in winter, and very occasionally spray on a bit of the cologne given to me by dear Aunt Flo, just to remember her by. Really, it comes down to our perception of ourselves; I think i look washed out without a bit of makeup on, so I do it to please me.
Dear Weawer of Grass . « Je reviens « was my favorite toilet water but it disappeared the last thirty years . And you can only find old bottles on Etsy . This was a perfume from Worth and no Givenchy . Now I only use « Eau de Rochas « . I love your blog ! Sincerely , Catherine (from France)
I have always worn make-up daily to lift my spirits and don't leave home without lipstick on.
I have a sallow olive complexion and it needs a boost.
I can look quite ill without makeup, tired and washed out. No eye makeup though, too itchy, and hidden behind glasses anyway.
Most perfumes are too strong so I prefer natural oils like lavender, violet or rose for fragrance, and most of my body mists are Australian botanicals or Australian Bush Flower Essence mists.
It was an easy choice to let my hair go grey naturally and I like the pepper and salt look.
I recently, in a moment of self-indulgence bought Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream. It's beautiful and soothing and I could easily become a regular Clarins customer if there were not more important things to spend money on - like the garden, or books - or more recently, vet bills! - Pam.
I think you're being a little hard on us men. I guessed both immediately.
My entire life I have not worn make up except once. I went to a make up party and I was the guinea pig. The hostess put all kinds of make up on me, from foundation out. My husband was thrilled; wished I'd do it every day. As if I'd give up an hour's sleep to put all that stuff on my face. I couldn't wait to get it off.
Well, in my family no-one left the bedroom without being "properly dressed" - clothes, shoes, a necklace and earrings if appropriate, hair brushed, and make-up and I can't imagine it any other way. My daily routine is shower, body moisturiser, perfume (White Linen by Estee Lauder, or once every so often Joy, by Dior), face moisturiser with high SP, a light cream foundation, eye makeup and eyebrow pencil (as I've gone grey I look 'disappeared' without it) and lipstick. Teeth get cleaned after breakfast. I have friends who wear nothing except a moisturising SP product and others whose levels vary from little to the full monty. We're certainly all different, aren't we.
Wore Chanel number five for years…then Tresors for almost 30 years…now Happy by Clinique. None of these give me or family headaches or allergies…soothing scents…
I have never worn full makeup, especially the stuff that you put on all over your face. But I put on lipstick every day, even if just walking the dog. I like the look of a bit of color and it has a bit of sunscreen in it.
No makeup, except lipstick when going out. Nivea always. As for hair, loved it when it went grey (always wanted to be a blonde) my grand daughters spend a fortune on being silver blonde.
When I was in boots the other day I noticed all the perfumes were locked up and looking at the prices I can see why. Use Yardley's flower scents Eau de cologne.
I do wish people would realize other people can smell their perfume/after shave. Remember the old Brut advert with Henry Cooper “splash it on all over?” Some people seem to take that to heart. It is particularly annoying in a restaurant. I think people get “nose blind” to scents and put on more and more.
Virginia - I admire your attention to detail in make up = wish I had your patience
Furry Gnome - deep apologies - didn't realise gnomes were just men - didn't realise you were not one of the 'fairer sex'.
Pam - your last words did make me laugh - friends are in a similar position !
Catherine (France) How sad that Je Reviens seems to have disappeared. I was thinking I might buy some .
Ana - I admire your ability to 'stick at it' and not let your age stop you.
I haven't worn makeup since high school 60 years ago. Oh, maybe a touch of light lipstick in my college years.
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