Sallow Skin

mish_mish · 04-14-2007, 04:05 PM

As I age, I've noticed that my skin is getting a bit sallow--dull, greyish looking. I have undereye circles that I've pretty much accepted as "me" although I do try to minimize them with concealer so I don't look like I have two black eyes.

This became really apparent to me the other day when we took some photos for work. When I saw them, I realized that my face looked totally devoid of freshness, color, even though I had on make-up. To be fair, however, I had been crying at work (weird for me--I had a misunderstanding with someone and we talked it out and I cried a bit) so that didn't help matters when it came to my make-up and under eye circles!

I wonder if some golden highlights to my dark brown hair might help (it might help with my grays too!)?

Any make-up tips to help me look a little more rosey?

danidance · 04-14-2007, 05:39 PM

Lightening up your hair color will make you feel fresh! I love summer time because I always do the highlight thing.

For under eye circles: drink water; get 8 hours sleep; and buy products specifically targeting that issue. I've had to do this lately as well (plus wear concealer undereye) - I definitely think it helps.

Before my Boots spending spree today - I was using Burts Bees Day Radience Creme and L'Oreal Eye defense. I could see a difference for sure - my skin looks much livlier and brighter. I"ve been wearing really light tinted moisturizer instead of make up and it's fine.

mish_mish · 04-14-2007, 06:24 PM

I do think my water/fluid intake isn't the best and probably plays a role for sure. It also seems to be worse (my under eye circles) when I don't wear good moisturizer. I am pretty skeptical about products that claim to significantly reduce or eliminate the circles, but I'm at the point where I will try reasonably priced "old lady cremes"!

danidance · 04-14-2007, 06:51 PM

I dont' shop cosmetics counters. If I can't buy it at Target or the drugstore - forget it! i think the Burts Bees line is really good, I've been happy with it. The only reason I decided to try Boots (and that is totally affordable at Target) was because I trust bhuzzers & they're saying it's amazing! I'm also starting to get more pronounced wrinkles in my forehead and around my eyes - guess it's time, I've been pretty lucky until my late 40s.

Of course they time you should start is in your 20s and 30s not wait like me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I do think my water/fluid intake isn't the best and probably plays a role for sure. It also seems to be worse (my under eye circles) when I don't wear good moisturizer. I am pretty skeptical about products that claim to significantly reduce or eliminate the circles, but I'm at the point where I will try reasonably priced "old lady cremes"!

mish_mish · 04-14-2007, 07:23 PM

I saw the Boots stuff at target and wondered about it. I'll got to ULTA and that's about as high end as I get!

vilia · 04-14-2007, 08:17 PM

One thing I've noticed is that if I don't regularly exfoliate, my skin starts looking pretty dull these days, too, because is doesn't renew itself as efficiently as it did in youth. Lately, I've been using baking soda (recipe for exfoliant on box) because it leaves my skin feeling soft and not dry, but squeaky clean afterwards. I also like to use a rotating face brush. Yeah, I know the experts say it's harsh, but I notice a big difference when I don't use it, and of course I don't use it around the eyes.

Oh yeah, and for dark rings, the only thing that works for me is to cover them up! I like mineral make up in a slightly lighter shade for that, because it's reflective and I don't have to cake it on.

MakedaMaysa · 04-14-2007, 11:13 PM

All the tips given are good ones - drink lots of water, moisturize and exfoliate! I also like the Garnier Nutritioniste Daily Renewal Serum. And, of course, use a concealer that's a bit lighter than your skintone and seal with powder. If you're a drugstore cosmetics gal, try L'Oreal - their True Match concealers, powders, etc. are great stuff. If you're willing to go a little "higher end", hit the Bobbi Brown counter - she has several products right now that are designed to have a brightening effect on the skin. The Eye Brightener is a really good product, as is the Coral blush, which'll add a healthy flush that'll take that sallowness away.

tahiradancer · 04-15-2007, 12:58 AM

Cool tea bags on your eyes help. So do cucumber slices. as said above - get lots of moisture inside and out and exfoliate regularly.

I like St. Ive's produces, personally. I use their Cucumber eye soother, Collagen and elestian moisturizer and the their apricot scrub. still use Dove for washing my face.

I keep saying that when I really start developing wrinkles, I'll switch to Ponds. It was what my Grandmother used and she had amazing skin all her life!

{{{HUGS}}}}

soirse · 04-15-2007, 09:03 AM

Hi Laura Mercier makes really amazing concealers that do wonders for the dark circles around your eyes .... when I began using one I felt like I looked about 10 years younger !!

mish_mish · 04-15-2007, 11:01 AM

Thanks for all of the tips. I use a Philosophy scrub, but I haven't used it in a couple of weeks--I notice it does help. Right now, I am recovering from my dental surgery so I look a little drab...but that will pass once I feel better.

urbana · 04-15-2007, 05:16 PM

But wait there's more!
I use a product called "the balm" and it is geat.
It lasts forever and it has botanicals that help reduce puffy-ness.
It was $12. I also use it in places where my skin needs to be evened out.

perizaad · 04-15-2007, 05:29 PM

I know we are all very conscious about UV wrinkles, and goodness forbid- skin cancer. Trust me, I know, I'm a UV 45 redhead... but sometimes we do need a little be of sun! I see that you live in CA- couldn't be too difficult. I know we all try to be careful, but maybe you just need a good day in the park? I obviously don't tan, and I wouldn't even try if I could, but I know I look and feel a bit healthier if I let the freckles out every once in a while...

Eujenia · 04-15-2007, 07:54 PM

Hi,
As an esthetician, I would really recommend a facial - but, at least on your own get a gentle scrub (not a ground nut or pit of any kind!) to exfoliate and a cream with topical vitamin C. The vitamin C would really help brighten and renew your skin.

mish_mish · 04-15-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eujenia

Hi,
As an esthetician, I would really recommend a facial - but, at least on your own get a gentle scrub (not a ground nut or pit of any kind!) to exfoliate and a cream with topical vitamin C. The vitamin C would really help brighten and renew your skin.

The Philosophy scrub I have uses vitamin c--after I posted this, I did the scrub and I noticed that it really did make a difference. I got a bad cold about 2 weeks ago, then had my dental surgery, so I've been a little beaten down lately--and it shows on my face! The scrub really helped.

The sun thing---I agree--a little sun does brighten me up. I did get some sun on vacation and it helped too, I noticed.

The thing that I think surprises me the most about the aging process is the growing amount of work that it takes just to look fresh--not beautiful, just relatively healthy!

I was talking to my mom about all of this today. We both agree that aging is what it is--you change--it's a matter of how you want to handle it. I actually kind of like the changes in a weird way, as if I'm watching it happen to someone else--kind of like a science experiment! It's weird how both of us are turning into my grandma (my mother's mom). But we both like her and she was a cute little old lady, so it's not so bad, just weird how genetics work.

Lauren_ · 04-15-2007, 08:52 PM

Lots of water & exfoliation works wonders for my skin when it gets dull.

So does a moisturizer like the Olay ones that brighten the skin -- I've recently been using the Definity line, but I love some of the others as well.

I think your idea of brightening your hair color is a good one. I notice when I put a few highlights around my face it brightens/youthens my skin a LOT.