Oh jlc, I think I may have a new addiction. I spent another hour last night looking at cosmetics online. What probably would have done my face more good is if I'd spent that hour outside walking. Oh well. I've ignored my face for so long, I'm feeling like I need a little update and pampering.

Thanks so much for the tip on the primer. I tried a primer last year and couldn't understand all the hype, but I wasn't letting it soak in and dry! If I didn't throw it out, I'll see if I can find it and try again.

I too have heard of the Touche Éclat but nice to hear your rave. I just might check it out...

I have never heard of SKII- what is it??

I do have to tell you that I have used some of the Mario Badescu products and I think they are wonderful. I don't know what it is- but I really like them. They will also send you a sample pack for free if you go to their website. It's a decent way to try some of the products. I know we also used some of their stuff for my daughter's very resistant acne(quite a few years ago) and while it wasn't a miracle it did help and most importantly it did not inflame or irritate.

I actually went for a facial last year to their salon and loved it. (and I don't do or like facials). Something about their products - I don't know if part of it is the scent, but I just really like them.

sheila, the SKII origin myth (and some say it is a myth, but I choose to believe it just cause it's so cool) is that someone was travelling to a far off land (Tibet?) and came across these monks in the mountains that made a drink of fermented something (rice maybe? I guess I should research this again to get my facts straight). The monks were old and their faces were heavily lined, but their hands looked like those of a teenager. When the traveller asked why, they told him that because the monks worked with their hands in the fermenting mixture all day, they stayed young looking. Upon his return home the traveller researched and came up with the secret ingredient (Pitera) that is now the basis of SKII.

Great to hear you are happy with the Mario Badescu. Reading reviews on beauty products takes skill (everything is soooo wonderful and amazing and life-changing), but the reviews for the MB products did seem more sincere than most.

I'm always on the hunt for a good under-eye concealer that goes on smooth and doesn't cake and accentuate lines. Anyone have one they love?

ok so now, I have googled SK-II and yes it is quite pricey. What product(s) do you love?

And for an under eye concealer, I use Cover Girl ( I just went to grab it and tell you the exact name but it has rubbed off). I am pretty sure this is it. When I find something I like I tend to stick with it especially makeup wise. Skin care I guess is another story where I like most products but cant say I am committed 100% so to speak. link to covergirl concealer

Sheila, I ordered this set. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sk-ii-pitera-essence-set-130-value/3600682?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=426

You get the lotion and one mask for the same price as one bottle of the essence.

The essence is what you want, but I've tried the eye masks and they are amazing (just way too pricey). My friend gave me a sample pack of 5 pairs of eye masks one time and I think I made them last 3 years. I would put them on for a few minutes, but take them off before they dried out and put them back in the package and then kept them in the fridge. I'm hoping I can get at least 3 or four uses out of the full face mask that comes with this set. Honestly, when I would use the eye masks, people ALWAYS commented on how good I looked - like minor plastic surgery good.

Thanks for the tip on the concealer. At that price, it is definitely worth a try.

I'm also turning 50 this year. No suggestions about skincare lines or makeup but I do use Ferro Cosmetics. I will suggest getting good (not foo foo) facials, including chemical peels (which don't have to be harsh or actual chemicals). No amount of makeup will help if you have layers of dead skin cells etc.

I agree with the importance of good skin care, and there are SO many products available to achieve that which don't break the bank. If I had to choose only three I would suggest the nightly use of retina A, daily use of a Clarisonic facial brush, occasional use of a derma roller or derma pen. Obviously daily sunscreen and moisturizers, serums, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are all extremely beneficial as well. For a great price point you may want to take a look at Paula's Choice skin care products. I don't use them but they seem to get high marks for performance and price. Another source that won't break the bank is http://www.timelessha.com. I would suggest in investing in skin care products you can do at home, get your skin in tip top condition, and then look at make up. Have fun!

When we were living in Beijing 2 years ago, the ad for SKII would pop up frequently on the cable. And it's exactly how daisychain described it- monks (or some old people) in the country with wrinkled face but hands were very young-looking because they worked with rice mixture everyday.

I wanted to try it, but it was really pricey, plus the import tax makes it even more expensive . Even at duty-free, it's still expensive! Maybe I'll check it out here, see if I can afford it, hah!

I like Bobbi Brown concealer. Touché Eclat did cake a little on me if I recall..it's been awhile since I've used it.

I have yet to find a foundation I like.....not enough coverage and it's absorbed within a few hours and then looks like I don't have any makeup on at all. That goes for department store brands as well as drugstore brands.

Love these makeup discussions. Am contemplating trying some Mario Badescu products..have never heard of them and they aren't crazy expensive.

Has anyone tried the Yves St. Laurent Teint Éclat foundation? It is suppose to be the best for mature skin (I would think over 50?) I've been trying to get to the mall that sells it around here but haven't made it up there yet. I want to see it in person before I buy to get the correct color-so I don't want to buy it online.

Joaniepoanie, try Lancôme Absolue foundation. It is by far the best foundation I've used. I actually used it before I turned 50. The coverage is fabulous. You probably won't find it in department stores anymore though. I buy mine from Lancôme's website. I absolutely love makeup in a jar as you don't get a big spurt of foundation like in the pump bottles. I use every precious drop of it. I started using Alexandra de Markoff's cream foundation before using Lancôme. I loved it but it was impossible to find locally anymore (before internet) so I changed to Lancôme, now the same thing is happening to it but thank goodness for online ordering.

Holly-Kay....thanks. I will have to see if I can buy it locally so I can get the right color..at least the first time. I recently heard about RCMA foundation which is highly pigmented and used by makeup artists. Wanted to try it but it is not sold locally and I don't trust picking the right shade off the internet.

Yes that can be tough. Since I purchased locally first I knew what shade I took. They have shades and then variations of the shade in warm, neutral, or cool. You can also use the feature on their sight to put in the shade you use from another beauty line and it gives the Absolue equivalent.

Daisy, I was researching touché eclat today and came across a YouTube by Michael Goss giving some great tips. I couldn't find a way to link it but you can search for it. I thought you might be interested in the many ways it can be used. It is very versatile.

Thanks Holly-Kay. I'll look for it.

I use Lancome Photogenic Lumenessence foundation, it creates a flawless appearance. If you have any redness or blotchy areas, this product will make them disappear. I can't tell you how many compliments I get on my skin. It comes in a pump bottle, which I prefer, and I apply very little, it spreads so easily and then you have a face that is flawless. I use Urban Decay powder blush and shiner to give a glow to the skin.

Thanks Yaya, I would love to try it but I hate pump bottles with a passion. The last several times I bought Lancôme Renergie Lift foundation I either got a scant half pump or a spurt that was enough for two applications. It was a huge waste of product. I may ask to sample it that way I can determine if it looks good enough for me to be annoyed every day using a pump bottle again. I do have a blotchy (rather faint) area on one cheek and would love a more luminescent product so next time I need foundation I will try a sample of it.