Do you remember in your 20's when the weekend would start on Thursday and you'd go out leaving the house at 9pm and come home at 2am? Perhaps you grabbed a snack on the way home - late night pizza or drive through McDonald's fries - and you tumbled into bed, your face not washed, barely remembering to change into your pjs? Then you'd drag yourself to work the next day and do it all again Friday night. And Saturday night.

Boy, has life changed. 

In my 50's, Thursday is meant for Netflix bingeing, it's possible I'm in bed by 9pm, and my skincare routine is the only thing I'm up for on Friday nights.

The Sephora Holiday Savings Event starts soon, with 30% off the Sephora Collection Oct 28th-Nov 7th, and 15% all items from Nov 1st-Nov 7th. If you are shopping for yourself, or stocking up for holiday gifts, now is the time to fill up your virtual cart and wait for the sale to get the best deals.

The challenge is in identifying those products that will give you a boost for your specific problem areas. Here's the list of products I use at this age that have me feeling my best. 

1. This Huda Beauty Silk Balm is as hydrating and nourishing as it promises. It feels soft not sticky, gives a hint of colour, and is great for everyday use or layered over a lip liner to give some sheen. 
   
   
2. As I get older, I shy away from bolder eyeshadows that can tend to settle in the creases and look for palettes that can give me a more gradual wash of colour on my eyes. The Smashbox Cover Shot palettes are my absolute favourite. I have the Golden Hour and Matte palettes which I use daily. I like to build up the colour for a night time look.
   
   
3. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum is one I've had in my makeup bag for years. I use it most nights, especially if my skin is feeling dry, and wake up looking refreshed. It's probably my favourite product that I'm using right now.
   
   
4. If you're looking for a basic, inexpensive lip liner with rich colour, the Sephora Collection Retractable Rouge Gel Lip Liner is it. While it doesn't last as long as other lip liners, the Collection offers the best variety of colours. I use it all over my lips (it's creamy and glides on smoothly) and layer with a lip gloss or lipstick. 
   
   
5. I can't tell you how many correctors and concealers I've tried over the years. I'm happy to say that the Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector was exactly what I was looking for. It blends well (I use the Peach colour), hides discolouration, and doesn't sit in the creases. I apply it with a concealer brush for spot on application and blending.
   
   
6. There's a reason NARS Orgasm blush is a best-selling product. It works with every skin tone and gives you a slightly shimmery look with just enough colour. I especially love it in the summer months when it makes my sun-kissed skin a peachy glow.
   
   
7. If you struggle with thinning eyebrows, Anastacia Beverly Hills is the brand for you. The Brow Definer 3-in-1 Triangle Tip is what I use daily to give my brows a fuller yet natural look. It's very long lasting and easy to apply. For more precise strokes, I'll add the Brow Wiz Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil on top.
   
   
8. Finding just the right moisturizer can be tricky as you get older. Caudalie's Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer has helped reduce the look of my dark spots and fine lines. It doesn't feel greasy and leaves my skin feeling smooth and firm. For night time, I switch to the Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream for deeper hydration.
   
   
9. I am a very late convert to mascara. It just never seemed to work on my super straight, Asian eyelashes. But then I discovered Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara! It lifts and separates my lashes, doesn't clump, and lasts all day.
   
   
10. There's long lasting lipsticks, hydrating lipsticks, expensive silky lipsticks. Then there are reliable, easy wearing, pigmented lipsticks in fun colours. The Sephora Collection #LIPSTORIES Lipsticks are just that. I'll wear these when I'm in the mood for fun creamy colour. It feels good on my lips and blends well with other lipsticks.
    
    
11. I find my hair getting coarser as I age (thank you greys!) so I've introduced masks into my regular shampoo & conditioner routine. The Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask leaves my hair feeling softer, healthier, and more manageable. I find it makes my hairstyle last longer too and can go longer between washes. Hair products can be irritating though so try this mini size before you commit to a full-size mask.
    
    
12. Another addition to my nighttime skincare routine is Retinol. I'll use The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% Serum once or twice a week. My fine lines and pores are definitely less noticeable now since I started using it.
    
    
13. Yet another eyebrow product! The Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade is what I use when I want a bolder, more defined brow. You need a precision brow brush to apply it, but it goes on easily and lasts all day without smudging. Just use a light hand - a little goes a long way and super dark eyebrows might not be the look you're going for.