Consulting a knowledgeable, independent beauty
counsellor could save you money on those expensive bottles and jars that just clutter up
the bathroom, and can certainly free you from the stresses of the sales counter. And, if the advice is spot on, you will look
better too.
On behalf of laterlife, I went along to Harrods in
London’s Knightsbridge and had an hour’s session with Berrin Topal of their Beauty Studio. The fee is
usually £50, but this is counted against any cosmetics you may choose to buy at the end
of the session.
Although she does not like to put one cosmetic
house over another, Berrin Topal will certainly select which products are best for
individual needs, and gives guidelines on general principles. Customers are mainly from 35
to 70 years old, the very young having too much fun just trying everything.
Advising me not just for myself but for the
laterlife fifty-plus audience, Berrin Topal agreed “there are so many different
brands now, narrowing down the options is a help in itself”. One the basic question
of which anti-ageing cream or which moisturiser
she would recommend, Berrin Topal advises that individual skin varies so much that
you do have to try out the effect: for instance with a moisturiser, use it in the morning
after cleansing and by mid-day check if there is any feeling of tightness. If there is,
you may need to move to a richer product.
She points out that we can get stuck in a make-up
groove. To achieve the “unmade up look
“ which is so desired at the moment, we may need to change our approach. “In the
late 1980s or early 1990s a blusher was included and several eye-shadow colours. Now the emphasis is on a good light foundation, mascara,
products that add shimmer or light reflection on the skin, a lip gloss – not
lipstick - and a good eyebrow pencil”. Like many others in the business, Berrin
Topal raved over the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat (recommended in our previous Test of
Time on laterlife), and instructed that it must not be used just as a concealer. Its tiny
mirrored particles should be used to reflect light on cheekbones or above the eye area.
Further wisdom from Berrin:
· Moisturisers containing sun protecting
ingredients are often heavier and leave the skin more shiny than those without SPF. Clarins, for instance, though considered by Berrin
to be leaders in sun care products, do not add a sun protector to their basic
moisturisers. Check on the container, and add your own SPF if necessary. See
also our separate feature in laterlife on newest
sunscreener.
· Older skin loses colour. The undertone never changes through life, but the
top layer needs some help from, for example Estee
Lauder’s Spotlight to reflect light from the face. Avoid old fashioned ideas of
“coverage” when thinking of foundations, so select something very light and even
dilute it with your moisturiser.
· Powder is absolutely OUT for the older face since it accentuates lines and
crepyness.
· More attention should be paid to the neck, as part of the face. We tried out
three neck skin care products, firstly a gel
formulation, Helena Rubinsten’s Existence
throat cream, ideal for an oily skin; then a gel-to-cream formula, Shiseido’s Benefiance for normal
skin and finally, and - most impressive on my skin - a rich cream from Shiseido Benefiance Neck Firming Cream, on neck
and décolleté, where it really seemed to feed the skin.
The client before me had exited from her two hours
full of praise for the instruction she had received in the art of eye make-up, which for
the first time made her very deep-set eyes look more wide apart! My gratitude was for a
manicure with Mavala products which made me
realise for the first time in years that I had neglected my broad capable hands, and that
shaping and colour on my nails added to a sense of a well cared for appearance. This was a real morale boost.! The good thing
about a manicure is that you get to see it all day, while it is the rest of the world that
benefits from looking at improvements to your face!
For an
appointment, telephone Berrin Topal, creative
beauty expert at Harrods, on 020 7225 5617 and mention laterlife . The fee of £50 for 2
hours is redeemable against purchases which her staff will collect for you , so that you
leave with a little bag already filled for you.
(Correct at time of going
to press)
Alternatively,
enquire at your local large department store or beauty salon for consultation with an
independent beauty counsellor.
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