Welcome to Midlife Glow Editor

Welcome to Midlife Glow Editor – a new space for women who still love beauty, style, travel and life, but perhaps want someone to cut through the hype and tell them what actually works in midlife.

After more than 25 years working as a journalist and editor, I’ve tried more beauty products than I could possibly count. Now, at 59, I’m much less interested in promises and much more interested in results. I want products that make us look fresher, feel good and don’t require a 14-step beauty routine or the steady hand of a 25-year-old make-up artist.

So this blog will be about real reviews, real life and finding your glow in midlife. There’ll be beauty and menopause, but also travel, family, wellbeing and all the other things that come with this rather interesting stage of life.

First up: the lipstick that stays put

Let’s start with an old beauty dilemma: finding a lipstick that survives coffee, lunch and the general chaos of a normal day.

Max Factor Lipfinity has been around for years, but sometimes the products worth revisiting aren’t necessarily the newest ones.

Lipfinity is a two-step lip colour: you apply the colour first, allow it to dry, then use the moisturising top coat. The result is remarkably long-lasting colour without constantly reaching for your lipstick.

My midlife tip? Preparation matters. Lips can become drier as we get older, and long-wear formulas can emphasise that. Gently exfoliate first, use a little balm and give it time to absorb before applying Lipfinity. Keep the layers thin rather than piling on colour.

I’ll be putting it properly through its paces and reporting back on whether it really deserves a place in the midlife make-up bag.

Trinny London: lashes and brows

Next on my beauty radar is Trinny London, particularly its products for lashes and brows. Now I saw this little beauty in action… my cousin Lesley had this on when we met for lunch. The length and lusciousness of her lashes was eye-catching. So I knew I had to try.

Brows also really do matter in midlife. They can become thinner, lighter and less defined, while lashes don’t always have quite the impact they once did. But I don’t want brows that look painted on or lashes so heavily coated that they’re the first thing you notice when I walk into a room.

That’s why I’m trying Trinny’s brow and lash products to see whether they can give that elusive combination: definition without looking overdone.

I’ll be looking at how easy they are to apply, how they wear throughout the day and — most importantly – whether they’re genuinely worth the money.

Because that’s what Midlife Glow Editor is going to be about.

No miracle claims. No pretending we’re 30.

Just great products, useful advice and an occasional beauty discovery that makes you think: where have you been all my life?

Welcome to Midlife Glow. I’m very glad you’re here.