I've never worn much - a bit of mascara and eye shadow at most as a teen and young adult. But after a couple of times nearly dying in childbirth, I had some bad kidney damage that left me with darkness under my eyes - the kind that makes me look like I have cancer or some other terminal illness. People used to often ask me if I was okay when I felt perfectly well. I finally realised it was this dark awfulness under my eyes that made them worry.

So I use a little concealer to lighten them, a light dusting of powder to set the concealer, and mascara.

I also really love lipstick but haven't been going out much for the past few years with health issues so the lipstick's been put aside. I'm quite pale and can easily look washed out, but some lipstick seems to liven me up so I look a little healthier.

For me, using a bit of makeup is only about looking healthy. I don't have the patience to get a degree in applying makeup like those TikTok (etc) experts! LOL!

Thank you for sharing your story!! Must have been fun to have that pampering as a little girl!