It’s not that she’s particularly concerned about it or mentions it much but if you asked my mom if she thinks she’s pretty she’d probably say something like “Oh, no. Not really, I’m just old.”
For her those two things are mutually exclusive.
Which is actually quite ridiculous and I’ll show you why.
I would argue that at 60 years old and having given birth to 9 children she is more beautiful today than she ever has been.
Look at her eyes. There are no short cuts to getting eyes like that. I imagine it took thousands of tears to polish them enough to sparkle so softly and sweetly.
You can’t see it in the photo but she has the most beautiful voice. That voice took millions of sweet words, hundreds of lullabies and …only one or two “CARALYN BROOK!!”s to become as smooth and warm as it is.
Her smile. How many happy moments and completely hilarious jokes did it take to leave those gorgeous smile impressions around her mouth? They linger after each smile as if her face remembers too many joyful moments for them to be fully erased.
I used to be so petrified of getting older. So afraid of wrinkles or pregnancy weight or for my hair to turn gray, but not any more. I know that if every year I give all I have to give, laugh as much as I can, treat every new experience as an adventure and every new person as a chance to love and care for someone than I will be more beautiful at 102 than I was at 22.
I can’t wait for the chance.
My mom is beautiful with or without makeup but we have found there are makeup tricks that make her feel her prettiest and it is only natural that as your skin and face change your makeup routine should evolve as well.
So here are some of my favorite findings:
Honestly, I don’t know if I would believe this if I hadn’t taken the photo myself. The difference is pretty dang impressive. This silky stuff creates a smooth surface for applying makeup and that includes filling pores.
Filled with Anastasia Brow Powder Duo Ebony
As we grow older often times those eyebrows start to migrate and they drag your eye and your expressions down with it!
My advice for this might seem a little radical but I think it’s by far the best option. ( I added the falling brows to this photo because we got rid of my mom’s a few years ago)
1. Locate your brow bone by feeling for it above your eye socket. Your brow bone is a rough guide to where your brows should be.
2. Wax or tweeze all the hair below your natural brow (brow bone) Even if that means you will only have half of your brow.
3. With an angled brush and some brown shadow fill in the arch by drawing in your brow above the ridge of your brow bone.
(Find a more thorough tutorial on filling in your brows here)
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Stromboli
I always try to find the least expensive products I can but when it comes to foundation I get a little less stressed about price and more concerned with performance.
You wear it every day and only have to replace it 2 or 3 times a year! It is TOTALLY worth a splurge. I actually found this foundation on accident when I was testing swatches on my hand for color I grabbed this (cause it was the closest thing to me at Sephora) and rubbed it into my hand, I had to double take. Usually when I rub products on my hand the lines in my skin become exaggerated. When I rubbed this on it smoothed out my skin and made such a smooth creamy finish I was flabbergasted! I snagged a sample of it and have been in love ever since. Plus it has good yellow undertones which I prefer on most skin.
I am working on a post right now on how to get the sheerest most natural application, so check back this week for that as well.
Urban Decay Baked Bronzer
Tarte Cheek Stain in Tickled
When I do my mom’s makeup I can’t tell you the difference it makes when I brush on the blush and bronzer.
It brings so much energy and warmth to her face. As scary as a highly saturated blush may seem they really look beautiful when mixed with the skin.
I used Sephora Lip Gloss in Fuchsia Mania
I hope this helps!
Have a marvelous Monday you are dazzling,
I love this post so much…I lost my mom in Jan last year, she was only 49…She was always the most beautiful person I had ever known…reading your words today reminded me again of her beauty and grace I hope I’ll never forget. Thank you for sharing with us your love for your mother. God bless.
Cara,
I’m a 32 year old mom of two (1 and 3 yrs old), and I’m feeling older and older every time I look in the mirror. THANK YOU for this post….for describing your beautiful mother’s face like you did. I’ll remember this post when I’m tempted to mourn my 20-something self.
Your mom is seven years older than I am and I can only hope to look that beautiful with or without makeup at 60!! Go Mom! Thank you for the brow tip. I have been pondering doing that myself (I call them drag brows but hey, it works!) to give my hooded and getting worse eyes a bit of a lift.
The bow tips really work, my eyes look so much better now! xxx
http://www.unstitchedd.blogspot.co.uk/
I love your mother, Cara! She is a beautiful person inside and out. You described her so well with your beautiful writing style. Happy Birthday, Nancy! Love and best wishes to you both in the new year.
this is a phenomenal post! SO much info that is amazing! Thank you for sharing!!!!! I can’t imagine how long it took to make this! As a reader, I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed making posts, so just so YOU know, you could easily have split this up into a few posts, and done a small series out of it!
we would love it that way too! (that also gives you more time in between to work on them so you dont feel rushed or stressed) but i really enjoyed this post!!!! 
I’m sending it to my mom 
Another fantastic entry Cara!
I’m sending it to my beautiful mom right now!
This post just made my day! I l<3ve how you described your mom and all of her 'perfections'
My mom just had knee replacement surgery and she's been feeling a little icky since she can't exactly primp every morning while she's recovering. I'm definitely going to share this with my mom and next time I see her I'm giving her a make-up makeover using all of your awesome tips! Thanks Cara!
I showed your blog to my mom over break and she said mentioned that there wasn’t anything for age or skin condition. When I saw your post today I immediately forwarded it on to her. She was excited! Thank you.
I love this post so much. Your mom is gorgeous and your sweet words made me tear up. I hope I’m half that lovely when I’m sixty. xo
I don’t know why, but this totally made my teary. I hope my girls have as nice things to say about me when I’m 60. And 9 children?! What a saint your mother is. Great post! xo
Amen toto every word! This is my favorite. I love you both to pieces!
Cara,
You look just like her!!! You are both so pretty- love the products you used, especially the Pore-fessional!!! Love this post so much.
XO Jenna
Demureindiamonds.com
Wow, amazing! You two look so much alike
Your mama looks so sweet; there’s nothing more beautiful on a woman the sweetness that comes from inside. Great post!!
I totally went and ordered a tube of the Porefessional thanks to this post lol! Honestly, between your HAC post, the smokey eye look post for NYEW (which I took application ideas from to do a toned down brown + grey look for NYE as we went to a house party) and this, your blog is beautifying my face more with every post!
Where do I find the make and porefessional you used? I am 53 and want to stay looking young as long as I can..THANKS FOR YOUR HELP…
What a lovely, heartfelt post. <3 To tell the truth, your photos of your mom and your aunt made me think that I might bring my look more current than the go-to "mom face". So happy for the makeup ideas for the "experienced" face!
Seriously, you are beautiful! I can tell you are on the inside as well. I love this post about your momma! I just found your blog on Pinterest, and I have loved going through your different posts. I have also enjoyed trying some different techniques you have talked about! I do have a question though, what colors and undertones would I use on my very pale skin? I always say I’m “clear..” mostly, I’m just very white with pink undertones. Any ideas??
This post is perfect timing for me! My mom, who is 61, had mentioned she wanted my help picking out some make up, so I got her a Sephora gift card for Christmas, and now I have great ideas to show her when we go! I also love the eye brow tips.
My mom is very pretty too, but I’m sure she’d just say she looked old. So hopefully I can help make her feel pretty again!
Great post Cara! It is obvious that you and your mother are beautiful inside and out. Thanks for sharing all your tips
I initially thought this was a computer generated age progression photo of you, Cara. You have a beautiful mom. Great information. I was just thinking about your post this morning about contouring. I love how much your tips have changed my make-up routine.
Holy crap! How is she 60?! She is gorgeous!!
Your mum is really beautiful, a family with great genes, I think. I found your blog a few weeks ago and am already following your long hair tips- including purchasing Chi and a tangle tease! Now I need to track down some of the cosmetics you mentioned and the pore stuff( I live in England). Love your posts, thank you
All I can say is WOW.
1. Your Mom is BE-AU-TI-FUL! I hope I look like that when I’m 60. Heck, even when I’m 50! 2. Thank goodness for a post about looking at age with positivity. I’m 28 and sometimes I get terrified of 30 creeping up and sometimes I need to get some perspective that age is a very very good thing.
Your mum is seriously beautiful!! You look a lot alike. Bless you for restoring some confidence and beauty to your mother.
Your mom looks amazing!
http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
This post is so beautiful and refreshing. I lost my mom in March, she was only 44… You sharing your love and respect for your mother reminded me of my own. You are a wonderful writer, daughter, make up artist and mother. I’m sure your gorgeous mom is so proud
OMG, I saw this on pinterest (so I had no idea who the lady
was) and she instantly reminds me of you!
Your mom really is beautiful!!! And so is the text you wrote about her!
I loved that you did this tutorial, beauty comes in all ages and as we age( no matter what age we are now), sometimes we lose that spark to make an effort in our day to day lives on making ourselves look great and when we do…it’s a pleasant surprise that it can change our mood and uplift our day. So even swiping on a bold lipstick, or a couple coats of mascara, can give you that va va voom to get through the day. YOur mom is gorgeous!
I enjoyed this post so much, I would love to try this but the cost is prohibitive for a social security recipient. I know that we older women can look beautiful “if we had a daughter like you to help us!!!!” Do you have a post that shows how you did her eyes?Also any suggestions for doing eyes when you can’t see when you take off the glasses??? Love you!!!
I am 66, and felt elated when I read your post today. Most blogs, especially those dealing with makeup and beauty, tend to cater to younger women. Thank you for dedicating this post to senior ladies, who want to look pretty also.
Your Mom looks stunning! I wish I could persuade my mother to let me teach her how to wear make up.
She’s not interested. haha never wear make up since birth. But she’s the best MOM in the whole wide world 
Love this! Both you and your mother are very beautiful! I was wondering what products did you use for the eyes? Is there any chance of a walk-through post or tutorial of this whole look, including eye make up, in the future? I would love to know the step-by-step. Either way this is a great and helpful post, I love it, thank you!
This is the most beautiful article about your mom. I feel the same with my mom who is 61. I shed a couple of years reading this. It will help my eyes sparkle more though, right?
This post was absolutely beautiful. It’s easy to get down about your looks, but not only were your words kind but they are the truth. Your Mom is absolutely stunning. It’s good to be reassured that just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you aren’t pretty anymore. Those lines, wrinkles and grays are there for a reason. Thanks for the makeup tips. I’ll forward this to my Mom. You’re amazing, keep it up!
Cara, thank you so much for this article! You and your talent amazes me. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Your mom is absolutely stunning!! I hope my daughters grow up speaking of me the way you do about your mom. I turned 40 this last fall and I am very blessed in many ways but my facial beauty has really deteriorated. I have muscular dystrophy that has prematurely aged me. I have a big gowl, sagging skin and droopy eyelids. Very droopy. I have a wonderful life including a fantastic husband and four phenomenal kids. I just want to look great for them and me and with this post I have great hopes! I also watched your video about helping the under the chin area. Thank you! Thank you for sharing this! Much appreciated!
Aside from being an excellent tutorial for makeup for ladies of a “certain age” (which it is) — your words are such a beautiful tribute to your beautiful mom! She is obviously gorgeous both inside and out, and I hope she is proud of you for sharing this with everyone. Your makeup took 20 years off of her face, EASILY. Thanks for the tips!
Your mom is beautiful! Great job on her makeup!
This post is so sweet and your mom is beautiful. I’m only 36 but I’m starting to see the signs of aging. I freak out a little sometimes when I notice it. I’ll try to remember this post since it made me feel better when I read it.
What a great post! Thanks for all the info. Your mom is beautiful!
Wonderful tribute to your mom, a truly beautiful woman in any ways. Thank you so much for this post. It’s rare to see practical advice and tips for women our age. Please continue!
I love this post. I always wonder where the make-up tips for different ages are, and I have not even hit thirty yet. It seems all things beauty, but make-up especially, is reserved only to faces between 16 and 26 and that’s just not true, as you have shown.
Hi there, Cara.
I’ve been visiting your blog for several weeks now (after seeing you on Pinterest) and shared this wonderful find with my 24-year-old daughter. She purchased the supplies for HACing after seeing your informative tutorial. As I have often found to be the case, make-up that looks great on her doesn’t necessary flatter my 53-year-old skin/face–how excited I was to see this post!
One of the things I really appreciate about your tutorials is that you provide specific examples of products you have personally used and like. It is SO overwhelming to walk into a cosmetics department or store and see such a vast array of choices–some of which are just insanely expensive. Your willingness to use and recommend less expensive alternatives is like a breath of fresh air.
The old adage about pictures being worth thousands of words really rings true here as the before and afters of your lovely mom clearly demonstrate that improving upon nature with cosmetics isn’t just a young woman’s game.
And, perhaps most importantly, your touching words about your mom say to me that your beauty goes far deeper than your skin.
Wow, great tips. I enjoyed reading this very much. Your mom is beautiful x
Hi, please show how you did your Mom’s eyes. I’m 57 and I have green eyes too, she looks so beautiful, I would like to know what used and how you did it. Thank you. I enjoy your blog.
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I thought your bit about your mom was so eloquent. It really reminded me of my own mom, who is also 60, and who also gave birth to lots of children (8!). I tell people all the time that she is more beautiful at 60 than she’s ever been, and I hope I look half as good as her when I’m older. I think it’s time I shared that with her! Thank you for this, and for the makeup tutorial for the “well-seasoned” beauties as well…it’s about time we celebrate the women that brought us here!
Oh wow…was just browsing through your blog posts (which I love) and got really excited about this one. That’s because my mom also has 9 kids and is turning 60 in August! You’re mama is beautiful! XoXo
Loved this post. My question is… What did you use for highlighting on her?
What a beautiful post! You are a sweet , sweet daughter! Your Mom is very pretty– 9 children ?! Wow! Just believe me, though, (I am 51), it will take time to feel so romantic about your own wrinkles. You will look in the mirror and think: who is that old lady wearing my clothes? Very strange…
Omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg! I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me! Your mom is absolutely stunning! I am such a huge fan of living life that embraces and holds aging, as a woman, in high regard. There are so many stigmas in our world and I feel that it’s imperative that this changes.
It is already a lot of work being a woman, it isn’t necessarily always easy, we are truly amazing creatures with all that we do. I know that these perspectives towards women aging can change for the better. Your post represents exactly what lens I hope the world will begin to see through. How utterly beautiful you are inside and out.
I’m completely obsessed with all of your tricks of the trade, I think I know a lot until you teach me something new and improved, thank you for being you and sharing it with everyone. You’re the best!!
You CAN NOT tell me she is 60. Wow!! I’m officially not afraid to age!
I can’t even explain how much I love this post. It made me tear up, you did such an amazing job of highlighting your mom’s natural beauty! It made me think of how beautiful my own mom is, and how all the experience we have as we get older only makes us more beautiful. Thank you thank you thank you!!