The One I Bought Twice: the 115

I loved it so much I bought a second one. One is only for my bronzer stick, and the other is only for cream blush, so each color stays true. The bristles are soft and dense, and they blend into mature skin without streaks.

The 4-Piece Face and Eye Set

• 107: my blush brush

• 108: for powder

• 206 and 207: blending and smudging my eyes

It's an easy way to get four brushes I use in one simple set.

The 5-Piece Eye Brush Set

Eye makeup gets trickier after 40. Lids change, creases show more, and the wrong brush makes everything look heavy. This set covers blending, crease, lid color, smudging along the lash line, and liner and brows.

The 116 Powder Brush

My go-to brush for a light dusting of powder. Too much powder settles into fine lines, so a lighter hand with the right brush keeps my skin looking like skin.

How I Keep Them Clean

Dirty brushes hold old makeup and oil, which makes makeup look patchy. My routine takes a few minutes with the Piccasso brush cleaner set:

1. Lather on the cleansing bar.

2. Scrub on the textured mat, then rinse until the water runs clear.

3. Dry on the drying stand.

Clean brushes blend better, especially on mature skin.

Have you ever loved something so much you bought two? Tell me in the comments.

All my brush links are on my page. Some links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream

This is the lighter of the two Caudalie creams. It hydrates without feeling heavy under makeup, which is exactly what I want in the morning.

2. d'Alba Multi Balm, under my eyes

Just a little under my eyes before makeup. Stays put and fills in fine lines. Easy to use in the stick.

3. Dior concealer on my lids

A little on my eyelids first, as a base before eye makeup.

4. Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation

This is the one I'll keep repurchasing. It doesn't settle into fine lines, and it gives a dewy finish without looking fake. At our age, that's everything.

5. Concealer touch-up, then the rest of my makeup

6. Naked Sundays SPF 50 Hydrating Glow Mist, last, before I leave the house

This goes on every time I head out, with or without makeup. I mist my face, my scalp along my part and the backs of my hands. Nobody warned me my hands would show age before my face did.

During the day: d'Alba First Spray Serum

When my skin feels tight or my makeup looks tired, a few sprays bring the moisture back and freshen everything up.

My Nighttime Routine

1. Lancôme Bi-Facil eye makeup remover

Shake it to mix the two layers, then use a cotton pad. It takes off everything, even waterproof mascara, without scrubbing.

2. Lancôme Génifique serum

3. Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream

The richer version of my day cream. It's thicker and more nourishing, and it's what my skin wants overnight. But, it is still light enough and doesn’t feel greasy like some.

Why Two Creams From the Same Line?

Same line, two textures. The Cream is light enough to wear under makeup, and The Rich Cream does the heavy lifting while I sleep. If your skin feels different in the morning than it does at night, this setup works well.

Save this post so you have the order handy. What's the one step you never skip?

All my skincare links are on my page. Some links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

That's the part everyone wants to talk about. What nobody warned me about was everything that came after. Losing the weight and going through menopause didn't just change the number on the scale. It changed my clothes, my skin, my hair, my makeup, even how I pack a suitcase. I've had to figure all of it out again, at an age when I thought I had it figured out.

So that's what this space is: everything I've learned, and the finds that actually work now.

The Closet Came First

When the weight came off, I cleaned out my entire closet. Every piece. When I was done, exactly three things from last summer still fit.

Three. A few more for fall/winter, but only due to the “oversized” trend and it was only a few pieces. No one tells you about grieving your favorite go to pieces that you have to let go.

I've been rebuilding my wardrobe one piece at a time since then. I've had to learn what flatters a body I'm still getting to know. Some of it came from Amazon, and some from boutique pieces I couldn't wear for years. Walking into a store and buying something off the rack in my actual size still feels a little surreal.

Then My Face Changed

Nobody warns you that your face changes when you lose a lot of weight, especially after 50. My skin needed different care. Makeup that used to work suddenly looked heavy, settled into lines, or just looked wrong.

I had to start over with skincare, foundation, concealer and even my makeup brushes, and test everything on real, mature, 50-something skin. Some things were a miss. The ones that worked are the ones I'll share here.

And Then There's My Hair

My hair has its own opinions these days. Menopause changes my lifelong straight hair to the curly hair I spent money on to get in the 80’s. Great problem to have, but had no clue about styling or care. That, combined with thinning from the weight loss created a special challenge. I've been learning what it needs now, from the products that tame it to how to get more than one good day out of a style. It's still a work in progress, and I'll share that too.

What You'll Find Here

• Style: outfits that work for online work calls, weekends and everything in between

• Skincare and makeup: tested on real mature skin, with my actual day and night routines

• Hair: what's working, what isn't and what I'm trying next

• Travel: the gear that has earned its place in my bag, trip after trip

• Everyday finds: the little things that make life easier

My One Rule

I only share what I actually use. If I haven't worn it, used it or packed it, you won't see it here. If something is new to me, I'll tell you it's new. If something doesn't work, I'll tell you that too.

No hype. No filters on the results. Real finds, real life.

About the Weight Loss

I know some of you want to know how. I'll share more of that story as this community grows. For now, this space is about what came after: learning to dress, care for and feel good in a body I hadn't lived in for decades.

Come Along

You can find quick videos, try-ons and routines on Instagram at @kksimplyfabfinds, and I'll be posting here every week.

If any of this sounds familiar, whether you've lost weight, your body has changed or you're just figuring out what works now, you're in the right place. Hit subscribe, and tell me in the comments: what's one thing you've had to relearn after 50?

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

KK 🤎