As we age, our skin changes, and so should our makeup routine. What worked in our 20s and 30s may not be as effective after 40, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look and feel your best.
With the right techniques, you can enhance your natural beauty, create a radiant look, and bring out your best features. From foundation tips to eye-enhancing tricks, here are 22 makeup tips every woman over 40 should know to stay fabulous at any age.
Moisturize Before Applying Makeup
Hydrated skin is the key to flawless makeup. As skin matures, it tends to become drier, so applying a rich moisturizer before your foundation is essential.
This helps smooth fine lines and creates a hydrated base for makeup. Make sure to choose a product that plumps and nourishes your skin for a youthful glow.
Use a Primer to Blur Imperfections
Primer can work wonders by blurring fine lines and smoothing out skin texture. It acts as a base for your foundation, helping it stay put throughout the day.
Choose a silicone-based primer to create a soft-focus effect that minimizes pores and wrinkles. It’s a must-have step for long-lasting, flawless makeup.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Switch to a Lightweight Foundation
Heavy foundations can settle into fine lines and accentuate them. Opt for a lightweight, hydrating foundation that offers buildable coverage.
A more natural finish will enhance your complexion without looking cakey or heavy. Dewy, light foundations are best for mature skin as they add a subtle glow.
Avoid Powder Products
Powder can settle into fine lines, making your skin appear older. Instead, use cream or liquid formulas for blush, bronzer, and highlighter.
Cream products add a youthful, fresh glow and blend seamlessly into the skin. Powders, on the other hand, can emphasize texture and dryness.
Opt for Cream Blush
Cream blush gives a natural, dewy finish and blends easily into the skin. It helps create a youthful, radiant look without sitting on top of your skin like powder blush.
Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards for a lifted effect. It’s perfect for adding a healthy flush to mature skin.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Use Concealer Sparingly
While concealer can brighten under-eye areas, using too much can make fine lines more noticeable. Opt for a lightweight, hydrating concealer and apply it sparingly.
Focus on areas that need brightening, such as the inner corners of the eyes. A little goes a long way in achieving a fresh, awake look.
Go for Neutral Eyeshadows
Neutral tones work best for mature eyes, as they enhance your natural beauty without being harsh. Opt for soft browns, taupes, and earthy tones to define your eyes.
Shimmery shades can settle into fine lines, so matte or satin finishes are more flattering. Neutral shadows create a polished, sophisticated look.
Use Eyeliner to Lift the Eyes
As we age, our eyes can begin to droop, but eyeliner can help lift them. Apply a thin line of eyeliner along the upper lash line to define and lift the eyes.
For a more youthful appearance, avoid lining the lower lash line completely. Stick to a soft brown or charcoal eyeliner for a subtle, natural look.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Fill in Your Brows
Full, defined brows can instantly lift your face and create a more youthful appearance. As we age, brows can become sparse, so using a brow pencil or powder to fill them in is essential.
Focus on shaping and filling gaps for natural-looking, fuller brows. Well-groomed brows frame the face and add structure.
Curl Your Lashes for a Lifted Look
Curling your lashes can open up your eyes and create a more youthful appearance. Use a good-quality lash curler before applying mascara for an instant eye lift.
Finish with a lengthening mascara to make your eyes appear bigger and brighter. It’s a simple trick that makes a huge difference.
Avoid Dark Lipstick
Dark lipsticks can make lips look thinner and highlight fine lines around the mouth. Opt for softer, lighter shades like rosy pinks, corals, and nude tones to enhance your lips.
Lighter colors create the illusion of fuller lips and brighten the overall look. Choose a creamy or glossy finish to add hydration and shine.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Use Lip Liner to Prevent Feathering
Lipstick can bleed into fine lines around the mouth as we age. Prevent feathering by applying a lip liner that matches your natural lip color.
Outline your lips to define them and create a barrier for your lipstick. Lip liner helps keep your lipstick in place for a polished look.
Highlight Strategically
A little bit of highlighter in the right places can brighten your face and make your skin glow. Apply a cream or liquid highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose.
This will lift and illuminate your face without emphasizing texture or fine lines. Keep it subtle for a natural radiance.
Choose a Hydrating Setting Spray
Powdery setting sprays can leave mature skin looking dry and dull. Instead, opt for a hydrating setting spray that adds moisture and keeps your makeup fresh all day.
It helps lock in makeup while giving your skin a dewy finish. This final step ensures your makeup looks flawless without settling into fine lines.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Avoid Over-Powdering
Powder can accentuate fine lines and make your skin look dry. Use a setting powder sparingly, only in areas prone to shine, like the T-zone.
Avoid applying powder all over your face to prevent a cakey look. For mature skin, less powder is always better.
Blend, Blend, Blend
Blending is key to achieving a seamless and natural makeup look, especially on mature skin. Use a damp makeup sponge or brush to blend foundation, concealer, and blush smoothly.
Well-blended makeup looks softer and more flattering. It also helps prevent makeup from settling into fine lines.
Opt for Hydrating Formulas
As skin ages, it needs extra hydration to maintain a youthful glow. Choose makeup products that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Hydrating formulas plump the skin and create a smoother surface for makeup. Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for achieving a fresh, radiant look.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating your skin helps remove dead skin cells and smooth out the surface. This allows your makeup to apply more evenly and look flawless.
Use a gentle exfoliator 1-2 times a week to keep your skin soft and smooth. It preps your skin for makeup and enhances your natural glow.
Don’t Forget SPF
Protecting your skin from the sun is key to maintaining a youthful complexion. Use a foundation or moisturizer with SPF to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
SPF not only prevents sun damage but also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in the long run.
Use a Luminous Finish Foundation
A foundation with a luminous finish can give your skin a youthful, radiant glow. Avoid matte foundations that can make your skin look flat and emphasize texture.
Instead, choose a formula that adds a soft, healthy glow without looking shiny. It brightens your complexion and makes your skin look fresh and dewy.
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Apply Makeup with a Light Hand
Less is more when it comes to makeup on mature skin. Applying too much product can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.
Use a light hand when applying foundation, blush, and eye makeup for a natural look. Building up product slowly gives a more flattering finish.
Keep Your Makeup Routine Simple
A simple, clean makeup look is often the most flattering for mature skin. Focus on enhancing your natural features rather than covering up imperfections.
Use lightweight products and stick to a minimal routine that lets your skin breathe. Less makeup can help you achieve a fresher, more youthful appearance.
More from The Style Trunk
- 25 Stylish Short Haircuts for Women Over 60 Who Want to Look Younger
- 16 Haircuts Men Find Incredibly Attractive on Women
- Seniors, Stop Making These 17 Fashion Mistakes for a More Flattering Look
- Want to Firm Up Your Skin? Try These 15 Superfoods
- 22 Subtle Wardrobe Mistakes That Instantly Make You Look Cheap
Like The Style Trunk’s content? Follow us on MSN.
