As we age, our skin undergoes changes that require adjustments to our beauty routines. What worked in your 20s and 30s may not be as flattering after 50.
Some makeup products can accentuate fine lines, wrinkles, or uneven skin texture, making us look older than we feel.
Avoiding these products is essential to maintaining a fresh, youthful appearance.
Here are twenty makeup products you should avoid after 50 and why making these changes can help you look your best.
1. Heavy Foundation
Heavy foundations can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, emphasizing them rather than concealing them. Opt for lightweight, moisturizing formulas that even out your skin tone without looking cakey.
2. Powder Blush
Powder blushes tend to sit on the skin’s surface, emphasizing dryness or uneven texture. Switch to cream or liquid blushes for a more natural, dewy finish that blends seamlessly into mature skin.
3. Matte Lipsticks
Matte lipsticks can make lips look dry and thin, which can be aging. Opt for creamy, moisturizing lipsticks or glosses that add hydration and plumpness.
4. Thick Eyeliner
A thick line of eyeliner can make the eyes appear smaller and more tired. Instead, go for a soft, smudged liner or a thin line that enhances your eye shape without overwhelming it.
5. Dark Eyeshadows
Dark eyeshadows can make the eyes look smaller and cast shadows, accentuating wrinkles around the eye area. Choose lighter, more neutral shades that brighten and open up the eyes.
6. Shimmery Foundations
Shimmer in foundation can highlight fine lines and imperfections. Avoid overly glittery or shimmery formulas, and instead, choose ones that offer a subtle glow or satin finish.
7. Powder Foundations
Powder foundations can cling to dry patches and settle into wrinkles. Stick to liquid or cream foundations that hydrate the skin and provide a smooth, even coverage.
8. Bright Eyeshadow Colors
Bright, bold eyeshadow colors can be harsh and unflattering on mature skin. Soft, neutral tones enhance the eyes without drawing attention to fine lines or puffiness.
9. Heavy Contouring Products
Heavy contouring can create harsh shadows that make the face look gaunt or exaggerated. Subtle, light contouring using cream products is more flattering and softens the features.
10. Glittery Highlighters
While highlighters can enhance your features, glittery formulas can settle into wrinkles and highlight imperfections. Opt for highlighters with a subtle sheen for a radiant look that doesn’t accentuate texture.
11. Powder Eyeshadows
Powder eyeshadows can settle into the creases and folds of the eyelids, emphasizing wrinkles. Cream or liquid eyeshadows are better suited for mature skin, as they blend smoothly and provide a more flattering, long-lasting finish.
12. Bold, Dark Lip Liner
A dark lip liner can create a harsh, outdated look, especially as lips thin with age. Using a lip liner in a shade close to your natural lip color helps define the lips without looking harsh or overdone.
13. Drying Concealers
Concealers with a dry, matte finish can make the under-eye area appear crepey and accentuate fine lines. Switch to hydrating concealers that provide coverage while smoothing and moisturizing the skin.
14. Matte Finishing Powder
Matte finishing powders can make the skin look flat and emphasize dryness and fine lines. A luminous or translucent powder gives a soft-focus effect that sets makeup without creating a dull, cakey finish.
15. Heavy Brow Products
Overly dark or heavy brow products can create a stark, unnatural look. Opt for softer, more natural brow products that enhance your brow shape without appearing too severe.
16. Full-Coverage Foundations
Full-coverage foundations can appear heavy and mask-like, settling into lines and creating an unflattering look. Instead, choose buildable, light-coverage foundations that let your skin breathe while evening out your complexion.
17. Glitter Eyeshadows
Glitter eyeshadows can draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Satin or shimmer eyeshadows with a subtle sheen are a much better choice for adding brightness without emphasizing texture.
18. Thick Mascara
Thick, volumizing mascaras can make lashes look clumpy and heavy, especially if lashes have thinned with age. A lengthening or defining mascara adds definition and enhances the eyes without creating a weighed-down effect.
19. Overly Matte Primers
Matte primers designed to control oil can make mature skin look dry and lifeless. Hydrating or radiant primers help smooth the skin and create a more youthful, glowing base for makeup.
20. Bold Contour Sticks
Bold, dark contour sticks can create harsh lines and make the face appear more angular and aged. Soft cream contour products in lighter shades help define the face without creating sharp contrasts.
