Personally, I don’t believe there is anything “anti” about aging. When you reach your 50s, you enter a new era of beauty. And, just like your skin, your cosmetics and skincare routine should evolve with time.
But as we get older, it’s easy to fall out of touch with on-trend looks and current makeup styles. While it’s best for over 50’s to avoid full-on glam looks, makeup can still be manipulated to help enhance what you already have and if applied correctly and with the right products – can even make you look younger!
To help you get up to speed with the best way to apply your makeup once you hit 50, I’ve provided a quick rundown of the best routine and how you can use cosmetics to your advantage as you age.
Tip 1 – Always Prime Your Skin
As you become older, you may notice that your skin has lost some of the radiance and luminosity that it once had. Start with your base to help restore the vitality of your complexion.
Smoothing on a cosmetic primer not only creates a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup application but using one with a radiant finish can also give you a brighter appearance.
There is a primer for every skin type, so making the right choice will yield the best results. A product that minimizes pores or one that is suitable for dry skin may be beneficial to you.
It’s important to realize that aging and menopause affect your skin; what worked for your 40-year-old skin might not work for you today. If you’re unsure of your skin type, it’s worth going to your local department store’s beauty counter for some guidance – and free samples, of course!
Tip 2 – Conceal and Correct
People notice your eyes first, and regrettably, the skin around them is generally the first to show symptoms of aging. You can disguise a variety of flaws, from dark circles to under-eye bags, by using the proper concealer in the right amount.
To ensure even coverage, keep your application mild. After all, when it comes to fashion, less is more.
Concealer should be applied in the shape of an upside-down triangle, with the tip pointing down toward your cheek. This not only provides coverage but also serves to redirect light away from areas where you don’t want to draw attention.
Tip 3 – Highlight Your Best Bits
As you are probably aware, losing your glow can have a significant impact on how youthful your skin seems. Adding shine to specific areas of your face will help brighten your appearance and restore some of your youthful radiance.
Instead of going for an illuminating highlighter, reach for a concealer. Anything with a shimmer effect, for example, can bring attention to lines and wrinkles, which is not what you want!
Use a concealer that is two shades lighter than your complexion to highlight your older skin. Apply it to your face’s high points, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Make sure to blend out for natural-looking lighting.
Tip 4 – Apply the Right Foundation
After you’ve prepped your skin, you can apply your foundation. A lighter foundation, BB cream, or CC cream will provide a more natural appearance. However, if you suffer from menopausal sweats, you should choose a foundation that will stay put all day.
If you’re confused by the differences, you’re not alone; here’s what each product does and how to effectively use it.
BB Creams – These combine multiple items in one, such as concealer and SPF, and are ideal for those who require minimal coverage, as they are mostly used for preventive and maintenance. They moisturize and firm the skin, protect it from environmental harm, and hide imperfections delicately.
CC Creams – These are often known as ‘color correcting’ creams, and they are a lighter type of foundation that provides better coverage than BB creams. They prime and even out your skin tone, and they frequently include moisturizing properties, making them perfect for mature skin and people concerned about age spots.
Foundations – Foundations are thicker and provide more coverage than BB or CC creams. They conceal minor flaws, balance out skin tone, and impart a subtle warmth to the complexion. They also come in a wider range of colors.
The more pigmented your foundation, which is essentially powder, the heavier it is. This causes mature skin to feel and appear dry, whereas a lightweight or moisturizing lotion will make it appear moisturized and dewy.
Tip 5 – Hold back on the powder
You should avoid applying a powder unless you have oily skin (and possibly even if you do). We were taught not to shine in the past, but now the word for shine is ‘glow.’
Powder can settle into the lines and creases of adult faces, so if you must use it, keep it to a minimum and only apply it around the t-zone area where oil can settle.
Tip 6 – Opt for a Cream Blusher
In comparison to powdered blush, which can stick to dry patches or get folded into creases, crème blush is certainly an ally of older skin. Smiling, dabbing a dot onto your smile lines, and blending over the apples of your cheeks is all it takes.
If you want to take it a step further and mimic high cheekbones – or attract attention to your natural ones (lucky you! – softly dab a highlighter over your cheeks, where your face naturally catches the light. This will give your skin a healthy glow and a subtle radiance.
A highlighter stick is ideal because it is simple to apply and blend.
Tip 7 – Fill your Brows
Fixing thin brows can be difficult, but a small brow pencil can suffice. The idea is to keep your brows looking neat and to look for a brow pencil with a brush on the other end to brush away any visible pencil lines.
If you have very thin brows, it’s best to leave them alone or go a shade or two down – a whisper of definition is preferable to an awkward-looking line. Brow gel is another fantastic product that can be used to fix your brow pencil, feather your brows, or add color to them.
Tip 8 – Opt for a Subtle Smokey Eye
Because of natural elasticity loss, this is frequently a problem area for aging skin, causing wrinkled lids and hooded eyes. Stick to the following methods to obtain the smokey eye look:
- Apply a primer to the eyelids. As your skin thins with age, you’ll notice a translucency and uneven skin tone on your eyelids. Apply a primer to the lids before applying any color.
- Applying white eyeliner to the edge of your top lid will let your other color stand out more and will open up the eye to make it appear bigger and brighter.
- If you have wrinkled lids and don’t feel secure using a gel eyeliner, use kohl and apply it as near to the lash line as possible, dotting rather than dragging the pencil. Brown or soft grey pencils can be used to make a less harsh mark.
- When it comes to eyeshadow, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors. Cream-based eyeshadows, as opposed to powder eyeshadows, sit better on older skin since they do not settle into wrinkles.
If you’ve always used powdered eyeshadows and don’t want to break a lifelong habit, make sure to use a primer first. Avoid shimmery eyeshadows because they merely serve to highlight fine wrinkles.
- Apply eyeshadow with a small, soft brush and blend it in – a cotton swab is perfect – just to smudge it a bit so the color doesn’t look too animated.
Tip 9 – Take Advantage of Your Features
Contouring is something you’ve probably heard of if you’re into cosmetics. It’s a great makeup tip for women over 50. The objective is to outline your face and accent the better parts with a bronzer and a contouring brush.
Make shadows and highlight your greatest features, such as your jawline and cheekbones. This can also be utilized to hide any flaws or blemishes on your face, such as narrow lips or a double chin.
Tip 10 – Don’t Forget to Blend
Blend anything you put on your face well. Most people mess up their makeup because they lack the patience to smooth it out properly. Make sure there are no makeup traces on your cheeks.
Lipstick should not make your lips appear to be bleeding, and brows should not appear to be painted on your face. Apply a small amount of everything and combine thoroughly.
Tip 11 – Focus on Your Lashes
Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. This is the most effective approach to make your eyes stand out. Another tip, nobody can stop you from looking great if you learn how to work with false eyelashes.
Another wonderful technique is to use a blow dryer to warm up the curler for 3 seconds before using it. This will allow you to curl your lashes without any difficulty.
Black mascara brightens the whites of your eyes and makes your lashes appear thicker. Another helpful tip is to use a tinted primer. This will give your eyes additional depth.
Also, if at all possible, invest in a decent lash-boosting serum. Eyelashes tend to thin as we age. They will be less prone to fracture as a result of the serum.
Tip 12 – Avoid Dark Lipsticks
As we mature, really dark lipsticks do not look flattering. Super dark lipsticks should be avoided unless you have a dark skin tone. Always go for a color that is one shade deeper than your natural skin tone. Instead of browns and plums, opt for pinks and bright reds.
Tip 13 – Keep Your Skin Young
With age, the likelihood of pigmentation, sun spots, and blemishes increases. As a result, you should always wear sunscreen wherever you go outside in the sun. Apply sunscreen to your face, neck, hands, and other exposed areas. Put on sunglasses and a hat.
A good night’s sleep is another great way to improve your skin. Sleep deprivation causes dullness and lifelessness, as well as dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.
