 In my many years of working in makeup, I have found that the adage “less is more” couldn’t be more true when it comes to makeup for women over 50. As we age, our eyes, brows and lips lose definition and the tones of our face changes. To bring back a more youthful appearance, we must first focus on these features.
Fuller, deeper brows give an appearance of an instant face lift. Mastering a brow pencil takes time and patience and can give a painted-on appearance and look harsh. Try using an eye shadow color closest to your current hair color. Some browns have too much red pigment in them so it’s best to use a golden brown. A soft grey is best for salt & pepper-colored hair or white hair. A raisin color is also best for dark or black hair. Apply the color with a stiff angled brush pressing into the bare spots, and blend with a spoolie brush or clean mascara wand. Keep your brows groomed and fuller-looking by trimming them instead of tweezing.
For quick easy makeup, and for casual outings, you may want to skip eye shadow and eye liners altogether. But to give an eye opening effect, curl your lashes and apply a light coat of mascara. If you choose to apply eye shadow, start with a primer. It will even out your eyelid and your shadows will stay on better. Choose a base shadow color close to your skin tone to give a more natural appearance. To define the eyes, use a waterproof pencil and apply as close to the lashes as you can. If you’re up to it, apply the liner to the inner upper lid ONLY. It’s a trick fashion models and movie stars use to give better definition and you won’t see a line on the top of the lid. It also makes your lashes look fuller. This works well for all eye shapes, but especially for those with “padded” or “hooded” eyelids. A brown color works best for a softer look. Keep the black for a night out or for women with dark hair and features. Avoid lining the lower lid and stay away from liquid liners which can give a harsh look to aging eyes and also make eyes look smaller. Instead, line the lower lashes with your brow color.
To keep your complexion fresh and glowing, exfoliate two to three times per week with a gentle scrub. Avoid doing this if you use a retinol product. Your foundation will go on more smoothly. There are different types of foundations for different types of looks or occasions you would want. If your skin looks even, but needs a glow, or if you have freckles, a tinted moisturizer works best and you will avoid a “masky” look. The challenge for a lot of women is buying the wrong foundation color. A “pink beige” color on a yellow or golden undertone will make the skin look grey, and a yellow-based foundation on a cool-toned skin will look green! It is best to always test a few colors by striping them on your jaw line and seek the advice of a reputed makeup professional. If your skin is dry, avoid powder at all times. Most new foundations have no mineral oil in them, so you don’t have to “set” them anymore.
The best “tool of the trade” is the puff. Blend your face with it after you apply your foundation in a downward motion. It will remove any excess makeup and smooth it out. If you have an active lifestyle, apply a makeup setting spray to keep your face looking fresh all day.
We all have comfort zones when it comes to our lipstick color. Avoid dark colors as they may age your look and too light of a color will also have the same effect. Mixing colors will give texture to your lips and you have the option of wearing them separately too. Apply a little gloss to the pout for a softer, glowing effect. Always use a lip liner closest to the color you wear. Apply the lipstick first, then apply the liner by keeping your lips together and creating a “v” in the pout and follow your line to the outer corners. It bring the look together and you will avoid having a line left on your after you eat.
You probably were using a good magnifying mirror to do your makeup. After you have finished applying it, stand back and look at your face in a full mirror. It will give you a more objective view of yourself.
Beautiful!
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