Makeup over 40
Posted 10 November 2018
Coco Chanel once said:
“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty you get the face you deserve.”
One thing is for certain and that is we are all getting older… right? As we age we change so many things in our lives, but do any of us take a look at our skincare regime or even the kinds of makeup we use and how we apply it? As is the way we dress, what looked good when we were 20 doesn’t really do us any favours at 40 or beyond! In this blog I’ll give you some tips and tricks to update your skin and makeup routine which will hopefully help you love the skin you are in no matter its age!
Skin Care
The all important Cleanse!
The first thing you need to do is cleanse your skin morning and night. Take your time with cleansing. It really is the first step in making sure you have prepared your skin to soak up all the goodness of the serum or moisturiser you are about to apply and ensure that you have washed all the impurities of the day away to alleviate redness and sensitivity. It doesn't have to be expensive, just ensure you choose the right cleanser for your skin type ie. cream for dry skin and foaming for oily skin.
Hydration for your skin - Moisturise!
Moisturising your skin is so important and especially as our skin ages. You need to moisturise morning and night! Dehydrated skin looks older and your makeup will appear patchy and uneven no matter how adept you are at applying it. I use a moisturiser with an SPF in it during the day which will help fight signs of ageing associated to sun exposure but even if you choose not to do this simply moisturising morning and night will go a long way to breathing life back into tired looking skin. There are so many options now when it comes to moisturisers and they all have different ingredients for different benefits. If you can go to a good beautician for advice that’s great, but if not, a beauty counter or specialist store can sometimes help you choose what’s right for you. As skin ages, finding a product which reduces redness and inflammation is always helpful. Recently, I’ve also started using an eye cream regularly. I always use one when I apply makeup on a client but I’m getting into the habit of applying one myself morning and night to help with dark circles, puffiness and tiny lines.
Tips from Grandma
You also can’t underestimate the benefits of good health! Sleep more, drink more water, wear sunscreen. Sounds easy, though the pressures of the daily grind often mean we neglect these simple preventative measures!
Makeup
Beyond 40, the svelte matte products of our youth probably aren’t the way to go. Cream products are your friend. They will give a smoothing effect and tend not to sit in fine lines and wrinkles. Anything that is dewy or has a ‘wet’ appearance is the way to make skin look more youthful and radiant. Face oils can be a beautiful drenching base and a small amount added to your favourite foundation can take it from ‘youth stealing’ to ‘life giving’. Small amounts of cream concealers will mean your skin doesn’t look crepey or weighed down. If you have darker circles under your eyes, try using a concealer which is peach toned as this will mean you need to use less for better coverage. And only apply it where it is needed, which is usually in the very inner corner of the eye.
Try using less powders on your face. Oil based setting sprays are great if you are looking for longevity and cream blushes in lighter colours will help lift your face and give a plumping effect. When doing your eye makeup try to avoid shimmers or glittery shadows. Again, try to find cream products in flattering neutrals that will open and define your eye without settling in the creases. Lips lose collagen as we age, which can mean they thin and lose fullness. Lip stains are a good alternative as well as glosses which give a plumping appearance, just be sure to choose softer colours. I’m not such a fan of gloss as I get older but that is really just my personal preference.
Brows become very important in providing structure to your face. Not the harsh, gradient, pomade brows which are in style but softer brows with a good arch. There are plenty of products available which create a soft but structured brow which still look natural. Pencils are great for this and the brow fiber gels build coverage subtly and easily. In addition to brows, a black mascara can really open up your eye and make it appear brighter which will lift the whole appearance of your face.
I hope these few tips help you update your skincare and makeup routine for the better. Don't leave it to chance, and at 50, instead of getting the face you deserve, you can have the face that you want!