Makeup Tips for Older Women

Today, makeup for older women is much more subtle and flattering than in days of old, not only because of how we wear it, but the quality of the products available to us. Many of us had a grandmother, aunt, or family friend who thought looking great after 50 meant wearing so much makeup it was scary: heavy black eyeliner, powder foundation that highlighted wrinkles and creases, splotches of color on each cheek and red, red lipstick. That is the extreme, of course, but you get the idea!

If you’re tired of your current post-50 makeup routine and want to get a fresh start…that’s great! If you are still doing the same things with your makeup that you have done since you were 21, it’s time to take another look. There are good and bad examples all around us of what works for baby boomer women and what doesn’t. The key is to be observant and honest with ourselves when it comes to our own appearance, and staying abreast of the latest beauty and makeup products for mature skin.

Makeup Tips For Women Over 50

Less is more when it comes to many facets of aging…everything from our changing shape, to thinning or fine hair, and how we apply makeup is no exception. The makeup older women have the most questions about are the basics. Here are a couple of basic makeup tips for mature women and suggestions for applying makeup to post-menopausal skin:

• Foundation: A moisturizing foundation is important, but whether you use a liquid, cream moisturizer or powder foundation, start with as little as you dare! Our skin becomes dry as we age, and excess foundation tends to enhance the pores and lines of our face, giving us an older appearance.

• Blush: First order of business is to invest in a good cream blush. Powder blush settles into fine lines, wrinkles, and settles on any facial hair or “peach fuzz” to make it more obvious. Experiment with colors if you like, from bright and colorful, to soft and natural color. Be sure to go sparingly, applying to the apples of your cheeks.

• Setting Powder: Be very careful with this…powders settle in minute wrinkles, especially around the eyes. Applied incorrectly, a powder finish can age you instantly. Mineral powders are very light and have great coverage…try and stay away from the eye area. Buff carefully.

• Mascara: One of the best things you can do is to find a mascara that doesn’t smudge or end up below your eyes! Try one of the many products that create a tube of color around your lashes and wash off with water. (Clinique has a good one) Always apply to your top lashes and sparingly to the bottom, touching up only the outer corners of the eyelash. See our preferred list of the best mascaras for older women.

• Liner: Avoid it for daytime use. If you do use it, use a quality product and go lightly. Instead of drawing a continuous line from inner to outer eye, use a brush or sharpened eyeliner pencil to make dots close together in a line all along the eyelid.

• Eye Shadow: A more focused approach with eyeshadow can go a long way toward a youthful appearance. Toss the blue shadow you learned to love in your 20’s and try some beautiful colors complementary to your skin tone: taupes and beiges, peaches, oranges, browns and rose golds. Try using a light/medium color on the eyelid, and, if you have hooded lids, create a visual crease above the lid wiht the darker color, blending carefully. Avoid shiny or sparkly shadows.

You can actually encourage eyelash growth with a good eyelash serum. Serums with hair protein-stimulating peptides have been shown to increase the length and volume of your lashes – without the trouble of putting on falsies.5

Of course, all that growth doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use that little miracle tool – the eyelash curler.

• Lips: Muted colors are best, with a liner that is neutral or matches the lip color. If you use a long-wearing or matte lipstick, use a bit of gloss to soften the look. Lip gloss provides a fuller, “plumping” effect.

There are so many good and bad examples today of makeup for mature women. Michelle Pfeiffer is one example of yes, good genes…but also a mature woman who knows that less is more and applies that principle to her makeup and every other part of her life after 50! Other to look at:

• Meryl Streep
• Sharon Stone
• Sandra Bullock
• Jamie Lee Curtis
• Helen Mirren

Today’s baby boomer women are busy and active, and look great doing it…naturally! Leaning how to appreciate that less is more has added benefits: it gives us more time to relax and enjoy the really fun things in our lives: family, friends, and the careers we love.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save