Make up Tips for 40 Somethings

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Article by BR Dana 

As the skin ages and changes, so do the techniques you need to use to enhance and conceal.  Unlike teenage skin, makeup for maturing skin requires a little bit more effort knowledge.  A dramatic change in the skin means that the same techniques or products used when you were younger do not work. It is time for Big Girl Makeup!

Moisturiser

Makeup can only do so much. Proper skin care is the most essential part of any beauty regime. The lack of hydration in any skin type is a huge problem.  At this stage in your life, some areas of your skin will be oily, and at the same time, some areas will be dry. The answer can only be found in a great moisturizer: a product that will balance the skin, help repair any minor damage, and provide protection from UV Rays.

Primer

The addition of a facial primer into your routine will help fill in those fine lines and smooth out an uneven complexion. Primer will also help your foundation stay fresh longer.  On the search for the perfect primer you'll come up against primers that target specific areas - lips, eyes and face.  It's a case of what works best for you - you might find one product does it all.  Primer will help create a smooth surface for a youthful, dewy appearance.

Foundation

Finding the right foundation  is a true test of patience. And most annoyingly, as your skin is constantly changing the quest is never truly over.  If you can find a foundation with similar ingredients used in the moisturiser and added firming or lifting properties, you'll be on the right track.  Using mineral powder foundation is not a good idea on mature skin, as it will tend to settle in all of the fine lines and make the skin appear older. Be sure to apply the foundation all over the eye and lip area as well.

Powder

Be very cautious when choosing the correct face powder.  Powder was orginally intended for oil breakthroughs so it will look caked on and mask-like if applied over the dry patches.  The amount of powder needed is minimal so remember to use a light touch. Look for Highlighting Powders,: they reflect the light off of your skin and that is a definite confidence booster.

A Dynamic Cheek Duo

When using a mineral based blush or a cream blush you need two different colours. You can use your favourite blush as the first shade then another one that is just a little darker. Apply your light shade two finger tip lengths down from your bottom lash line. Then right under the lighter blush, apply a quick sweep of the darker shade. Use the darker shade to define the face, sweeping lightly, across your forehead, down the sides the nose, and along the jaw line. This gives you a natural youthful glow.

Forget the Smokey Eye - Embrace the Frosty Eye

A Smokey Eye is a sultry, sexy look but not typically a good look for women with aging.  There is a beautiful way, to create a signature look for day and night using lighter shades.

A lighter, brighter, frostier shade is much better for skin that is just beginning to show a little wisdom. Nature is already adding darkness to your eye area: no need to draw attention to further.

Experiment with shimmery colors - pinks, nudes, lilac, and silver palates. If you feel you need a little bit more definition, just apply a more medium shade in the crease: less is more with the dark colors.

No Black Eyeliner!

Heavy black eyeliner was never attractive in your twenties, and it is an even worse idea now.  If you must use eye liner, make sure it has a very sharp tip and draws a very thin line. Just like the eye shadow, choose a light shade, such as a bronze or a taupe. 

Brown-Black Mascara

It is surprising to know that some women only think that mascara comes in one color.  Almost everyone goes for that black.  When you next buy mascara go for a brown-black shade - you might not notice much difference but it will give you a softer eye.

Eyebrows

Eyebrows make or break your complete look. Ageing, or even too much stress, can play havoc on the eyebrows. Learn how to create your own special look using a light eyebrow pencil, an eyebrow powder, and finish with an eyebrow brush.

First apply light feathery strokes over your eyebrow with the pencil. Then apply the eyebrow powder over the pencil strokes to blend. Lastly, take the eyebrow brush and brush the eyebrows backwards for a soft, natural but defined eyebrow.

Lip Liner

Lip liner has changed the way older women approach lipstick. As the skin around our lips thin, our lipstick seems to spread more and more.  So a good lip liner really can make the difference.  For best results: fill in the areas of lip line that may be thin after you apply lipstick. Make sure that you use a lip liner that is the shade closest to your lip color for subtly lined lips.

Wear the Lip Color that you Love!

One of the greatest things about being 40+ is by now you are comfortable in your own skin.  You should be proud of what you have accomplished so wear those bold colors loud and proud, if you want. Swipe a little bit of frosty lip gloss to add a little bit of oh-la-la!