With a little know-how, the right makeup can wipe years from your face.
As you age, your face changes and the way in which you apply your makeup should change too. But makeup for the mature woman is not about trying to hide lines or look the way you did at 25. Indeed, sticking to the colours, products and application techniques from your 20s and 30s can actually add years to the face of a 40-something woman.
Here are our top 7 dos and don’ts for wiping the slate clean and making over your face for a younger looking you!
1. Brows
Eyebrows can completely transform your face depending on their shape. With age, the brow lowers, which can lead to a sagging drooping appearance around the eyes. To restore a more youthful arch, picture a line from the corner of your nose to the outer corner of your eye, and make sure your brows don’t fall short of it. The trick is to try to not over-arch your brows because the more the brow bone protrudes the more sunken the eye looks – it can also make you look angry!
When shaping your brow, try to avoid:
• The Triangle: it gives you a frowning, permanently annoyed or disgruntled look.
• The Tadpole: the further apart your brows, the wider your nose looks.
• The letter M: the rounded shape amplifies droopy lids.
Also, put the tweezers down! Try and avoid over plucking your eyebrows as this will accentuate eyelids, which tend to become fuller and droopier as you age.
2. Foundation
An amazing foundation is a makeup bag staple. Not only will a good foundation make your skin appear more radiant and even in tone but it can also make you look younger. However be sure to steer clear of over doing it – remember ‘less is more’, so opt for applying only one product under your foundation (this will ensure you avoid that cakey look). We recommend using a water-based moisturiser to keep hydration in check, with an added SPF.
3. Cheeks
While blush can give your skin an instant boost, remember that where you apply it matters! The ‘apple’ drops as we get older, so all you’ll end up with is colour in the middle of your face, dragging it down. Rather, blush should be applied above the cheekbone to provide a lifting effect. Never apply bronzer straight onto the cheeks — it will make skin look muddy and dull. If used, it should be applied over blush for a more glowing and sun-kissed complexion.
4. Eyes
When you’re in a hurry, always apply makeup to your eyes first, as you can easily apply foundation and lipstick afterwards. Rather than applying liner under the eye, use it on the top to give your eyes some lift. Shimmery eyeshadow should be avoided as it accentuates lines and crepiness. Instead, opt for matte shading colours such as browns and black for shape and definition, and blend well.
5. Lips
As we age, our lips become thinner, more lined and droopier at the corners. Instead of applying dark lipstick, which draws attention to these ageing features, try softer neutral/nude shades. Like a red lip? Good news is wearing red lipstick is really dependent on the shape of your mouth, irrespective of age.
6. Blend
Don’t stop applying your makeup at your neck; apply a soft wash of foundation to the décolletage and blend well. This is one rule to follow at any age!
7. Hair
As you age, the wrong style or colour can really add years to your appearance. The two key factors are the style and condition. Check out our article here for tips on age-appropriate hair.
