Changing Your Makeup When You Are Over 40.

 

When we are in our twenties, we can wear any style, play with colors, and just have fun but as we age, we need to change the way we apply makeup.  Our skin is thinning, drying out a bit, and becoming wrinkled.  By the time we hit 40, we can't wear makeup in the same way. In addition, we don't want to apply makeup so we look older than we really are.

The recommendations concerning color is that one should wear more color as you get older but it should be applied carefully using sheer makeup. In addition, the makeup should be either long wearing or water proof because as a woman ages, her body undergoes some significant temperature fluctuations.

When a woman gets older, her skin appears duller and she develops small wrinkles and fine lines around the eye. The challenge is to apply makeup so it doesn't fill in those fine lines and wrinkles. Your mantra will be "Less is more." To counter this one should use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 although 30 is better. 

Before applying the foundation, use a hydrating primer because the hydration plumps the sun so it is smoother. The next step is to use a tinted moisturizer or foundation to provide lighter coverage but only where needed.  One might need to use a corrector or concealer to counter the discolorations and cover dark circles under the eyes. Consider using a sheer powder in limited areas such as the T-zone but check the ingredients list.  You do not want talc on the list because it absorbs moisture and can make your skin look dull.  

As you age, the eyes can appear smaller, puffy, or droopy and the lines become more visible. Furthermore, the  eyebrows can appear faded and spacer so they don't look as thick and vibrant.   Make sure to use eye cream in both the morning and evening.  To make the eyes look better, shape and fill in the eyebrows but do not use a color darker than your hair color.  When you line your eyes, start a thicker line at the edge going thinner as the line moves towards the inner corner but make sure it is softer.  This makes the eyes look more almond shape.  It is important to choose waterproof products since you tend to sweat more as you age.

In addition, there is a good chance the color of your eyelashes will gray so either use a double pigmented volumizing mascara or have someone professionally color your lashes rather than doing it yourself at home. Start conditioning your lashes and brows will help keep them from breaking.  As far as colors go, choose the more neutral ones such as taupe, gray, a soft bone, or basic brown shades. Use the seasonal colors or shimmery shades for accent. Stay away from the bright, glittery, or frosty shadows or colored mascara.

Then in regard to the lips, they start loosing volume, definition, and pigment.  In addition, glosses and lipstick can get into the lines on and around the lips. First off, think about using a lip conditioner.  Next this is a case where one should use lip liner with a fat liner and fill in the lips with a lighter shade in the middle to give a fuller, plumper look.  Before using the lip liner, use a lip primer in a neutral shade to prevent feathering. No matter what shade of lip stick is chosen, make sure it is the sheer rather than glossy formulas. In fact, the older we get, the less gloss we should be using.  In addition, it is best to avoid dark matte's and the super bright shades. Furthermore, if you use a brighter lipstick, tone down the eyes but if you use brighter coloring around the eyes, tone down the lipstick.  It is all about balance. 

Finally, always use blush.  Blush ties the whole look together while adding dimension.  For best results, apply blush on the apples of the cheeks to lift the face.  Keep these tips in mind as you age so your makeup doesn't look too heavy.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.