Makeup tips for the mature woman
Regardless of how well you’ve looked after your skin over the years, aging is inevitable and applying makeup is a different task than it used to be. Here are a few tips to look your best:
Less is more – Skip the bright, outdated eyeshadow colours and instead focus more on using a soft eyeliner around the edges of your eye (brow pencils work great as eyeliners, as they’re softer). Smooth out with the tip of your finger or a Q-tip.
Eyelashes open the eye right up! – Use a light or medium brown mascara on top lashes only. If your lashes have disappeared over the years, consider having artificial lashes applied, which will last on for about 3 months.
Don’t forget the eyebrows. Long gone are the days of thin, penciled-in brows. Use a soft, light coloured eyebrow pencil to fill in your brows and soften with the tips of your fingers.
Use liquid foundation – If you feel foundation is a must, go for a softer, more hydrated look, and stick to a liquid foundation that you can blend with your fingertips or a sponge. Forget about covering up wrinkles with foundation, as they will only be enhanced with foundation.
Skip the blush – If you’re pale in colour, ask a cosmetologist at the drugstore for a foundation that’s a shade darker than your natural complexion, or try out a bronze highlighter to contour your skin.
Love your lips – If you are thinking of applying a lip liner or lipstick over the skin to make your lips look larger and fuller, forget it. Anyone with good eyes will be able to see your lips are being ‘painted on’. Instead, go for a very light lipstick with a slight sheen: this will make your lips visible, and that’s all you need.
Cleanse well at night – Remove all makeup nightly by using diluted Jojoba oil (grapeseed oil works well too) and then rinsing with a pad. Jojoba oil is closest to your natural facial oils and it will not clog pores, it will not dry your skin, it’s inexpensive, it will clean off makeup and impurities and leave your skin hydrated. In the morning, all you should need is a water rinse and blot-towel dry.
Exfoliate – Flaky skin is not only unattractive but it will focus the eye on your thickened flakey makeup rather than your beautiful skin. Exfoliate every 3 days by using a damp face cloth in circular motions, then rinse with water. Best to do this before bedtime.
Hydrate… from the inside out! – The skin is made up largely of water. If you’re not drinking enough water your skin will dry and look flakey as well. Get used to drinking more water as you age, and not just for your skin but for your hair, joints, muscles and digestive system.
Embrace your aging face – Remember as a teen how wearing makeup used to be for looking older? Why are you doing that now? Wrinkles, laugh lines, veins and spots are inevitable with aging skin. You’re not the only one that has them. Instead, go light, and focus on enhancing what you already have: Eyes, lips and brows!
- - - -
Silver and Gold magazine www.silvergoldmagazine.ca
Check out our exclusive and delicious Silver and Gold recipes and GET HEALTHY! Each issue of Silver & Gold features: aging gracefully • kitchen and household tips and tricks • family & home • gardening • money matters • travel and the outdoors • upcoming events • your community • we’re the best magazine for boomers plus!