5 Pro Tips For Glowing In Your Mature Makeup

If there’s one thing that’s stood the test of time, it’s that true beauty is incomplete without grace and substance. We can all think of our favourite mature-age beauty icons such as Helen Mirren or Jane Fonda, but what do they have in common? Beautiful skin and a makeup look that enhances their best features, indicating a commitment to a healthy skincare and makeup routine.

Noticing fine lines and wrinkles, a loss of elasticity and a reduction in hydration levels is expected from your mid-30s onwards, so focusing on ingredients that enhance hydration and glow is crucial. Here are 5 makeup tips for older women that professional artists use to create a bright, dewy, and healthy result.

Tip #1 – Exfoliated and Hydrated Skin

Dry skin will enhance lines and wrinkles, and prevent your foundation from blending in smoothly. In contrast, a little shine on the skin suggests youth and health.

• Choose gentle, hydrating cleansers and exfoliators in a balm or oil formulation, to regularly remove the build-up of dry and dead skin. Don’t forget the lips!
• Prepare the skin with a hyaluronic acid-based serum, or a non-sticky, rich facial oil instead of a heavy moisturiser before applying any makeup.

Tip #2 – A Dewy, Warmed-up Complexion

The overarching concept for mature-age makeup is to avoid heavy, drying, or matte textures when it comes to your base, and investing in the right makeup tools.

• Opt for a medium-coverage foundation, tinted moisturiser or cc cream that has light-reflecting minerals, with a dewy consistency. Go for creamy, serum-based concealers that are lightweight and won’t weigh down the eye area.
• Always choose slightly warmer shades with foundation, and peachy undertones with concealers, which will neutralise any greyness, dark circles, or dullness in the skin.
• Avoid anything too light or too cool, sticking as close to your natural skin tone and undertone as possible.
• Experiment with mixing glow-boosters or non-shimmery liquid bronzers into your base for a radiant glow.
• Only if needed, set the under-eye or other areas with a small amount of lightweight, translucent powder. 

Tip #3 – Lifted Cheeks & Vibrant Lips

Defying gravity can be challenging, so sculpting and lifting the features is the key here.

• Using your fingers, gently dab a creme blush from the apples of your cheeks, moving upwards towards the tops of the ears. Less is more, so build slowly.
• Using a fluffy, angled contour brush, apply a subtle, warm bronzer under the cheekbones and around the hairline to warm up the complexion. Avoid anything too dark or shimmery.
• Avoid shiny or glittery illuminators. Use a cream or powder highlighter sparingly, placing a small amount on the tops of the cheekbones, on the brow bone, the bridge of the nose, or any other high points.
• Vibrant lips create instant youth, so choose a soft peach or pink lipstick, or something bright like a Fuschia or red that spells confidence. Use hydrating formulations with butter and oils, and add a nude or clear gloss on top for the illusion of a fuller tip.
• Don’t be afraid to use a nude lip-liner to create definition and fullness, but don’t overline the bottom lip too much. A must with a red lip.

Tip #4 – Bright, Soulful Eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul, and eye makeup doesn’t need to be complicated to be beautiful.

• Use the Triangle of Light technique by creating an upside-down triangle under each eye, with a brightening concealer that is half a shade lighter than your natural skin tone. Gently dab into the skin.
• Avoid eyeshadows with sparkle or glitter, and choose soft, matte or creme textures for the lids. An eyeshadow with subtle shimmer can be used too. Use your ring finger to dab the product in the centre of the lid. Champagne, peach, or rose-gold shades will be flattering for any eye shape and colour.
• Curling the lashes will make your eyes look much bigger. Hold the curler at the base and then at the tip of the lashes for 10 seconds each time, before applying one or two coats of mascara.
• Apply a pearlescent eyeshadow or highlighter in the inner corners of the eye with a very small, round brush to create instant brightness.
• Eyeliner can be tricky, but using a soft charcoal, navy, burgundy or bronze pencil is universally-flattering. Apply close to the top or lower lash line and gently smudge with an angled brush or q-tip for a “smoked out” effect.

Tip #5 – Natural, Polished Eyebrows 

A well-groomed woman usually looks after her eyebrows, so ensure any stray hairs are plucked.

• If your brows are over-plucked or too thin, gently create some shape first. Choose a soft brown or grey brow pencil in a similar shade to your hair colour. Using very light pressure, create upwards strokes in the natural direction of the hair to fill in any gaps.
• An eyeshadow or brow butter can also be applied with a small angled brush and set with a clear brow gel for a polished finish.
• It’s important not to create an overly-pointed arch, and instead, slightly round it to create softness. Do not try to make your brows identical.