I’m super excited to share some of my secrets on how to look younger with makeup! As a pro makeup artist and trainer, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of amazing women of all ages and walks of life. I’ve seen firsthand how makeup can transform their appearance self-esteem. It’s amazing what a bit makeup magic can do!
At the Colour and Image Academy in Cork, I have been part of incredible makeovers that have made these women feel more confident and more beautiful than ever. My mission is to help you find and enhance your natural beauty and love your uniqueness at any age. But that’s not all I do! I also teach makeup courses and personalised lessons through my academy. Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, I’m here to share my passion and knowledge with you.
So let’s get started! As we age, our beauty routines must adapt to our changing skin and preferences. Whether you want to glam up your look or feel more radiant in your skin, I’m here to show you some of my best tips and tricks on looking younger with makeup!
Teens and Twenties: Embrace Your Youthful Glow
You’re young and beautiful, and you want to show it off. Whether scrolling through TikTok or trying out new makeup trends, you want to look your best and have fun. But sometimes, oily skin and acne can get in the way of your flawless complexion. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with tips on enhancing your natural beauty and rocking that “no-makeup” makeup look.
- Choose a lightweight foundation that keeps your skin matte and fresh without clogging your pores or looking cakey.
- Add some glow to your cheekbones with a touch of highlighter or shimmery eyeshadow, making your face look more sculpted and radiant.
- Experiment with different eyeshadow colours or use your lipstick as a blush for a pop of colour on your cheeks. The key is to have fun and express yourself with makeup, not hide behind it.
- Remember to take care of your skin. Find a skincare routine that works for you and stick to it. And always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Trust me, your skin will thank you later. Also, use a cream with antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals and environmental damage.
The Thriving Thirties and Fabulous Forties: Elevate Elegance
You’re in your thirties or forties, and you’re rocking it. You’ve got a successful career, a busy social life, and a fabulous sense of style. You know how to make a statement with your makeup, but you also want to keep it simple and elegant. You don’t need to follow every trend or spend hours in front of the mirror. You need makeup that works for you and your skin. But as you get older, your skin changes and requires extra love. You want to look fresh, radiant, and confident without looking overdone or cakey. That’s why you need makeup that multitasks, feels light on your skin, and gives outstanding results.
- Make skincare a priority: Healthy skin is the foundation of any makeup look. Cleanse, tone, and moisturise your skin every day, and exfoliate and apply sunscreen regularly. This will help prevent signs of ageing and keep your skin glowing.
- Hydrate your skin: Use makeup that hydrates your skin and prevents it from drying out. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. These ingredients will plump your skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Define your features: Use makeup that enhances your best features and draws attention away from any imperfections. Use a concealer to cover up any dark circles or blemishes, a brow pencil to fill in any gaps in your brows, and a mascara to lengthen and volumise your lashes. You can also use a bronzer or a blush to add warmth and colour to your face.
50s and Over Aging To Perfection
I’m a woman in my 60s, and I know how hard it can be to feel confident in our own skin in this age of social media and endless beauty products. We may have different concerns than when we were younger, like fine lines, dark spots, and sagging skin, and we may wonder how to use makeup that flatters our features without looking overdone. It doesn’t help that most makeup brands target younger customers, so we may feel left out or unsure if we can pull off that lipstick or eyeshadow if we’re older than the average model.
Do you have dark circles under your eyes that make you look tired and dull? I know it’s a common problem for us over 50s. But don’t worry; I have an excellent tip that will make your eyes pop and sparkle. Before you reach for that concealer, grab a colour corrector instead. Trust me, it makes a huge difference. A colour corrector is a makeup product with a different colour than your skin tone, and it helps cancel any discolouration. For example, if your dark circles are blueish, you need a peach colour corrector to neutralise them. Just dab it on your under-eye and wait for a few minutes. Then, apply your concealer on top of it and blend well. Voila! You have a smooth and bright undereye that look amazing.
Here are a few more tips:
- Start with a primer on clean skin. This will smooth out any imperfections and create a flawless base for your makeup. Choose a primer that suits your skin type and needs, such as hydrating, mattifying, or illuminating. Wait for the primer to dry, then apply a moisturiser on top. This will hydrate your skin and give it a dewy finish without making it oily.
- Don’t try to cover up your wrinkles, as this can make them more noticeable. Instead, use a hydrating foundation and a moist sponge or brush to blend evenly on your skin. Use your lightweight cream colour corrector and concealer to cover any redness or dark spots, especially under your eyes and inner corners.
- Warm up your skin with a bronzer. Choose a cream-based formula that matches your skin tone and apply it lightly on the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face: under your cheekbones, along the sides of your nose, on the sides of your forehead, and under your jawline. This will give you a natural-looking glow and definition.
- Switch to a cream blush for a youthful flush. Powder blush can look patchy and dry on mature skin, so opt for a cream formula that blends easily and adds moisture. Apply it on the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards towards your temples. This will lift your face and make you look fresher.
- To make the eyes appear bigger, curl lashes, and choose a mascara that coats thin and brittle lashes. Create contrast with eyeliner by selecting the right shade. For example, if you have blue eyes, try a brown or navy liner; if you have green eyes, go for a purple or bronze liner; if you have brown eyes, experiment with burgundy or coffee gold liner. Apply eyeshadow with a small brush, starting from the outer corner of the eyes and gradually lightening towards the centre. Avoid shimmery shades that can make your eyes look smaller or tired.
- Keep eyebrows full by trimming instead of tweezing. Use a natural-looking eyebrow pencil to fill in gaps and define the shape. Brush them upwards with a spoolie to create volume and texture.
- Balance out asymmetrical lips with a lip pencil in a natural shade, focusing on the Cupid’s bow and center of the bottom lip. Use a lip brush to soften the edges of your lipstick and add a light gloss for shine and definition. The finish is a matter of personal taste, but I prefer a satin or creamy lipstick over a matt one, as it looks more hydrating and plumping.
If you’re over 50 and looking for some firming skincare products, look for these ingredients. They are all proven to help improve the elasticity and smoothness of your skin, while also nourishing and hydrating.
Here’s how to use them in your daily routine:
- Vitamin C: Use a vitamin C serum or cream in the morning before your moisturiser. Apply it to your face and neck and let it sink in for a few minutes. It will help brighten your skin and protect it from sun damage.
- Hyaluronic acid: Apply a few drops of a hyaluronic acid serum into moist skin and lock it in right away with your moisturiser.
- Amino-peptides: Use a moisturiser that contains amino-peptides after your serum. Apply it to your face and neck in upward motions to help lift and firm your skin.
- Retinol: Start with a low concentration and gradually increase it as your skin adapts. Avoid using it on the same day as vitamin C, as they can cancel each other out.
- Ceramides: Use a ceramide-based cleanser or toner to gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. You can also use a ceramide cream or lotion to lock in moisture and soothe your skin.it
Thank you for reading this blog post! I’m passionate about helping women of all ages feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. I hope you found my tips useful and inspiring, and you’re ready to experiment with your own style and preferences. Makeup is a wonderful way to express your personality and highlight your natural beauty so that you can look and feel fabulous at any stage of life.
If you want to learn more about how to apply makeup like a pro, I invite you to book a private Makeup Lesson at the Colour and Image Academy in Cork, where I will work with you one-on-one to find the best products and methods for your age and personal taste. Or you can choose a Colour Analysis and Makeup Consultation service, where I will use my skills as a colour expert and help you discover the ideal colours and shades that flatter you most in clothes and makeup.
You can find more information and book your personalised consultations here.
Now go ahead, experiment, have fun, and adapt these tips to your own personal taste!