15 Amazing Makeup Tips for Women Over 40

It’s a fact we can’t escape: our skin changes as we get older. When we reach 40, we may find that some of our trusty makeup looks we’ve been loving since our 20s simply don’t work anymore. It doesn’t mean you can’t still look amazing; it just means you may need to shake things up a bit. Here are 15 amazing makeup tips for women over 40.

1. Soften the eye makeup

You may find that thick black eyeliner and mascara no longer works for you and can have an aging effect. Ditch the harsh black for softer tones of brown or gold. Try to use colors on the same spectrum as your eyebrow shade.

2. Blend the eyeliner

If you’re not quite ready to give up that black eyeliner yet, try a softer pencil liner, such as a kohl pencil, and blend it out on the lash line to make it more flattering and less aging. Use a sponge or fine brush to gently soften the line.

3. Choose the right type of eyeshadow

Avoid matte, shimmer and glitter eyeshadows as these will draw attention to any uneven texture around the eyelids. Opt instead for satin eyeshadows with a very light sheen.

4. Learn your best colors

Finding out what makeup shades and colors suit you is essential. Enlist the help of an expert to find out if your skin is better suited to warmer or cooler tones. Using the right colors will help accentuate your best features. Regularly revisit your expert as the skin and its tones change over time.

5. Get the right foundation

This applies not only to the shade of your foundation but also to its texture. As we get older, the texture of our skin changes. Some heavier foundations may sit in deep lines or wrinkles. Look for ones that aren’t too heavy or too oily, with a lightweight consistency to blur uneven patches.

6. Don’t skip the lipliner

Lips lose volume as we age, and lining lips will not only make them appear fuller; it will also prevent lipstick from bleeding into fine lines around the mouth. You may also want to line around the lips with a concealer or foundation first to prevent potential feathering into lip lines.

7. Curl your lashes

Curling lashes can help make you look wider-eyed and more youthful. Learn how to do it well and invest in a great curler to avoid damage to your lashes.

8. Use blush on the apples of your cheeks

Don’t use blush too low down on your face. Sweep it on the top end of the apples of your cheeks in a slight upward motion to give your face an instant lift.

9. Don’t neglect your brows

Brows may thin and get patchier as we get older. You may need to think about switching up your eyebrow care or routine. Look for products to help fill in patches and sparse areas effectively.

10. Opt for creams or liquids

Cream or liquid makeup formulas may be more flattering on mature skin. Powder can settle in fine lines and cracks, so look for creams or liquids for a more even finish.

11. Buff foundation on with a soft brush

Gently buffing foundation onto your skin can often be better than slapping it on with the hands as it prevents it from seeping into and settling in fine lines.

12. Prime the skin

Invest in a great primer to smooth your skin and prepare it for makeup. A hydrating primer is often the best choice for more mature skin, which can require extra moisture.

13. Keep concealer where it’s needed

Avoid the trend for applying concealer all along the eye bag area; this only serves to highlight any wrinkles or crow’s feet and can have an aging effect. Instead, apply it on the inner halves of the under-eye area to tackle any shadows or bags.

14. Avoid an overly drying lipstick

Women over 40 don’t have to avoid bright colors on their lips, but it is important to pay more attention to the formula and texture of your lipstick. Anything too drying may not flatter lips, which can lose moisture as we get older. Look for a formula with a hint of luminosity or sheen to keep the look fresh.

15. Make eyelashes look longer

Lengthening mascara can help make lashes look longer, making you look wide-eyed and youthful. If your own natural lashes are feeling thinner and more brittle, check out SoCal Beauty’s range of Designer Magnetic Eyelashes.