We all know ageing is inevitable and just as we need to adjust our skincare as we age, it’s important to update our makeup too! What worked in our 20’s and 30’s might not be as flattering in our 40s and beyond especially since our skin loses elasticity, moisture and radiance so the full coverage foundation you once loved could well be ageing you now! The good news? A few adjustments like choosing a lightweight, hydrating foundation and finding the perfect lip colour can make all the difference. Keep reading for 10 expert tips and makeup products to keep your skin looking fresh, radiant and youthful!
1. Always moisturise your skin before applying your base
Healthy skin is the foundation of great makeup, and this means making sure you have your skincare routine down pat! As we age our skin can become thinner and drier so it’s essential that after cleansing you hydrate your skin with a good quality serum and nourishing moisturiser preferably rich in anti-ageing and moisturising ingredients including hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin and ceramides. It’ll be next to impossible to create that perfect canvas for your foundation without moisturising first! Exfoliating regularly can also help create a smooth, even surface for flawless makeup application since it removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores.
2. Introduce a primer if you haven’t already
Creating an extra layer between your skin and makeup, face primers are used to plump fine lines, blur imperfections and blemishes, smooth skin, and help makeup last all day without caking, creasing or the need for constant touch-ups. They really are key to achieving smooth, flawless skin that’s perfectly prepped for your foundation! A primer can also help prep your eyelids preventing eye makeup from creasing, feathering, smudging or smearing!
Look for a silicone-based primer that offers a smoothing effect without clogging pores. Apply it evenly to your face after moisturising, focusing on areas prone to fine lines, such as around the eyes and mouth.
We LOVE ELES’s range of face primers. For mature skin the BC Pros highly recommend ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer.
3. Don’t overload on powder foundation
Unfortunately (and I am a trusty lover of power foundation for touch ups myself!) powder foundation can actually age you! It can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them! But I’m not saying you need to forgo your trusty powder, but instead make sure you opt for a light weight mineral power and use it a little more sparingly – on your t-zone or for touch-ups.
I personally can’t recommend enough the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation. I have been using it for 15 years.
4. Opt for lightweight, hydrating foundations
You might well love the matte foundation you have been using for years but it’s time to change it up when we hit 40 and beyond. Unfortunately, heavier foundations can settle into those pesky fine lines and wrinkles which is exactly what we don’t want when doing our makeup! That’s why a lightweight, hydrating foundation is a game-changer for mature skin. It provides just the right amount of coverage without looking cakey, keeping your complexion fresh and radiant. Plus, its moisture-boosting ingredients help plump the skin, smooth out texture, and create a dewy, youthful glow. The BC Pros highly recommend both the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint (this dewy formula has been a personal favourite of mine for years) and ELES Blue Light Radiant BB Cream 30. It’s nourishing, brightening, anti-ageing (it protects against, free radicals, UVA, UVB and blue light damage!) and is packed to the brim with the best skincare ingredients including peptides, beta-carotene, amino acids, vitamin c, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin e and vitamin c!! What’s more, it provides the perfect coverage yet you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup!
5. Change up your concealer
As we mature and our face loses its youthful “plumpness”, dark circles and shadows start to really appear under our eyes, around the nose, and at the corners of our mouth. It can be tempting to reach for a heavy duty, ultra-light shade concealer to hide these dark areas but the problem is they just make the dark shadows look grey as opposed to concealing them! Instead you’ll want to use peachy toned, lightweight concealers that won’t cake on the skin and counteract the blue in the shadows. ELES Dual Action Concealer is an excellent option. Just be sure to apply it sparingly with a small brush or your fingertips, gently blending it into the skin. Make sure you avoid any excessive tugging or pulling, as it can exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Lift your face with blush
Blush can sometimes take a back seat in a makeup routine but I’m telling you adding blush to your face can make a huge difference especially to mature, ageing skin. As skin loses collagen and elasticity, it can appear dull or sallow. A well-applied blush will add warmth, dimension, and a healthy flush (that unfortunately fades with age) instantly lifting the complexion.
For the best result, opt for a creamy baked blush, as these formulas blend seamlessly and provide a youthful finish without settling into fine lines. Apply it to the apples of the cheeks and sweep slightly upwards towards the temples to create a lifted effect. Avoid placing blush too low, as this can drag the face downward. A soft, natural shade like peach, rose, or warm pink works beautifully to enhance radiance.
7. Don’t overdo your brows
Sparse brows can age the face and let’s face it (pardon the pun!), they only get thinner and lose their definition the older we get! It’s important to shape and fill in brows using a soft pencil or powder to create a fuller, natural-looking shape that frames the face beautifully. Just make sure you avoid overly harsh lines at all costs and brush your brows upwards to create a lifted appearance. Try Brow Sculpt. A two-in-one sculpting product. Long wearing powder helps to fill in, shape and thicken brows while the colour coordinated tinted wax tames and sets the brows. Apply with a dual ended brow brush.
8. Define, don’t overdraw when it comes to your eyes
If you use eyeliner, as many of us do, you’ll want to trade your harsh black eyeliner for a softer approach. Use brown or grey liners for a more natural look that defines without weighing down your eyes. And make sure you use a good mascara to add volume to lashes (especially since the older we get the thinner and shorter our lashes become!) Curling your lashes can work wonders too but be careful how you do so! For more information on the best mascara, mascara hacks and eye lash tips for mature women click here.
9. Avoid matte lipsticks and use lipliner
As we age our lips lose their colour and get thinner and drier too! so you’ll want to steer clear of matte lipsticks that can dry out ips and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles, and instead be armed with a good hydrating and volumizing lip product like tinted balms or hydrating lipsticks such as the highly recommended ELES Velvet Satin Lipstick to keep lips smooth and plump. Choose colours that flatter your complexion too and don’t go for anything too dark that can make lips look smaller than they are.
You can also create the illusion of plumped lips with lipliner! A lipliner will define your lips and prevent feathering. For more on how to apply lip liner for fuller looking lips click here.
10. Set your makeup with a finishing powder
A light dusting of translucent powder, finishing powder or even facial mist will set your makeup, preventing it from settling into fine lines. Remember, less is more in the powder department.
Makeup in your 40’s and beyond is all about working with your skin, not against it. As our complexion changes, so should our approach to beauty.
