Contouring can be a game-changer for women over 50, helping to redefine facial features that naturally change with age. The right techniques can enhance your bone structure, create subtle definition, and give you a youthful glow without looking overdone. Ready to transform your makeup routine with some age-appropriate contouring magic?
1. Prep With Moisture First
Hydrated skin creates the perfect canvas for contouring. Apply a rich moisturizer before makeup to plump fine lines and prevent powder from settling into creases.
Think of this step as creating smooth terrain for your contouring journey. Well-moisturized skin reflects light beautifully, enhancing your finished look.
2. Choose Cream Over Powder
Cream contour products blend seamlessly into mature skin. They provide a natural finish without emphasizing texture or settling into fine lines.
Fingers or a damp makeup sponge work wonders for application. The warmth of your fingertips helps the product melt into your skin for that “part of you” look.
3. Go Warmer, Not Cooler
Cool-toned contours can look harsh and aging on mature skin. Opt for warmer bronzy shades that mimic natural shadows and add a subtle sun-kissed dimension.
Warm tones create the illusion of healthy, vibrant skin. They complement the natural undertones that develop in our complexion as we age.
4. Focus On Cheekbone Enhancement
Aging often diminishes the prominence of cheekbones. Apply contour in a small “C” shape from the temple to just below the cheekbone to restore definition.
Remember to blend upward, never downward. This lifting technique visually combats gravity’s effects and creates a more youthful appearance.
5. Lighten Up On Product
Heavy application can age you instantly. Start with minimal product and build gradually – you can always add more, but removing excess is tricky.
The magic word is “buildable.” Thin layers create dimension without weight or obvious makeup lines. Your goal is enhancement that looks like natural bone structure.
6. Master The Jawline Technique
A softly defined jawline creates a more youthful profile. Apply contour just underneath the jawbone, blending thoroughly to avoid any harsh lines.
This technique creates subtle definition without emphasizing any sagging. Gentle application is key – think soft shadows rather than dramatic lines.
7. Embrace Highlighting Too
Contouring works best when paired with strategic highlighting. Place a cream highlighter above your cheekbones, down your nose, and at your cupid’s bow.
Choose subtle, pearl-finish highlighters rather than glittery ones. The goal is a natural glow that suggests hydrated, healthy skin rather than obvious sparkle.
8. Skip The Nose Contour
Heavy nose contouring can look unnatural on mature faces. If desired, use the lightest touch along the sides of your nose with whatever product remains on your brush.
Sometimes less truly is more. A subtle hint of definition creates harmony without drawing attention to your contouring techniques.
9. Blend, Blend, Then Blend Again
Harsh lines are the enemy of natural-looking contour. Use a clean fluffy brush to soften all edges after application until no visible lines remain.
Consider blending your final look in natural light. What looks perfect in bathroom lighting might appear striped in daylight, so check your work by a window.
10. Address Changing Face Shapes
Our face shapes often change with age. Reassess your contouring placement regularly rather than using the same technique for decades.
What worked at 40 might not work at 60. Facial volume shifts downward over time, so your contouring should adapt to your current bone structure.
11. Consider A Makeup Lesson
Professional guidance can be invaluable. Many department stores offer free makeup lessons specifically for mature skin contouring techniques.
Bring your own products to learn how to use what you already own. Or discover new products specifically formulated for skin that’s experienced five fabulous decades.
12. Soften Your Forehead
A touch of contour along the hairline softens the forehead’s appearance. Apply in a gentle arc, blending well into the hair.
This creates a frame for your face without harsh lines. The subtle shadow mimics the natural dimension we lose as our skin changes with age.
13. Use The Right Tools
Invest in quality brushes designed for cream products. A small angled brush works wonders for precise application, while domed brushes excel at blending.
Clean tools make all the difference. Wash your brushes regularly to prevent product buildup that can lead to streaky application or breakouts.
14. Match Your Makeup Style
Heavy contouring looks out of place with otherwise minimal makeup. Align your contouring intensity with your overall makeup style for a cohesive look.
If you prefer a natural everyday appearance, keep contouring subtle. Save more dramatic techniques for evening events when your whole makeup look is more defined.
15. Mind Your Neck
Never forget the neck-face connection. Blend contour slightly below the jawline to avoid an obvious makeup line where face meets neck.
This creates a seamless transition between your face and neck. Nothing ages a makeup look faster than a mask-like finish that stops abruptly at the jaw.
16. Contour With Foundation
Simplify your routine by using foundation shades for contouring. Apply your regular shade all over, then use one shade darker for contour and one lighter for highlight.
This technique creates the most natural-looking dimension. Since it’s all foundation, the finish is consistent and beautifully blended.
17. Set Strategically
Setting powder can make or break your contour. Apply translucent powder only where needed, avoiding heavily contoured areas to maintain dimension.
Over-powdering can flatten your carefully created contours. Consider using a setting spray instead for areas where you want to preserve that natural cream finish.
18. Refresh Without Starting Over
For midday touch-ups, avoid adding more product. Instead, use a clean sponge to refresh and reblend existing contour that may have settled.
This prevents the cakey buildup that can emphasize texture. A spritz of facial mist beforehand helps reactivate cream products for seamless blending.
19. Embrace Your Age
Contouring should enhance, not mask your natural beauty. Celebrate your features rather than trying to recreate your 30-year-old face.
The most beautiful contour honors who you are today. Techniques that work with your current bone structure will always look more authentic than those fighting against time.