Makeup isn’t just about looking pretty – it’s about enhancing your natural beauty at every age. As we reach our 40s, our skin and features change, requiring different techniques than what worked in our 20s. These essential makeup rules will help you look your absolute best while embracing your beauty at 40 and beyond.
1. Moisturize Before Everything
Hydrated skin creates the perfect canvas for flawless makeup application. As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier, making this step non-negotiable.
Take an extra minute to massage moisturizer into your skin and allow it to absorb before applying foundation.
2. Primer Is Your New Best Friend
Remember when you could slap on foundation and go? Those days are gone! Primer fills fine lines, minimizes pores, and creates staying power for your makeup.
Choose formulas with light-reflecting properties to bring a subtle glow to mature skin.
3. Foundation Should Match Your Neck
Nothing ages you faster than a foundation line at your jawbone. The trick? Test foundation on your jawline, not your wrist or hand.
Blend downward into your neck to ensure seamless color transition between face and décolletage.
4. Cream Blush Outperforms Powder
Powders settle into fine lines, while cream blushes melt into skin for a natural flush. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward temples.
Bonus tip: cream formulas add dewy moisture that mature skin craves.
5. Embrace Eyebrow Pencils
Brows naturally thin with age, framing your face becomes crucial. Skip harsh powders that look artificial and opt for fine-tipped pencils instead.
Use light, feathery strokes that mimic natural hair growth patterns for believable fullness.
6. Curl Those Lashes
Curling instantly lifts your entire eye area, creating a more youthful appearance. Heat your curler with a blow dryer for five seconds (test on your hand first!) for longer-lasting results.
Follow immediately with mascara while lashes are still warm.
7. Brighten Under-Eye Circles
Dark circles often worsen with age. Reach for peach or orange-tinted correctors before applying concealer – they neutralize blue-purple tones underneath eyes.
Pat gently with your ring finger rather than rubbing to preserve delicate skin.
8. Less Powder, More Glow
Heavy powder settles into lines and can make mature skin look dry and flat. Apply translucent powder sparingly only in your T-zone using a fluffy brush.
Leave the outer perimeter of your face powder-free for natural radiance.
9. Cream Eyeshadows Prevent Creasing
Powder eyeshadows can gather in eyelid creases throughout the day. Cream formulas adhere better to mature lids and create a smoother canvas.
Apply with your fingertip for warmth that helps the product blend seamlessly into skin.
10. Avoid Glitter and Shimmer
Harsh truth: glittery products magnify texture and fine lines. Opt for satin or demi-matte finishes instead of high-shimmer or glitter formulas.
For special occasions, limit shimmer to just the inner corners of eyes for a brightening effect.
11. Line Your Waterline Strategically
Harsh black liner on your lower waterline can drag your eyes down and look severe. Try navy, plum, or brown for definition without harshness.
Alternatively, use nude or white liner to instantly brighten tired-looking eyes.
12. Choose Creamier Lipsticks
Matte formulas can accentuate lip lines and make lips appear thinner. Creamy, hydrating lipsticks with satin finishes add moisture and fullness.
Bonus points for formulas containing peptides or hyaluronic acid that plump while they color.
13. Skip Heavy Contouring
Heavy contouring techniques that work for 20-somethings can look harsh and aging on mature faces. Opt for subtle definition using cream bronzer in a shade just slightly deeper than your skin.
Focus on gently defining your natural bone structure rather than dramatically reshaping.
14. Invest In Quality Brushes
Good tools make all the difference in makeup application. Quality brushes distribute product more evenly and create a more natural finish than fingers or cheap sponges.
Wash them weekly with gentle soap to prevent bacteria buildup that can cause breakouts.
15. Apply Blush Higher On Cheekbones
The placement that worked in your 20s won’t flatter you now. Applying blush too low can drag your face downward. Instead, smile and place color on the highest point of your cheekbone.
Blend upward toward your temples for a subtle lifting effect.
16. Define Your Lips With Precision
Lip borders become less defined with age, leading to feathering lipstick. Use a lip pencil in a shade matching your natural lip color to outline lips before applying color.
Focus on creating symmetry while following your natural lip line—no overdrawn Instagram lips!
17. Set Your Makeup With Spray
Finishing powder can look cakey on mature skin. Opt for a hydrating setting spray instead, which locks makeup in place while adding a subtle dewiness.
Hold the bottle about eight inches from your face and mist in an X and T formation.
18. Fill In Sparse Lashes
Lashes thin as we age, creating gaps in your lash line. Apply eyeliner between lashes at the roots—a technique called “tight-lining”—to create the illusion of density.
Use a waterproof formula that won’t transfer to your lower lash line throughout the day.
19. Consider Permanent Makeup
Microblading for brows, lip blushing, or subtle eyeliner tattooing can save time and ensure perfect makeup even on no-makeup days. These semi-permanent solutions last 1-3 years.
Research certified technicians specializing in natural-looking results for mature clients.
20. Remove Everything Before Bed
Falling asleep with makeup becomes more damaging as skin ages. Even when exhausted, take three minutes to cleanse thoroughly with a gentle makeup remover.
Follow with night cream to repair skin while you sleep—your morning complexion will thank you!