When talking about makeup tips for women over 40, we often hear what we SHOULDN’T do. So many tips talk about wearing less, muted colors and on and on. However, as a true lover of the art of makeup, I found that there are ways to wear makeup in our 40’s and still have fun with it. In this post, these are my realistic 5 makeup tips for women over 40 that actually work.
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HYDRATION IS KEY
No matter your skin type, prepping your skin and making sure it is hydrated is a major key. Applying makeup on dry, dehydrated skin only makes it settle into any lines and not blend well. I also incorporate primers for a longer lasting makeup application. Though many may not think they need a makeup primer, it’s a step that I don’t skip. I think of primers like applying paint to a wall without any preparation. You wouldn’t just slap a coat of paint on the walls before making sure the surface was a smooth as possible. That is what a good primer can do for your makeup, it literally PRIMES the face which can enhance longevity. Here are some of my suggestions for moisturizers and primers.
- Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm If you have oily or combination skin, this blurring balm will be your bestie. It not only blurs and improves the look of texture, it’s also formulated with the signature ingredient, Upsalite which is great for controlling excess oil.
- Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base– Whatever your skin type, this facial moisturizer and primer will hydrate and prime your skin at the same time. It absorbs quickly into the skin and helps skin looks bouncy and smooth.
Work in Layers
A makeup tip I swear by is to work in layers when applying your products. Instead of slathering on a foundation and blending for hours, start with a pump and work your way up to your desired finish. A good rule of thumb to remember is that you can always add to, but it’s harder to take away when you’ve done too much. I like to apply my foundation on the back of my hand and tap my brush into it. This makes sure that the product is evenly distributed on the brush and in turn this will make your application more even. If you need a visual example, check out this video:
Eyebrows Matter
As I’ve gotten older, my already thin brows are becoming even thinner. My makeup tip when it comes to brows goes back to working in layers. Filling in the brows with light strokes to enhance your natural brow shape can help. Use a brow gel and spoolie the brows into place before you go in with your brow pencil to add shape and color. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer makes it super easy to get a precise brow with ease.
Add A Little Color
I don’t care what anyone says, any makeup tip I read that says women over 40 shouldn’t wear red or any other color, I immediately tune out. Neutral makeup is classic, but as a woman in her 40’s shying away from color just reads boring. It doesn’t have to be a fire red lip, but maybe a vibrant purple on the eyelid using eyeliner. Or a pop of pink or coral blush on the cheeks can transform your look. If you’re easing into color, pick one area of your face and focus on that. I like to highlight my eyes so a swipe of bronze shadow does it for me.
Lipstick is by far the easiest way to play with color in your makeup look. It’s versatile and it’s easy to wipe off and start over if you don’t like the color. Check out my Lipstick Tray for inspiration on your next lip color.
I hope these makeup tips will help my fellow women over 40 enjoy and experiment with their makeup a little more. Check out the video above for more in depth tips.
