As we hit 50, there’s a whole new set of beauty insights to grasp and some habits to bid farewell to.
Our bodies undergo shifts, bringing about different features. The routines that served us well in our younger days might need a revamp because, with extra lines and wrinkles, what worked before might not cut it anymore.
What once sailed by in our youth won’t necessarily have the same effect for us mature women.
Mistake #1: Not exfoliating
For that effortlessly natural appearance, a flawless base is key. Achieving this involves having impurity-free and smooth skin by getting rid of dead skin cells.
Exfoliation is your go-to move. Keep an exfoliating scrub handy in your shower, right alongside your shampoo and conditioner. To ensure you never miss it, setting specific days for exfoliating could be a game-changer. You might choose to exfoliate on Mondays and Fridays or perhaps Tuesdays and Fridays—whatever suits your routine!
Curious about other mistakes to avoid? Click “Next” to find out more!
Mistake #2: Heavy foundation
You don’t need a thick foundation that turns your face into a canvas painting. Just a pea-sized amount on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead does the trick. Use a foundation brush to blend these areas seamlessly.
The goal is to even out your skin tone and conceal redness, not to completely alter your natural complexion. Simply dab and blend—easy as that!
Mistake #3: Too much concealer
Choosing the correct shade of concealer matching your skin tone is crucial. Using too much can give an unnatural appearance—definitely not what we’re after, right?
Similar to foundation, stick to dabbing and blending. Avoid creating a large triangle with concealer as it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. When applying, always blend outward for a seamless finish.
Mistake #4: Applying blush on the apples of the cheek
Back in the day, applying blush on the apples of our cheeks was the norm. But as time marches on, our cheek skin starts to lose its elasticity. When blush sits on the apples, it can appear oddly placed due to the sagging.
A better approach is to sweep it atop the cheeks, moving upward towards the corner of the eye and along the eyebrow. This technique not only slims down your face but also gives it a subtle lift.
Mistake #5: Not grooming eyebrows
For those on-the-go moments or for those who aren’t makeup experts, focusing on two key elements can work wonders: eyebrows and lipstick.
To ace it, shape those eyebrows by trimming them and adding a touch of color. Groom them to perfection, and voila! You’re all set for a polished look.
Mistake #6: Black eyeliner
As we embrace 50 and beyond, it might be time to bid farewell to black eyeliner. Its harshness doesn’t complement drooping or hooded eyes as gracefully.
Opting for brown or navy eyeliner can be a game-changer. These softer tones create a more flattering and subtle look for mature eyes.
Mistake #7: Wearing dark matte lipstick
As we age, our lips tend to thin out. Dark matte lipstick can accentuate this and make fine lines more noticeable. So, how do we achieve fuller-looking lips?
Try using lipliner topped with hydrating glossy lipstick. This combo not only defines your lips but also adds a plump, hydrated look. Alternatively, solely using lipliner and finishing it with a swipe of lip gloss moisturizes and enhances volume for a fuller appearance.
Mistake #8: Not moisturizing the eye area
For mature skin, here’s a golden rule: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. It’s the foundation for everything else you apply.
Before diving into eye makeup, start with moisturizer. This simple step not only brightens your eye area but also emphasizes your eye color, giving your makeup that extra pop.
Mistake #9: Forgetting to prime eyelids
After moisturizing your eye area, apply primer. This will provide a smoother base for your makeup and will prevent it from sliding down your eyes.
It will also even out any discoloration around your eye and brighten your eye makeup at the same time.
Mistake #10: Not concealing dark circles under the eye
Don’t forget your under-eye area—apply concealer to even out the color, especially if dealing with dark circles. Use your finger to gently dab and blend, making sure to blend outwards and upwards.
Opt for your ring finger as it’s the gentlest, perfect for patting and blending. But if you prefer using other fingers, just remember to pat lightly for a seamless finish.
Mistake #11: The waterline
While applying eyeliner directly on the eyelids isn’t a major mistake, it’s worth considering the changes in eyelids as women age. As eyelids become smaller and droopier, applying liner directly on them might make them appear thicker and create a harsher look. Instead, consider applying brown or navy eyeliner on the upper waterline.
This technique maintains the presence of eyeliner while keeping it thinner. For the bottom waterline, opt for a lighter or nude eyeliner. This brightens your eyes and adds a subtle touch.
Mistake #12: Putting mascara on the bottom lashes
Applying mascara on the bottom lashes for mature women might not be the best choice. It can shrink the appearance of the eyes and emphasize under-eye wrinkles. If you’re keen on adding makeup below your eyes, consider using dark eyeshadow and softly smudging it under the lashes and slightly below the waterline.
Apply the shadow to roughly two-thirds of the eye to maintain a balanced look without making the eyes seem too small.
Mistake #13: Forgetting to clean up under the eye area
To create an uplifted effect, tidy up under the eyes with a concealer slightly different from the one used before. Apply a small amount beneath the outer corner and, using a dry sponge, gently dab the concealer upward to lift the eyes.
Remember, always apply makeup in outward and upward motions to counteract sagging skin on the face. Start with a small amount; it’s simpler to adjust minimal makeup than to correct an excess without removing everything.
DON’T: Use too much highlighter
Many consider it the “fountain of youth,” but in reality, it can accentuate wrinkles, making you appear older than your age.
We’re not suggesting to ditch highlighter altogether. Instead, opt for a minimal amount to subtly “highlight.”
Curious about how to achieve this? Click “Next” to discover more.
Solution: How to wear highlighter
When using highlighter, remember: less is more. No need to overdo it. With a highlighter brush, lightly dab a small amount on top of your cheekbones.
Just a touch for that subtle glow. Then, take a smaller brush and dab a bit between your eyes. That’s all it takes!
The “Disappearing Cat Eye”
Mature women often admire the cat-eye look on younger individuals and might wish to achieve it themselves. Maybe you rocked this style when you were younger and want to keep it up. However, with age, eyelids can become hooded or droop lower.
Applying the cat-eye method might disappointingly vanish behind the folds of your eyes. The makeup and time spent on this technique might go to waste since it disappears when your eyes are open.
Solution: Smudge eyeliner slightly upward
The cat-eye method is fantastic for emphasizing the eyes, but what’s the alternative for mature women? Heather devised a workaround using an eyeliner pencil. Apply it as usual and extend it slightly past your eyes.
Now, here’s the key: using your fingers or a small brush, gently smudge it upwards. This creates a more natural look that still accentuates and highlights your eyes beautifully.
Lipliners that are too dark
Dark lip liners often create a dramatic effect, which tends to suit younger individuals more. However, for mature women, using a dark lipliner can lead to an unintended consequence: when your lipstick wears off, you’re left with dark-stained lips.
Consider if this is the look you’re aiming for—it might not be the best choice for everyone.
Solution: Match liner to lipstick
The ideal approach is to opt for a lip liner that complements your lipstick. If you’re wearing pink lipstick, pair it with a matching pink liner.
For an added touch, consider using a sparkly lip gloss in a similar shade. This not only enhances but also brightens up your lips for a lovely finish.
Over Bronzing
If you’re looking too pale and want to look like you’ve had some time under the sun, a bronzer can be used to show that. But some women tend to overuse bronzers.
They think any skin that seems too pale MUST be covered. But when you’re done, it doesn’t look natural and it just looks awful.
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