Makeup Tips for the Mature Woman

Aging can be depressing for many women without irritating facial lines, crepe-skin necks, jowls, thinning lips, and droopy eyelids. I mean, this is enough to make any woman want to hide beneath veiled hats and turtleneck shirts!

Foundation:

Mature skin needs to be hydrated. And, matte finishes and power based foundations can emphasize wrinkles.

Mature skin needs moisture and antioxidants. Look for foundations that have an abundance of these ingredients. Cream or liquid foundations are best, and should be applied with a brush. Applying the foundation with a paintbrush allows you to layer the foundation lightly.

Mature ladies should use an under eye concealer with golden undertones, even yellow. This color counteracts dark circles under the eyes. Always apply sparingly using the ring finger, as this finger tends to put less pressure on the skin.

Finish the foundation with a very light dusting of light-reflecting translucent power. Stay away from bronzers or darker colored powders as they will emphasize lines.

BLUSH:

Apply peachy-pink blush color to the apples of the cheeks and sweep the color upwards to brighten eyes for a youthful appearance.

Deeper colors of blush need to be swept upwards along the cheekbone and towards the temple areas. Don't be afraid to apply a bit of sheen to the cheeks, but avoid glittery shades.

EYE SHADOW:

Shimmery eye shadows can be tricky for the mature woman. But, a little sheen at the outer areas of the eye lids can actually widen the eyes.

Start with a crease-proof, yellow-based eye shadow primer. Try light to medium shadow shades with a touch of shimmer (not glitter) over the entire eyelid. Then apply a mid-tone of color to the crease of the eyelid.

Unless you are familiar with shadows, go easy with the blacks and charcoals. Dark colors can close up the eye area, and some shadows can be easily smeared or settle into the fine lines around the eye.

Always highlight under the arch of your eyebrow and the inside areas of the eyelid. Cream-colored shimmery shadows draw light to the upper area, enhancing the eye color and widen the look of the eye area.

EYELINER:

Always line the top eyelid just above the lashes. Most women gravitate to black eyeliners, but browns and grays can give a more natural look. Don't be afraid of black eyeliners, but remember, you are not applying it with a butter knife! Be gentle, and don't over do it.

Lining the bottom of the eyes is, sometimes, a bit too much for mature women. Instead of lining the whole bottom eye area, try lining only from the outer corner to the mid-eye, and smudge to give a muted look. Harsh eye lining is not recommended for mature eyes.

Avoid having the top and bottom lines connect. The separation gives a wide-open look to the eyes.

Always apply mascara to enhance the lashes. Eyeliner can be omitted, but mascara is essential.

EYEBROWS:

Just as hair fades in color, so do the eyebrows. Penciled eyebrows can be harsh and enhance aging eyes. Eyebrows should not be the focal or first noticeable feature people see when they look at you. The eyebrows should give a finishing frame to the face. If using a pencil to add color to the eyebrows, always brush the eyebrows afterwards with a stiff-bristled brush and soft taupe powder. Never draw on black eyebrows! Lighter is better.

LIPS:

Lips lose their shapeliness and fullness as we age. Lip liners help to prevent feathering and bleeding color by helping the lipstick to stay where it belongs. A flesh-colored lip pencil is your best friend.

Shape and fill the outline of your lips with the pencil. Gloss add a fuller appearance, but lipstick holds its color best. Applying a gloss over your lipstick can give a shiny appearance to your favorite lip colors. But, remember, apply gloss ONLY to the center of the lips to prevent the color from smudging or running in the corner areas of the mouth!