All the makeup changes to make as you get older (2024)

Do you really need to change your makeup as you get older? We say, it’s completely up to you! If your current technique works and you’re pleased with the results, then keep at it. But if you’re looking for little tweaks to improve the look of your makeup, we asked Amalie Russell, Bobbi Brown’s Pro Makeup Artist and Debbie Finnegan, Senior Artist at MAC for their top tips. Be it extra hydration or a tad more colour, these little tricks can help create a groomed finish or natural-looking glow in no time.

Foundation

Mature skin is more prone to dehydration, loss of elasticity, pigmentation and dark spots. To restore glow and keep skin looking plump, swap out full-coverage foundations for a base with skincare benefits. Amalie recommends liquid formulas that give sheer to medium coverage with a soft-lit glow. Apply sparingly where needed and build up as required.

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Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

This ultra-thin formula smooths skin, leaving a dewy finish. We love how it covers blemishes whilst still letting our natural complexion shine through.

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CHANEL Vitalumiqère Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15

Like a second-skin, this foundation is so wearable and is super buildable. Apply with fingertips (or a brush for a smarter look) to enjoy luminous skin.

Enriched with hyaluronic acid and boosted with SPF 30, this makeup-skincare hybrid delivers a gorgeous soft matte finish whilst increasing moisture and protecting against UV. A win-win.

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Estee Lauder Estee Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup

Controlling shine, blurring imperfections whilst being long-wearing is now possible thanks to this ultra-sheer (and buildable) liquid foundation. Infused with hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts to clock-in hydration.

Unless you require your makeup to last for hours, moisturiser alone works well to prep the skin. If you do want an extra glow, a touch of face oil can also go a long way.

Concealing

A great concealer works hard to help disguise any dark spots, erase under-eye circles and brighten the complexion. The trick is to find one with a buildable formula that melts into skin without settling into fine lines.

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Lancome Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer

Promising up to 24 hour comfort and wear, this concealer is packed full ingredients that are kind to skin, whilst being effective at smoothing over any fine lines or dark circles.

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Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Concealer

Blurring and buttery, this really is your everyday concealer. Featuring hyaluronic acid and shea butter, any crusting and creasing is a thing of the past.

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Trinny London Trinny London BFF Eye

Specifically for the under-eyes, this serum-concealer hybrid covers dark circles whilst ingredients such as peptides and vitamin c refresh and firm the skin.

According to Amalie, we should "consider where you need the coverage first, start there and work your way around that area. Using a brush will help you target your area with more precision and have it look less obvious".

Powder

Skip this step if you feel comfortable without it, but if you need your base to stay put or want to reduce shine a finely-milled powder will do the trick.

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Jones Road Tinted Face Powder

Tailored to your skin tone, this ultra-fine powder is ideal for setting foundation and minimising any shine. Apply with a small fluffy brush to anywhere you experience oil.

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Sculpted by Aimee Loose Setting Velvet Veil Powder

This translucent, mineral loose powder utilises the power of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to deliver skin-first goodness whilst creating a soft blur.

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Glossier Glossier Wowder

The definition of 'matte not flat', this powder seamlessly sets makeup and reduces the appearance of pores, whilst keeping dimension to the face.

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Laura Mercier Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

This breathable and comfortable powder is really worth the hype. With makeup artists and journalists alike having sung its praise since its launch, expect a gorgeous modern matte complexion.

"Opt for using a powder with a fluffy brush rather than a powder puff as this will keep the effect airy and radiant," Amalie said.

Eyes

Faithful to your smokey eye and feline flicks? Fantastic! But if you're open to a few small tweaks or you simply don’t know where to start with eye makeup, MAC Senior Artist Debbie Finnegan is here to guide you.

Eyeshadow primers are essential if you find your eyeshadow disappear by midday. They’re also great for smoothing out crepiness and creating a neutral base for the eyeshadow pigments to 'pop'.

As for the shadows themselves, matte and satin textures are less likely to highlight fine lines, says Debbie, but avoid heavily frosted shadows as these can look dated and harsh.

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VIEVE Soul Shadows in 'Terra'

With four complimentary shades, these shadows are highly pigmented and have a buttery, easy-to-blend formula.

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Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in 'The Sophisticate'

A gorgeous curation of cream, tan, taupe and chocolate shades make this palette extra special. Use the lightest shade in the corner of the eye to draw attention.

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Trinny London Eye2Eye T-Tones

A two-in-one, the shades in this split pot eyeshadow duo can be used for layering or used separately. Simply use fingertips to apply, or a small tipped brush to pack on even more pigment.

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Perricone MD Perricone MD No Makeup Eyeshadow

Like makeup, but not, this "eyeshadow" uses the power of light-reflecting pigments to deliver a pearlised effect to create an awake, bright eye.

Be open to glitters and shimmers though, as (unlike frosted textures) a subtle sparkle can look stunning.

"Add a touch of glitter to the inner corner of the eye or use a liner brush to place it on top of your eyeliner to create an eye-catching accent," Debbie said. She told us she loves using MAC Reflects on mature clients as it creates a sophisticated, grown-up glittery effect.

For a softer look, Debbie recommended swapping black liner for a dark brown. You can also switch out your black mascara for navy blue, or try a smudged-out eye crayon to create a diffused smoky eye.

Cheeks

Make cream blushes your go-to for a radiant, healthy complexion; the soft, sheeny texture will blend seamlessly and create a dewy effect, so there’s no need for a separate highlighter.

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Jones Road Miracle Balm

Dewy and sheer this balm delivers a beautiful flush of colour. Dab on cheeks using fingertips for a lit-from-within glow.

With a handy applicator, this liquid blush is so blendable and has recently had a shade extension. Easily build up or sheer out pigment depending on desired look.

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Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

This multipurpose colour stick is great for applying to not only cheeks, but lips and eyes, too. With six vibrant shades, the hydrating formula gifts a perfect hue.

"Blush should 'lift' the cheeks," Amalie said. "Opt for warmer tones for an instantly fresh and healthy-looking glow, applied on the highest part of the check bone and feathered down onto the apples."

Lips

Lipstick finishes and textures are a highly personal choice (Amalie loves pairing matte lips with dewy skin for a modern finish) but there’s something for everyone.

If matte or highly pigmented lipsticks tend to flake or catch on patches of dry skin, prep with a gentle lip scrub and balm before applying your colour (do this before before starting your skincare and makeup routine, so the balm has time to sink in). If feathering is an issue, use liner in a matching shade or slightly lighter (or a colour-free 'invisible' pencil) to create a barrier before applying your lipstick.

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Glossier G Suit

This demi-matte, ultra-silky and highly pigmented lip feels like you are wearing nothing. Plus, the rich blend of oils stops any unflattering feathering.

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Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Liquid Lip

Glassy as it goes on and matte as it dries, this liquid lip promises to be smudge-free and non-drying thanks to its clever reformulation.

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e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain

A grown-up take on a lip gloss, this stains lips to give a long-lasting sheen of colour but without the tackiness.

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Revlon ColourStay Suede Ink Lipstick

Satin-y yet matte, this lipstick has a built-in primer to ensure it stays put all day. And, the added vitamin E keeps lips nourished for a barely-there feel.

Pretty lip stains are a low-maintenance way of creating an impact with minimal fuss, prep or colour bleed. If you want a plumper pout, reach for a glitter-free gloss or lip oil.

And there you have it, easy little improvements that make a world of difference to your makeup routine as you get older.

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All the makeup changes to make as you get older (24)

All the makeup changes to make as you get older (2024)

FAQs

How should your makeup change as you age? ›

"You need wear more color as you age, but in sheer formulas and applied strategically," she said. Watson added that long-wear and waterproof makeup becomes very important as women age because body temperature fluctuates, due to hormones. Other factors include eye sensitivity, and skin texture and surface changes.

What makeup mistakes make you look older? ›

Too bright, too frosted, too matte, and too shiny. But in my opinion (as is this entire post), lipstick that is too dark is the number on lipstick mistake we can make. It's quite possibly the number one makeup mistake we make that can make us look older.

Which of the following makeup technique can make you look more aged? ›

But using black to line your waterline and the lash line can make you look older. How? Well, using dark colours on the lower lash line can make your eyes appear smaller, enhances crow's feet and make your entire face look tired and droopy.

How has makeup developed over time? ›

Modern Makeup Started in the Twentieth Century

Lipstick has evolved over the ages, becoming more nourishing to the lip and offered in various palettes, from au natural to pigmented. Pancake makeup was invented in 1935 to help movie stars look more theatrical and attractive on film.

What kind of makeup should an older woman wear? ›

She suggests prioritizing multi-tasking formulas that marry the benefits of skincare and makeup, like those that lock in hydration and promote a dewy finish while protecting skin from UV rays and environmental pollutants. It's also crucial to consider formulas that won't settle into the skin or crease into wrinkles.

Is liquid foundation better for older skin? ›

Makeup artist Tony Tulve recommends choosing liquid foundations, as they "act more like a second skin." Overall, finding a buildable-coverage formula with skin-plumping, fine-line-minimizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane is key to a flawless, crease-free base.

What color makeup makes you look younger? ›

Makeup artist Helena Olivares advises swapping vampy plum or brown tones for more neutral shades, as they can look a bit harsh on aging skin. Neutral tones and subtle pinks, she explains, can help you achieve a more youthful appearance, as they instantly give the skin a brighter and cleaner look.

Should an older woman wear mascara on bottom lashes? ›

While there's no definitive rule against applying mascara on bottom lashes as you age, it's essential to do so with caution. Thick and heavy mascara application on lower lashes might draw attention to fine lines or create a droopy effect.

What color eyeliner should an older woman wear? ›

Choose The Most Suitable Eyeliner Color

Instead, consider trying out softer, more natural shades like brown, purple, plum, or navy. These colors can be more flattering on mature skin and can help to make the eyes appear larger and more vibrant.

What makeup makes eyes look younger? ›

Opt for a lighter eyeshadow rather than a dark, smoky shade on your eyelids and around the eyes, like Jenna Dewan Tatum. "Highlighting the corners makes eyes look brighter and fresh," says Ahnert. "Use a light color shadow in matte or shimmer to inner corner, lower lash line in outer corner, and the inner lid."

What makeup makes your face look younger? ›

​By using a combination of lighter and darker shades, you can create depth and dimension that looks more natural than a single, flat shade. The blend of shades can help to brighten and warm up your complexion for a more youthful appearance.

Does bottom eyeliner age you? ›

A makeup artist once told us that harsh, thick eyeliner will age you like no other, especially if you only apply it to your bottom lash line. Think about it this way: Why would you want to add more shadow to that already-annoying area?

How is makeup today different from the past? ›

Women wore heavy eye makeup with a wide range of eye shadow colors in 70's and 80's. Today, makeup tends to be more natural and take different elements from the past and incorporate them into daily looks. Makeup comes in hundreds varieties, both colors and varieties for both men and women.

What is the oldest form of makeup? ›

The first cosmetics appeared 5,000 years ago in Egypt. To achieve a pleasant smell and softness of the skin, incense oils were used, and women applied white to protect their faces from the sun. The Egyptians were also the first to use black antimony-based paint as eyeliner.

How has the ideal face of makeup changed over the last 100 years? ›

And over the past 100 years, society has changed its notion of what the ideal face of makeup looks like. In the early 1900s, for example, lips were the focal point of the face, and were often lined in sharp shapes. But by the 1950s, it became more common for women to wear rounded pouts in bright-red shades.

Do you age less if you don't wear makeup? ›

Most people think they need makeup to look younger but you might actually be prematurely aging your skin by trying to cover up your wrinkles. Pulling on your corner of your eye, tugging at your eyelids and rubbing your eye cream too hard can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

What is the average makeup age? ›

When do kids usually start wearing makeup? Your child might start wanting to wear makeup in middle school or when they're 11-13. At that age, it's natural for your kid to want to copy older adults. However, you won't be alone if you still feel like 11-13 is too young.

Should you wear foundation over 50? ›

“But if you're looking for coverage or a flawless finish, go with foundation.” For women over 50, she recommends a foundation with medium coverage and a skin-like finish—”one that is long-lasting and won't settle into fine lines,” she says.

Do you age slower if you don't wear makeup? ›

According to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, makeup itself doesn't age your skin. However, certain ingredients in makeup can certainly work against your skin's natural aging process. Among others, these ingredients include: parabens.

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