There’s a good chance you googled “Makeup Tips for Older Women” and that’s how you found this post. That’s exactly why I’ve included the phrase, “Makeup Tips For Older Women.” If I don’t, search engines won’t find it. I’m not calling anybody old.
Now on to the post…about makeup tips for older women.
When you’re over-40, foundation can help or hurt you – depending on how you apply it.
Foundation can actually ADD years to your face.
I’m 48, so I can’t simply smear on some foundation. I’ve got to be strategic.
1. Lighten Up On Foundation
This is a fact: You can’t cover a wrinkle. Applying foundation over wrinkles can actually exaggerate the wrinkles, not hide them. Heavy foundation can gather in creases, drawing attention to them or exaggerating them.
For me this means little to NO foundation around my eyes and smile lines. If I feel I must use something on those areas, a moisturizing BB Cream works better for me. You might consider a BB Cream on your most wrinkled areas.
TIP: Try mixing a little Moisturizing BB cream or tinted moisturizer with your foundation.
LIke Garnier BB Cream (Click to Buy)
Or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
For some QUALITY foundation suggestions, please see my post on The Best Drugstore Foundations for Women Over 40. It’s a post I update regularly, so it’s a great one to save and refer back to.
2. Put Down The Powder
Powder absorbs oil, drying your skin. You need that oil to keep your skin hydrated.
Hydration plumps wrinkles, dry skin shows wrinkles more. Think of a grape and a raisin.
Also, powder gathers in creases, caking up and actually highlighting wrinkles. I never set my foundation with powder.
Note: Powder blush is POWDER. So I limit my use of powder blush. Some powder blushes are great, but most are drying and chalky looking. Here’s a link to a post on some of my favorite blushes…
My T-Zone has big pores and can get oily, so I will sometimes use powder there. The tiniest amount I can get by with. Sometimes just tapping a little on the targeted areas with my fingertips.
My Powder Pick: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores
3. Get Good Makeup Brushes!
When I was young, I really didn’t use makeup brushes to apply and blend foundation. I just used my fingers! I thought brushes were a waste of time! Now they are something I can’t do without.
Blending your makeup with good brushes is KEY when you’re over 40.
Buy It Cosmetics Brushes On Amazon
Brushes spread foundation evenly and blend makeup into an airbrush look. You don’t need the most expensive brushes out there, but don’t get the cheapest either. A mid-priced set of brushes can make a huge difference. Just don’t forget to keep them clean!
For now, these foundation tips are working for me. No matter what foundation I’m using, these are my Base Basics for my 40’s.
To see my favorite foundations, click HERE.
Click HERE to see more of my tips for looking younger…
Great tips! I hate powder too. I used it for a long time on top of my foundation but now I only use it in a hurry if I don’t have time for foundation.
Thanks for your comment, Kristina. Yep, powder is not my friend anymore. I can only use it on my forehead & T-Zone, and only translucent now.