Make up is a tricky thing! It can take years off you, and make you look like a better version of yourself. Or, it can age you and make you look older. If you’re looking to revamp your make up bag, below you will find the best make up for older women to make you look great every day.
Do I need to wear make-up?
Of course not. I often go makeup less day-to-day. There will be days when you want to pop to the shop make-up free, and there will be days when you prefer to add some make up for a little more polish.
Why make up for older women is a balancing act
While make-up can make you look younger, it can also do the opposite. For instance, make-up can collect in fine lines and make them look more obvious. Powder can dry out your skin. Or, if you’ve had the same make-up for decades, the techniques and colors you use can age you.
See more things that can date you or make you look older.
What make up to choose
In order to ensure you get the effect you want – probably to look younger and healthier – make up choices must be made carefully when looking for the best make up for older women.
Below are the best options for more mature skin. Let me know in the comments at the bottom if I have missed any of your own make up essentials.
Mel (above) wears lovely, fresh pink shades which look perfect with her hair color.
1. Primer for your face
While you may think of foundation as, well, the foundation for your make-up, the key to a great, long-lasting, line-reducing look is actually primer.
A good primer is a little like taking a photo with a filter. It helps to fill fine lines and enlarged pores as well as improving the texture of your skin before you add your foundation.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
2. Don’t forget primer for your eyes
As you age, skin becomes thinner, particularly the skin around your eyes. As eyelids become thinner, they can also develop an uneven color.
Adding a primer can disguise fine lines, even out color and make your eye shadow appear more vibrant as well as lasting longer throughout the day. It’s best to use a specially formulated eye primer which isn’t too heavy for this delicate area.
Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion
3. Eyebrow kit or gel
Many women have over plucked their eyebrows over the years, particularly because eyebrow trends come and go – and thinner eyebrows were in style in decades gone by.
Now, thicker brows are definitely on-trend, and can help to make you look younger. However, a combination of over plucking and eyebrows naturally becoming sparser as we age can make them thinner than you would ideally like.
Using an eyebrow gel can help to make your brows appear fuller, fill in gaps and frame your face. Choose a shade closest to your natural color so it doesn’t look too harsh against your skin coloring.
Meta (above) looks gorgeous and glowy with a beautiful, natural make-up look.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade®Waterproof Brow Color
4. Foundation
As your skin becomes more mature, you will want to look for a foundation which provides a dewy, plumping effect without settling into fine lines.
You can also take a look at our recommendations on the best foundations for mature skin.
Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle-Defying Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
5. Concealer
Next, concealer. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner, which means the darker blood vessels under your skin become more obvious, leading to dark circles under your eyes.
Look out for a concealer which covers circles and hydrates.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer
6. Cream blush
Using a powder blush can create dryness and make lines more obvious. For a more youthful look, opt for a cream blush which will give a more dewy finish.
Alison (above) chooses a make-up look which makes the most of her naturally youthful skin.
Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush
7. Thickening mascara
Don’t necessarily go for black as this can be aging. A natural brown shade may be a better option depending on the natural color of your eyelashes. Also take a look at the best mascaras in stores now.
Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara
8. Natural eye shadow
Bright eye shadow can also be aging because of the connotations of 1980s blue eyeshadow, but also because it can obviously settle into creases. A safer, softer option is to choose flattering natural shades.
Eileen (above) chooses natural browns which make her eye color pop.
MAC Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette
9. Lip liner
This is one to be careful with. A really obvious lip liner can be aging as this is a look which was on trend in the 80s.
However, the right lipliner can prevent your lipstick from bleeding into the fine lines around your lips. Choose a lipliner in the exact shade of your lipstick, or a colorless lipliner.
Maybelline New York Makeup Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner
10. Creme lipstick
A very shiny lipstick can have an aging effect, and a matte lipstick can dry out your lips and settle into lines. So what’s the answer? A great option is a creme effect lipstick which will be flattering, long-lasting and moisturizing.
CHANEL ROGUE COCO Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour
11. Gel eyeliner
As we age, applying eyeliner can be trickier because an eye pencil can drag across your skin, while a liquid eyeliner can settle into creases. A gel eyeliner can give a smoother finish.
Sandra (above) opts for a classic, classy combination of black eyeliner and red lipstick.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
For more tips, take a look at how to apply eyeliner after 40.
12. Eyelash curlers
One of the best tips as you age is to think about defying gravity! Curling your eyelashes can make your eyes look more open and provide an uplifting effect for your face.
Brilliant Beauty Eyelash Curler
13. A great set of make-up brushes
You need the right tools to do a great job, so it’s definitely worth investing in a good set of make-up brushes and looking after them.
14. A make-up mirror
To ensure you apply your make up properly, a good mirror is vital.
Simplehuman Mini Countertop Sensor Makeup Mirror
15. Setting spray
While you will have used primer at the start of your make-up regime, if you want it to last a full day, it can be a good idea to spray on a fixing spray as your final step.
Carolyn (above) wears a lovely soft pink lipstick.
Rimmel Stay Matte Fix & Go 2-in-1 Primer & Setting Spray
Where to keep your make-up
Just as with the clothes in your closet, you’ll want to make sure your make up is properly organized so you can easily find everything you need.
Make-up bag
One option is to choose a make-up bag large enough to fit all of your make-up brushes and tools in.
Relavel Travel Cosmetic Case Organizer
Make-up organizer
Another choice could be a small set of draws to fit on top of your dressing table.
Ikee Design Acrylic Cosmetic Storage Organizer
What are your own tips on the best make up for older women? What are the essentials in your make up bag?
Continue reading:
- 8 Things That Date Us Or Make Us Look Older
- What Is The Best Foundation For Mature Skin? Discover All The Best Foundations
- The Best Mascara For Women Over 40 – Including The Best Drugstore Mascara
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Feature image by Alison
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or opinions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts used in this article.
Make-up for Older Women: Concepts and Recommendations
Make-up is a versatile tool that can enhance your appearance and help you look your best. However, choosing the right make-up products and techniques becomes crucial as you get older. Here are some concepts and recommendations related to make-up for older women:
1. Primer for your face
A good primer acts as a base for your make-up and helps fill in fine lines and enlarged pores. It improves the texture of your skin and makes your foundation last longer. One recommended product is the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
2. Primer for your eyes
As you age, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner, and the eyelids can develop an uneven color. Using an eye primer can disguise fine lines, even out color, and make your eye shadow appear more vibrant. The Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a specially formulated eye primer for this delicate area.
3. Eyebrow kit or gel
Thicker eyebrows are on-trend and can help make you look younger. If your eyebrows are thin due to overplucking or natural thinning with age, using an eyebrow gel can make them appear fuller and frame your face. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color is a recommended product for filling in gaps and enhancing your eyebrows.
4. Foundation
As your skin matures, it's important to choose a foundation that provides a dewy, plumping effect without settling into fine lines. The Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle-Defying Foundation and Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup are two recommended options.
5. Concealer
Thin skin and darker blood vessels can lead to dark circles under your eyes as you age. Look for a concealer that covers circles and hydrates the skin. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer is a good choice.
6. Cream blush
Powder blush can create dryness and accentuate lines. To achieve a more youthful look, opt for a cream blush that provides a dewy finish. Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush is a recommended product.
7. Thickening mascara
When choosing mascara, consider a natural brown shade instead of black, as it can be more flattering and less aging. Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara is a recommended option.
8. Natural eye shadow
Bright or vibrant eye shadow colors can settle into creases and have an aging effect. Opt for flattering natural shades, such as browns, to create a softer and more timeless look. The MAC Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette offers a variety of natural shades.
9. Lip liner
A well-chosen lip liner can prevent your lipstick from bleeding into the fine lines around your lips. Choose a shade that matches your lipstick or use a colorless lipliner. The Maybelline New York Makeup Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner is a recommended option.
10. Creme lipstick
A creme effect lipstick provides a flattering, long-lasting, and moisturizing finish. The CHANEL ROGUE COCO Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour is a recommended product.
11. Gel eyeliner
Gel eyeliner can provide a smoother finish compared to eye pencils, which can drag across the skin, or liquid eyeliners, which can settle into creases. The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner is a recommended option.
12. Eyelash curlers
Curling your eyelashes can make your eyes look more open and provide an uplifting effect for your face. The Brilliant Beauty Eyelash Curler is a recommended tool.
13. Make-up brushes
Investing in a good set of make-up brushes is essential for achieving a professional finish. Taking proper care of your brushes will ensure they last longer. The BESTOPE Makeup Brushes is a recommended set.
14. Make-up mirror
Having a good mirror is vital for applying make-up properly. The Simplehuman Mini Countertop Sensor Makeup Mirror is a recommended option.
15. Setting spray
Using a setting spray after applying your make-up can help it last throughout the day. The Rimmel Stay Matte Fix & Go 2-in-1 Primer & Setting Spray is a recommended product.
Organizing your make-up
To easily find everything you need, consider using a make-up bag or a small set of drawers to keep your make-up organized. The Relavel Travel Cosmetic Case Organizer and Ikee Design Acrylic Cosmetic Storage Organizer are two options to consider.
These are some recommendations for make-up products and techniques for older women. Remember, make-up is a personal choice, and it's important to use products and techniques that make you feel confident and comfortable.
