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30 Makeup Tricks for Mature Women

As we grow older, our skin needs a different kind of attention. When we’re younger, most worry about acne and oil. Our efforts focused on keeping pimples from popping up in the worst places. Then, as we aged, fine lines popped up. It isn’t unusual for us to want to hide those fine lines, but makeup can be our worst enemy. The wrong products can make you look ten years older or ten years younger, depending on the formula and the application.

But fear not: Here are a few tips that may be useful for maturing women who still want to put on makeup without accentuating everything they want to hide. From foundation to eyeshadow, we’ll cover everything you need to know—including removing that pesky stuff without completely drying out your skin!

Wear Sunscreen

Wear Sunscreen

Foundations and creams may have sunscreen in the formula, but you’d have to use an obscene amount to get the benefits. 

That’s why many dermatologists and experts suggest that you add a sunscreen to your skincare routine whether you’re wearing makeup or not.

Choose a Cream Blush

Choose a Cream Blush

Unless you’re well-versed in makeup, avoid using powder products on a cream base. Powders have a tendency of looking patchy and accentuate fine lines. Cream blushes blend out really well on cream bases. 

Aim for a lighter color for a more natural look. 

Evi Michailidou, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Use a Mask Once a Week Minimum

Use a Mask Once a Week Minimum

While many experts suggest that you use a mask twice a week, you can probably get by once a week. 

Most masks are pretty cheap, and they’ll help lock in the moisture in your skin. After a while, this could even decrease some fine lines!

Moisturize after Toning

Moisturize after Toning

Acids are your friend, especially hyaluronic acid! After you tone your skin, grab a good moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. 

The name sounds scary, but our skin actually creates it to naturally to retain moisture levels. As we grow older, it can be harder for our body to keep up with everything we put it through.

(Image via Adobe)

Use Sheer Tinted Lip Balm Instead of Lipstick

Use Sheer Tinted Lip Balm Instead of Lipstick

The lips can be challenging to work with because they wrinkle very quickly. As we age, sheer tinted lip balms become our friend. 

Instead of lipstick, get a lip balm or a lip stain. These products give you color without increasing the appearance of wrinkles on the lips.

(Image via Adobe)

Remove Makeup with Coconut or Olive Oil

Remove Makeup with Coconut or Olive Oil

Skip all of those harsh cleansers and grab some coconut or olive oil! These two natural oils are perfect for breaking down product and removing dirt and grime from your skin. 

Just put a little on a cotton round and run the makeup away.

Do Your Eyes Before Your Foundation

Do Your Eyes Before Your Foundation

While you could do it the other way around, many people have started to do their eye makeup before their foundation. 

This simply makes it easier to clean up any fallout that may occur when you’re doing your mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow.

(Image via Adobe)

Blend, Blend, Blend

Blend, Blend, Blend

Whether it’s your foundation or eyeshadow, blend it out. Taking an extra few minutes to blend your makeup out makes a huge difference because harsh lines cause the face to look droopy and tired. 

If you’re blending your eyeshadow, use a clean brush and go to town.

(Image via Adobe)

Use Tinted CC Creams or Balms Rather than Foundation

Use Tinted CC Creams or Balms Rather than Foundation

Foundation is heavy and has a tendency to settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Tinted CC creams and balms don’t do this. They don’t have as much coverage, but that isn’t a bad thing. 

It keeps the skin from looking cakey hours after application. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue is a really good option.

Use Silicone-Based Primers

Use Silicone-Based Primers

Silicone-based primers are the Holy Grail of products. They’re perfect for removing the appearance of fine lines and larger pores. 

You can test various products, but we suggest rolling with a mid-priced brand like Too Faced or Benefit. Just make sure to blend it out really well.

(Image via Adobe)

Don’t Be Afraid to Wear Eye Makeup

Don’t Be Afraid to Wear Eye Makeup

Many women become more worried about eye makeup as they get older, but it can actually do a lot for your face. 

Eyeliner and mascara can make your face look more defined and draw eyes to the center of your face. It doesn’t have to be complicated because a little can go a long way.

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Use a Foundation Brush or Beauty Blender

Use a Foundation Brush or Beauty Blender

Stop applying foundation with your fingers. This can create a streaky look. Instead, use a foundation brush or a damp Beauty Blender sponge. 

If you have oily skin, a foundation brush is especially useful. For dryer skin, get a damp Beauty Blender sponge ready. There are several off-brands of Beauty Blenders, too, so don’t feel pressured to get the name brand.

(Image via Adobe)

Lightly Define the Lip Line

Lightly Define the Lip Line

Using a natural tone or light pink lip liner can help define your lines, especially since our lips is where many of our fine lines start. 

Using lip liner can bring a look of natural fullness that may be lost over time. Just make sure to color match properly.

(Image via Adobe)

Prime Your Lids if You Have Visible Veins or Spots

Prime Your Lids if You Have Visible Veins or Spots

If your lids have veins or dark spots, you can prime them to get rid of them! You can use whatever concealer you already own to hide any discoloration. 

Not to mention, priming your lids makes your eyeshadow last all day without creasing.  

(Image via Adobe)

Highlight Your Cheekbones

Highlight Your Cheekbones

There are so many highlighting products on the market that they're impossible to ignore. What this does is bring light to the proper place on your face. 

Sure, it’s a bit of a shimmer, but it gives every face a little shape and provides a little lift. Put a little on your cheekbone closer to your eye socket.

(Image via Adobe)

Get Samples Before Committing

Get Samples Before Committing

You don’t have to buy expensive products before deciding whether it’s right for you. Some stores, like Sephora, will give you a small sample of some products to let you try it out for a few days.

Additionally, these stores let you return products even after they’ve been opened. If it doesn’t work, return it!

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If You Want Lipstick, Stick with a Lighter Shade

If You Want Lipstick, Stick with a Lighter Shade

If you insist on using a lipstick, try to use a lighter shade. Dark shades will accentuate every single crease in your mouth—no one wants that. 

The shade should complement the base of your skin tone, whether it’s a yellow or pink base. 

(Image via Adobe)

Blend Foundation Outward

Blend Foundation Outward

Foundation and tinted creams can easily become too much and build to a cakey mess. Start with a small amount of product on the inner portion of your cheeks and blend outward. 

Not only does this create a natural look, but it also puts coverage in the places our face need most.

(Image via Adobe)

Don’t Go Overboard with Concealer

Don’t Go Overboard with Concealer

If you’re the type to use concealer, be wary of using too much. You don’t want a lot of light reflection because it makes you look extremely pale. 

Adding to that, a lot of concealer will crease. When in doubt, use less than you think and blend it out.

Use Long-Lasting Eyeliner

Use Long-Lasting Eyeliner

We tend to go cheap on eyeliner. It’s all the same, right? Wrong. Cheaper eyeliner tends to smudge after a few hours. You want to get a higher-end, long-lasting eyeliner. 

Once in place, it stays there. Overall, using eyeliner makes the eyelashes look fuller.

(Image via Adobe)

Only Use Eye Pencils, Not Liquid Liners

Only Use Eye Pencils, Not Liquid Liners

Liquid eyeliner may be tempting, but it can look extremely heavy. Eye pencils are subtle and give you more freedom. 

If something doesn’t look quite right, you can smudge it right out. That isn’t something you can do with liquid liner.

(Image via Adobe)

Smudge Eyeliner with Q-Tip

Smudge Eyeliner with Q-Tip

Harsh lines are a big no-no, so you’ll want to smudge out your eyeliner. You can use a Q-Tip to smudge it out for a smoky appearance. 

Using a Q-Tip also removes any extra product that could end up smudging downward later in the day. 

(Image via Adobe)

Curl Eyelashes for a Fuller Look

Curl Eyelashes for a Fuller Look

An eyelash curler looks like a torture device made by someone influenced by A Clockwork Orange. It isn’t as scary as it seems and using it can make a huge difference. 

Curling your eyelashes makes them look fuller and visible. For extra lift, use a lighter to heat it for a second but make sure it isn’t too hot before trying to curl your lashes.

(Image via Adobe)

Exfoliate Daily

Exfoliate Daily

Good skin starts with good skin care. All skin needs regular exfoliation, no matter your age. 

Be careful with going too harsh on your skin, however. Gentle exfoliates are best, because they won’t irritate the skin and cause dry patches. 

Define the Brows in a Subtle Color

Define the Brows in a Subtle Color

Many of us have overplucked our brows or have thinning eyebrows. There is hope! You can use a brow pencil to fill in your brows and get that look you always wanted. 

Just make sure to use a subtle color that vibes with your hair color. Otherwise, things will look a little off. 

(Image via Adobe)

Try to Contour

Try to Contour

Contouring can seem like a big mystery, but the secret is that it just takes practice. 

Get a cheap contour palette and play around with shades until you find the right one. Then, work on applying it properly. This can give your face shape and definition.

(Image via Adobe)

Use a Toner

Use a Toner

Whether you’re 12 or 72, toners are essential. Toners help return the skin to its natural Ph balance. 

After spending all day outside in the sun, in the cold or heat, in the city, your skin can get irritated. This can result in dryness or oiliness, but toners reset everything back to its natural place. 

Outline the Lower Lash Line

Outline the Lower Lash Line

Outlining the lower lash line is all about adding definition to your face. Leaving the lower lash line with nothing on it can make your makeup look a little unfinished. 

Put a little bit of eyeliner in the corner of your eye toward the middle. Then, use a Q-Tip to smudge it toward the corners. Remember: a little goes a long way.

(Image via Adobe)

Use a Heavier Foundation or Concealer to Spot Conceal

Use a Heavier Foundation or Concealer to Spot Conceal

Who doesn’t have a few spots on their skin they’d rather conceal? Instead of putting a dozen products to hide it, use a heavier foundation or small amount of concealer. 

It can work wonders to hide dark spots, scars, and veins.

(Image via Adobe)