Ever heard of the phrase “Life gets better after 40”? I feel like 40 is such a confident age. 40 sounds like Sofia Vergara, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Salma Hayek… the list is endless. You have spent years in your skin, learning how to take care of it. You have embraced a minimal makeup look because the insecurities you had in your 20s and 30s aren’t there anymore. Then certain questions begin to pop up, “Why doesn’t my makeup sit the same anymore? Or, why is it that whenever I have sparkly eyeshadow on it always falls into my wrinkles highlighting them? Eyeliner on my lower lashes? No thank you.” Sounds like it is time to completely switch up your makeup routine. What worked for you in your younger days may not really fit into your current reality. The two perks from this? You get to embrace this new chapter in your life and second, yay to shopping (just don’t take the whole Sephora home with you). Keep reading to find out the top makeup tips for your 40s.

Great Makeup Tips for your 40s

Always start with a primer

Primers act as the base for your makeup. As we grow older, our skin changes. For some, wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear while for others their skin gets drier. Whatever the case, adding a primer alongside your favourite serums is a step that you may not want to skip during your makeup routine. A primer is a gel, oil or cream that creates a barrier between your skin and makeup giving your makeup a supple base. Primers also boost the longevity of your makeup. Some work to even out your complexion while others moisturize. The choice is up to you. If you want to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, look for primers that have smoothing properties or a dose of pumping collagen. Dry skin? Look for products made with hydrating ingredients such as coconut water or hyaluronic acid. Apply it just after your moisturizer. Warm-up a pea-sized amount in between your pointer and middle fingers then apply from the middle of the face outwards ensuring you cover your whole face. Let it absorb into your skin then start to apply your make up.

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Goodbye powder, hello only foundation

The first order of business when it comes to makeup tips for your 40s is to put the powder aside. The powder adds way too much texture, takes the life out of your skin and looks quite cakey on most instances. Your skin is alive and it should look touchable and dewy. A fluid-thin foundation may not necessarily cover your wrinkles and fine lines, and neither does a heavily piled-on foundation as this only exaggerates them. Keep the coverage in between to have that less-makeup look. Ensure it is also hydrating. The one important thing to keep in mind is that it should match your tone even before blending to avoid looking like the guy from ‘The Mask’.

Bronzers and blush

We apply bronzers or blush beneath our cheekbones in hopes of slimming our faces. This attempt may leave most women looking dull, unnatural and muddy. Sweep on the bronzer in the shape of number 3 starting from your temple, cheekbone then curve down to your jawline. Look for bronzers that are matte with minimal shimmer, a shade deeper than your skin. As for your blush, it should match your natural flush. You should apply it in places where it would naturally appear. These are places where capillaries are close to the surface i.e. your outer eye crease, cheeks, lips, upper forehead and neck. Pinch your cheeks a little and try to match the colour that appears when looking for the best blush shade.

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Eyecare

Your eyes are the windows to your soul and without proper care, they may reveal your best-kept secret, your age. These eye makeup tips for your 40s will help you learn how to defy this and keep people guessing. This is the time you’ll really need your concealer handy. Apply it on the inner-halves of your under eyes to cover any darkness or simply use a brush on highlighter-pen. To make your eyes look younger and awake, curl your lashes. Use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes from the root holding each for 15 seconds. Apply a light layer of mascara to make them pop. Play with the natural sparkle in your eyes. You may still be obsessed with glitter but now it’s time to swap that with carefully placed shimmer. Use it where your tear ducts are, at the corners of your eyes to look vibrant and ready. Always blend and sweep colour under your eyes to give an illusion of lifted eyes. Don’t forget to fill the spaces between your brows with an eyebrow pencil that glides smoothly.

Lips

As we grow older our lips can become asymmetrical. To create a symmetrical look, use a lip pencil in a shade closer to your lip colour. It should have the right amount of slip and should be soft the minute it touches your lip. Draw on four separate strokes starting from each of the four corners drawing towards the centre of the bottom lip and Cupid’s bow. Try cool or warm shades depending on your skin tone. Once you find the right colour ensure your lipstick prevents bleeding and feathering around the outer edges. Finally, it should be moisturizing. If you still dig vibrant colours, by all means, wear that bright or dark colour. It is all about confidence from this point on.

“What time takes away, we can bring back with makeup” – Trish McEvoy.

What makeup tips for your 40s would you advise your fellow humankind to adopt as they gracefully age? Share your secrets in the comments below.

About the Author

Abigail Mbithe

Abigail is a 20-something wild child who still believes in unicorns, fairy tales, and everything beautiful. When she’s not trying to invent a new hairstyle or fighting acne, and keeping her skin ageless, she’s either sipping on something or hanging out with her tribe.