Navigating menopause or simply ‘maturing’, can mean changes to skin texture, tone, and elasticity. My own personal experience meant these changes significantly influenced my makeup choices and came hand in hand with learning new application techniques. Here are my top ten tips in creating a luminous, youthful look for those of us grappling with mature, dry, or textured skin.
1. Skincare
Prioritising skincare is the foundation to great makeup! Focusing on hydration, nourishment, and sun protection is important in helping achieve a luminous, healthy complexion. Seeking advice from a beauty therapist who can tailor a programme specific to your needs, potentially saving you money by helping to select the right products for you. This helped me enormously, particularly when I was wearing a lot of makeup every day, working in store with beauty, meant it needed to last the day looking fresh - as though I had just applied it! Looking after my skin really helped how my makeup wore throughout the day .. I have started taking collagen - standby for an upcoming blog on my personal experience with collagen!
2. Application Techniques
Using a brush and a damp sponge to gently brush, press and bounce foundation into the skin helps to ensure a smooth and well-blended finish. Ensure your application techniques are blending with a light hand, this can help to minimise the appearance of fine lines. Treating yourself to a one-on-one make-up lesson, learning new techniques and trying new products, can add a fun, fresh approach to what can seem like daunting territory.
3. Choosing your Base
If you are noticing a fuller coverage base is no longer providing the benefits it once did and perhaps even ageing your skin, embrace lighter and sheer formulas, such as tinted moisturisers, BB creams, or serum-based foundations to achieve a hydrated, dewy finish. Consult with makeup artists in store for recommendations and testers to determine what works best for your skin type. (use tester pot within 3 days of opening to ensure colour is fresh and true to colour) I recommend trying a new foundation in-store, rather than purchasing online - seeing the colour and the finish on your skin is essential.
4. Cream-Based Products
For those with dry or textured skin like mine, cream-based products are a game-changer. Not only do they help with a more hydrated appearance, but they also lend a youthful radiance to the complexion. Experiment with cream eyeshadows, blushes, and highlighters to achieve a seamless, glowing finish.
5. Bronzer and Blush - cream of course!
Applying bronzer to areas the sun naturally hits your face (forehead, cheekbones, nose) gives a healthy, natural warm glow. Opt for a shade no more than 2 shades deeper than your skin (not too warm) Bronzer can also double as an eye contour - perfect for a 5 minute makeover!
Blush revitalises complexion by adding colour back to skin, restoring a natural flush, especially after applying foundation, when used alone, it can give a flat appearance. Correct placement, (for our face-shape) blending and choosing colours complimentary to our skin tone are vital when using these products - cream formulations offer added benefits!
6. Powder
I use only the finest of translucent powders to set through my t-zone when I apply my makeup. If it’s a dry winter, I may opt to skip the powder altogether. Everyone’s skin is unique, if yours is similar to mine, it’s best to minimise powder usage to prevent it from settling into fine lines or emphasising larger pores and texture.
7. Brows
The topic of brows is vast and perhaps deserves its own blog post! I highly recommend making an appointment with a professional to help shape your brows. I love having mine threaded! Booking a lesson can be a fun experience shared with friends.
Our eyebrows shape and define our features and grooming them makes a huge difference - even without makeup. As we mature, we may lose hair and need to fill and shape a little more. I personally enjoy using a powder, applied with an angled brush and spoole to brush the hairs, this provides a softer more natural looking brow. Opt for a shade or 2 darker than your hair colour (unless you have black hair - choose a shade lighter) Complete the look by using a brow gel to help keep the hairs in place – and remember ‘Brows are sisters not twins’’ in terms of shape/length - they just need to look like they are related to each other. 😊
8. Setting Spray
I love applying a setting spray after I have finished applying my makeup. I always choose a hydrating one, it gives a beautiful glow and maintains a dewy look. Sprays are fabulous kept in the fridge in the hotter months (or for hot moments) They are also a lifesaver in your carryon luggage during flights, especially on long journeys to keep your skin hydrated.
9. Lips
A glossy lip completes your luminous look! I do switch between Matte and Glossy depending on whether I need my lip to last, however, a glossy look appears more youthful, and people seem to compliment my skin when I wear a glossy lip!
10. Have Fun
If you are new to makeup - like anything new, practice will build confidence. Remember it washes off, have fun exploring with different looks and discovering what suits you best.
Here's to embracing our unique beauty and enjoying the journey along the way!
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