Long gone are the days of caking my face with foundation, dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner, and trendy makeup products. Before I turned 40, my skin seemed to be more accommodating of makeup experiments and different types of makeup applications. All the tricks and techniques I learned throughout the years turned into makeup mistakes, making me look older, more wrinkly, and fake. In the last few years, I learned to make changes and tweaks to my makeup routine to avoid the disastrous outcomes of using techniques that work better on younger skin.
What I learned in my 40s is to be comfortable using less makeup and apply it only to make skin look healthy and polished. It’s no longer about changing how I look with makeup; it’s more about achieving a natural glow that makes me feel fresh and glowing.
Back in the 80s and 90s, we used foundation and top it with powder to get an even-looking skin. We put on dark color lipstick, black liquid eyeliners, and colorful eyeshadows. All was fine and dandy until the skin started to dip, pores began to look like deep holes, and wrinkles formed around the eyes. Wearing foundation accentuated the lines and pores. Eyeshadows would smudge and leak under the lower eyelid, making us look like sad clowns. So what are the everyday makeup mistakes that you should fix?
DON’T DRINK ENOUGH WATER
The first thing that every woman over 40 should avoid is thirst. As we age, our skin loses elasticity due to lower collagen production, and the skin becomes susceptible to dehydration. Drinking water throughout the day helps keep your skin moisturized, and increases skin elasticity. As well, using the right products such as Vichy’s Hyaluronic Acid to lock moisture in and brighten the skin. The more hydrated you are, the fewer wrinkles you’ll see. Well-hydrated skin looks plum and facilitates the application of foundation makeup.
FORGET TO EXFOLIATE
The first makeup mistake women do is forgetting to exfoliate their skin. Exfoliating before applying makeup helps remove dead skin cells, which in turn makes the skin more even and toned. This will facilitate the application of makeup products like primers, concealers, highlighters, and foundations. Make sure to exfoliate your skin after cleaning it and before applying any skincare serums and creams. The other great benefit of exfoliation includes stimulating collagen synthesis, which improves skin texture and makes the skin more plump and tight.
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
EMINENCE
This is the only exfoliant I’ve been using in the past 2 years. It’s pricy but you only need a tiny amount to mix with water and apply to the face. It’s absolutely gentle and will definitely leave your skin soft. A MUST.
DON’T USE CALMING TONERS
Calming and natural skin toners, like Rosewater, are a great way to reduce skin irritations, sunburns, and inflammations. As well, toners can help remove dirt or residue build-up and firm your skin. By applying a calming toner, you’re helping your skin get prepped for makeup.
Life Rose
This is 100% pure natural Rosewater. One of the best ways to tone your face, and overall balance skin. Rosewater has many benefits for your skin, hair, and body, and this product comes highly recommended by Amazon shoppers and editors.
SVA Organics Pure Rose Water Facial Toner
This product ships to Canada and is 100% natural Rose water. Use it to help reduce skin inflammations and redness. It’s a great toner to apply before makeup.
IGNORE THE BENEFITS OF SERUMS AND ESSENTIAL OILS
I cannot start my day without massaging my face with my favorite serums including Vitamin C and essential oil. Not only does massaging the face with serum and oils can help improve lymphatic circulation, but it also makes your skin feel awake and lifted. Here’s a list of some of the best skin serums for mature skin.
SKIPPING SUNSCREEN LOTION
Skipping sunscreen is a big no no for women over 40. As you enter this new decade, you could start experiencing hormonal fluctuations normally associated with perimenopause and menopause. And these changes may affect the way your skin reacts to the sun making it a target for sun damage. Sunscreen lotions must become a second nature to your daily routine. Click on this link to learn how you can protect your skin.
FORGETTING THE MAKEUP PRIMER
This is another makeup mistake we should address. Makeup primer is the one product beauty experts advise us (women over 40) to apply on our skin. Makeup primer has several benefits for mature skin, such as creating a smooth base for your makeup, reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores, hydrate and nourish your skin and more. Experts prefer using makeup primer over makeup foundation for women over 40.
Check out the list of recommended makeup primers for women over 40.
USE TOO MUCH FOUNDATION
One of the biggest makeup mistakes women do is Caking the face with foundation is a big no-no for aging skin. It’s no longer necessary to paint the face with a heavy foundation for a couple of reasons: first, the science of making foundation has evolved significantly since the 90s. Beauty companies have created light foundations that have fantastic coverage and can blend in smoothly. This means you can apply foundations on problem areas only, such as sunspots, or dark circles, and still achieve an even skin tone.
And here’s a look at the 7 best makeup foundations for mature skin.
USE POWDER FOUNDATION
Applying a powder foundation all over your face is another one of the biggest makeup mistakes to avoid after 40. Powder helps reduce the shine and oil on the nose and chin or forehead, but it will dry your face if you apply it everywhere. Use a blush brush to lightly dust powder foundation on shiny spots.
APPLY SHIMMERY EYESHADOWS
Shimmer and glitter are beautiful makeup trends, but they’re not flattering on mature skin. As we age, our eyelid area changes, and to open up the eyes, we should use light matte nude shades on the lids and under the arch of the brow to lift the eye area. If you want to apply some shimmer, then put some in the center of the eyelid below the crease.
Biba All Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
DON’T USE LIP LINER
The other makeup mistake women make after 40 is ditching lip liner. I’ve explained the benefits of using a lip liner here. When used correctly, they make your lips look fuller. As I suggested, use a nude color lip liner that matches your lips’ natural color to shape your lips. Here are some of my favourite brands.
GIVING UP ON EYELINER AND MASCARA
As the skin changes around the eyes, the eyeliner begins to bleed under the lower lid. This, in my opinion, discourages us from using eyeliners even though they do give an excellent definition to the eyes. Instead, I personally started using waterproof eyeliners/mascara and light smudging techniques to reduce the possibility of accidental bleeding. I am obsessed with MAC cosmetics mascara which does a great job at separating lashes and adding volume and creating lashes. It’s by far, the best compared to brands I’ve used before.
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