Makeup Tips for Senior Women

Use Primer

Do you use a primer as a part of your makeup routine? If not, it might be time you start! Primer is a great product that can even out your skin including helping to fill in fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections. It also helps to hold your foundation in place.

Makeup primer should be applied after your skincare routine but before applying the foundation. One of the best ways to apply it is to use gentle, circular motions with your fingertips. This will help you work the product into your skin.

Pick the Right Foundation

There are so many types of foundations on the market and quite frankly, the options can be overwhelming. That said, in general, senior women will want to skip the heavy cream and powder foundations as these can leave your skin looking heavy, dry, and drab.

Instead, choose a lightweight, luminous formulation that will help you create a natural yet radiant look. If you’re not sure where to start, then check out the best anti-aging foundations for mature skin.

Apply Foundation With the Right Tools

In addition to picking the right type of foundation, how you apply it is important too. You can apply foundation with a foundation brush, or use a damp sponge such as a Beauty Blender.

A damp makeup sponge can help you spread the foundation evenly, and smoothly, across your entire face. Plus, it leaves your skin look dewy, and vibrant, and helps you avoid a streaky application.

If you haven’t used a makeup sponge before, don’t fret, it’s simple! Start by wetting the sponge until it’s fully soaked then squeeze out all the excess water. You want a damp sponge, not a wet sponge. Next, add your foundation to the sponge and dab it on your skin until it’s fully applied. Never, drag the sponge across your face, always use little dabbing motions as this will ensure an even application.

Use Concealer

Concealer is a great product that can help hide stubborn blemishes and dark circles. The first thing to remember is don’t apply concealer first. Instead, you’ll want to apply it after foundation.

This is because the foundation will help even your skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Once you’ve applied the foundation you’ll have a better judgment of how much concealer you’ll need. Concealer can be used to hide dark skin spots and dark circles under the eyes.

Careful With the Brows

Did you tweeze and wax your eyebrows a lot in your younger years? Know you’re not alone. Experiencing thinning eyebrows as you age can be a result of over-tweezing. Thankfully some products can help make your eyebrows look full and vibrant.

There are a variety of products to choose from such as a cream or liquid/gel, a powder shadow, or a pencil, and which one you choose is all personal preference. A simple yet effective way to fill in your brows is to use a pencil — just be sure to use short strokes to match your natural hair growth. Then use your finger to blend the pencil to get rid of harsh brush strokes.

Go Easy on the Blush

Blush is a great product that can add just a touch of color to your cheeks. That said, it’s easy to go overboard with the blush which is something you definitely want to avoid.

If you’re used to stroking blush from mouth to ear, then forget that technique because it isn’t doing you any favors. Instead, apply the blush on the apple of the cheek and swirl the blush just slightly higher than the apples. A quick trick is to smile to find the perfect spot. Finally, applying blush in this area will emphasize your eyes.

Don’t Stretch Your Lid When Applying Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great product that can emphasize your eyes making them appear brighter. However, applying eyeliner as we get older isn’t always easy especially if you have wrinkling skin or if you don’t have a steady hand.

The first thing to remember is to never tug or stretch your eyelid as you apply eyeliner. This can cause your skin to crinkle which will result in an unsmooth line. Instead, look in the mirror and hold your chin up and then look down until your lids are about half-closed. Then use your eyeliner of choice and glide it along your lid starting from the inside and moving outward.

Use an Eyelash Curler and the Right Mascara

In addition to eyeliner, another great product to brighten the eyes is mascara. Before applying mascara try using an eyelash curler as this will give the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes. Simply, curl each lash at the root and hold it for about 15 seconds.

Next, choosing the right mascara will make all the difference. Instead of looking for a formula that adds length, look for a thickening formula as this will add volume to your lashes. When applying, look down towards your nose and then apply the mascara starting with the tips of the lashes and then the base of the lashes.

Lipstick Tips

Lipstick is another fun product that can effortlessly refresh your look. With so many colors available, you can find one to suit any mood you’re in whether that’s fun and playful or neutral. Before applying lipstick, it’s important to take care of your lips. This is because as we age, our lips can lose fullness which results in thinner-looking lips. To take care of your lips, try using a hydrating lip balm generously.

Another tip to make your lips appear naturally fuller is to line your lips on the outer edge of your lip line instead of inside. Applying a lip liner before lipstick will also help your lipstick stay longer. Finally, try your best to match the lip liner to your lipstick.

Clarissa Vanner

Clarissa is the Junior Managing Editor of ActiveBeat. She aspires to live a healthy lifestyle by staying active and eating foods that nourish her body, but she isn't afraid to indulge in a little chocolate here and there! Clarissa loves cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with her dog. In her free time, you'll find her relaxing in her hammock or curled up on the couch reading a book.