9 Age-Defying Makeup Tricks Every Middle-Aged Woman Should Know

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Gone are the days when the only skin concern you have is getting a few pimples during your period. Now that you’re in the middle stage of your life, you begin to worry about fine lines, wrinkles, sallow skin, puffiness, and other signs of aging that aren’t that easy to cover up.

Our skin is a living organ that changes over time – we don’t have the superpower to look 23 forever. You may choose to go under the knife if you’re financially, physically, and emotionally prepared. You may also consider the transformative power of makeup. I guess you’ll go for the latter.

Ready for our short makeup course? From effectively covering fine lines and wrinkles to applying lipstick the right way, here are 9 makeup tricks that help give mature women a youthful glow instantly.

1. Plump up your skin with a moisturizer before applying makeup

The main difference between a raisin and a grape? Hydration.

As you age, your skin becomes drier, allowing your fine lines to stand out. Before covering your face with the best makeup products, make sure it’s well-hydrated. Moisturizing helps keep skin soft and smooth and makes lines and wrinkles less prominent.

Look for a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which helps pull in water and plump the skin. Don’t forget to dab some moisture on your dry lips too.

2. Use a silicone primer

“Not to prime is a crime,” says Napoleon Perdis, a professional makeup artist and owner of Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics.

Aside from making makeup glide better and last longer, the primer also works to soften wrinkles and blur lines so you won’t need to use as much foundation or concealer. It creates a smooth canvas for your makeup, and it helps your complexion products stick so much better.

Pick a silicone base, which fills in fine lines and uneven skin texture.

3. Use a foundation specifically designed for mature skin

Instead of using too many layers of foundation to create a flawless, youthful coverage, look for a foundation designed for mature skin. These formulas often deliver a seamless result without overloading your face complexion products.

4. When in doubt, opt for a foundation that’s light and hydrating 

A hydrating, sheer foundation is the best choice for mature skin. Aging skin tends to be drier, thus needs maximum hydration.

Heavy, thick matte formulas exaggerate make your skin look older than it is. If you have mature skin, you should aim for a natural, dewy-looking complexion. Some of the buzzwords to look for are “moisture”, “hydration”, “luminous”, and “glow.”

5. Cover those age spots with concealer

Concealer makeup is a must-have for aging skin since there’ll be dark spots, crow’s feet, under-eye puffiness, and dark circles to be camouflaged. Your concealer shade, as well as your application technique, can make or break the look, so be very careful.

Pick a shade closest to your complexion. Liquid concealer makeup is suggested to avoid looking cakey. Apply directly under the eyes and dab using the tip of a concealer brush or a beauty blender to blend it well with your foundation. You can also use your finger if you know how to work it.

If the under-eye circles are too dark, pick a yellow color to neutralize bluish-purple tone before applying a regular concealer.

6. Powder with caution

Leaving your makeup settling into your pores and fine lines are the last thing you’d want to happen. That said, make sure to powder with caution to set your makeup in place without getting too cakey.

Go for a loose mineral powder which is best for reducing shine. Use a large powder brush and just focus on your forehead, the bridge of the nose, chin, and the tops of your cheeks. You may also want to swap your powder blush for a cream variant to get that nice, natural, and radiant look.

7. Play up your eyes

Making the eyes pop is one of the tricks makeup artists swear by when drawing focus away from wrinkles. Of course, this would work if done correctly.

If you have aging skin, go for a matte eyeshadow rather than shimmer. Metallics only enhance fine lines and crepey skin you’re trying to conceal. Use mascara to extend your eyelashes and bring out your eyes. As for eyeliner, ditch your black liners for soft, smudged shades of brown. Avoid lining the lower lids.

8. Say no to heavy eye makeup

Even top makeup artists confess that applying loads of makeup, especially for your eyes, can make you look more mature. Say no to harsh, dark eyebrow makeup, thick, black eyeliner and heavily pigmented eyeshadows that can only accentuate hooded lids, under-eye puffiness, and crow’s feet instead of hiding them.

When it comes to concealer, less is more. Avoid thick, drying concealers that bring out fine lines even more and make you look “cakey.”

9. Smudge-proof your lips

Don’t let your lipstick bleed into fine lines. Use a creamy, color-stay lip liner, a non-drying lip stain, and a sheer lip gloss for a moisturized look that’s long-lasting.

You may also consider swapping your go-to reds and dark shades for pink lipstick. Whether it’s a more on the coral side or on the fuchsia side, a pink pout can help create a fresh-faced glow.

It’s not just a form of art and self-expression. Makeup is also a great way to feel empowered since it helps you look and feel like the best version of yourself – no matter how old you are. With the right tricks, you can turn back the clock and look a few years younger.

Author Bio: Mina Natividad is a passionate writer for Napoleon Perdis Makeup Courses, a leading luxury makeup brand in Australia, which prides itself in delivering top of the line cosmetics and makeup courses. Sticking to the heart of the cosmetics brand, she aims to empower women with articles about style and beauty.