Aging brings wisdom and experience, but it also comes with changes in our skin that require adjustments to our beauty routines. For women over 40, makeup application isn’t just about enhancing features; it’s about adapting to new skin needs and embracing a more thoughtful approach.
Katie Moyer, a renowned makeup artist with over 20 years of experience, offers valuable insights into makeup techniques to help mature women look and feel their best. Recently featured on The HIM & HER Show, Katie shared her journey and expertise, inspiring many with her approach to beauty and aging.
Here, she reveals her top makeup tips for women over 40, focusing on skincare, makeup application, and confidence.
The Importance of Skincare
Great makeup starts with great skin. Our skin loses moisture and elasticity as we age, making it essential to maintain a comprehensive skincare routine. Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing regenerative serums to penetrate deeper.
Hydration and moisture are crucial, so use products that offer both. Hydrating serums and moisturizing oils keep the skin plump and supple, creating a smooth canvas for makeup.
This preparation not only enhances the look of makeup but also improves the overall health of your skin. Katie emphasizes that well-prepped skin helps makeup last longer and look more natural.
1. Embrace Cream Makeup
Cream makeup products are a game-changer for mature skin. Unlike powders, creams do not settle into fine lines and creases. They move with the skin, maintaining a natural, skin-like appearance.
Cream foundations, blushes, and eyeshadows offer a dewy finish, making the skin look more youthful and vibrant. These products’ emollient nature helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, improving skin health over time.
Setting spray can fix cream makeup without the cakey finish that powders can create. Katie recommends experimenting with cream products to achieve a fresh, radiant look.
2. Minimize Powder Usage
Powder products can often exacerbate the appearance of texture and dryness in mature skin. If you must use powder, apply it sparingly and only to areas where it is essential, such as the T-zone.
Using a small, loose-bristled brush or a damp Beautyblender can help to diffuse the product evenly without overloading the skin. Pressed powders are often a better option as they allow for more controlled application.
Minimizing powder maintains the skin’s natural radiance and avoids highlighting unwanted texture. Katie advises using powder judiciously to keep the skin looking smooth and natural.
3. Choose the Right Foundation Shade
As skin ages, it can develop various pigmentation issues such as sun spots and broken capillaries. These changes can alter the skin’s undertone and overtone, making it necessary to reevaluate your foundation shade.
Instead of matching your foundation to the lightest part of your skin, opt for a slightly darker shade that provides better coverage and blends more seamlessly with your natural skin tone.
A well-matched foundation will blend effortlessly, providing a smooth, even finish without a noticeable line between your face and neck. Katie highlights the importance of a proper foundation match to enhance natural beauty.
4. Apply Makeup in One Layer
Applying multiple layers of makeup can lead to a heavy, cakey appearance, especially on mature skin. A more effective approach is to use a single layer of cream makeup, which includes contour, blush, foundation, and concealer.
This method, often called “painting by numbers,” involves applying small amounts of each product to the necessary areas and blending them for a cohesive finish.
This technique reduces the amount of product on the skin, minimizing the risk of settling into lines and creating a more natural look. Katie advocates for this minimalist approach to achieve a flawless, youthful complexion.
5. Use Brighter Blush
As skin loses its natural vibrancy with age, incorporating brighter blush colors can help restore a youthful glow. Applying blush one to two fingers away from the nostril and blending it upwards towards the temples can lift and brighten the face.
Layering a bright blush over a neutral base can also create a seamless transition and prevent the color from looking too stark. The result is a healthy, radiant complexion that enhances your natural features.
Katie suggests experimenting with brighter blush shades to bring life back to your cheeks and create a youthful appearance.
6. Practice Minimalism
For mature skin, using fewer products can often yield better results. Overloading the skin with multiple layers of makeup can accentuate texture and fine lines. Instead, focus on using minimal amounts of high-quality products.
Blending makeup well can remove excess product, creating a smoother finish. Avoiding heavy primers and opting for lightweight, breathable formulas can provide a more natural appearance.
Katie emphasizes that less is more when it comes to mature skin makeup, helping achieve a more youthful and natural look.
7. Perfect with a Sponge
Using a damp Beautyblender or makeup sponge to finish your makeup application can make a significant difference. After applying your makeup, gently dab the sponge over your face to blend and remove any excess product.
This step helps to ensure that your makeup looks flawless and lasts longer. A barely damp sponge should feel relaxed but not wet, allowing it to blend makeup seamlessly without lifting too much product off the skin. Katie’s tip is to always finish with a sponge for the most polished and long-lasting results.
8. Embrace Confidence
Confidence is the key to looking and feeling beautiful at any age. Embrace the changes that come with aging and find joy in enhancing your natural beauty. By being flexible and adaptable with your makeup routine, you can continue to look and feel your best.
Remember, makeup is a tool to enhance your beauty, not to mask it. Approach your beauty routine with a positive attitude and enjoy the process of experimenting with new techniques and products.
Katie believes that confidence is the most important aspect of beauty and encourages women to embrace their unique features.
Final thoughts
Aging gracefully is about adapting to the changes in your skin and finding new ways to enhance your natural beauty.
Katie Moyer’s tips for women over 40 emphasize the importance of skincare, the benefits of cream makeup, and the power of confidence. Following these guidelines, you can create a makeup routine that highlights your best features and makes you feel beautiful at any age.
Whether new to makeup or looking to update your routine, these tips provide a great starting point for embracing your beauty journey over 40. Embrace the changes, experiment with new techniques, and enjoy the process of enhancing your natural beauty.
