Makeup Tips for Older Women

I write articles on women's beauty and health. It's something that concerns us all, and I like to share my discoveries here.

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

With young, smooth skin just about anything goes. Your hairdos can be drastic and different. Your face is a blank canvas for experimentation, but once you're over 50, that changes, and we should face it.

When we start aging, trying experimental makeup looks is not what we want! We do not want to draw attention to ourselves by overdoing it. When we over-apply makeup, people do not look at us because we are attractive, but because we look like a clown.

Many women do not seem to understand this. Take a look at your skin, and reevaluate it at the age you are now. If you have taken excellent care of your skin, then you can get by with more makeup, but you still cannot turn back the clock. (Except for maybe a little with the right treatment!) If you are 50 and look 40, that's great, but it's still not 30! If you are getting double takes, it may not be for a good reason.

Do You See What I See?

It's sad when women don't realize they're wearing too much makeup and aging themselves. We've all seen these makeup disasters, even in younger women who can usually get away with so much!

You know the makeup that only goes to the chin, or maybe halfway down the neck, but you can still see the line where it begins and ends? We want to avoid this, especially for those of us who are starting to show signs of aging. Here are some tips that might work for your skin type and style.

Use the Correct Color Tone for Your Skin

No matter what type of makeup you use it needs to blend into the skin completely. It has to be the right color for you. Many shops that sell makeup will help you with this, and let you see for yourself.

Try a BB Cream. They're lighter than foundation, but help to even out our skin tone. You could also try a CC Cream, which I have found to be an improvement on the BB Cream. A makeup that's good for your skin? Maybe it's not so bad after all!

The video above is amazing. You can readily see how makeup can be used to erase fine lines and wrinkles, and the makeup artist tells you everything you need, and how to do it. I will be watching it a few more times and taking notes!

How Much Is Too Much?

1. Warm up your skin tone: A very pale complexion needs a tinted moisturizer, at the very least. Or perhaps a slight rose-colored gel stick blended evenly over the cheeks, nose, and chin.
2. Go easy on the foundation: A caked-on foundation will only add years, not take them off.
3. Go easy on the concealer: Trying to hide dark circles and wrinkles can backfire when you start layering on concealer and powder. Instead, use a cream-colored liquid concealer, and smooth out the edges.
4. Wear natural lipstick: Dark lipsticks are as bad for older skin as intensely dark eyeshadow. The lipstick can make your lips look thinner and bleed into the wrinkles around your mouth.
5. Back-off the eyeliner: Don't draw a line around your entire eye. Then line about 3/4 of the eye at most, avoiding the inside edges. To counter-act the raccoon effect, add a lighter shade at the inner corner.
6. Smudge your eyeliner: Wear a softer colored liner instead of intense black. Smudge it with lighter shades of liner like a soft grey or purple.
7. Avoid mascara on the bottom lashes: This can sometimes make your eyes look droopy. Instead of putting mascara on the bottom lashes, use softly smudged eyeliner or eyeshadow to define the roots of the lower lashes.
8. Use eyebrow powder: Do not paint on thin eyebrows. Do not use an eyebrow pencil to draw on, or color in your eyebrows. They'll look too stark. For a more natural look, use a tiny bit of brow powder that matches your natural eyebrow color, and then brush through your eyebrows to blend.
9. Go easy on the bronzer: Avoid putting bronzer all over your face. It may feel like you instantly look sunkissed, but you'll look like you were in a tanning bed. Only put a small amount of bronzer on your hairline and where the sun would naturally hit your face.
10. Stay away from lipliner: This makes older lips look even thinner, especially if the color is darker than the lipstick. Dab the center of your lips with lipstick or gloss to plump up and create a fuller look.

Is Natural More Beautiful in Older Women?

Personally, I work on making my over-50 skin the best it can be and try to prevent signs of aging for as long as I can.

As a teen, I mainly wore lipstick and mascara, and when I did use makeup, it was almost always Cover Girl. (Called the medicated make-up, then.) I removed the makeup and washed my face with Noxzema. I didn't have complexion problems like most teenagers. I would get a zit now and then, right in the middle of my face at the most inopportune times. It would make me want to scream and cry, but basically, I was pretty lucky. Another reason could be that I rarely ate junk food and only occasionally drank soft drinks.

Today I keep my skin soft and use lipstick and clear mascara. It's rare that I use any liquid makeup or powder. If I'm going out and want to dress up a bit, I'll use a soft brown eyeliner on my bottom lash-line to make my eyes look bigger.

I seldom use makeup and mineral powders, but I do keep some around. I want to try some of the tinted moisturizers I hear so much about. The BB and CC Creams have so many anti-aging properties that correct tone and color with added sunscreen! I personally have fallen in love with CC cream, and now I'm getting more into a makeup ritual that is quick, easy, and looks good! Is this the makeup of the future? In any case, my days are not spent with people I want to impress, and I am happy with my natural face.

Can a girl ever leave makeup entirely behind? Probably not, but as we get older, we should use it with caution.

Mistakes That Make Us Look 10 Years Older!

• Thick, caked-on makeup.
• A foundation that is too light exaggerates fine lines.
• Face powder exaggerates fine lines.
• Blush used too low makes skin sag—keep it high on the cheeks.
• Lip colors that are too bright, dark, or metallic age the lips.
• Mascara on the bottom lashes is too heavy, so instead only use mascara on the top lashes.
• Eyeliner on the lower lash line will make your eyes look droopy, so stick to the top and outer corners, and keep it soft.

Makeup for Older Women

Makeup Tragedies

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Read More From Bellatory

How Much Should You Tip a Lash Tech?

Why Is Neck Skin Care Important?

How to Battle Dry Winter Skin

© 2016 Jackie Lynnley

Comments

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 01, 2018:

Thank you Lisiana and Kallas. Hope you both have great results. Make-up for those of us who love it never gets old!

Kailas Chaudhari from Ahmedabad, India on July 01, 2018:

Hi Jackie

I found your article very helpful for older women. The way you present each stuffs, that's really awesome. I love it. Thanks.

Lisiana Carter from Chicago, Illinois on April 20, 2018:

Delighted to see such amazing work! I would love to try some of these tips.

Thank you!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on September 16, 2017:

Thanks Kari, me too and I did learn some important things in this research. Things I still do.

Kari Poulsen from Ohio on September 16, 2017:

I'm so glad I came across this! As a woman over 50, I can use all the tips I can get, lol.

Martie Coetser from South Africa on April 01, 2017:

Thanks for these well-needed tips!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on December 17, 2016:

Yes and there is clear that treats and makes your lashes longer and thicker. I use both but not as often as I should. I heard about them on The View back when Barbara Walters was still on it and she and others there used them and Barbara said she used both at once! Guess that might be a good idea but I am usually in such a rush and I am sure you would need to let the treatment one dry first. But maybe I will start trying that when I have time.

Audrey Howitt from California on December 17, 2016:

I didn't know about clear mascara--but that sounds great!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on December 17, 2016:

Me too really Audrey, and I love the clear mascara, I hardly ever wear the black anymore. I do wear a little more on holidays or special occasion.

Audrey Howitt from California on December 17, 2016:

The older I get, the less I wear--a little color on my lips and a bit of mascara

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 28, 2016:

I rarely wear makeup Rachel but the BB is good and now I like the CC even better. I have a scar on my face that shows when I get sun on it so I have to use make-up now and then to cover that til I get it faded back down. Sorry I had no warning of your message here, I did have a good Thanksgiving and hope you did too!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 28, 2016:

So sorry Nell I had no warning I had a comment, just happened to go click on them and saw I have quite a few!

Yes I saw a little something at FB about you onstage but did not catch the gist of it. Do tell!

Rachel L Alba from Every Day Cooking and Baking on November 20, 2016:

Hi Jackie. A lot of great tips for make up for us older gals. I'll be 68 Dec. 8th and have a neck that hangs down a little now. I hate it but, there it is. I agree that too much make up or dark makeup is not a good idea. I did try that BB face cream that has a little color and I actually like it. It does hid the tiny red vessels that show up under the skin and some dark spots. Thanks for all the other tips. You did a lot of work.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Nell Rose from England on November 20, 2016:

I had to wear so much makeup last week. I was on stage! lol! but I do tend to change it occasionally so its updated, good to see you!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on November 19, 2016:

Thanks Linda, it was really fun finding out these great tips myself!

Linda Rogers from Minnesota on November 19, 2016:

As a 53 year old, I really appreciate the make up tips. Thanks so much for the helpful hub.

Cindy Kay Shun from Manila, Philippines on October 21, 2016:

best tip is not wear to much and not dye hair bright color. good advices miss!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on August 10, 2016:

I liked that too and really great because they did not start with a beautiful woman. I love the BB Cream make up already but got me the CC and it is even better to have moisture working for me even under makeup.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on August 10, 2016:

Thanks Dianna, me too. Keeping it moist seems more important than making an impression with make-up to me and I love the clear mascara! No more raccoon eyes!

Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on August 01, 2016:

This was really helpful and I truly enjoyed watching the makeup application on the first video. What a great idea to use a below the base silicone primer and a powder concealer. I'm definitely going to use this advice. Thank you.

Dianna Mendez on July 28, 2016:

I am at this stage in life with makeup and it's good to know I am doing something right. I find that I have to use moisturizers much more now to keep my skin firm and "dewey" looking. Great article and well written!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on July 13, 2016:

Thank you Norma for checking it out!

Norma Lawrence from California on July 13, 2016:

Very good article. Great information that is very useful. Thanks

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 22, 2016:

Thank you always exploring. It isn't wrong if it works for you. I do like these makeups with the added moisturizers and age fighting creams. Need all the help I can get although basically I don't wear the liquid everyday and I love the clear mascaras. Gives more lash look and curl without the smears! lol

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 22, 2016:

Thank you Audrey! Glad you got something from it and I did too learn a lot and am trying some of these I saw in the videos. I guess girls just want to have fun!

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on March 22, 2016:

I have been here for awhile! I watched the videos and learned so much. I didn't know about tinted moisturizer or the concealer under the eyes. I stopped wearing mascara and only use a light shade on my eyelids. I've been using CoverGirl creamy natural cremeux which is wrong I guess. I will be trying all of your idea's. Thank you so much.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on March 21, 2016:

Time to clean house with my makeup. Wow...this lesson is just what I need. Loved the videos and learned a heap with the last one. Will be making some serious changes as I apply my makeup from now on.

Thanks a heap Jackie! Sharing and pinning.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on March 04, 2016:

Thanks Peggy. Makes no sense to wear make-up for those of us who work a lot around the house and outside. We would look like raccoons in no time! lol

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 04, 2016:

I wear very little makeup...none if I am at home (unless having company) or working in the yard. I gave up using mascara decades ago. When going out I use a dab of a pencil eyeliner, a bit of blush and some lipstick. Those videos look interesting. Years ago for some fancy affair I had my hair done and some professional makeup applied. When I came home prior to going out to the event, I washed it all off of my face. I simply did not like the look. That was surely a waste of money. Ha! Thanks for writing this. It is interesting to see new ideas and before and after photos.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on February 19, 2016:

You are welcome Vellur; thank you for stopping by. Great to see you!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on February 19, 2016:

Great tips on using makeup the right way. Thank you for sharing.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on February 05, 2016:

Thanks Ann and I do agree. Makeup is fun for us all I know but it is sad when we see someone have too much fun. lol I use to use bronze shadow to make my brown eyes a whole shade lighter, might do that next time I have a date out somewhere special and see if it is still true. Thanks for the reminder!

Ann Carr from SW England on February 05, 2016:

Great tips, Jackie! I no longer wear the make-up I used to. My mother gave me great advice as a teenager; use make-up that makes you look good without people realising you have it on (apart from lipstick). She always looked lovely and her favourites were a pretty lipstick and some nail varnish.

I find that a small amount of green shadow above my eyes makes them look bluer - strange but true! I've taken to using moisturiser, which I never used to do, and that makes my skin look a lot better. A little blusher goes a long way too!

Great hub!

Ann

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 22, 2016:

Blessings to you too, Kathleen. I do think less is better especially as we age. But yes it is great to find out about products that can help keep us looking younger without looking like a clown! lol

Kathleen Kerswig on January 22, 2016:

Thank you for sharing these tips with us. I am over fifty so I appreciate any ideas that will help me look my best. Of course, I have never used a lot of makeup, even in my younger days. But it's always good to know what to do and what not to do as we move through the years. Thanks again! Blessings!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 18, 2016:

Thank you Jasmeetk.

Jasmeet Kaur from India on January 18, 2016:

very helpful tips you shared.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 17, 2016:

In one of the video, the last one I think it showed a product to cover sun spots. I just have those on my arms but I do have a scar on my face so I try to watch to keep sun off it.

Anyway I saw while doing research for this that Cover Girl has a foundation with the primer in it and it has moisturizer too so I am going to pick some of that up. Great deal getting 3 things in one!

Amazon has the best prices on the BB and CC creams even with shipping but I think I will just buy the Cover Girl at Walmart so I can be trying it.

Yes I saw Christy. I don't know that I believe makeup has kept her young looking but I suppose it is possible. Exercise does help I know.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on January 17, 2016:

I do have some cream blush, so I may try that high on my cheekbone. I have high cheekbones but my complexion has some blotches which blush seem to accentuate some. Neutrogena has good products. In fact, there anti-wrinkle cream is amazing. It has some retinol in it that is up to what they can sell without a prescription. It actually works in just a few days. It used to be only $11..99 at Walmart or wherever and now it has gone up to around $15.99, but still good. Now they have a dark circle eraser one too and I bet it works too. I noticed a sunspot recently and I am surprised I don't have more for I used to bake in the sun for hours without sunscreen! We didn't really know about skin cancer back in the day or the damage the sun does to our skin like they know now.

The model from the 70s, Christie Brinkley is now 60 and she looks 30! She has some new products. I think vitamin C and something else combined and put on the skin does wonders, not sure though. I saw her in an ad using that total gym for fitness, which we have here at the house, so I need to get on it. It folds away so easily and you only have to workout on it for 6 - 8 minutes a day. That is how effective it is, and I figured I could squeeze in those few minutes a day with my busy schedule LOL.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 17, 2016:

I might use more of it if I knew how to wear it well, Dora. I am interested too. I think we most know what doesn't look good so by these tips I hope we can be brave enough to try something new! The primer sounds great to me and better if it comes in a makeup which I think I saw a Cover Girl that does and that has always been my favorite. Wish me luck! As long as my chickens and cats still recognize me I guess I am OK! lol

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on January 17, 2016:

Jackie, thanks for the makeup lesson. I haven't had much training so I can really use these tips. I admire women who wear their makeup well. Thank you.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 16, 2016:

That is true Besarian in my opinion too but the young girls can get by with more exaggeration than we can as long as it is not too outlandish!

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 16, 2016:

Oh I know Rachel; that silicone does sound so great. I am hoping before I die they get a product you just spray on and everything just looks like it should! lol You never know! But we would be taking baths in that, huh? hahaha

Rachel L Alba from Every Day Cooking and Baking on January 16, 2016:

I agree, too much make up when you are older, doesn't help, it hurts. It also dries out your skin. I used to love to wear make up when I was in my 20's and 30's, but had to back off after that. Now, it's just basics. I love that video, it helped a lot. I didn't know of a silicone base before, I'll have to look for it. Thanks for sharing all of this information.

Blessings to you.

Besarien from South Florida on January 16, 2016:

Hi Jackie! Wonderful make-up tips for us more mature ladies! It is interesting to me that a lot of these tips work well for both very young girls and older ladies. Both ends of the spectrum do best to keep it looking natural.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 16, 2016:

Thanks rebecca; I think I did find some interesting things. Great to see you.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 16, 2016:

Thanks for stopping by DDE; I rarely do either but I always reserve the right. lol

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on January 16, 2016:

Thanks, Jackie. Good tips. I like make-up that looks natural. And this is very helpful.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on January 16, 2016:

Informative for make-up lovers. I don't use any make-up on my face sometimes lipstick.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 15, 2016:

Thanks Theresa; I know you would be using makeup more often than me and since the main places I go to when I am out shopping doesn't call for looking too great I like using the clear mascara and it does add length and I agree about the lash curlers; I would rather have mine look longer rather than chopped into a curl and even if I use them now and then I have almost always felt that way. I look forward to trying the BB and CC creams and some I saw are for clearing up complexions and so many things others may want to look into! Doesn't hurt to stop and take a look now and then. I do like to dress up a bit now and then which includes a little extra makeup.

Oh I don't wear blush either but in one of the videos it talks about older women using blush way up higher on the cheekbone so I will try that one day and I liked cream blush when I did use it.

Shoot! I need to go shopping!

Faith Reaper from southern USA on January 15, 2016:

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for all the great tips here for us older women!

I don't use mascara on my bottom lashes because I have terrible sinus issues and that seems to add to making my circle under my eyes darker. I am learning to not use so much under eye concealer as it truly does not help the matter. Less is more for sure for us mature women : )

I can't stand that dark makeup look where you can see a line. It seems when I have gotten older, I don't seem to use any blush for some reason.

Getting the perfect match of shade on foundation is key I think. I think I have finally found the perfect shade for me and I have moved away from liquid foundation and use a cream or stick, which are more convenient and easier to control.

I have naturally long eye lashes, but I do love to make sure I have at least mascara on and lipstick if nothing else. The clear conditioner mascara is great to add great length. When I was young, I used the eyelash curler all the time, but now I prefer a more natural lift in my eyelashes.

I did not know that about the lip liner and will try your suggestion.

I will refer back to this hub for tips.

Hugs and blessings

Sharing

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 15, 2016:

There are great whitening creams for the brown spots moonlake; I have a scar that I keep some to dab on and try to protect my face from the sun as much as I can but it is hard to do when probably you like me are always out in it!

I really think it is great to not worry about looks as much today as I once did; knowing how little that really means in life but being woman I guess we cant lose interest entirely. I want makeup with everything in it we would every need don't you? Wouldn't hurt if it curled our lashes while it was at it! lol

moonlake from America on January 15, 2016:

So much goes wrong when we get older. Lashes disappear, eyebrows are so thin they can hardly be seen. Brown spots pop up all over the place. I do need to go through all my makeup and get rid of most of it. I like the last video very interesting she has wrinkles right about in the same places I have them. Enjoyed your hub. The biggest problem I have just being able to see my face.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 15, 2016:

Hahaha Bill! I am sure being around so many women you know exactly what I am talking about.

William Kovacic from Pleasant Gap, PA on January 15, 2016:

Thanks for the information, Jackie! I knew I was doing something wrong.

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 14, 2016:

Hi Nell. I use to love that too and in the one video it shows you can still do it but with lighter shades, I am going to be figuring out how she took so many wrinkles away with makeup! lol

Nell Rose from England on January 14, 2016:

I think I do it right, maybe a bit heavy on the lip liner though, better get rid of that! lol! great ideas and facts, nell

Jackie Lynnley (author) from the beautiful south on January 13, 2016:

If you are packing on the pudding you are! lol Which I am sure you don't!

FlourishAnyway from USA on January 13, 2016:

You mean I'm going to have to Chang my ways? Sigh.