Makeup at 60, 70 and 80: less is more (but the lipstick stays)
Skin changes with the years, and so does the way we apply makeup. The aim is to bring out your glow, rather than hide your age. Here are practical ideas, step by step.
There is no age at which you have to stop wearing makeup if you enjoy it. You may simply want a different approach. Mature skin can be thinner or drier, with pigmentation; lids may settle, and lips lose some fullness or colour. Makeup can work with these changes.
Before makeup: preparation
• Moisturise. Apply a nourishing moisturiser a few minutes beforehand. On dry skin, foundation can crack or settle into lines.
• Sun protection matters in winter, too. For exposed facial skin, choose broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and follow reapplication instructions.
• Use lip balm while doing the rest of your face, so lipstick glides on more easily.
The base: light as a veil
• Try a fluid, luminous foundation rather than a heavy, matte one. Apply with fingers or a damp sponge, only where needed; the centre of your face may be enough.
• Tap creamy concealer onto under-eye shadows or pigmentation rather than dragging it.
• Use powder sparingly, only where needed, with a soft brush. On dry skin, too much can emphasise creases. Check the result in daylight.
Cheeks: a touch of colour
Tap pink or peach cream blush high on the cheekbones and blend towards the temples. A slightly higher placement can give a naturally lifted impression.
Eyes: opening the gaze
• If your eyebrows thin, fill gaps with little strokes close to your natural colour and brush them. Aim for definition without a hard outline.
• Matte or satin shadows in beige, taupe and brown are easy to work with. Glitter and shimmer can draw attention to lid creases.
• Keep liner thin, close to the lashes and softly blended. Brown or grey can look softer than black.
• Concentrate mascara on the upper lashes. Use little or none below if it tends to smudge or feel heavy.
Lips: the finishing touch
Lipstick brightens a whole face, even when everything else is minimal.
• Start with a pencil to define the outline and help keep colour from travelling into fine lines.
• Choose creamy or satin formulas that feel comfortable.
• Dusty pink, coral, raspberry, red. Always loved red? There is no reason to stop now.
Three mistakes to avoid
• Foundation that is too dark “to look tanned”: the line at your neck gives it away.
• Eyebrows drawn too dark or too thin.
• Old products. Your makeup bag deserves a refresh, too.
