5 Pro Makeup Tips for Women Over 40

TREND

Mar 18

Work smarter, not harder for fresh, glowing skin.

First, let’s get this out of the way: Women over 40 are not old! We don’t need to look younger. We want to look good. Full stop. I am turning 44, and I really like where I am and how I look. I call my 40s “the comeback decade.” My kids are getting older. They sleep (for the most part), so I sleep (for the most part). After a decade of babies, I’m ramping up my career, and I can put more effort into my self-care routines. Plus, many women feel more confident in this 4th decade than they did in their younger years, and that’s pretty darn sexy, right?

Still, it’s impossible to ignore the changes in our skin that sneak up on us with the natural aging process and after years of accumulated sun damage — changes in texture and skin tone, dullness, dark circles, enlarged pores, and more. Fortunately, small tweaks in your makeup routine can make a big difference. I tapped makeup artist and beauty influencer Sandra Goelz, who has grown a massive following from sharing her 40+ makeup secrets on Instagram. Her motto: “Less is more and more is more.” Sometimes, we need to tone it down, while other times we need to amp it up! Here, Goelz shares her top five makeup secrets for women over 40 who want even brighter, smoother, and youthful-looking skin. (Hi, it’s me!)

1. Prime and Prep

OK, technically, this is a skincare tip, but what you layer under your makeup sets the tone for how good your makeup (and skin) will look throughout the day. Moisturizers plump up the skin, creating a smooth surface for makeup to sit on. “Serums are especially good for women over 40 because they offer concentrated formulas to address specific aging skin concerns like hydration, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven tone,” she says. “They contain potent ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to hydrate, plump, and rejuvenate the skin effectively.” Goelz launched her own skin serum, SG Skin 5-in-1 Serum, for $39.

“And if you have dull skin, which many of us do over 40, a few drops of facial oil goes a long way for adding glow.” Goelz is currently loving Bellame Facial Oil Infused With Baobab, $68. Let moisturizers or serums sink into the skin for three to five minutes before applying a primer, which helps blur fine lines, minimize pores, and ensure makeup lasts longer. She likes Bellame Illuminating Primer, $39.

2. Switch to a Serum-Based Foundation

When you see texture in your skin or uneven tone, you may instinctively reach for a heavier foundation to cover it all up, but that can call more attention to texture. You can still use a full-coverage foundation but in a lightweight, serum-like formula. “Foundations with skincare ingredients [think hydrating hyaluronic acid] are trending right now and give the skin a dewy finish,” says Goelz. These formulas glide over the skin and don’t settle into fine lines and pores. Goelz likes to apply using a dense brush in a stippling motion, which gives you a diffused look. If you rub or swipe on your makeup, it will cause caking and creasing and give you an uneven application. Her pick: Bellame Flawless Radiance Foundation, $48.

3. Soften Your Eye Makeup

“You could do a glam eye at any age, but to me, a softer eyeshadow and avoiding harsh lines create a more flattering, youthful look,” says Goelz. If your lids are starting to droop, dark colors that aren’t properly blended can visually age you by pulling the eye down. Instead, go with softer shades in cream formulas. “Creamy textures are easier to blend and less likely to settle into creases than powders.” Avoid hard, dark liner, too, and opt for a smudgy, soft brown. Try a creamy pot or an easy-to-wield stick. Goelz likes Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick , $26.

4. Blush Strategically

Here’s another area where more is more. A bright pop of color on the cheeks instantly brightens a blah complexion. But it’s not just about color. Depending on where you apply it, blush can lift or add the appearance of volume to your cheeks, something we lose with age. For a lifting effect, apply the blush higher up on the cheekbone. For volume, apply it on the apples of your cheeks. “Avoid placing it too low on the face; it’ll drag your face down,” Goelz says, who likes cream blushes in warm, rosy tones — flattering and youthful on most skin tones. Goelz loves Honest Creme Cheek + Lip Color, $20.

5. Boost Your Brow

Brows tend to get sparse with age (and years of over-plucking, Gen X and elder millennials!), but they serve an important purpose in framing the face. So, if yours are lacking, fill in brows with a soft pencil or powder, says Goelz. “It creates a more polished appearance without looking harsh,” she says. Draw soft strokes in an upward motion. Line your inner brows up with the tip of your nose and the outer brows with the outer corner of your eye. Try Bellame Brow Pomade, $22.