“I realize as you age the less makeup you wear the younger you look.”
~Halle Berry

I love makeup, I really do… and I also believe that by simply having a better understanding of your products and by investing some time in learning what those makeup products can do for you, you can achieve a younger and fresher look in minutes.

You might be using the best anti-ageing products in the market, but if you get your makeup wrong, nobody is going to notice your beautiful skin. Think of it this way, you lay out your prized possessions where they can be seen and admired, not thrown behind a dingy cupboard! After all, you are investing time and money into taking care of your skin, then why let a messy base/foundation ruin that?

I’ve talked in detail about Eye Makeup Tips for Mature Skin before and in the same way when we talk about you face, the formula and colour that you use for as a base will have an immediate effect on how young and fresh you look. Let’s take a look at some Makeup Tips and Tricks that will instantly make you appear fresher and also younger:

Diffuse and Soften Fine Lines

I always say start with prepping your skin. Invest in a good eye cream and moisturiser because as we mature our skin tends to look dehydrated, so a great way to infuse life into it is to add moisture into the skin. However, don’t confuse moisturisers with primers!

You might think there’s no need for a primer if you’ve already used a moisturiser, but that’s where you are going wrong. A moisturiser will only hydrate your skin, but a primer on the other hand will actually help to fill-in your pores and diffuse the fine lines and wrinkles on your skin, especially if it is a silicone based or smoothening primer.

Some of my all-time favourite Drugstore primers are from Paese, Revlon, NYX and CoverGirl. If you’re looking for a High-end primer, then  MAC, Smashbox, Benefit, Chanel, Hourglass, Urban Decay, Laura Mercier and YSL do some excellent ones!

Pick Your Base Wisely

The key to beautiful makeup application (irrespective of age) is that ‘LESS IS MORE’…always. Some people prefer to first use a concealer and then go in with a foundation, but I honestly feel I get better results when I start by using a thin layer of foundation all over  and then go in with a concealer to correct any problem areas, like blemishes, pigmentation, dark spots, under-eye bags, etc.

I also recommend not taking your foundation all the way under and around your eyes. Use only 1 product – either foundation under the eye or concealer, not both. And don’t forget the inner corners – because more often than not, that’s the area that has the darkest shadow. Use your fingers to smooth the product in.

When it comes to foundation, choose one that specifically targets  ageing skin – so something like the Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe, YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint Radiance Awakening Foundation, Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing Balm, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector or even the Fit Me foundation by Maybelline would be perfect.

Lighten Up

Mature skin tends to attract the eye towards lines and darkness on the face, so it’s crucial that you lighten things up. Use a liquid concealer, instead of cream/stick or powder to bring light and brightness to the skin. Stay away from concealers that seep into fine lines and instead opt for one that blurs imperfections to make your skin look luminous.

Bounce It! 

If you have to remember only one thing from this post, it should be this – Out of all the makeup tools accessible to you, a Beauty Blender or any damp sponge is your best friend!

Whatever you apply on your skin, be that foundation or concealer, always PAT it into your skin, never rub, because you don’t want product to settle into your fine lines and pores.  I personally love using a Beauty Blender for my base, but any makeup sponge will do the trick. You can also check out the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and the PAC Precision Blender for Maximum Coverage

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Damp sponges are excellent for makeup application because 1) they don’t soak/eat your products and 2) they sheer out and thin products to give you a beautiful finish.

Go Nude or Be Berry

It’s sad (but true) that our lips shrink as we age, especially the upper lip. So choose a lipstick that’s close to your natural lip colour or go for berry or pink shades. Also, invest in brands that have hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, argan oil or shea butter in their formulas.

Another great way to cheat a ‘plump’ lip look, is to dab some vaseline or Nivea butter at the centre of your lips, as that will make your lips look fuller making you look a lot younger.

Flaunt What You’ve Got

Get That Radiant Glow

It’s a fact that with age your skin starts to produce lesser oil, which makes that your skin becomes relatively dry. I recommend using cream products on mature skin – so a cream blush, cream bronzer and contour as well as cream highlighters (instead of powder). Once again, use a beauty blender to pat that into your skin to give it a radiant glow.