Does your tried-and-tested makeup routine fail to flatter you like it used to? Age could be at play.
While your cosmetics may have slipped on seamlessly in your 20s and 30s, you may need to make extra considerations come 40, when the skin typically takes on a more mature appearance.
Any good skin care or makeup professional knows that the best routine starts long before applying foundation – preparation is key.
But when it’s time to start applying your base, blush, and more, there are specific methods to use for makeup success.
OnSkin’s certified cosmetologist-aesthetician, Valerie Aparovich, shared her mature makeup routine exclusively with GB News.
Primer
After completing your skin care routine, the expert advised prepping your skin with a cream or gel-based hydrating primer to smooth the surface and boost moisture.
“It will set the stage for foundation application and prevent the makeup from getting cakey or patchy,” Ms Aparovich advised.
Base makeup
Next, it’s time to select your base complexion product. The skin care guru suggested opting for a lightweight, watery foundation, BB or CC cream with hydrating components, or a tinted moisturiser – anything that isn’t too cakey.
“These products offer lower coverage, but they won’t draw moisture from the skin like mattifying formulas,” she explained. “Instead, they create a luminous effect, giving your skin a radiant finish.”
Thick, full-coverage foundations, on the other hand, can settle into fine lines and dry patches and “unfavorably accentuate texture”, she warned.
The best base product doubles as skin care, containing botanical extracts, nourishing oils, and hyaluronic acid to help keep the skin hydrated, the cosmetologist revealed.
Opt for a lightweight, watery foundation, BB cream, CC cream, or a tinted moisturiser
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Blush and eyeshadow
According to the skin specialist, when it comes to blush and eyeshadow, creamy or liquid textures work best for mature skin.
“They blend better with complexion products and the skin without delivering a sharp, uneven, or textured look that can make the signs of ageing more pronounced,” she explained.
Concealer
For bright eyes and a “more rested look”, use a lightweight concealer to gently and sparingly buff away dark circles.
“A thick layer of high-coverage concealer often results in the opposite effect, making the area look cakey and tired,” the expert warned.
‘When choosing lip makeup, opt for creamy formulas over matte ones’
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Highlighter
Mature skin can take on a duller appearance, so a subtle sweep of highlighter can make all the difference post-40.
Apply it to the high points of your face, such as your brow and cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow, Ms Aparovich advised.
She revealed: “It will add radiance and support a refreshed, more youthful look.”
Setting spray
To get the most out of your makeup, a setting spray will lock in all your good work.
“I recommend avoiding powders, as they can create a cakey effect and highlight uneven skin texture as their particles tend to set in,” the expert advised.
Instead, go for a hydrating setting spray for a “glowing” finish. Top tip: you can use it throughout the day to refresh your makeup or whenever your skin feels tight or needs a boost of hydration.
Lipstick
Just like your base makeup and concealer, when it comes to lipstick, always “opt for creamy formulas over matte ones”.
Ms Aparovich said: “Matte lipsticks can absorb moisture, which can provoke dryness and chapping, while creamy formulas packed with nourishing oils and fatty acids help the lips maintain a moisture balance, resulting in a softer and plumper appearance.”