Contents[Hide]

Makeup Tips By Age

Whether you are 18 or 80, there is surely a product  out there created to enhance your natural beauty.  Choosing the correct makeup  can make a big difference in how long you spend in front of the mirror  and how well your look turns out!  We are here to help you find that perfect shade of lipstick  or the right type of blush  for your age.  These makeup tips will keep you looking and feeling your best! 

 


Teens and Twenties

Today's young women are more trend-conscious and brand-aware than ever before.  This is the time to experiment with makeup and play with hip, fresh lines of products.  Look for makeup formulated with good-for-you ingredients, the perfect choice for young women who want to play with fun and colourful shades, while still looking young, natural, and fresh.  And always keep in mind that there is no need to overdo it; if you enhance just ONE of your best facial features, you are good to go.    

Face

  • Go light and easy.  Unless you are self-conscious about imperfections, there is really no need for heavy foundation  unless it is a special occasion.  Try something sheer, like tinted moisturiser  This will give you some coverage without making you look too made-up.  
  • When it comes to blemishes, scars, or red spots, you will want to find a good concealer  that is slightly lighter than your natural skin tone.   

Cheeks

  • Blush  is not a total necessity, and keep in mind that it can sometimes destroy what would otherwise be a beautiful look.  To avoid looking too much like a clown, avoid cream blush  and stick to lightweight powders
  • Light pinks  and peaches  complement just about any skin tone.  Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend outward, towards your hairline. 
  • Another alternative to blush is a light bronzer  To highlight your face, dust a small amount of bronzer to your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose.  The idea is to look lightly sun-kissed, not super glowy.  

Eyes

  • Neutral tones  are always best during the day.  Pencil eye-liner  is also much more appropriate than a liquid or gel, as they can look over-dramatic.  Save the shocking colours and dramatic looks for a special occasion. 
  • When heading out at night, look for shadows with a bit of a shimmer  to make your eyes pop, or a cream shadow  for a more dramatic effect.  You can even play with false lashes  or liquid liner  to really shake things up.
  • Know that black-brown hues of mascara  and eye-liner  will flatter most faces.  A deep black is usually too harsh, especially on blondes. 

Lips

  • You will want to always have lip balm  handy to keep lips from getting too dry! 
  • For the lovers of red lipstick keep it sheer  and keep it glossy  If this is the route you go, be sure to keep the rest of your makeup to a bare minimum so that your lips really stand out!


Thirties 

As women become more mature, facial features begin to change.  In your thirties, you will want to take steps to prevent future problems from occurring (fine lines and wrinkles), and work to enhance your most prominent features for a more sophisticated look! 

Face

  • If you are privileged enough to still have radiant skin, skip out on foundation and opt for a tinted moisturiser  Be sure to wear SPF  though, as we all know how quickly the sun can bring on the wrinkles.
  • For imperfections, apply that concealer  However, stick to your skin tone.  Using a lighter tone may only make the coverage more obvious. 

Cheeks

  • Skin pigmentation starts to diminish as we age, sometimes leaving your face looking washed out.  You will absolutely want to try some blush  to help with this problem. 
  • Since we know how important it is to avoid the sun, you can still get that sun-kissed look with a great skin bronzer  Match a tone with your natural colour, not one too dark, and brush it all over your face.  You can also think about using a liquid bronzer  on your arms or legs for an all-over glow.

Eyes

  • First of all, you will want to start applying a base layer of eye cream  before you put on any makeup.  This will help treat and prevent the wrinkles  and will make your eyes seem so much brighter.
  • To really make your eyes pop, look for shadows with a bit of a shimmer  to them.  You can also use light coloured cream shadows  to highlight the under-eye area.  Pay close attention to highlighting the inner corners of the eyes to make them look bigger, hide dark under-eye circles, and take the attention away from crow's feet. 
  • Use deeper and smoky shades  in the evening for an ultra-sophisticated look. 

Lips

  • There is flexibility with lip colour as it can be bold or muted.  If you are starting to find that those vertical lines are creeping up along your lip area, go for subtle hues  of lipstick; you don't want to draw attention to any problem spots.  
  • If your lips are your best feature, try for the ultimate in sophistication with a bold red lipstick  on with a bare, dewy face.  
  • When red is too much to handle, go for a sheer, long lasting lipstick  that is easy to wear any time.  Make sure to moisturise your lips often with nourishing lip balm


Forties and Over 

This is usually the time where women begin to evaluate their looks.  Many feel that this is the time to become a Plain Jane, yet we couldn't disagree more.  You will need to think about ways to keep yourself looking both current and beautiful as you age, and keep in mind that there are no absolutes!  The makeup looks and hair styles that are flattering on certain 40-year-olds might be too low key for some 60-year-olds; it's all the matter of an individual's skin, hair, features, and where they are in the aging process.  However, there's pretty much no getting around it: at some point as you get older, your features will need more definition.

Face

  • Skin changes as you get older, and it is important to use a moisturiser  that is appropriate for your skin type.  As you age, your skin will mostly likely become dryer, making its nourishment more important than ever. 
  • If you find that your liquid foundation feels a bit too heavy, try mixing it with some moisturiser  to provide appropriate coverage with a smooth finish.  The goal is to keep your skin looking light and clean! 

Cheeks

  • You will want to keep your cheeks looking soft, smooth, and bright.  The best way to do so is to use a cream blush  for a dewier look.    
  • Avoid using anything matte.  Often powder blushes will have too much shimmer to them, which only enhances the appearance of wrinkles and dry skin.     
  • When it comes to application, only apply  the blush to the apples of your cheeks to avoid looking over-done.

Eyes

  • Avoid glitter and shimmer shadows, as they only make creases more noticeable.  Instead, use a liquid  or mousse shadow  that will sit on top of the skin, and finish it off with mascara  and a soft application of eye-liner 
  • Know that neutral colours will be much more flattering than bold ones.  Look for light diffusing neutrals bright white  for the inside corners of the eyes, or classy browns  that will appear soft and make the eyes stand out.   
  • As your eyebrows get sparser, you may want to give them extra definition with a powder, pencil or gel that is close to your natural hair colour. But remember to apply it with a light touch!

Lips

  • Give lips a boost! Manufacturers now make ceramid and peptide-infused lipsticks, which helps your pout look fuller and more plump  
  • To get a great look every day, first start with a waxy lip pencil Coat lips with a sheer   (never matte) lipstick in a blue base to help make teeth look whiter. Top it all with a touch of gloss  and you're ready to go!
  • Apply your foundation  and/or powder  close to the lip line.  This will help avoid any "feathering" or "bleeding" that may occur with the application of lip colour   


Related Guides 

Check out some of our other buying guides to help you even more! 

External Links

  • BeautySurvival.com:  Find information on everything beauty, all in one place.
  • eHow.com:  An article on how thirty-somethings should apply makeup.
  • iVillage.com:  Keep track of the latest beauty and makeup trends.
  • LovetoKnow.com: Read more about makeup for tweens.