Makeup Tips & Tricks for Your 40s

Your 40s is the time to fine tune and perfect your look. Your skin and makeup don’t have to look any less radiant as you age, and this is the decade to make some minor tweaks that will make a major difference both now and down the road—changing up the shades you use, trying new application methods, and becoming more selective with the products you use can go a long way.

Check out the beauty tips and tricks for your 40s below.

1. Make Primer Your BFF

Reach for a primer with a blurring formula—like our Universal Primer—and apply it immediately after you finish your skincare routine (which should definitely include an eye cream and serum to keep your face healthy). This will reduce the appearance of fine lines and deep pores to achieve a smooth complexion while helping the rest of your makeup stay put longer. Make sure you press the primer into your skin rather than swiping it on like a moisturizer.

2. Bulk Up Your Eyebrows

To add definition to your face, fill in your eyebrows with a pencil or gel (try our Cream Brow Pencil). As we get older, our brows tend to thin out and this will combat it—brush the product through in an upward and outward motion to beef up your arches in just a few seconds, but make sure you don’t overdo it so that it appears natural.

3. Skip Dark Lips

Wearing a deep shade of lipstick or lip gloss can give the illusion of thinner lips, which ages you. Make corals, pinks, and soft berries your go-to colors to help define your pout and add a youthful touch. If you want to go darker for a special occasion, add clear Lip Gloss for a glossy finish.

4. Apply Liquid Foundation

Powders can dehydrate your skin and settle into fine lines, which in turn accentuates them. A moisturizing cream foundation will keep your skin dewy and hydrated, creating an even complexion and base. It’s best to start the application process at the center of your face and work outward, which is where you’ll likely need the most coverage for redness, discoloration, and blemishes. Blend the product outward towards your hairline, ears, and neck with a brush or sponge to ensure even application and wipe away any harsh lines.  

5. Accentuate Your Crease

As we age, our eyelids can begin to wrinkle and become more hooded which makes them seem darker and smaller. To make your eyes appear brighter and wider, all you need to do is work a medium to dark eyeshadow tone into your crease. To further open up your peepers, use a nude shade on your eyelid and under the arch of your brow as well as in the inner corners of your eyes—this will lift your whole eye area.

6. Use Setting Spray

You may notice that your makeup now settles more easily into your skin, drying it out and accentuating your fine lines and wrinkles—using a setting spray after application will help keep it in place longer and add moisture to your skin at the same time. Just apply a few spritzes of our Sea Mineral Hydra Mist at the end of your routine to finish your look. Make sure to keep a travel size in your bag for a mid-day refresh.

7. Change Your Blush Approach

Instead of swiping product onto the apples of your cheeks, work against gravity by applying your blush on the upper part of cheekbones and sweep the color upward toward your temples. It might also be worth switching to a cream blush, as powder often settles into fine lines and can appear splotchy. Cream formulas combat skin dryness and are more buildable so tend to be easier to use.

8. Choose Colored Eyeliner

If you haven’t already, it’s time to swap your black eyeliner for a navy or brown shade. It won’t seem much different, but the subtle change will make your eyes pop and appear wider without highlighting your crow's feet. You should also change up your application method—rather than drawing a line, dot the pencil along your upper lash line and fill it in neatly with a blender sponge. If you want to avoid eyeliner altogether, try working a darker eyeshadow into your upper lash line with a small Precision Brush for a similar effect.