Makeup Tips & Tricks for Your 50s (and Beyond)
Posted on April 16 2019
We’re firm believers in the age is nothing but a number motto, but that doesn’t mean your skin and makeup have to look any less radiant as you get older. It’s inevitable that our complexion will change as we age, introducing new issues or dilemmas that we haven’t had to confront before. The best way to stay fresh and glowing? Switch up your skincare routine, the makeup you use, avoid common mistakes, and find new application methods that will better serve you as your face matures.
Check out the beauty tips and tricks for your 50s and beyond below.
1. Put Skincare First
Good skincare should be the first step in your beauty routine at any age, but as you get older the health of your skin becomes even more important. It's crucial to follow a morning routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sun protection, and then add a serum (like our Advanced Polypeptides Searum) into your nighttime routine. Cater your products to your skin type, always be sure to use a cream specifically made for eyes in that delicate area (try our Marine Anti-Aging Eye Cream), and add a facial oil into the mix if you have dry skin or want an even dewier youthful glow.
2. Prime Your Eyelids
Even if you don’t have particularly oily eyelids, using an Eyeshadow Primer can help reduce some of the visible signs of aging and keep your makeup in place all day. As we get older our skin becomes thinner—especially around our eyes—which can result in fine lines and uneven tones. Simply tap the primer onto your lids and you’ll have brighter peepers instantly, whether you choose to add eyeshadow or not.
3. Reach for Matte Finishes
We love sparkle as much as the next person, but so do any fine lines that you have on your face. Makeup that includes excessive amounts of shimmer and glitter (especially around your eyes) tends to settle into your wrinkles and accentuate them—simply restrict highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes, the centers of your eyelids, and on your brow bones. Reach for Gabriel Eyeshadow (we have several stunning matte options) and Gabriel Powder Blush, which should be applied solely on your cheekbones (not on the apples of your cheeks) in order to give your face a natural lift.
4. Skip the Powder
A moisturizing cream foundation makes the perfect base, and will help to even out your complexion. 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. Don’t Forget Your Eyebrows
To add definition to your face, make sure to 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 even sprout the occasional gray hair—brush the product through in an upward and outward motion to beef up your arches in just a few seconds.
6. Use Setting Spray
You may notice that your makeup has begun to fade faster than it used to—using a setting spray 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 after your makeup application to finish your look. Bonus: this versatile product can also be used throughout the day to refresh and hydrate your entire body.
7. Change Your Eyeliner Approach
As we age, our eyelids can begin to wrinkle and become more hooded which makes eyeliner difficult to get just right. For the best results and to make your peepers appear larger, select a color other than traditional black—like Charcoal, Chocolate Brown, Indigo, Slate, or even Pine. You should change up your method too—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.
8. Conceal Wisely
Don’t go overboard with concealer, particularly under your eyes where your skin is delicate. To get the best coverage, choose a shade or two lighter than your skin tone for the undereye area—this will conceal dark circles and also brighten your eyes. Apply it with a brush to keep it from getting too heavy, and put it only on the dark areas and not under your entire eye. If your dark circles are major or you have other discoloration on your skin, reach for our Color Correcting Primer first and follow it up with our Cream Concealer.