5 Expert Pro-Aging Makeup Tips That Actually Work
Embracing your age with confidence is THE best beauty secret. But, also embracing easy makeup + skincare tips, plus the right products, can be an extra added boost to that confidence! I’ve been a makeup artist for over 20 years now, and I’d like to share some of my recent must-have makeup tips for a more mature face. I myself am 46, now closer to 47, so I know a thing or two but also have worked with clients up into their 80s recently. It’s no secret anymore that women DON’T give up on their faces as they age. Most ENJOY the opportunity to enhance that face they’ve earned - they just need a little guidance.
When it comes to makeup for women over 40 and 50+, the goal is not just to look youthful but to enhance and celebrate the beauty that comes with experience. The right techniques and products can make a world of difference, and today, we're diving into my expert makeup tips specifically tailored for a more mature face. I’ll also be sharing the exact products you need to make these work - isn’t that half the battle??
TL;DR
 Jennifer shares 5 Expert Pro-Aging Makeup Tips That Actually Work
 Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
5 Expert Pro-Aging Makeup Tips That Actually Work
1. Shape Your Brows The Right Way
Why it matters: Well-defined and fuller brows frame the face and can definitely help with adding a more youthful vibe overall. You don’t see pre-teen girls around my daughters age with super skinny brows do you?? Their fuller untouched brows just look younger!
What to do: (Note my 4 quad grid above showing before all the way to the after for a visual) Take a spoolie and rake the brow hairs downward to start with. Feels strange, but trust me. Then use a brow pencil a shade lighter than your natural brow hairs (a tad lighter is more forgiving) to connect the roots of the brow hairs into a curved line that actually follows the growth of the root hairs. Once you do this, then push the hairs back upward into their natural position and look how groomed and nice they look!Â
Now just fill in any bare spots with skin showing through using up and down brow strokes to create fullness. Then lock in the brow product and lift hairs with a brow freeze gel to create a lifted eye.Â
Shop the Post
Product Picks:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, $25 or Morphe Micro Brow pencils, $9: A fine-tipped pencil that allows for precise application and a natural look. I’m using ABH pencil in “medium brown.”
Maybelline Super Lock Clear Brow gel, $11: A brow gel that adds volume, lift, and definition to keep eyebrows in place all day.
2. Best Skin Ever
Why It Matters: Skin prep is essential for mature skin to look its very best. Before applying any face makeup, find an effective moisturizer and skin primer - yes even oily skin needs both! For mature skin, choose a moisturizer that hydrates and plumps (oil free for oily gals) and a primer that blurs imperfections to create a smooth base and ensure that makeup stays put.
How to do it: Moisturize first, then primer is second, then continue with foundation and concealer. Both can be applied just with the fingers. But if you want to REALLY get your best looking skin ever, this unconventional method of layering your skincare I posted on SAACA a year ago, will shock and awe you if you’re willing to put in the time and effort and extends the wear of your foundation even loooonger.
Product Picks:
It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream, $59 (for dry skin) or Confidence In a Gel cream Oil Control, $59 (for oily skin): These moisturizers both help to hydrate and plump the skin with the help of hyaluronic acid and peptides, reducing the appearance of fine lines before any makeup is applied. I use both of these different formulas on all of my makeup clients. They both work wonders.
Natasha Denona HyGen Energizing Primer, $48 : You all continue to hear me sing my praises about this magic elixir. Its iridescent glow makes all skin just look better, more hydrated, and allows any foundation to lay beautifully. Almost perfect 5 star reviews.
Shop the Post
3. Do The Eyeliner Shimmy
Why it matters : Many women just give up on eyeliner all together as their eye beds change and it becomes a bit more challenging to apply. Don’t give up on it - it’s worth it. Your eyeliner technique just needs to grow and shift along with your maturing face. Do the “eyeliner shimmy!”
How to do it : Your liner needs to be focused mainly on the upper lash line. You can use something softer than black too. Bronze, browns, charcoal grays all work. Grab a softer gel or kohl pencil, then press into the lash line as close as possible as you can to your lashes and start shimmying-it into the lashes along the length of your lash line. Then do the same little wiggles of color directly underneath the lash line - called tightlighting. Â
Vivienne Sabo Cabaret Mascara, $13. With over 21K reviews, this is no longer a sleeper fave! It’s perfectly described as having a “flexible texture” that makes layering easy and the brush separates lashes very well. I’m on my third tube of it and it keeps my lashes soft and not crunchy like some formulas do.
Product Picks:
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner, $32. Just so good and creamy with amazing pigment and every pencil comes with its own fab sharpener! If you want a cheaper option, the Sephora collection waterproof retractable liners are great for $13. I’m wearing VB kajal liner in “Ash” here.
Shop the Post
4. Concealer Cocktail
Why it matters: The undereyes are one of the biggest tell signs of an aging face. Professional makeup artist, Scott Barnes, who works with many older celeb clients, went viral with this under-eye trick and it works SO good!! Not only does he hydrate the under eyes with Aquaphor lip balm instead of an actual eye cream, he also uses a color corrector concealer, and loose powder.
How to do it: Wipe a good amount of the aquaphor stick under the eye straight from the tube, then press into the skin with your finger until smooth and sunken in. Now add a concealer that isn’t just neutral - typically a pink or apricot shade of concealer works best for light to medium skin and dark skin should look for a peach or orange base.Â
This brightens under eyes instantly. Don’t forget to set with a small amount of finely milled loose powder and you’ll be amazed how smooth they’ll look!Â
SHOP THE POST
Product Picks:
Aquaphor lip repair stick with Spf, $6: the ultimate hydrator that fills in the wrinkles like magic for so cheap!! Oh, and of course it works great for lips too 🙂Â
Natasha Denona HyGlam concealers, $30: This brand takes the cake with color correcting options by categorizing her concealer shades by rosy (pink), peach, neutral, and yellows. The hyglam concealer combines a creamy texture with radiant finish. And ideal for brightening and concealing. I’m wearing shade R2.
Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Talc Free Loose Powders,$52. This is a must-have for me. I like this ultra blur formula even more than the original if that is even possible!!
5. Get Cheeky
Why it matters: We lose a lot of natural color in our complexions as we age and the circulation in our face slows down. Which translates into a sickly look! So it’s a MUST to use cheek color to your advantage. There’s a good formula for that too.
How to do it: A general rule of thumb of where to put the blush on your face no matter your age, is take 2 fingers (your pointer and middle), put them right next to your nose and apply up and out towards the underneath of the temple. And don’t stop there.Â
The big difference between a makeup look that a makeup artist does and usually the normal woman, is that we use dimension to add youthfulness to the face!  And good news is this doesn’t mean having to be a contour expert. I’d actually rather you add a glow - not a glitter or really shimmer - but a glow from within using a liquid highlighter to add pop to the bone structure. This will bounce light off your skin. I tap this on top of my blush for more oomph and in the center bridge of my nose.Â
Product picks:
Patrick Ta Doube Take Creme + Powder Blush, $36. One of the best blush duos on the market in my opinion. You can pick one, or the other, or layer them! I’m wearing shade “she’s that girl,” and the included large mirror is a huge bonus!
L’oreal Lumi Glotion, $16. I am wearing shade “light glow.” If you want to make it a super subtle glow, apply it first, then the blush over. I have also used this all over my face in the darker shade to give a bronzed luminous glow under foundations I own that have gotten too light. I’ve loved this formula for a long time.
Shop the Post
The rest of my look details: Amazon deep V ruffle sleeved top, $23 //  My Converse flat top sneakers are super cute, totally comfortable, and fun sneakers always make my outfit feel more youthful!! In love with this red/pink combo, but they also come in other fun combos and more neutrals, $90. True to size - I’m in a 7 // plumping sheer lip formula with a punch of color, makes lips look fuller! Wearing the Buxom Plump Shot serum,$29, in “Hypnotic Garnet.”(sheer brick red) These are for the woman that doesn’t love lip gloss or lipstick, and wants something in between // // Necklaces by Bauble Bar, tennis bracelet choker, $148, and small initial mother of pearl necklace, $38, similar Amazon coin necklaces, $27. // Wide leg ankle distressed denim, $88, size 27 // Red large reading glasses from Peepers, $29.
Feel free to experiment with these tips and products to find what works best for you. And when you do try these tricks or products, please come back to this post and let me know which one you tried!
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly welcomed August. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Wow! Love this post and will definitely try these tips!
Yay! Please do try one or all of them! Have fun
Thank you for the great tip to enhance my eyebrows. I just did it and it works great !
I love your tips and advice, thank you.
Hey Beth – isn’t the eyebrow trick such a game changer?? glad it worked for you and thanks for taking time to let me know you’re enjoying my makeup tips + tricks.
Hi Jennifer, I love these tips, and I appreciate your before and after pictures.
I laughed at the “before” on this one, because I’ve recently had cataract surgery on both eyes and haven’t been able to apply eye make-up. I’ve looked like your “before” picture for about a month now, and I can’t stand it! Make-up makes such a difference in how you feel about yourself. This post is wonderful, just bought a few things, and can’t wait to get back into the groove in about a week!
Oh goodness Nancy I feel for you if you’ve not been able to apply eye makeup – ha!! That would put me in such a rut! But it’s all for the greater good and once you’re all healed you’ll have great eyesight AND a beautifully decorated face!! Have so much fun with your new makeup products 🙂
Hi, I loved your post. I have a very fair complexion so sunscreen is a must. Would I apply it under the It cream or over the cream & before the primer?
I use Supergoop Un seen Sunscreen.
Have been enjoying your suggestions. I had been looking for a collagen cream for my face. On my second jar of the L’Oréal Paris age perfect collagen expert retightening cream day. Now I can’t find it anywhere, saying out of stock. What was the other brand you suggested. I think your followers purchased it all up. LOL. Thank you.