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11 Makeup Tips for Women Over 40, According to an MUA

Cindy Crawford wears a subtle makeup look with foundation, pink lipstick, and a brown smoky eye

@cindycrawford / Instagram

Aging is a natural and beautiful process, but we still live in a world where most beauty advice deals with how to prevent its visible signs rather than how to lean into the changes. Most women learn makeup techniques while growing up and rarely receive updated tips, when in fact there are ways to adapt your strategy to better fit your changing complexion, whether your skin isn't as plump or tight as it once was or you've accumulated some fine lines.

Makeup tips specifically for women over 40 are a powerful way to highlight your best features and boost your confidence. We asked makeup artists Elise Marquam Jahns and Samreen Arshad for all their best advice—keep reading to see their insights on makeup for 40 year olds and above, and get ready to look and feel your best.

Meet the Experts

  • Elise Marquam Jahns is a professional makeup artist who specializes in techniques for women over 50 and the Founder of Boomer and Beyond Beauty, LLC. She shares many of her top tips and product picks online via Instagram and YouTube.
  • Samreen Arshad is a professional makeup artist and Founder of Samreen’s Vanity.
01 of 11

Prioritize Hydration

"Mature skin often lacks hydration, so using products that enhance hydration is essential," Arshad advises. "Start with setting the base with adequate hydration. Applying a moisturizing serum or cream with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your skin helps to keep makeup from settling into fine lines. Next, use a hydrating primer that smooths out pores and fine lines. This step is crucial to have a good base for foundation." We like Dieux's Instant Angel Moisturizer.

"Opt for a lightweight, hydrating foundation or tinted moisturizer rather than heavy matte formulas. Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer delivers a sheer finish, allowing your skin to breathe while providing coverage. CC creams are also a great option for mature skin," says Arshad.

02 of 11

Apply Blush to the Apples of Your Cheeks

"Work against gravity by applying your blush on the upper part of your cheekbones in a slightly upward sweep," Jahns tells us. "And our skin tone can change over time, so we also need to be very aware of whether warm or cool undertones will work best for us."

"Powder products can be used on mature skin but very conservatively," Arshad adds. Try a cream blush like Jones Road's Miracle Balm.

03 of 11

Strategically Fill In Your Brows

"The good news is that as we mature, we most likely don't have to pluck our eyebrows as much," Jahns says. "But we should also begin to fill in sparse hairs—especially the 'tails.' I notice most women don't know to fill in the tails of their eyebrows completely." The Sisley-Paris Phyto-Sourcils Design has an easy applicator with a brush on the other end to create a filled-in, fluffy look.

04 of 11

Use Eyeshadow to Open Up Your Eyes

"Less is more," Arshad tells Byrdie. "If you want to use a highlighter or shimmery shadow, apply the shadow on the inner corner of the eyes and under the brows for a lifted effect."

"Our eyelid area changes, but we can open up our eyes by using lighter, nude shade on the lid and under the arch of the brow," Jahns says. "Put a medium to dark tone high enough so these shadows can be seen above 'hooded' eye areas. It also helps to make a backward seven shape at the outer area of the eye to lift the eye."

Another thing to consider is what type of eyeshadow you're reaching for. "I recommend using cream eyeshadows because they are lightweight and don't set into creases," Arshad adds. "If using powders, I suggest using matte powders on mature skin. Shimmery powders exaggerate creases and fine lines."

05 of 11

Avoid a Drying Lipstick Formula

"I think we're all influenced by advertising and trends to some extent," Jahns says. "Not choosing bright enough lipstick colors with luminosity can be a mistake—the color and shine will boost your lips and keep them hydrated. Matte lipsticks and the nude lip look can age anyone."

For a pop of color with just the right amount of shine, the Dior Addict Refillable Shine Lipstick in a shade like 744 Diorama, a coral red, is a gorgeous formula. According to Arshad, "shades with pink undertones are flattering and give a youthful appearance." Try Samreen's Vanity Dual Ended Lipstick in Sugar High.

06 of 11

Don't Give Up on Eyeliner

"Many give up on eyeliner because it's far more difficult to apply when you can't see as well as you used to, but eyeliner gives wonderful definition," says Jahns, who recommends using an eyeliner that has a smudging tool (or a Q-tip) to give a softer look—that way, you can get away with a line that isn't as perfect.

"Another option is to rub an angled eyebrow brush over an eyeliner pencil and use the brush to apply the liner," Jahns tells us. "The brush makes application far easier, and the result is a pretty, soft look. I usually recommend a darker brown on the top lid and a lighter brown applied only to the outer third of the bottom lash line."

07 of 11

Use a Soft Buffer Brush for Foundation

The application process is just as important as the products themselves. Jahns suggests using a soft buffer brush—like this one from It Brushes for Ulta —to apply your foundation to allow it to smooth out your skin instead of settling into fine lines.

"Lipstick 'feathering' or 'bleeding' can also be a challenge due to small wrinkles around the mouth area," Jahns says. "Before putting on lipstick, I recommend using foundation or concealer (with the lips stretched wide when applying) around the mouth area to provide a barrier. Using a lip liner and applying a light application of powder can also be helpful."

08 of 11

Apply Eyeshadow in Small, Circular Motions

"Opening up the eye with a soft vanilla shade on the lid and bringing the medium- and dark-toned shadows higher above the crease makes a world of difference," Jahns tells us. "I love Clinique's All About Shadow Quad in Teddy Bear. Use a small, circular motion with your eyeshadow brush to ensure the shadow is on the eyelid skin evenly. A windshield wiper motion can sometimes miss areas of the lid where there is some crepeyness."

09 of 11

Invest in Cream and Liquid Products

As Arshad mentioned, cream products are your friend when you're dealing with mature skin.

"I definitely recommend cream or liquid foundations and cream blush. Powder can settle in fine lines and emphasize those lines and any crepe-yness we may have in our eye areas. It can also look splotchy and uneven," Jahns says. "For most women, skin tends to get drier as we mature, so using cream products with more moisture is a plus. They're also pretty mistake-proof. It's easy to start with a small dab and gradually build to a soft, light color."

10 of 11

Consider Different Formulas

Though any product is fair game to use at any age, certain formulas do complement your skin better as it ages. "Clinique makes some excellent skincare and makeup products that are fragrance-free and allergy-tested," Jahns says. The brand's Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer is a lightweight formula that still provides full coverage. "Often as we get older, we become more sensitive to product ingredients. Mascaras, eyeliners, and eyeshadows can pose problems for more sensitive eyes."

11 of 11

Reduce Redness with Foundation and Concealer

"For women who need greater coverage due to redness or discoloration, I recommend Clinique's Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, which is a combination foundation and concealer formula," says Jahns. "Clinique also has an excellent product that helps reduce the appearance of larger pores," Jahns continues. "I also love Eve Pearl's HD Dual Foundation and primer."

Byrdie Tip

The sheer number of products each makeup company has can feel overwhelming and intimidating, so ask for samples at makeup counters to help you find the best option. Look for someone who's roughly your age, as they'll likely have some of the same skin concerns and be able to recommend you a product that addresses them best.

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