Ever Googled 'how to apply blush over 40'? You're not alone.
My simple method for blush for mature skin is to first find the high point of your cheekbone.
Using that as your starting point, blend your blush up and out towards your hairline and temples to create a more “lifted” look to your face.
When you smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, thanks to a loss of elasticity with age, that blush can sit too low.
(Not unlike some other parts of our body that, erm, aren’t as perky as they once were...)
Best Blush for Mature Skin.
Cream or powder blush for mature skin: An age-old debate.
A cream blush for mature skin will always be my favourite blush formula.
Applying blush over 40 can be tricky, but a cream blush will melt into and hydrate the skin, and it’s really hard to get it wrong.
Best cream blush for mature skin options:
Best powder blush for mature skin:
How to Do Highlighter for Mature Skin.
My top tip for mature faces is to avoid highlighting your brow bone.
This was hot in the 90s, but it brings more attention and emphasis to already hooded or heavy eyelids.
Same goes if you have a lot of laughter lines. Nothing wrong with that, but applying highlighter in that area will emphasise the lines.
Rather, I like to choose a highlight colour that complements your blush of choice, then apply it over your blush on the highest point of your cheekbone.
You can also use highlighter on your cupid's bow to create fuller-looking lips, or add a few drops of liquid highlight to your foundation, moisturiser or BB cream for an all-over glow.
Side note, can someone please tell me why we're highlighting the tip of our noses? I just don’t get it.
Best Highlighter for Mature Skin.
It’s probably no surprise to you all by now that a cream highlighter is my fave formula.
Cream highlighters are also less likely to accentuate crinkles.
Powder highlighters will cling to any dry or dehydrated patches of skin, making them appear drier and more dehydrated, particularly around the delicate eye zone. Avoid if you're super dry.
Liquid highlighters and luminisers are amazinggggg for adding glow to your skin, too.
Best highlighter for mature skin options:
KORA Organics Rose Quartz Luminizer - This one's a new favourite, the colour looks lovely on cool undertones and it has a dewy finish.
Pai The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops - Yes, it's a bit bougie, but think of this as your liquid bronzer and illuminator in one.
How to Do Contour & Bronzer for Mature Skin.
Instead of 'contouring', I prefer bronzer for mature skin.
My contouring for over 40s method involves choosing a satin or matte finish bronzer (avoid glitter and shimmer) with a touch of warmth to subtly and gently shape around the perimeters of your face.
Take a soft fluffy brush and swoosh your bronzer along your jawline to carve out and bring definition to the jaw, this is great for those feeling a little 'jowly'.
You can also sweep it down your chin and onto your neck to soften a double chin, and around your forehead to create that sun-kissed glow.
Keep your bronzer placement higher up on the face, avoiding the mouth area.
I'd also avoid applying bronzer like contour under the hollows of the cheeks as we already lose bone in this area of the face.
Best Face Bronzer for Mature Skin.
What is the best bronzer for mature skin?
For shaping and contouring, powder bronzers are generally easier to use and harder to get wrong than cream bronzers.
I do like a cream for someone with really dry skin, or those who want significant change.
If you're nervous about using a cream bronzer, try applying it underneath your foundation or skin tint.
Best bronzer for mature skin options:
Makeup Palettes for Mature Skin.
If you just can't be arsed with different blush, bronzer and highlighter products, grab a multi-use palette.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Face Palette - Italian Summer (Light To Medium) and Eye Of Horus Sacred Earth Bronzing Palette are two palettes everyone will get great bang for buck out of, no matter their age.
They're even better for travel and doing makeup on the go, AND you can use all the shades for quick eyeshadow looks, too.
A final word of advice: Remember, makeup is all about how it makes YOU feel.
So if you’re loving what you’re currently doing and it makes you feel fab, ignore these tips and please keep it up!
Know I’m here to help you every step of the way to makeup confidence.
For more info on mature skin makeup tips, check out my online makeup masterclass series The Shine Sessions.