MomSkoop
As we gracefully age, our makeup routines deserve thoughtful updates to complement our changing skin. What worked in our 30s might not be the best choice for our 50s and beyond. Many women discover through trial and error that certain makeup techniques can actually add years rather than create that fresh, vibrant look we’re after. Here are ten common makeup missteps that women over 50 have wisely learned to leave behind.
1. Heavy Foundation That Settles Into Lines
Thick, cakey foundation is the number one culprit for aging skin instantly. As we mature, our skin produces less oil and becomes drier, making heavy formulas look unnatural and emphasize every fine line. Opt instead for lightweight, hydrating foundations or tinted moisturizers that offer buildable coverage. Products labeled “luminous” or “dewy” work wonders for mature skin by adding a subtle glow. Apply with a damp makeup sponge for the most natural finish, focusing coverage where needed rather than coating your entire face. Remember: less is definitely more when it comes to foundation after 50.
2. Skipping Moisturizer Before Makeup
Rushing to apply makeup without proper skin prep is a recipe for disaster. Mature skin needs hydration to create a smooth canvas and prevent makeup from looking patchy or emphasizing dry areas. Take time to apply a rich moisturizer about five minutes before your foundation. This crucial step allows your skin to drink in the hydration, creating the perfect base for flawless makeup application. For extra benefits, choose formulas with hyaluronic acid or peptides that plump the skin temporarily. Your foundation will glide on more smoothly, and your overall look will appear more radiant and youthful throughout the day.
3. Dark, Harsh Eyeliner All Around Eyes
Remember those dramatic black-rimmed eyes from the 80s? That harsh look now does mature eyes no favors. Heavy liner all around the eyes creates a dated appearance and can make eyes look smaller and more tired. Soften your approach with smudged, softer colors like browns, plums, or navy. Focus liner mainly on the upper lash line, keeping the lower lash line more subtle or even bare for a fresh, open-eyed effect. Try “tight-lining” just between the upper lashes rather than creating a thick line above them. This technique defines eyes beautifully without the heaviness that can drag down mature eyes.
4. Forgetting to Fill Thinning Brows
Many women notice their once-full eyebrows becoming sparser with age. Hormonal changes can cause brow thinning, yet leaving brows unfilled creates an unfinished look and misses a key opportunity to frame the face. The secret is using light, feathery strokes with a brow pencil or powder slightly lighter than your natural brow color. Harsh, dark brows look obviously drawn-on and can appear severe against mature skin. Focus on filling gaps rather than drawing an entirely new shape. A clear brow gel applied afterward helps keep everything in place while still looking natural and giving your face that polished, put-together appearance.
5. Matte Lipsticks That Dry Out Lips
Long-wearing matte lipsticks might seem practical, but they’re often the worst choice for mature lips. These formulas tend to settle into lip lines and accentuate any dryness, making lips look shriveled rather than smooth. Creamy, hydrating formulas with a slight sheen create a more youthful appearance. Bonus points if your lipstick contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin E or shea butter that treat lips while you wear them. Neutral roses, soft corals, and berry tones generally flatter mature skin tones better than extremely dark or extremely pale shades. A matching lip liner prevents color feathering into fine lines around the mouth while helping your lipstick last longer.
6. Powder Overload That Flattens Skin
Excessive face powder is aging’s silent accomplice. While younger skin might benefit from oil control, mature skin rarely needs heavy powdering and actually looks more youthful with a natural glow. Limit powder application to just your T-zone if needed. Choose finely-milled, light-reflecting formulas rather than heavy, matte powders that can settle into lines and accentuate texture issues. For touch-ups during the day, blotting papers work wonderfully to remove excess shine without adding more product layers. This approach maintains that coveted luminous quality that makes mature skin look healthy and vibrant rather than flat and lifeless.
7. Shimmer Eyeshadow on Crepey Lids
Glittery, high-shimmer eyeshadows draw attention to textured eyelids in all the wrong ways. The reflective particles highlight every crease and fold, making crepey lids more noticeable rather than less. Matte or subtle satin finishes create a more sophisticated eye look for mature women. Soft neutrals like taupes, soft browns, and muted plums flatter most eye colors while creating dimension without emphasizing texture. Apply darker shades at the outer corner and crease, with lighter shades on the lid and inner corner. This classic technique creates the illusion of lifted eyes without relying on shimmer to create dimension, resulting in a polished look that enhances rather than ages your eyes.
8. Neglecting Changing Skin Undertones
Many women continue using the same foundation shade they’ve worn for decades, not realizing their skin undertones often change with age. What once looked natural might now appear oddly yellow, pink, or ashy against your current skin tone. Skin typically becomes more neutral or cool-toned as we age. Those who once had warm, golden skin might find their complexion now has more neutral or even slightly pink undertones. Get professionally color-matched every few years, or test foundations along your jawline in natural light. The right shade should virtually disappear when blended. This simple adjustment can dramatically improve your overall makeup look and prevent that telltale makeup mask effect.
9. Harsh Blush Placement That Ages
The classic 80s stripe of blush across the cheekbones is outdated and unflattering for mature faces. This technique can emphasize sagging and create a harsh, unnatural look that ages rather than enhances. Modern blush application focuses on lifting and warming the face. Try placing cream or liquid blush (which looks more natural than powder) slightly higher on the cheekbones, blending upward toward the temples. Soft peach, warm pink, or subtle berry shades create a natural-looking flush. The goal is to mimic that healthy glow you get after light exercise – not the dramatic contoured look that works better on younger faces with more defined bone structure.
10. Ignoring Changing Lash Needs
Continuing to use the same mascara formula from your younger years often leads to disappointing results. Lashes typically become thinner, shorter, and less dense after 50, requiring different products to look their best. Volumizing formulas that aren’t too wet work better than lengthening mascaras on mature lashes. Look for conditioning ingredients like peptides that strengthen lashes over time. An eyelash curler becomes essential for opening up the eyes, and a lash primer can create a fuller base before mascara application. Focus application at the lash roots for the most lifting effect, and consider brown-black mascara for a softer look than stark black provides on mature faces.