Key Makeup Tips for Maintaining Skin Health After 40

Entering your Forties is a powerful time of transformation for your skin, and maintaining its health while enjoying makeup can be wonderfully gratifying. As a pro-age makeup artist, I’m passionate about sharing ways to both enhance your natural beauty and nurture your skin’s health. Here are essential tips for women over 40 to keep their skin healthy and vibrant while using makeup.

1. Prioritise Skin Preparation

The key to great makeup begins with the condition of the skin underneath. Always start with a nourishing skincare routine—cleansing, toning, serums, and moisturising tailored to your skin type. Applying a hydrating  primer can create a smooth, supple surface and prevent makeup from drying out the skin.

2. Choose Hydrating Formulas

Opt for makeup products that promote hydration. Foundations and concealers infused with Squalane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Seed Oil or other moisturising ingredients. These ingredients are particularly effective at preventing makeup from drying out the skin or settling into fine lines and wrinkles. By maintaining the skin’s hydration levels, these components help ensure that makeup can apply more smoothly and stay put without highlighting dry areas or age signs. Avoid ingredients Bismuth Oxychloride and Dimethicone.

3. Use Sun Protection

Sun damage is a major contributor to premature aging. Incorporate makeup products with SPF or layer your makeup over a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Protecting your skin from UV rays is crucial in preventing further signs of aging like dark spots and texture changes. (I love using AireyDay)

4. Opt for Cream-Based Products

Powder products can often settle into fine lines and exacerbate the appearance of dryness. Cream-based blushes, eyeshadows, and highlighters blend seamlessly into the skin, providing a youthful, dewy finish that enhances rather than hides your natural complexion.

5. Keep it Light

Heavy makeup can accentuate lines and wrinkles. A light application of foundation, a touch extra where you need more coverage. Embrace your natural beauty by not over-applying product.

6. Focus on the Eyes

With changes in skin texture and elasticity, focusing on eye makeup can dramatically lift and brighten your overall look. Use a base that will help neutralise the natural oils that our lids have that tend to eat away at our eyeshadow making it disappear! and to prevent creasing.(Our Cream Base Multisticks are great for this).  Choose mascaras and eyeliners that are smudge-proof to avoid under-eye smearing, which can make you appear older.

7. Define Your Brows

Full, well-defined eyebrows can frame the face and make you look younger. Use a cream base brow product to fill in sparse areas lightly. Choose a colour that closely matches your current brow/hair colour for a natural look.

8. Choose Natural, Vibrant Lip Colors

Avoid matte and long-wearing lipstick formulas as they can be drying. Instead, go for hydrating lipsticks/glosses or tinted balms that keep lips moisturised. Shades that enhance your natural lip colour can make you look fresh and lively without being overpowering.

9. Regularly Clean Your Makeup Tools

Bacteria and product build-up on brushes and sponges can cause skin irritation and breakouts. Wash your makeup tools weekly with a gentle hand wash or brush cleaner to keep them—and your skin—clean and healthy.

10. Listen to Your Skin

Pay attention to how your skin reacts to products. If you notice irritation or prolonged dryness, reassess the products you’re using. Your skin’s needs can change over time, so be flexible and willing to adjust your makeup choices to accommodate those changes.

By incorporating these tips into your makeup routine, you can enjoy applying makeup while also taking excellent care of your skin’s health. Remember, makeup should be fun and empowering, a way to express yourself while caring for your skin’s unique needs as you age.