When it comes to the world of instant makeup trends, it's safe and comforting to know what really works - and what's just hype, media and marketing. As a beauty editor who has spent decades shooting photos with top makeup artists and A-list celebrities, I've learned 10 of the best tried-and-true tips for women over 50. Despite the new brands, formulas and techniques, rely on these insider secrets in your DIY routine.
1. Start fresh
Successful makeup needs to be applied immediately after washing, exfoliating and moisturizing your face. A combination of warm water, facial massage and your choice of cream, oil or serum smooths things out by plumping up lines, buffing away flakes and hydrating dry or post-menopausal skin. This means absolutely no gaps between cleansing, moisturizing and makeup. To be clear: you can't wash your face, eat, check messages, shop online or make phone calls before continuing where you left off.
2. Put on your eye makeup first and then your face makeup
This is a smart and mess-free sequence. Don't worry about powder shadows falling on your cheeks or under-eye eyeliner "smudging" your foundation, blush or concealer and needing to be redone. Preparing your eyelids with a primer or cream shade first will keep your eye makeup fresh and ensure a smoother, more even application.
3. Energize your eyes with brown or black gel pencil eyeliner
More colorful than typical eyeliners, less messy than gel on a brush, and more flattering than harsh liquids or markers, these waterproof eyeliners recreate firmer, more defined eyes. Place your elbows on the table to keep your hands steady. Looking in the mirror, lift your chin and make small, back-and-forth strokes along the base of your upper eyelid. Starting with the outermost eye, work your way toward the tear ducts, tapering down about three-quarters of the way down. Get as close to the base of the lashes as possible to fill in the gaps thoroughly. Dense pigmentation (rather than line thickness) is what creates a strong border. Enhance the shape of the eye by "tightening" the waterline under the upper lashes. Gently press the brow bone to expose the edge and the underside of the line. Be gentle when drawing the line under the eye, or for a more dramatic look (especially on deep-set eyes), draw the line over the lower lid waterline.
4. Spend the money on an eyelash curler, but don't buy black mascara
A quality eyelash curler - like those from Kevyn Aucoin, Shiseido or Bobbi Brown - won't snag, curl or break sparse, dry lashes and will last for years. It's all in the shape, the hinge and the liner. Hold the open curler near the base of your lashes, close it slowly and hold for 30 seconds. Use simple, low-cost drugstore black mascara like a pro - there's no need to spend more than you have to because you'll be tossing and renewing it every three months. Slowly roll the mascara wand from the root of the curl to the tip in a zigzag swing so that the densest part of the product is at the bottom, where it will thicken the lashes.
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