Makeup After 40 - A few updates that can make you look fresher

When you're young, makeup sits just right and you can pretty much get away with anything if you know the basic rules of thumb like blending well, matching your foundation and choosing to play up the eyes or the lips but not both at the same time. When you're no longer exactly a teenager, things can start to get a little more complicated. Fret not, we're here to give you some tips.

Foundation

The two main things you have to remember regarding skin and foundation is that your skin changes with the years both in condition and in tone and that foundation will only look good on a skin is has been well taken care of. As you age, your skin tends to get drier and, obvisouly, wrinkles start to be a concern. Don't forget to wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser (mild, always, always, always use a mild cleanser), exfoliate (the frequency depends on what you use), moisturize and protect from the sun. Update your routine whenever you feel that you need to - I usually recommend every six months, with the season change. As far as foundation, it needs an update as well!

Here's a foundation I like, Clinique's Even Better foundation.

With age, your skin gets lighter, so the foundation color you wore at 20 may be the wrong color for you now! Get a consultation with a makeup artist at a department store, get your foundation matched and even if you don't want to buy foundation from there, at least now you know what great foundation looks like and you can search around for a similar one. Avoid foundations that are too matte and too shiny, go for a happy medium! Whatever you do, though, don't go too pink: it makes you look drained even if your skin tone is a little on the pink side (in which case you should wear a foundation that is neither yellow nor pink).

Eyes

When it comes to eye makeup, there are also two main things to remember: avoid harsh lines and avoid chunky glitter. Chunky glitter is too juvenile and makes the texture of your skin look more uneven; harsh lines are a pretty heavy look that is very dated, especially on your lower lashline. Practice blending eyeshadows and avoid pencils whenever possible - even if you love eyeliner, it's best to invest in a good angle brush and do your eyeliner with eyeshadow (since it looks softer).

You can never go wrong with neutral eyeshadow! 

I love this Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay

Lips

Beware of the lipstick you buy! Don't buy anything too pale as it can drain the color out of your complexion and also avoid anything too matte because it looks drying. If you feel that lipstick fades and feathers, apply a fine layer of foundation or concealer and then apply your lip-color. I don't like lipgloss at all, but some people do and I respect that - however, I think a "glaze" lipstick, which is basically a solid lipgloss looks better and feels just as comfortable.

Give Stila's Color Balm Lipstick a try! 

Resist the temptation to make your lips look fuller by lining them on the outside. A lip-liner that is as close to your natural lip color as possible, lining your lips on your actual lip line and also filling in your lips is the best way to make your lips look fuller.