Celebrity make up artist Amanda Ramsey is out to prove that women should feel beautiful – and visible – no matter the age on their birthday cake.
The industry veteran, who has done make up for everyone from Julia Gillard to Jackie O, now focuses almost exclusively on women over the age of 40.
And Amanda has shared some of her top tips and tricks with FEMAIL, from where you should never put cream concealer to why perfecting smoky eyeshadow.
Amanda, who describes herself as ‘pro-ageing’, believes another year in the books shouldn’t mean giving up your favourite looks.
Celebrity make up artist Amanda Ramsey (pictured) is out to prove that women should feel beautiful – and visible – no matter their age
The industry veteran now focuses almost exclusively on women over the age of 40, helping teach them everything from foundation to the perfect smoky eye (pictured)
That’s why she created an entire guide to ‘Smokin’ Smoky Eyes’, which she thinks is a perfect technique for older women to master.
‘It really helps to lift a hooded or droopy eye, which tends to be what happens to us as part of the ageing process,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I think women associate the smoky eye with a dark, sooty look, but it doesn’t have to be that. You can use soft pastel colours, or build up colour if you’re feeling more brave.’
Amanda’s smoky eye includes three simple rules:
‘One, keep it simple, don’t try to do too much if you’re not confident,’ she said. ‘You could take one colour and just smoke it underneath your eyes.’
‘Two, choose soft pretty colours and steer away from harsh black and charcoal greys.’
Amanda has shared some of her top tips and tricks with FEMAIL, including how putting some shimmer eyeshadow in the inner corner of the eyes can immediately perk up a face
When it comes to skin, Amanda said women over 40 need to learn to love luminous foundation to recreate the dewiness of our twenties
‘And then three, blend, blend, blend! This is the main secret to a successful smoky eye for women over 40 because it means no harsh lines.’
Sweeping the colour under your eye and blending it out also gives the illusion of lifting your eye up and out, Amanda added.
The fashion world may currently be obsessed with glitter, but Amanda advises that women over 40 stick to some carefully placed shimmer
‘Use it on the inner corner of your eye where your tear ducts are,’ she advises. ‘When you put it there it really helps and perks you up.’
‘It’s my instant “amazing night sleep” tip, it makes you look away and vibrant and ready for the day.’
Amanda also advises opening up your eyes with an eyelash curler, lots of black mascara, and avoiding a full lid of shimmer – which will just accentuate wrinkles.
Amanda, who runs Secrets from a Beauty Insider and teaches masterclasses to women over 40 on the Gold Coast, also warns that they stay away from under eye cream concealer
Amanda counts Australian world champion athlete Sally Pearson among her beauty clients
She also recommends adding a pop of blush to the apple of the cheeks and lining your Cupid’s Bow, before adding a bold red lipstick, to freshen up your make up.
And don’t forget to fill in the gaps for those disappearing eyebrows, she adds.
When it comes to skin, Amanda said women over 40 need to learn to love luminous foundation.
‘Luminous foundation is a little bit difficult for women over 40 and 50 to get their head around because they come from a generation in the 1980s where it was all about matte and flat, and a really powdered finish,’ she said.
‘But once we hit 30, our bodies stop producing collagen and that deliciousness that helps plump our skin isn’t being produced anymore.’
‘The luminous foundation helps to recreate the dewiness of our twenties. And if you’re worried about shine, just powder your T-Zone.’
Amanda is an industry veteran and has done make up for everyone from Julia Gillard to Jackie O
Amanda hopes to continue inspiring women to use bold colours and looks, no matter their age
Amanda, who runs Secrets from a Beauty Insider and teaches masterclasses to women over 40 on the Gold Coast, also warns that they stay away from under eye cream concealer.
‘It has a quite heavy consistency that will sit in the wrinkles,’ she said. ‘What you want is a light-reflecting fluid, something with a very light texture.’
‘Light will come in and give it the illusion of bringing that area under your eye forward, taking the redness out.’
Before even starting your make up routine, Amanda said every women should absolutely exfoliate.
‘As we get older, our cellular regeneration is slower,’ she said. ‘Exfoliation helps your body slough away the dead skin cells.’
Amanda also advises nourishing and moisturising with an organic face oil, and never forgetting to put on that SPF 50.
‘Sunscreen is your number one tool to fight this ageing process,’ she said. ‘The younger you start doing it, the better!’