When you age, your makeup routine needs to change with you as your face won’t be the same as it was 20 years ago.
Making one wrong decision in your beauty routine can add years to your appearance, which can be avoided.
Luckily it isn’t difficult to create a really youthful and glowing look, you simply need to know how to use makeup the correct way.
FEMAIL spoke to Australian celebrity makeup artist, Bonnie Gillies, about what beauty tricks maturing women should keep up their sleeve.
FEMAIL spoke to Australian celebrity makeup artist, Bonnie Gillies, about what beauty tricks maturing women should know
BLUSH IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE
‘If you wear make-up, specifically foundation, without blush your face will look flat and shapeless,’ Bonnie said.
‘Once you add blush it gives the face warmth and shape, but you don’t need to wear a lot of blush, just a soft sweep over the cheeks.
‘Choosing the right shade of blush can be tricky, but I find that either soft peaches or soft pinks work best.’
When applying blush to your face you want to be careful not to do big apples on your cheeks, as it can age you. Aim to keep the blush tight along the cheekbones.
‘If you wear make-up, specifically foundation, without blush your face will look flat and shapeless,’ Bonnie said
USE THE CORRECT PRIMER
The base is the perfect place to start when applying your makeup and to get a flawless finish you need to make sure you have a clean canvas.
‘Using a skin primer that smooths and perfects the skin texture is a great start,’ Bonnie said.
‘These primers work by filling and smoothing pores and fine lines making them look much less visible. My favourite is Benefit Porefessional, it’s fantastic at refining the look of the skin and it makes make-up last longer too.’
DON’T OVERDO THE FOUNDATION
Buy a dewy finish foundation that matches perfectly to your skin tone
‘I think the biggest key to looking more youthful is avoiding heavy make-up,’ Bonnie explained.
‘While you still want to cover up any imperfections on your skin, heavy foundation does nothing but look cakey and exacerbate the look of fine lines.
‘My best tips for a perfect base is to find a dewy finish foundation that matches perfectly to your skin tone.’
She explained that you want to avoid choosing a shade that is more than two shades darker or lighter than your skin, as this will instantly make your makeup look heavy.
If you want more overage than foundation can provide feel free to first apply a light BB cream underneath, which will help to even out the skin tone while not looking over the top.
If you want lighter coverage you can mix your foundation with moisturiser.
ADD VOLUME TO YOUR FACE
‘A major sign of ageing is loss of volume in the cheeks and facial features and a cream highlight is a great way to add volume to the face,’ Bonnie explained.
‘By using a cream highlight either mixed in with the foundation or patted onto cheekbones, brow bones and cupids bow it will create the look of a fuller, more youthful face.
‘It’s important to use a cream product as powders can accentuate skin texture and fine lines. I love Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlight stick.’
CONCEALER IS A MUST
Even if you don’t like to use too many products when applying makeup, Bonnie explained that concealer is an item that has to be a part of your routine.
‘Counteract hollowness around the eye by applying a concealer into the corners and under the eye,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘Try using a concealer with a touch of highlight to make the eyes look fresh and wide awake.
‘Using concealer makes the complexion look more radiant overall and it also makes eye make-up look better. I love Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Correcting Pen – it’s great!’
GO EASY ON THE EYELINER
Bonnie believes that these days heavy eye liner is a little outdated, so mature women should apply it along the top lash line instead of around the whole eye.
‘Instead of eyeliner underneath the eye, use a soft brown or grey eyeshadow along the lower lash line for a soft definition,’ she said.
‘A modern makeup look is all about soft contour and accentuating features in a more natural looking way. You can still use eyeliner, just use it subtly.’
Bonnie believes that these days heavy eye liner is a little outdated, so mature women should apply it along the top lash line instead of around the whole eye
AVOID POWDERED PRODUCTS
‘Be careful with powder products, they are renowned for accentuating fine lines and skin texture,’ she said.
‘Where possible opt for a cream version, and keep the overall look of your make-up dewy and radiant.
‘The drier your make-up looks the older your skin will look.’
DEFINE YOUR LIPS
Before you put any lipstick on you need to make sure you prime and moisturise with a lip balm.
‘Dry lips not only look bad but they can age the face. I swear by Lanolips Golden Ointment,’ Bonnie said.
As you mature, thin lines can develop around the mouth, which is emphasised by any bleeding lipstick.
Liner will lock in the colour as well as add definition to your lips.
Before you put any lipstick on you need to make sure you prime and moisturise with a lip balm
FILL IN YOUR BROWS
As we get older our brows tend to thin, so they need all the help they can get. Buying an easy to use brow product takes all of the hard work for you.
‘While thin brows were in, in the 90’s, todays modern make-up look must have full natural looking brows, and if your make-up look is obviously outdated it will age your appearance,’ Bonnie explained.
‘There are SO many brow products available, but if you’ve never delved into the world of eyebrow products your safest bet to start with is a mascara like product for your brows.
‘They are easiest to apply and they add a natural looking fullness to your brow. My favourite is Benefit Gimme Brow.’
AVOID SHIMMERY EYESHADOW
Unfortunately to those who love a little bit of shimmer, this can add years on to your face by drawing attention to saggy eyelids and dark under-eye bags.
Opt for tasteful matte shades that give the eye subtle definition without appearing too overpowering.
‘Shimmer eyeshadows accentuate fine lines, and heavy eyelids,’ the celebrity makeup artist explained.
‘If you want to look more youthful opt for matte eyeshadows only, and add a touch of highlight to the inner corner of the eye once you’re done.’