Revive Your Makeup Routine: Breaking Free from Your Comfort Zone

“I am a bit in a rut. I think I know what colors should look good on me, but when I apply them, I feel like I just look older than my 51 years. I don’t know how to apply eye makeup and want to find a good daily routine that will make me look like a boss.“

I get dozens of messages like this from clients who look in the mirror and wonder, “who is that?” If your age has changed but your makeup routine has not, maybe it’s time for a few new techniques. You may be stuck in the 80’s with colors that just don’t work anymore, or changes to your skin that require a little bit of a refresh with skin-friendly makeup. As we mature, we don’t need to use more products, but we need to use the right products with the right tools and most importantly, use a lighter hand. Perhaps it might be the right time to revive your makeup routine.

Hydrate for a Radiant Base

Start with a good moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and plump. This not only smooths out fine lines but also creates a perfect canvas for your makeup. A well-moisturized face helps makeup glide effortlessly and look more natural. You can also add a Hydrating Primer. Glo Skin Beauty’s Hydrating Primer is a lightweight water-based hydrating makeup primer powered by hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to boost skin’s moisture, helping makeup apply more evenly and last longer. And bonus, it  leaves your face with a dewy finish. 

Brighten Up with Color Correcting Before Foundation

If you’re dealing with uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, concealers and color correctors can work wonders. A common mistake women make is layering on heavier foundation to hide discolorations.

If you have darker skin discolorations, or melasma, first apply a concealer to camouflage and neutralize the area by pushing and pressing on a color to even out the area. This sometimes involves a two-step concealing process for lightening the area and then adding a second concealer that is a closer match to your skin tone. Glo’s Dual Foundation Camouflage Brush is the best for applying concealer and blending.

A makeup lesson with a professional can help you discover the right shade of concealers to use and gives you a chance to practice blending on this pre-foundation step. 

If you have redness, either because of rosacea or blemishes, a green corrector cancels the redness. I love Thank Me Later green corrector. It’s magical and doesn’t leave your skin looking chalky.

After color correcting, apply your foundation carefully with a foundation brush or blender sponge, pushing and pressing over the face, careful not to use a swiping motion over the areas of your face you have color corrected. If you are drier, find a foundation with a dewy or luminous finish. Dot foundation to center of face with a brush or sponge, pushing and pressing it to the outside of the face. Less is more on this step.

Mastering Under Eye Concealer for a Refreshed Look

For under-eye blueness, a peach-colored concealer is a must. For darker skin tones, you can use a more pigmented peach or orange concealer. Since under-eye circles tend to be darker on deep skin tones, orange concealer will be more effective than a light peach shade. You can focus it on the blueness or add a more golden concealer applying in a stripe fashion on either side of the peach on the under-eye. Push and press to blend and Q-Tip out any excess concealer from any eye wrinkles. Avoid a white or too-light concealer. Also, remember less is more on this step, as well.

A Quick Way to Revive Your Makeup Routine: Simplify Your Eye Makeup

For a quick and effective eye look, focus on neutral, matte, medium-toned eyeshadows. These shades add depth without emphasizing puffiness. Apply the shadow slightly above your natural crease to lift the eyes. Finish with a soft slate gray or brown eyeliner and a coat of mascara to define your lashes. Avoid harsh black liner, especially on the lower lash line.

Embrace a Natural Glow

While matte products have their place, a bit of luminosity can bring a youthful glow to your complexion. Opt for a crème blush, a liquid highlighter, or a radiant primer to add a subtle sheen to your skin. Enhance your natural features without overpowering them.

Define Your Lips and Brows with Soft Lines

As we age, our lips and brows can lose some of their fullness. Using a lip liner just outside your natural lip line can create the illusion of fuller lips. Fill in with a hydrating lipstick, gloss, or balm to keep your lips looking fresh and plump.  

Brows frame your face. Filling out your brows softly with a pencil, powder or gel will lift your eyes and give you a younger look.

Remember, the goal is to enhance your natural beauty with techniques that make you feel confident and fabulous. Experiment with these tips to find what works best for you or schedule a lesson with a professional. Just a few changes in products or techniques will help you recognize that face in the mirror once again.