MAKE-UP
As with your hair, you can afford to try something new when it comes to make-up in your 20s.
“Follow fashions,” says Daniel Sandler, make-up expert at Urban Retreat. “If you are in a little black dress, accessorise your usual make-up with a bubblegum lip gloss or shimmery black eyeshadow. You are young enough to get away with it!”
If your skin suffers from breakouts, learn to conceal correctly. Invest in two different textures of concealer, choosing a fairly dry textured one to cover up skin imperfections, and something with a liquid, foundation-like consistency, for under your eyes. Your spot concealer should be without any light reflecting particles, (commonly found in under-eye, radiance-boosting concealers), as the last thing you want to do is highlight the blemish like a beacon.
By your 30s, make-up is more about enhancing what you have got, and making up for anything you have lost. Regularly apply pink or peach blusher to make up for any loss of natural colour in your cheeks. If your lashes have started to thin, be sure to curl them before applying volumising mascara.
Sandler advises paying special attention to basic grooming. “In your 30s, unruly eyebrows look grubby, plus taking care of their shape will knock ten years off you”
As a rule, avoid shimmery blushers or eyeshadows as the shimmer can migrate to and magnify any fine lines on the face. Shimmer on the lips is excellent for plumping them up and putting back volume you might have lost.
There are plenty of 40 something role models to tell us that this is the age to be happy with the way you look, and confident about who you are. Liz Hurley, Aerin Lauder, Elle Macpherson, and Sarah Jessica Parker have spent time working out their beauty style, finding the right balance for their features, and choosing colours that complement their colouring. But that does not mean you need get stuck in a make-up rut.
“A great colour for a woman in her 40s is lilac,” suggests Sandler. “It adds warmth to the eye and skin, like gold and bronze, which are also great on the lids.” Use satin textured eyeshadow to make your eyes look bigger and bring lustre to your face.
Keep up a “less is more” approach in your 50s when it is tempting to use more foundation to conceal any pigmentation problems, something that is common for this age-group.
“Plastering on make-up will not give you even skin-tone,” says Sandler. He advises avoiding powder, which can flatten the complexion, making it look chalky. Instead, use a primer under your foundation, such as Daniel Sandler Retexturising Face Primer, which fills in fine lines, wrinkles, holds foundation in place and gives a slight tightening effect. (He sells 200 a week in Harrods!) And Sandler is all for getting a tattoo in your 50s – a very fine eyeliner tattoo. “It is very sex kitten, very Honor Blackman, and the semi-permanent makeup artists at Urban Retreat are amazing.” Your 20 something daughter would approve.
AGELESS MAKEUP ESSENTIALS
La Prairie Concealer for creamy, long lasting coverage.
Urban Retreat Cosmetics Plumping Lip Gloss a versatile, clear gloss that hydrates and plumps the lips.
TREAT: Semi-permanent Makeup Tattooing £By consultation.