Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 08:59 pm

I love music.  I was a huge Casey Kasem fan growing up, I listened to “American Top 40” every week.  You’re probably thinking – what does this have to do with makeup over 50 or how to update your makeup look? It’s because somewhere along the line, we started our makeup journey copying someone else.  Whether it was our mom, a model in a magazine or a movie star, most of us saw a look we liked and decided to try it on our own face. 

For me, that first makeup person was Linda Ronstadt.  If you’re from my generation, you might remember Circus magazine.  It was a magazine about rock-n-roll and I used to read it all the time.  I still can remember having the magazine in the bathroom with Linda on the cover, trying to recreate her look.  It might have even been the exact cover below.

As time moved on, my next makeup idol was Isabella Rossellini when she was the spokesperson for Lancôme. I probably tried to copy her look even more than Linda’s.  I used Lancôme for many years because of her. 

As you can see, I really liked the heavy eye makeup of days gone by. But what do you do when that’s been your “signature look” for so long and it’s now out of date? Or, your skin has changed and it doesn’t quite look the same?

After all these years, how do you update your over 50 makeup look, when you’re starting to deal with dark spots, wrinkles and years of over plucking your eyebrows? Read on. I will tell you what works for me and hopefully it will work for you too. 

To start, make sure your skin is clean and moisturized. I wrote a recent post on mature skin care and you can read it here for more tips. We always joke about “painting our faces” but it’s somewhat true because you need to start with a clean canvas!

**This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on our links. However, we only recommend products that we truly love. Amazon prices are as of 6/20/23.

Over 50 Makeup: The Makeup Process

The “Before”. As you can see, I have a lot of redness in my face. It can be a challenge to minimize it.

Foundation 

This is a key step and one that becomes more challenging as we get older.  We’ve added wrinkles, dark spots and our skin has most likely become more dry.  So, for me, this step is key and the one I take the most time with.  Finding your foundation shade is important and Jen wrote a great article on “How to Find Your Perfect Foundation Shade” that you should take a minute and read.  As we get older, our skin tends to become a bit more pale, so it’s a good idea to do a check once in a while to make sure that the shade you’ve been using is still right for you.

I have two foundation routines – an everyday and a “glamour” look.  But no matter which look I am going for, you can always count on me using Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation. I have used it for years and have not found anything I like better.

For my everyday look, I use a foundation brush and apply it on my moisturized face. I like using a brush as I feel I can get to all the spots I need to and can easily blend it. Go light around the eyes, especially around those pesky crow’s feet, you don’t want your foundation settling in there.  I like to use an eye cream before I apply foundation there, it does help with that.  

When applying your foundation, don’t stop at your jawline though – continue to blend it down your neck.  You don’t have to do full foundation on your neck, just a nice blend. I also put a touch of foundation on the brow bone just below my eyebrows.  The skin there is a little thin and I feel that sometimes it can look a little bluish/vein-y (if that’s a word!).

If I am going out – or taking pictures for the blog, I do have a different routine.  I will add a foundation primer first.  I especially love Laura Geller Spackle Primer.  That will be followed that with my beauty blender which I love.  Whenever I get compliments on my skin, 99% of the time, I applied my foundation with the Beauty Blender. So, for today, I will use the Beauty Blender so you can see the complete finished look. (When using the Beauty Blender, make sure you use it wet, not dry, for best results!)

I used to use a powder to set my makeup, but with my skin getting drier, I stopped using it a few years back.  If your skin is more normal to oily, then I definitely recommend using a powder, it creates a nice finished look.  I used to use the Estée Lauder Double Wear powder, which is the same as my foundation.  I used a translucent shade, just for the set, not to add more color.

Since stopping using the powder, I have found a setting mist I like now instead. It’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. I will use a concealer to touch up some spots, but more on that below.

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: FOUNDATION

Concealer 

As I’ve gotten older, one of the beauty products I’ve come to appreciate more is concealer. I’ve found that there are many different kinds that help with different problems.

One of the biggest changes that I’ve seen in my skin as I get older is the inner corners of my eyes have gotten darker.  I’m not really sure why, but I’m not crazy about it.  So I will first start with a concealer to brighten up my eyes.  The one that I’ve found and have been using for the last year of so is Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Shade 160. This is specifically a brightening shade and it works great in the corners of my eyes.

For my under eyes, I use the same Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser concealer but in a different shade that better matches my skin tone. I really like the built-in applicator and it’s easy to blend.

For blemishes, I have started using Maybelline’s Green Concealer. I did some research on concealers not too long ago and found that green is great for combatting redness (like acne marks). After applying the green concealer I will use the Estée Lauder concealer that matches my foundation to apply on top of the green concealer. If you want to learn more about green concealer, you can view my “Fashion Tip Friday” video from Instagram.

There are even more colored concealers to look into, such as pink concealers. Pink concealers are great for dark spots for example. There is a great article on allure.com that will give you more information on color theory and concealers so you can find what works best for you.

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: CONCEALER

Eyebrows

This is one that I paid the price for following trends in my youth. I way over plucked my eyebrows and as a result, they stopped growing back.  If you still have a great set of eyebrows, please don’t pluck! 

A few years back, I decided to get my eyebrows microbladed and I love it. I spent years filling them in, even just to go to the grocery store.  I was very self-conscious.  Getting them microbladed was a great investment for me. There is an initial cost to getting them done but the cost to maintain them is pretty affordable. I wrote an entire blog post, “Microblading Before and After: See If It’s Right For You” to help you decide if it’s something that might work for you too.

I do still touch up my brows at time; filling them in a bit before my microblading touch up appointment and sometimes I want a little more dramatic look, so I will make them a little more dramatic. Even with microblading, you do have to keep your brows “in line” and they will go a little haywire. I now only use scissors to trim by brows and use a brow gel to keep them in place.

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: EYEBROWS

Eyes

This is the one area that I feel has changed the most as I’ve gotten older.  If you look back on those pictures of Linda and Isabella, you’ll notice that their eyes are heavily made-up and that was the look for a while. As trends change and my skin has gotten a little paler, that look is harder to do.  But it’s me….how do I adjust? 

After trying different things, what I’ve found is that I can still use eyeliner but I will make it a little softer, especially for daytime wear. There are a couple of ways I do that.

First, I have switched from a black eyeliner to a brown eyeliner. That look is little less pronounced and works better with my skin tones these days. The other way I soften the eyeliner look is to lightly brush a neutral shadow over the liner which will downplay any harshness.

Now, you may have read that you shouldn’t wear liner on your lower lashes “after a certain age”, but I still do – it’s my look! I have honestly tried to go without it and it never fails – I will be go back and put it on because I just don’t think I look like myself. I do use the same softening techniques for my lower lashes as I do for my upper lash line.

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: EYELINER

This is one product that I continue to try new products. I tend to lean towards gel or liquid liners as I feel they have better staying power. But I also like the look of a true eyeliner pencil, especially the ones from Charlotte Tilbury, so I will mix it up a bit depending on my mood and what I have to do that day!

More Eyes

As far as eyeshadow goes, these days I tend towards more neutral palettes. I have hazel eyes and I have found that purple/pink shadows seem to match well with them.  So that’s the colors I tend to wear the most often. But you will still see me try new things. One of my most recent looks I found is a green smokey eye. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you have a routine you love! And don’t forget a good eyeshadow base/primer before putting on your shadow.

While I have a cool skin tone, I will still wear both clothes and shadows that are orange/brown tones, especially in the fall. I love a great fall makeup look. Those colors aren’t necessarily for everyone, but it doesn’t mean you can’t wear them, just play around a bit.

Another recent post we did was “The Best Eyeshadow For Your Eye Color” which may help you determine what color shadows will work best for you.

Eyelashes are another thing that tend to thin out as we get older, so finding a good mascara is key. Right now my favorite mascara is It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara on my upper lashes. I have used Maybelline’s Lash Discovery Mascara on my lower lids because it has a tiny brush head. I will include. few other mascaras that I’ve tried over the years that I also like.

If you’re willing, you can always give false eyelashes a try. I know that sounds intimidating, but I started wearing them when we started the blog for photoshoots and now I love the. Start

More of My Favorite Eye Products

EYESHADOWS

MASCARAS

PRIMERS

LASHES

I would recommend the Eylure #20 if you’re trying false eyelashes for the first time. They come with their own glue, are easy to apply and barely noticeable. If you want to take it up a notch, I would recommend the Ardell Natural #110. You will need to purchase eye glue separately.

Blush and Contour Kits

This Illume trio from Hourglass has been one of my favorites for a long time – it’s three products in one. I use the bronzer in the hollows of my cheek to give them a little more definition and the blush on the cheeks.  Sometimes I will use the highlighter instead of the concealer on the bridge of my nose and my cupid’s bow, but usually only for special events.

I also have a full contour set from Anastasia that I will use for special events or photos, it really helps define my cheekbones. I don’t really use bronzer on my forehead because of my bangs – you can’t really see it.  

My latest favorite is Anastasia stick blush. I love it so much much that I have it in three different shades. It provides great color and I love the built in brush. It is also a cream formula so it’s perfect for my dry skin.

The best tip I can give you, and you may already know this, is to apply some bronzer under your jawline.  One of the toughest things I’ve had to face getting older is losing the firmness under my chin.  So with a little “smoke and mirrors”, add just a little darker shade under your jawline can give your jawline a little more defined appearance. 

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: BLUSH/CONTOUR

Lips

I love wearing lipstick and I buy them all the time in all price ranges. I can be in the grocery story and need a pick-me-up and head to the cosmetics aisle and pick up a new shade.  This is also another area where dryness sets in.  Especially during the height of the pandemic when we were hardly wearing any lipstick at all, it was not top of find to keep our lips in shape. (Jen and I did a post on “The Best Ways to Care for Your Lips” to help with that).

So, in addition to overnight treatments, I do love Mac’s Prep and Prime Lip ($19).  I put it in before I put on any lipstick.  It really does keep them smooth.

The lipsticks I am recommending below are my favorites in moisturizing lipstick brands. I wear all different colors from brights, darks to neutrals. You can find your best lipstick shade in another recent post of ours “How to Pick The Best Lipstick Shade For Your Skintone”

MY OVER 50 MAKEUP PRODUCTS: LIPS

LIPSTICKS

LIPSTICK PREP

The “Before” and Two Afters!

One “Over 50 Makeup” Final Tip

One of the things I like to do to keep my face bright is to keep my teeth white. I feel that when my teeth are white, my entire face looks brighter. I use Crest Whitestrips about twice a year. That frequency seems to work well for me, but you should check with your dentist.

Do you feel you have some new ideas on how to update your over 50 makeup look? Please let me know in the comments below. And for some general makeup tips, check out Jen’s latest post “The Best Makeup Tips for Anyone and Everyone“.