There are a lot of women out there who love make-up but wonder if it is age appropriate. You worry - is it current, do I look matronly? I know, I’m one of them.
When a woman goes to the drugstore or even a major department store, she hopes to find a salesperson who is engaging, knowledgeable and who won’t twist your arm to buy something. Sometimes I see these older women with white shimmer eyeshadow they just bought from a counter, and I think, ‘ What were you thinking?’”
Makeup technology has come a long way, and the mature woman needs to use it to her advantage. There are products to stop your lipstick from bleeding. There are silicone primers that keep your makeup in place. There are new mascaras that really do make your lashes longer and thicker. And there are shimmers that reflect light and create a glow, both in person and in digital photos.
Everyone wants to feel youthful and beautiful–and you can, even as an mature bride. Don’t be afraid to try shimmers, the glossy lips, long-wearing eyeliners or any of the new products.
Prepping the Skin
It’s not too late to take care of your skin. For mature women, this means exfoliating twice a week. Then, when it comes time to glam up, start with an emollient-rich moisturizer (skip the eyelids) and sunscreen before you add anything else. Play up your good features. If you try to totally cover up your freckles, age spots, fine lines or discolorations, you’ll end up looking like you’re wearing a mask.
Primed for Action
Before any foundation, apply a primer over the whole face, which keeps your makeup in place for hours. Smashbox has a great silicone-based one at a reasonable price. I t acts as an invisible barrier so the foundation, concealer, and blush won’t sink into the skin.
A Firm Foundation
Liquid foundations are sheerer, and look better on mature skin. Or try one of the mineral powder lines. I’ve used ID Bare Minerals for some time now and swear by it. Use a concealer that doesn’t migrate to the fine lines under the eye. I like the little pots of cream concealer—try Studio Gear available from Ulta–and use your ring finger to tap the product into your skin rather than rubbing this delicate area. Or, try a medium pointed brush and gently brush the concealer, starting at the inner corner, then tap in the excess.
Beware of Powder
Typicall face powder absorbs light, and makes your skin look dull, lifeless, and older. If you have an oily forehead, use a small amount of anti-shine gel, like Smashbox Anti-Shine — but powdering your whole face can make it look flat, not luminous or dewy.
Do Use Bronzer or Blush
A mature women’s face tends to lose color as she ages. The solution? Blush and bronzer. Choose a line with a slight touch of shimmer and dust 
with a fan brush where the sun would naturally hit: your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, your forehead and even the chin. For blush, choose a soft pink or peach with just a touch of shimmer, and apply to the apples of the cheeks with a large, soft brush. Don’t use a bronzer and a blush, use one or the other. And always start sparingly and build – don’t make the mistake of too much at once.
Luscious Lips
The mature woman’s challenge is to keep the lip color in place, and make sure it doesn’t bleed or migrate to fine lines around the mouth. Outline the lips with either a nude color pencil or a shade as close to your lipstick as possible, to correct the line and add fullness. Then fill in with lipstick. applying with a retractable brush, not straight from the tube. The results are much more accurate. And finish with dab of gloss in the fullest parts for a sexy pout. As to color; darker colors make your lips look thinner. Try a medium peach or pink, but one without white tones, for a younger look.
Extraordinary Eyes
Eye shadow helps define your eyes, especially in photos. You can also add a touch of pale shimmer on the brow bone to help create an instant eyelift. Then, brush a deeper shadow to the outer corners of the eyes in soft, upward strokes for a large-looking eye. If you don’t usually wear dark eyeshadow, don’t try a dark smoky kohl look on the day of your wedding without professional help–you’ll look like a raccoon! And whatever your look, don’t forget the liner. If black is too much for you, try grey or smoky brown. Start at the outer corner and taper off as you get to the inner corner, or as far as you’re comfortable, both upper and lower lash line. Remember that it you line your entire eye from corner to corner, it will close in your eye and make them appear smaller. 
Brows
Be sure to define and fill in your brows— it makes a huge difference in photos. Select the same color as your hair and apply with a light touch —avoiding the ‘drawn on’ look. My current favorite is Pur Mineral Brow Perfection with wax and color in one container.
Lashes
Apply one coat of waterproof black mascara. But here’s a secret to looking really great — false lashes. Today’s lashes are nothing like the drugstore brands 20 years ago, and even those lashes are far more subtle and sophisticated than they used to be. Apply about 4 small clusters to the outer corners of each eye. People will know you look amazing, but they won’t see the lashes. They’re very discreet.”
Try this Ulta brand – http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?
This brand from Sephora has many, many different styles – http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P114418&categoryId=B70
Be Objective
Now, stand back and take a good look at yourself objectively. Is it blended? Is the look too strong, or too subtle? Just remember that photos can really wash you out. At the same time, they can intensify your makeup. If you’re one of those women who hasn’t worn much makeup for awhile, have a friend take a few digital shots so you can critique your look and adjust accordingly. I use Saturday morning to try out new makeup colors, procedures, or brands. I can take my time applying and use the whole day to become accustomed to it and then declide if it works for me. And if you’re going to use professional help for the big day, you might be more comfortable with a makeup artist around your age. With those years of experience, she understands! And she can show you how to keep that look going.
Makeup can boost your confidence! It can make you feel beautiful and it is a lot less expense then therapy! As one advertisement goes…”it’s only a little box of color.” Enjoy!!
