Professional Hair Makeup Tips
So, looking for some professional beauty tips for women 40 and beyond, we went to Toronto makeup artist, Dawn Rivard, for some of her ideas.
Beauty over 40 is easier these days with the enormous range of product choices in the market. The most important thing to remember is not to try to camouflage who you are. So, here are some tips on how to look your best once you hit 40:
- As we get older we tend to dehydrate and our skin gets dryer. Drinking plenty of water will help.
- Moist skin & lips will instantly make you look younger. However, skin changes as you get older, so remember to use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your current skin type. A moisturizer that worked when you were younger may not achieve the same results now that you are older and your skin likely has become dryer. If a moisturizer makes you break out or feels greasy, you are using the wrong product for your skin type.
- Using heavy makeup and powders does not compliment dryer skin. Heavily powdered skin will make your skin look matte and dry. Keep the makeup application light and clean. If your skin has a fairly even tone, don't use a heavy foundation. Tinted moisturizers are a good option to consider.
- Just as the pigment in our hair changes and it turns grey, the melanin in our skin changes also. This is "Mother Nature" being kind so that our skin tone compliments our now grey hair. With this change, don't forget to make sure that your foundation or tinted moisturizer still matches your skin color as closely as possible. If not, you need to change to one that does.
- Don't give into the idea that you have to own every new color that is fashionable for a particular season. Some of them will work, but many are trendy and do not compliment women over 40.
- Invest in makeup brushes. A couple of good brushes will make your application quicker, easier, and more professional looking. You will never see a professional makeup artist using poorly made brushes!!!
- Get some help from a professional. Find a makeup artist who is willing to spend an hour with you to show you some tricks to make the most out of the makeup and the skills you have. You are likely to find it's well worth the money. Or, gather a group of friends or a friend and teach each other what you know.
In addition to Dawn's great ideas, here are some other tips and things to think about.
Review your look. Are you stuck in a time warp with your hair and makeup? If your look is still the one you wore 10, 20, or 30 years ago, re-think it. Dated hair and makeup can contribute to an aging look. If you can't be impartial, get one of your friends whose style you admire to give you some honest opinions; or go to a professional for some advice.
Hair:
As your skin color fades, you want your hair to compliment it. Think about going a little lighter or getting some highlights around your face (or both). Finding a good colorist who can advise you can really help.
Check out your hair style. Updating your hair with a style that both flatters your face and fits your lifestyle can help enormously. Typically, long hair is not flattering to women over 40. However, there are exceptions to this "rule." The trick is to find a stylist who can recommend cuts that are both flattering and easy to maintain. I believe its well worth the effort.
When you change your hair style or color, you need to re-think your makeup. For instance, if you lighten your hair you probably want to soften your makeup.
Eyebrows:
A well shaped eyebrow can make a big difference in how you look. Unless you are particularly handy with tweezers and have an eye for shaping, now may be the time to consider having your eyebrows shaped professionally. If going to a professional for eyebrow shaping is a commitment you don't want to make, consider having it done professionally from time to time with you taking care of the upkeep in between visits. Also, keep in mind that waxing pulls on the skin – something we want to avoid. So, you may want to consider eyebrow threading or tweezing for removing facial hair.
As your eyebrows get sparser and the color fades, you may want to give them extra definition with a powder, pencil or gel that is close to your natural hair color. But remember, apply the color with a light touch.
Foundation:
If you find your liquid foundation is a little too heavy, try mixing it with a little liquid moisturizer.
Try a light reflecting foundation.
Powder:
Make sure you use powder with a light touch. Also, try to find one that is fine, moisturizing, and goes on smoothly.
Blush:
Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks.
Try using a cream blush instead of a powder for a dewier appearance.
Eyes:
Curl your lashes. This only takes a couple of seconds, helps open up your eye, and can make a big difference in how you look.
Be careful of shimmery shadows as they can accentuate crepey eyelids. Pick shadows whose texture neither looks too dry on your lids nor has too much shimmer.
Often, neutral shades are more flattering than bold ones.
Define your eyes with eyeliner. Try bringing the liner slightly upward at the outer corner of the eye.
Use mascara. This is an easy way to give the eye definition. There are many types out there (lengthening, volumizing, etc.), so find the one that gives your lashes an extra boost.
Lips:
Use lip balm prior to starting your makeup application so that it has time to "set."
Use foundation & powder close to the lip line or an anti-feathering lip primer to help avoid feathering.
Use a lip liner to help define lips. Try a lip liner whose color is very close to the natural shade of your lips and both line and fill in the lips with this pencil prior to using your lip color.
Remember to blend your makeup. Whether it's the shadow on your eyes, the foundation or blush on your face, or the color on your brows, blending makes an incredible difference in whether makeup enhances or detracts from your looks.
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