Just because you’ve crossed a certain age threshold, it doesn’t mean you have to put your makeup brushes down or play it with safe with your beauty choices
Real talk: You could be having your first tryst with your mom’s makeup stash at 14 or painting your lips a head-turning scarlet matte at 40, and you’d still feel that same burst of happiness when you survey your handiwork in a mirror. But while makeup does play a defining role in how we look and thus, feel about ourselves, our go-to picks need to change as our skin ages. Wrinkles and fine lines call for attention to some details, but before you double down on the concealer, hear from the industry’s top experts on what needs to go on your face and into your beauty kit to make the most of your skin’s changing texture.
Skin concerns to focus on for mature skin
Celebrity makeup artist Sandhya Shekar, who is favoured by Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and more, says, “As we age, the skin starts losing its moisture and suppleness. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that it is moisturised well. Dedicate time in your daily beauty routine to ensuring that the under-eye area is sufficiently moisturised. Opt for minimal base makeup to even out the skin, and it is preferable to choose a luminous finish.”
Lekha Gupta, who holds credit for some of Madhuri Dixit Nene’s beauty looks from the promotional run for Kalank, adds, “The skin texture is key. Mature skin can tend to look pigmented or discoloured due to dryness. Wrinkles, sun damage and, at times, loosening of certain parts of the face, can prove to be a challenge. It is important is to ensure that the entire face has one single tone. It is also preferable to avoid glossy looks with an abundance of shine or shimmer, as this further accentuates fine lines.”
How to create a flawless base
“As a rule of thumb, it is best to opt for matte makeup and avoid putting anything with a sheen or shine on the face. When opting for foundations, primers and concealers, look for a matte finish. Allow the ‘less is more’ philosophy to serve as your guiding mantra, and apply concealer only where it is necessary. Likewise, use loose powder sparingly and only when needed. I would advise against powdering as it can often enhances the wrinkles,” explains Gupta.
An ideal makeup routine
“Moisturising and priming are the most crucial in the routine, so start with those and use a fixing spray before starting the base to prep the skin,” says Gupta. “Use a corrector as needed to neutralise pigmentation or dark circles, so that it provides perfect coverage when you apply the concealer over it without making the skin look discoloured or grey. Avoid caking the face, especially near the areas that already have wrinkles, laugh lines or crow’s feet. Simply apply the product in the opposite direction of the lines, so that you can fill them in as much as possible. Your fingertips make for the best tool, so keep spreading the product evenly over the skin and use a loose powder sparingly to set the base. After this is done, spritz on a water spray or a Vitamin C or Vitamin E spray, and pat it down gently to avoid loss of hydration.”
Shekar seconds the notion. “After using a good moisturiser to prep the skin, opt for a minimal cover with natural-finish liquid foundations. For the eyes, look to creamy eyeshadows and blushes that glide well on the skin and won’t settle in the wrinkles. Remember to apply powder only where it’s required,” she advises. Gupta adds, “I prefer defining the outline with a lip liner and even filling in the lips fully with it. This helps to create a protective line and avoid bleeding. Again, opt for matte formulations and apply a tad bit of translucent powder over the lips before layering with a lipstick. Make sure that the texture of the lip colour isn’t too creamy or glossy, and choose a hydrating formula for best results.”
