How to Use Make up After Age 40 to Look Younger

How to Use Make up After Age 40 to Look Younger,

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Have you ever caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and thought, "Yikes, do I really look like that?!" Just a few minor adjustments to your make up routine can make you looking and feeling pretty again.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Take a quick picture of your face with either a camera phone or a digital camera. If you need help, ask a friend or, better yet, ask a teenage girl (girls take lots of pictures of themselves these days!!) For best results, don't "pose"; relax your brows and mouth.
   • 2
     Look at the picture to identify your trouble areas. Some common areas that show signs of aging include sagging brow line, blotchy skin, disappearing eyes, and lips that look colorless and dry. Whether you have one or all of these, you can look and feel better by knowing how to deal with them.
   • 3
     Give your eyebrows a visual lift. As we age, our brow line droops, making us look tired. You might think your brows look fine if you're posing in the mirror, but take a look at the digital picture. If your eyebrows are positioned at or below your browbone, it might be time to try a thinner look. I'm not talking pencil-thin or over-arched, just a little thinner so your brows look a bit higher. If you're not sure about trying thinner brows, then try going the tiniest bit thinner and see the difference.
   • 4
     Adjust skin care to improve smoothness. As a teen I liked the squeaky-clean feel that soap provided, but I've learned that this makes my skin look older. You don't have to strip all the oils to clean your skin. I Use either Dove beauty bar or Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser (a pump liquid). After cleansing, I moisturize my eye area. I like Lumene Age-Defying Intensive Care cream. You can buy a little .5 oz tub at CVS for about $2!
   • 5
     Use makeup to camouflage blotchiness so your skin looks pretty again. I find that Loreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup is a light foundation that covers the redness that took up residence on my chin, cheeks and nose edges after childbirth. If you prefer liquid, try the American Beauty line at Kohl's. I love the Perfectly Even Natural Finish Foundation because I can test out the color right there at Kohl's, it blends easily and has a beautifully smooth finish. If you need concealer for other areas like veins or circles under your eyes and other minor blemishes, dot a concealer like Mojave Magic Industrial Strength Concealer (I found it on QVC). Of course, check with a dermatologist to rule out anything serious. This is the age when precancerous marks start popping up; please pay attention and love yourself enough to get it checked out now!
   • 6
     Say no to disappearing eyes by adjusting your makeup. You've already checked your browline, right?! To make your eyes pop, make sure you line your upper lashline with a good eyeliner. If you like liquid, try one with a felt-tip point rather than a brush for more control. Dark brown liner works well on most eyes; black is too harsh for most women over 40. Brush it on a tissue first so it doesn't go on too heavy and harsh. If you prefer pencil, buy the best one you can afford; it really is worth the splurge. There are many good drugstore brands for under $10. Look for something longwearing or smudgeproof. Also line the bottom outer half of your lashes. Then curl eyelashes and apply mascara.
   • 7
     Make your lips look younger by using a soft color with a moist, not matte finish. As you age, lips lose pigment, so lipstick or gloss really helps you look fresh. Good colors are in the rose and berry families. If you use red, go for a sheer finish. I prefer NOT to line lips - it looks softer.
   • 8
     Summarize your new beauty skills so you can make it part of your age 40-plus routine. Okay, so what did we learn? Brows (slightly thinner), skin (non-stripping cleanser, the right foundation and concealer), eyes (use eyeliner!), and lips (moist finish in soft colors). Enjoy the beautiful you.