Has anyone else found makeup 'ages' them as they get older?

[HepburnKNotA]

The obvious thing first: I have, and perhaps could even more, tweak my 'old' makeup. I have tried switching my old midnight-blue eyeliner and black mascara for browns. I've tried a different shade and format of blusher.

But these days when I put on makeup I feel I look older with it on, and not in a good way!

I'm 42 btw.

I have (and I'm not ashamed to say it, given the amount I've bloody spent on it in products and effort) really good skin for my age, very very few lines (apart from Number 11s) and since I gave up sugar (and started using Emma Hardie and Sunday Riley stuff) a couple of years ago my skin is smoother than it's ever been. I've never really needed any foundation, barely used tinted moisturiser and these days I don't wear any base at all, ever.

But I do like a bit of eye makeup (liner and mascara) on nights out etc and now I don't know what to try as whenever I put it on, I feel like I suddenly look haggard and over my real age instead of under it! And blusher used to 'freshen' me up, but now I don't know, it has the same ageing effect.

Still happy with my trusty nude lipsticks and glosses, tbf.

Should I just give up and at least enjoy the fact I have good skin (until inevitably that all falls off a cliff in a few years...)? Or should I keep trying different shades? Techniques? I spend all my 'beauty' money on bloody (admittedly amazing) Space NK products so don't have much left for experimenting with makeup if it's not going to work!

Does anyone else feel the same way and if so - did you give up on makeup and just go bare-faced? I feel it's not enough 'effort' for a night out! Though I've never been a big makeup person at all, really.

Maybe try a few make overs? I mean the sort you get at a cosmetics counter.
I am on medication that affects my skin really badly, so I can't wear any make up or colour my hair.
I used to always make an effort to wear a little bit of make up, but I have just had to get used to going without now.
I don't think I would remember how to do it now.

yes, I think make up can be quite ageing.

I'm in a sport club and almost always see my team mates completely bare faced at training. Whenever we have a social do and people get dressed up, I'm always surprised how much older they look, especially the women who are around my age (early forties).

I would say if you're going to have a makeover, look for a counter with an age-appropriate woman on it. As you say, the make up is not suitable applied in the same way as early twenties. I'm late 50's, and I stopped wearing eyeshadow because of hooded eyes. I wear a small amount of brown eyeliner round the outer third of my eyes, smudged slightly, and on Youtube (for older women or somesuch :) ) I found an eyeliner technique that kind of puts a curved triangle at the outer edge, rather than the 'catflick' look, which can draw your eyes down very easily if not done exactly right.

I'm 38 and I agree. Tried eyeliner for the first time in ages the other day and it looked shit until i'd smudged it so much it was barely there at all.

I agree. I’m the same age op. I now focus on skincare (always focused on my makeup, skincare was secondary). I find the less makeup I wear the better. Although I never go out without makeup. But it will be tinted moisturizer, lipgloss, mascara and nars multiple on cheeks.

That’s interesting III777... I had a drink out a few nights ago with a lovely friend of mine (late 40s) who I normally see at the school gates so makeup free. When she came to meet me in the bar I was amazed how much older she looked with makeup on. She was still lovely looking!!!!! Not being mean I hope! But totally different with makeup on.

I feel it’s becoming the same for me.

Might try a makeover, that’s a good point. Had a Laura Mercier one at a counter 15 or more years ago and it was great, I didn’t feel obliged to buy much and the advice was excellent.

Still can’t shake the suspicion that 40s may be a bad decade for makeup tho!!! Maybe 50s are better?!?

I've just turned 50 (sob) but look younger - luck of the draw probably and a mixture of 30 years of what they now call facial yoga (thanks to PE teacher in 1985) and never going out in the sun without suncream. I use Deciem and The Ordinary products and my skin is better than ever.

I def found that from mid 40s on- less was more. My trusty eyeliner is rarely used these days, blusher hasn't seen the light of day for years. I use black mascara, a good concealer or 2 and a bit of highlighter. A 'going out' face usually consists of a decent illuminating primer and barely any foundation type stuff- just where I need it. A few months ago I was going somewhere special and I decided to make the effort to put a proper 'face' on. I looked awful- like an ageing pantomime dame- and took it all off again.

I’m (in some ways) the opposite! I agree that heavy foundation is aging and a light tinted moisturiser is better. But when it comes to my eyes I really need make up! The older I’ve gotten, the more my eyes seem to disappear and I need to use eyeliner (top only or tight lining) and mascara daily.

I have to say- I do miss the whole rigmarole of a 'going out' face but don't want to end up looking like Barbara Cartland.

Eyeliner made me look worse even when i was in my twenties!

I'm 47 and these days I only ever wear liner on my upper lids, subtle and tight to my eyelash line, and never ever dark eyeshadow. I definitely look best when I just conceal my dark circles and areas of uneven tone, use a light, natural cream shadow on my lids (not powders) and a coat of mascara. Anything else makes me look tired.

Less is definitely more as we get older.

"I have to say- I do miss the whole rigmarole of a 'going out' face but don't want to end up looking like Barbara Cartland."

I agree that less is more. DD decided to make up my face recently. I asked her not to give me a Barbara Cartland look, and then had to explain to her who she was.

I wear glasses so people can't really see my eyes, and I am lucky enough to have dark eyelashes, so I just don't bother with eye make up at all. I just wear a light foundation, a bit of blusher and some lipstick.

If you think about it, we loved wearing make-up when we were 14 or 15 because it made us look older, so...

There are several youtube videos with tutorials on how to do make-up over 40 so you don't look older.

I rarely wear much makeup bit of touche eclat under eyes - bit of lipstick - do do a lit of sport though

But I do always get eyebrows threaded ...

Pantomime dame is exactly right roundturn!! Or Barbara Cartland... yes, probably more Barbara Cartland in my case...

It seemed to happen very suddenly in my case, too, I was fine with makeup (admittedly my limited amount) until about a month ago! Then boom, out of nowhere, getting ready to go out and I put on my eyeliner and had to smudge it all almost off like a pp also said.

I've tried lining top lashes only as I'd read that helps but it still made me look harsh.

Sigh. I love my lovely eyeliner. Used to really wake me up and define my eyes! Now it looks shit :(

I can probably take or leave blusher tbh, I've never massively got the hang of it.

Never worn eyeshadow, cream or otherwise. Maybe I should try that instead of eyeliner now?

Will keep trying with the eyeliner just in case it magically starts working again!!

But probably yes, less is more. It's just that when you haven't worn much to begin with and less becomes NONE, it feels a bit of a shame.

Yup!

I'm exactly the same and am glad it's not just me! I am 43 and have gradually ditched the makeup products one by one and now I just wear powder, brow pencil and mascara. Tinted lip balm when I remember.

I may even ditch the powder now. Maybe switch to a tinted moisturiser although when I've tried this in the past I've looked too shiny especially my nose (glasses wearer).

Could you try lining your top lash line with powder shadow instead of pencil?

I have to say, I never expected this response!! I thought it would be people suggesting different products etc, or softer colours.

Feel quite chuffed and relieved that I'm not the only one (and maybe not totally wrong about this - good point SoddingName that we used to use it to look older than we were...)

I have found the same. I’m 55.

Can’t really wear eyeliner anymore.

Must have a look at some YouTube videos. Or try a make over.

Although I’ve spent a fortune on skin care in the last couple of weeks so don’t want to actually buy more make up. I have loads anyway.

I’m 65 and look like the ancient old crone I am without make up. If it’s ageing you, you probably need a bit of a makeover at a decent beauty counter, OP. The companies centre their best people in big cities so maybe aim for Bobbi Brown, if you’re close to London BB in Covent Garden is a good start.

Definitely ditch the eyeliner. What shade of blush are you using? A soft shimmery shadow will look much less ageing on your eyes than a harsh liner.

Clinique and other make up brands do free makeovers ( booked online) and you can choose what area of your face/skin you want to focus on. These are great. Clinique never push you to buy any products. I am about to book myself another free one ( last one I had was in approx Nov last year). If you are clever and book for a day on which you are due to go out in the afternoon/evening you can have a professional makeup look for free. All the best. X

No not at all. I'm 57 and makeup definitely improves me but you do have to radically change your style as you get older. I can't do the cats eye eyeliner any more. Now it's all about blending and less harsh colours.

The WRONG makeup will definitely age you. Eyeliner on the lower lash line is a huge no-no. Under-lining your top lid on the outer half of your eye can be very flattering because it makes your lashes look fuller. Use a very very light hand when putting mascara on your lower lashes. Heavy mascara under your eye only drags them down.

A CC cream can make your skin look gorgeous without being heavy like a foundation. Choose a bright coloured blush and apply it very high up on your cheek bones, then blend it up with a foundation brush. Never put blush on the apples of your cheeks as it drags your face down as you get older.

Personally, I would avoid traditional, dark coloured lipstick because it can accentuate any lip lines and make your lips look smaller. A lovely gloss looks amazing and is comfortable to wear.