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.

I’m 47 and I totally agree, OP.

I may put on a bit of Nivea CC tint for an evening out and some mascara. If I do that much! I’ve always used taupe eye pencil to line my lips ever so lightly in areas where that were once more plump (mouth corners/Cupid’s bow) and then just sheer gloss on the lip. The trick is to definitely not see the taupe liner. The lip just looks a bit fuller, naturally.

I think the 40s are for women what the teens are for younger people. Beautiful before the 40s. Beautiful after. A bit dodgy when you’re in the thick of ‘em. Even Audrey Hepburn lost her shine in her 40s. But as an older woman, with loads of lines mind, she looked better, to me anyway.

Powders are out as you age for sure. It’s all about trying to look a bit dewy instead. I’ve run out of my usual foundation and instead I’m using a BB cream from MAC. Well I look so much older, honestly, it’s quite scary. I dont know whether to buy my usual HG foundation or try something new 🤔

Can anyone recommend what to wear on my skin (incredibly dry always but worse now I'm approaching 50...) which is 'English Rose' colouring but with red cheeks from years of walking in countryside so needs some coverage?

PLEASE?

What kind of moisturiser do you use at night? During the day you could use a CC cream which has sunscreen and moisturiser.

Sorry, the above was for @StripeyChina

Old bastard here. You do need to change your make up as you get older. I wear make up to enhance good things about my face and disguise bad things so that I look better not older/younger.

I can’t wear blood red lipstick like I used to, it has to be pink toned if I have to wear a deep coloured lipstick.

Brown lipsticks now drain me yet once were a staple.

I can now wear very pale lipsticks especially pinky beiges which I couldn’t not have carries off when I was a young woman.

Only a light blusher nowadays instead of rosy cheeks.

You just have to tweak your look.

I do notice that a lot of women find their make up look in their 20s/30s and carry on wearing it in their 40s and onwards and it no longer suits them.

Glad I am not the only one foundation now looks horrible
Clarins flash balm is the best product can wear it on its own or mixed with a little tinted moisturiser stops that heavy over made up look

I noticed make-up was making me look older too. I changed my products and started using primer before putting eyeshadow or eyeliner on. It's definitely helped.

@Stripeychina, my latest foundation is Bobbi Brown (I don’t work for them!) Skin Longwear Weightless. It’s very light, decent coverage and doesn’t sit in lines. If you ask at the counter, they’ll colour match you and give you a sample that lasts about a week.

I feel like this at 36!
I look really silly with lots of make up on, and much, much older. Without make up I’m regularly asked for ID, with make up I look about 10 years older and feel ridiculous.
So now if I think I need to wear some, it’s just a light powder and mascara, and sometimes the Glossier eyebrow stuff, which is really nice and doesn’t look like make up at all.

I just turned 50.
I hardly ever wear foundation or much make up these days. I live in a hot country so it just slides off anyway.

Last night I was at a posh party and went the whole hog.

Foundation just accentuates the lines.

I have tried many different foundations but they all seem to look the same.
I use good moisturiser, primer and application tools so I think I'll just give up.

OOOH, AlsoHuman thank you.
I live in t'middle of nowhere but have to be in Edinburgh at the weekend. Hoping I can find a BB counter... :)

@Stripeychina, they have branches in George Street and Prince’s Street. Let me know how you get on with it.

Brilliant! I will , thank you, Alsohuman

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

Same for me.

I wear lots more make up now I'm nearly 50. Some foundations are a bit cakey and aging. I've swapped from my usual Clinique one to Lancome Teint Idol. It's a great colour match and goes on well. I've got a contouring set from Benefit that makes me feel like a 13 yr old for having it but looks really good.

No offence but if your foundation is accentuating lines it’s the wrong foundation for you and or you are not using a good primer.

Also you might be applying it too soon after moisturising or not moisturising enough, all dependent on your skin type.

The way you apply foundation makes a difference too. It should be buildable and not a thick layer which can slide or go patchy. Some foundations suit being applied with fingertips, others wooed better with a damp sponge and others with a brush.

The correct shade makes all the difference too. How many of you have bought a shade and it’s the wrong colour? Don’t chuck it, buy another but in a lighter or darker shade and mix the two when you apply it to get the perfect shade.

I wear lots of different make up but at the moment I’m using Dior backstage primer and backstage foundation and it makes my skin look fantastic, it doesn’t separate on and looks very natural whilst covering a slight redness on my nose. It’s my skin but better!

Good eyelashes are definitely a help. Have you tried a lash tint and lift? I did both and it was ace. I had a bit of a reaction to the lift so can't do that again but I still get them tinted. I also started using revitalash and now have nice long natural lashes. It def add's a bit of youth.

Yes I found my makeup started to age me when I was around 46ish, especially my 'going out' makeup as I used to use vibrant eye shadows, do cats eyes or smokey eyes with black liner, lots of 'false lash' look mascara etc.

I made a few changes - swapped foundation for cc cream and now using a tinted moisturiser, all my powders are now from Hourglass which give a bit of a glow without being too sheeny/shiney and don't cake or emphasise lines. I use them as eye shadows too. I tightline my upper lid but other than that no eyeliner and wear a non-dramatic tubing mascara that just gives a bit of length and separation, though I do have pretty good eyelashes anyway.

Def give up the eyeliner, even on the top lid, it’s doesn’t help eyelids that are starting to droop. Eyeliner on lower lids drags your eye down and blue eyeliner isn’t flattering and dated.
A good primer under foundation really does blur fine lines and open pores, leave off concealer, however expensive it is it still settles into lines.
Use an eyelash curler before mascara, it really does open up your eyes and hides droopy lids.
No harsh colours on lips, pinkish nude works best, not beige nude.
Nothing shimmery on eyes or cheeks.
Dewy foundation rather than Matt.
Fine loose powder rather than compact powder and give the brush a quick blow before applying to remove the excess.
Bronzer I’ve found is a big no no.
Fill in sparse eyebrows with a very light hand!

I've had a theory for some years now, that if you're wearing the same make up you were 10 years ago, it doesn't look good anymore.
I know so many women who are wearing the same make up now, in mid 40s, that they wore in their 20s and early 30s.
It's so aging. I have a beautiful friend who keeps herself immaculate, always so polished, works out loads, really well turned out. Then she piles on the thick black liquid eyeliner cats eyes-adds another 10 years on to herself!
Kate Middleton is guilty of this too. Stunning looking, but the make up needs updating at times.
I haven't worn mascara on my lower lashes for 10 years. And last year I stopped using eye pencil.I now use powders, give a much softer look.
Trinny Woodall has a make up range, and it is all about paring back your look.
Unfortuntely the concentrate too much on doing the make up quickly, so it is never blended properly, but the premise is good. It is all about a softer look.

I'm 41 and find that any matte look ages me so stick to dewy.

I use an illuminating lotion either as a primer or mixed with my foundation, which is a light one and I apply with my fingers. Cream blush on cheekbones. For a night out add actual highlighter too. For eyes just mascara looks best on me - when I add eyeliner or eyeshadow I immediately look older although I am still in the habit when I go out! Lipstick I never use, feel like a clown.

I’ve found my people!

It even looks ageing on young people, look at current batch on Love Island. 20 going on 40.

Totally agree. I go for a kind of makeunder look now... tightliner in brown or black, loads of mascara but no eyeshadow. Bb cream only or bare faced with tan. Cream peachy blusher and bronzing powder, neutral lips.
It's actually more products than I used to wear but looks more battalions and kindcif enhancing rather than Barbara C 💋🤣
I'm 51 btw and have good skin...

Battalions? NATURAL