How does/should your makeup change at 40?

[Codlingmoths]

I’ve been wearing basically the same makeup (light coverage) for 15 years and now I’m 40 wondering what should change? Foundation lighter or does it go heavier? Is eyeliner ageing? Is eyeliner under the eye a big no? Are there rules about this? On office days I usually wear spf moisturiser, foundation, under eye touché eclat, blush, light eyebrow pen, some eyeliner, 2 eyeshadows, very light mascara. That sounds like a lot writing it down but I don’t look like I wear a lot of makeup! I’m white, a winter type colouring if that helps, I’ve never been able to do bronzer and bright lipstick looks good on me although having small children mean I wear it much less. I have pretty good skin although it’s definitely looking older, and I’m not worried about my skincare.

That sounds lovely. I've been trying some of the newer light foundation type things. Am loving trinny bff it goes on white but reacts to your skin colour and gives a lovely glow. I know other brands do similar. Am loving cream blushers too. Am
Not very good on eyes but will be watching for comments. I know I've seen a lot of people saying to use some eyeshadow instead of eyeliner as it can look too harsh

@Ceci03 I think I’d like to try a cream blusher. I have an old Chanel blusher which is discontinued, as is my eldw foundation so I need to find a few new products anyway.

Can you get to London? To Liberty's to try Jones Road?
It’s amazing, but expensive, I buy it online because it’s only available there.
I’m mid 50s and have had so many compliments since using it.
https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com/

I'm the same age as you and have wore the same make up (although different brands) for about 20 years. I wear a light foundation over moisturiser, a dab of under eye concealer, a bit of eyebrow percolate/shading as they're a bit patchy otherwise, cream blush and a bit of mascara. If I'm going somewhere special maybe eyeliner on top lids and a bit of nude lipstick.

Ruby Hammer has released a new blush line, look at her Instagram page.

eyebrow pencil not percolate! No idea what that is!!!

I’m a bright winter so similar colouring to you. Since turning 40 I’ve gone very light on eye makeup. Eyeliner and darker eyeshadow just doesn’t look right anymore. It makes me look tired and older. I go for a lighter wash of colour now like Trinny cream eyeshadow in Justice. I still go with black mascara though. I also use a lighter weight foundation and minimal powder so it doesn’t accentuate fine lines. I’m still using powder blusher though because I find cream blusher doesn’t last very well.

Less is more as you get older. I have to admit I gave up make-up completely in my 40's, very liberating. DM used heavy make-up all her life, and ended up looking like Barbara Cartland, so it really put me off 😂

I use really similar to you, light foundation, brows, cream blusher, mascara. I’m always in a hunt for the holy grail bright lipstick but I’ve found layering a smudged on lipstick with balm looks better than stark lipstick on its own. I’ve stopped wearing eyeliner and powder as they both make me look older now - I occasionally do a liner “flick” only, just at the corners. I swapped powder foundation and blusher for creams instead which works better too. Think more “adding light and lift” rather than covering your whole face, according to Lisa Eldridge!

Lighter textures and more liquids and creams rather than powders. I've gotten a few cream or liquid blushes & really like them, they add colour & just liven you up I think. My recent fave is a Rose Inc cream blusher in Daylilly that would be almost impossible to overdo. It's warm toned though, might not be quite the right shade if you're more cool toned.

I wear a full face of makeup for work but increasingly subscribe to ‘less is more’ since reaching my 40s. For me that means less product and lighter textures, especially creams instead of powders. I use tinted moisturiser, liquid blusher, liquid highlighter, and an oil-based lipstick. I’ve also pared down the Amy Winehouse-esque eyeliner that I enjoyed 20 years ago

@CopperLion which liquid products do you use? Been thinking about trying some liquid products but don’t really know where to start. Thanks.

@DanceMumTaxi there are loads of options around now but my favourites are Becca (for the tinted moisturiser and under eye brightener), Chantecaille (for the liquid highlighter and cheek tint). Saie is also lovely. For lips I love an YSL lipstick that is an oil-based one, but I can’t remember what it’s called.

These are all quite pricey brands though. I don’t know what your price point is but most brands do liquid/cream type products now. They used to be rarer but there are now lots or all price points. If you do go for the pricey ones the good news is that a little goes a long way.

I’m 47 and I wear all cream products now - apart from my bronzer which is hourglass and very finely milled

i wear cream eyeshadow sticks, cream blusher

I suggest sticking to light coverage as your skin changes. Try Perbelle CC Cream; it’s lighter than foundation, evens out skin tone, and contains anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide. You can still use eyeliner, but opt for a softer look, especially under the eyes. Keep your makeup fresh and simple to enhance your natural beauty!

I got an appointment at MAC when I turned 40. It cost something like £45 but the deal was that you bought £45 worth of makeup with that. I told the lady what I wanted to look like and she found the products to complement my skin and colouring and then showed me how to apply it. It’s very natural and subtle and she also showed me how to glam it up with extra highlighter and bronzer and lipstick if I wanted to. At the end of the appointment I decided which of the recommended products to buy- there was no pressure to buy loads over the £45 so you could always find a similar eyeshadow shade or something in a cheaper brand. Although I did spend a fortune but it’s lasted really well:

Regarding eyeliner.. she did dark brown pencil on the tops of my eyes then went in with a medium brown eyeshadow over the top using a thin brush to soften the line. She didn’t put eyeliner on the bottom but she did put a small soft line of the eyeshadow under my lower lashes.