Should you wear make up in your 40s?

[Shineyorange]

I’m mid 40s and starting to think the more make up I wear, the more aged I look - I’ve started reducing it to some under eye concealer, mascara and lip gloss. But then I look quite washed out…

So what ‘works’ make up wise as you head further into your 40s?

I prefer tanning drops and some BB cream, plus eye liner on the top, mascara on the top, and lipstick.

As you age, you need to change the make-up you wear. Think more light-reflecting, less heavy etc. Also steer attention away from your lower eyes as this area tends to show ageing more. So no mascara on lower lashes and no eyeliner on lower eye although this is a more modern look anyway regardless of age.

What do you wear at present and then we can suggest some changes/tips?

Really depends on your face - what’s your routine now? Concealers can work wonders for some people, but for others, even expensive concealers skillfully applied, can make the under eyes look heavy and caked.

You can mix your foundation into some moisturiser to go for a lighter applied effect, switch black eyeliner/mascara to brown,grey or a softer colour, go for more sheer moisturising colours on the lips, look for a bronzer glow that you can use lightly and find a hydrating face mist you can finish off with.

I wear less these days. BB cream, eyebrow pencil, mascara on top lashes only, lipstick. That's it. Perhaps a bit more eye make up if going out but keeping off the lower eye.

Late 30s here but I'm focusing more on good skincare and I've cut back on my makeup as foundation now tends to look a bit dry/ cakey and highlights the wrinkles no matter how much I moisture before.

I'll use a tinted moisturiser if I really feel i need need anything in place of a foundation but just use concealer as needed, undereye brightening concealer, some blush (powder usually or stain but only because creams break me out) , mascara and eyebrow pencil, lipstick or stain if I want to feel fancy. Sometimes a setting spray if I feel I need it.

I think the key is texture of what you're using and that the skin is a good foundation itself.

Thankfully "clean girl aesthetic " is in so that's what I've been leaning towards.

You just need to change what you use. I went to an expensive brand for advice and a make over. Came out with a much lighter foundation and new products that sit better on my skin

I think it depends very much on the person. If I don't wear eyeliner on my lower lid, people ask me if I am ill. But that's because I am brownskinned and dark eyed. I also don't need tanner, bronzer,mascara or eyebrow pencil for the same reason.

I wear eyeliner, a BB cream, and lipstick. Nothing else.

I'm a fair bit older than you op but I've pretty much given up on make up now. I first noticed it looking 'off' in my late 50s and eventually worked out that my foundation was the main cause, but by this point, I was less and less bothered about wearing it anyway.

I'm not saying everyone should do the same but my skin tone has definitely changed with age (just like my hair colour) which I don't think is unusual so it's hardly a surprise that make up starts looking different. I think it's a case of whether or not you want to make the effort of keeping on top of it. For me it had stopped being enjoyable and started feeling like hard work.

The only thing I still wear fairly regularly is lipstick when I want to add a bit of colour. I do wear specs though which I think adds a bit of definition to my face

I occasionally put more on just to see if I'm missing anything but when I do, I look and feel so 'painted' that I immediately take it off.

I’m a lot older than you but would never leave the house without bronzer and lips..
I start by applying L’Oreal Revitalift Filler serum, then Revitalift filler plumping water cream with sometimes the Lumi Glotion…
A bit of bronzer and a bit on eyelids before eye line in grey, on top only, then lips either just a lip balm or a dab of lippy….
Friends and family often comment how well I look…
So to your question, yes I think you can wear some makeup whatever your age.

I used to wear make-up every day when I was working. Since retirement, I wear it less and less often, to the extent that everything looks/feels too heavy. Then I discovered Jones Road. Can't recommend highly enough for a light look. Feels a bit sticky at first, but as you learn how to use it, you'll love it! Made by Bobbi Brown

I wear make up in my 60s becsuse otherwise I look I recently died but in your 40s I think drinking lots of water, a healthy lifestyle and exercise and no smoking or drinking really makes you look younger so you don't need to wear it. It's all personal choice anyway.

I’m the opposite. Need makeup now more than ever. Gone are the days of mascara and lip gloss. Skins uneven and darker circles, fewer eyelashes. Actually look unwell without make up 😂

I use elf green colour collector to combat redness, Aldi light foundation, elf orange corrector, then Aldi concealer for dark circles, elf powder, Maybelline pen eyeliner to fine line upper lid and elf mascara on top lashes only. Elf lip liner and lipstick in beige. Looks light and non cakey, 55 years old.

60s … I had wound down to just brows and mascara + the dregs of the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow that was miraculous on Zoom during you know what, but less wonderful up close.

But I’m about to have some dental work and once it’s all done I shall be running with my credit card to the nearest Hermes and Gucci concessions to buy up all the lipsticks and glosses. I have really missed that finishing gesture before I leave the house.

(I think I last sent my DM some Tom Ford lipstick as a gift when she was somewhere in her 80s, after she tried it on in Selfridges and looked awesome. She probably still has what’s left in a drawer somewhere.)

I will never give up wearing make up.
Im well over my 40’s but love the way make up makes me look and feel.

I’ve had a couple of make up lessons and had my colours done. I also watch make up tutorials on some of the web sites.

This means I know what suits my older skin better and I love the results. I use the full spectrum of products with a light touch. I’m blessed with good skin.

Often get compliments for my “less is more” look.

You need to adapt it to your aging skin and face. Blusher is essential. Try Benefit Dandelion blush, the one without the sparkly bits.

Thanks everyone, really interesting to read.

I think it’s eyeshadow and lipstick that are the problem - even creamy eyeshadow seems to emphasise the wrinkles (and then seems to smudge which makes the dark circles worse ) I’m currently using MAC extra dimension.

and any lipstick colour makes me look like Norma Desmond

Maybe I’ll try a make up lesson for older skin

I don’t know a single woman over 30 that doesn’t look better for a bit of well applied makeup. Having said that, I have 2 or 3 friends that wear terrible makeup that does them no favours. It’s like they tried it aged 12 and didn’t learn anything in the intervening years.

It is so easy nowadays if you want to learn how to apply makeup that will make the best of your face. Instagram and other SM sites are replete with tutorials.

I'm in my 40s and on the days I wear make up do a light dusting of powder to take the shine off, eyebrows, mascara and lip gloss.
I have good skin luckily so have never really bothered with foundation.

I am 50 and had to go back to the beginning again. I watched loads of Youtube tutorials for hints.

I made my base lighter. I just use primer then the maybelline spongy-tipped concealer on t zone, which evens out the red and doesn't look at all foundation like. I'd love to buy Chanel water tient. But can't afford it. I just smear it on my face at the airport, when I go.

I switched black liner for brown on the lower eyelid (otherwise i look wierd without any definition). Then i apply black waterproof eyeliner with a tiny brush on the upper waterline. I am still experimenting to get the right mascara. I use a cream bronzer for eyeshadow.

Blusher is a mix of bronzer and then red blush higher up than before.

Then my own version of lipgloss. Orangey lipstick with shiny lipbalm on top (8 hour stuff). It gives colour without looking like lipstick or the trapped hair effect.

I love make up. I can't be doing with the natural look. No judgement for others who rock it. But I love the creativity and even putting make up on. Plus it genuinely makes me look younger, and I am vain!

My skin is good but relate to looking pale without make up. I use tret and swim so bronzing drops don't work.

I think anything sitting on the skin is a no no but that's true for any age. I think using a damp beauty sponge can help sheer things out.

I need an eyebrow pencil.

Lisa Eldridge is good for cream eyeshadows that do not smudge but her shades are a bit dark and samey.

Horrified by the mere suggestion that I might not want to wear make up any more just because I’m in my forties 😱 I love it. It has changed a bit mid forties though.

I love makeup. I'd be sad if I had to give up cus I'm in my 40, like like teachers had to give up their jobs when they got married, back in the day.
I look much older without make up. Make up gives gloss, glow, warmth and definition to my face. I don't do my make up like I did in my twenties or thirties though and my skincare is more complex now.

I'm in my early 50s and I've always worn make-up daily but prefer a fairly natural look. Foundation makes my skin look dull and unnatural now. I use Elf Halo Glow and a dab of blush from a stick. A tiny brush of powder if I look too shiny in places. A basic Rimmel concealer stick for red bits etc. I could do with a better concealer for under eyes but have never found one I like that's quite the right colour. I have fairly pale, slightly yellow/light olive-toned skin.