Beauty tips for midlife
Finish last
Had a late night and an early morning? Don’t break out the concealer trowel just yet. Put the rest of your face on first. Toronto-based makeup magician David Goveia says women tend to be heavy-handed with cover-up, which can look unnatural and highlight flaws in older skin. “Wait until you’ve applied your base, blush and lipstick — you’ll look better, feel better and end up using less.”
Curl, girl
An eyelash curler may look like a medieval instrument of torture, but it should be a basic in your beauty bag. Why? It opens up the eyes for a more youthful appearance and helps mascara make a bigger impact. Gently close the clamp on upper lashes, squeeze for 10 seconds, then softly open before removing. Follow with mascara.
Don’t have a meltdown
Whether it’s a hot date or a hot flash, you want your makeup to stay put. Look for products that won’t melt or slide in high temperatures or on moist skin. Try Cargo Cosmetics Water Resistant Bronzer and Better-than-waterproof Mascara, and keep makeup from slipping with Clarins Fix’ Make-up. (Check out Vanessa's beauty blog for more product picks.)
Stop wine-ing
Ditch those dark wine or overripe plum lipsticks in the recycling bin. Severe, dark colours put your lips on a diet, making them appear thinner. “I call it the Cruella De Vil look,” says Toronto-based makeup artist Jackie Shawn. “From a distance, it appears almost like a gash on the mouth. Softer colours can give the illusion of a fuller lip.” (More: Does your cosmetic bag need a makeover?)
Zoom lens
Don’t be scared to take a closer look. A magnifying mirror is a must-have — great for doing eye makeup, plucking stray hairs, putting in contacts or just examining the current state of your skin. Focus with the Tweezerman Tweezermate 10x Lighted Mirror, which can be attached to a larger mirror for convenience.
Arc angel
Eyeliner doesn’t have to be applied in one perfect swoop. In fact, most of the makeup artists we know use several shorter strokes to line the eyes. A soft line makes for a great daytime look (and pre-morning coffee, it’s much more manageable). Another option: Use an eyeliner brush and shadow.
Softly, softly
Opt for a facial cleanser before reaching for the eye makeup remover. A good, water-soluble face wash will remove makeup without the extra step (or cost) of using a separate remover. More importantly, it will also save on unnecessary rubbing and tugging of the skin in the delicate eye area (hello, wrinkles!). Try gentle but effective products such as Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser or Dove Pro-Age Foaming Facial Cleanser.
If you can’t do without your waterproof mascara (notoriously difficult to get off without a blow torch — use water “resistant” instead), wash your face first and then gently sweep away remains with eye makeup remover. (See also: Top tips for beautiful skin.)
Can light change everything? Light treatment, that is.
