Makeup Over 40

Archive for the ‘Eye Makeup’ Category

Eye shadow makeup can be a little more challenging over 40, but it can still be fun.  It’s a matter of putting to the back of your mind what you’ve done for years, and learning some new techniques.  It might take a few times to get used to the new ways, but you’ll very likely be pleased with the results.

The Eye Makeup Challenge

Although I keep saying “40″, these issues can pop up at any age, really; they’re just more common as you get older.

That being said, there are two main challenges:

• Hooded eyes (skin on your browbone area starts drooping to your lid area).
• Downturn of the corners of your eyes.

And fortunately, both can be minimized with the use of good tools and good makeup!

There’s actually a third issue, but it’s related to the two above, and that is that the skin around your eyes isn’t taut anymore.  This means puffiness and fine lines.

Now I’ll go into specific techniques for the two parts of the challenge, but first, you need to know your tools and supplies!  Here is what you will need:

• Eye shadow primer
• Concealer (specifically for under the eyes or an all-purpose concealer)
• Eye shadows (start with 3 colors; a highlight, lid color and crease color)
• Eye liner (or you can use a darker shadow color for the liner)
• Mascara
• Eye shadow brushes; minimum of a flat brush for the lids, a fluffy brush for blending and a liner brush (and here’s a quickie overview on make up brush sets)
• Optional but recommended:  Eyelash curler

Whew!  Seems like a lot, but it really isn’t.  You probably have at least the shadows and mascara.  Possibly also the concealer and eye liner.

What is Eye Shadow Primer?

Here’s a post where I go more into detail on what is an eye shadow primer, but for now, we’ll call it a necessary tool.  In a nutshell, though, it helps your eye shadow makeup stay on longer (which is a good thing for sure).  After all, you don’t want to see your handiwork disappear in (almost literally) a blink of an eye!

Eye Shadow Makeup

One thing I want to mention before we go any farther is this.  If your current eye shadow is old or is of the ”no-name” dollar store variery, do yourself a favor and get some new, good eye shadow makeup.  You don’t need to spend $25 for a single M.A.C. shadow by any means, but you might want to spend somewhere in the vicinity of $15 for three or four good-quality shadows.  Treat yourself!  (In other words, don’t get the cheapest shadows you can find outside of the “no-name dollar store” makeup,)

Or think of it another way — how much would it cost you to have cosmetic eye surgery?  No, makeup isn’t quite so dramatic a change but you might be very, very surprised at what the proper makeup and techniques can do to take years off your looks!

Naturally, you can use drugstore brands; there are some good ones out there from Revlon and L’Oreal.  And don’t forget Mary Kay — they have some nice, good quality eye shadows as well. 

But here’s a suggestion; once you try some of the tips, and feel more confident with your techniques, treat yourself to something really nice like Bare Escentuals, Urban Decay eyeshadow, NARS, Sue Devitt or Smashbox.  Maybe even a M.A.C. eyeshadow or two, if your pocketbook can handle it.

Ready?  Set?  Let’s Eye Shadow!

Next up for eye shadow makeup:  Tips for making sagging outer corners of the eyes almost disappear.  It’s a trick I use to help hide those downturns.  Get ready with some coordinating eye shadow colors in neutral tones for this technique!