When I turned 40 a few years ago, I noticed that my usual makeup products didn’t look good on me anymore. I was so annoyed that I had to start all over again trying to find the right cosmetics that didn’t look like crap on me.
As we age, our skin goes through various changes, and it’s important to adapt our makeup routine to suit our evolving needs. If you’re a woman over 40, you may have noticed that the makeup products you used in your younger years no longer provide the same results. But don’t worry, there are plenty of fantastic makeup products available that are specifically designed to enhance the beauty of mature skin. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of my picks for the best affordable makeup products and the latest trends for women over 40.
You can find all these products listed available in my Amazon storefront.
Foundation
Finding the right foundation is essential for women over 40. Look for a foundation that provides good coverage without settling into fine lines and wrinkles. Opt for a lightweight, moisturizing formula that gives a natural, radiant finish. Consider using a foundation with added skincare benefits, such as hyaluronic acid or SPF, to nourish and protect your skin throughout the day.
My picks for best foundations are:
- L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. The 1% Hyaluronic acid instantly hydrates & smoothes. Skin looks visibly plumper in just 4 weeks. 13 shades that blend to match a variety of skin tones
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter Infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane. It’s available in 8 different shades.
Concealer
Concealer is a must-have product for women over 40, as it helps to hide any imperfections and brighten the under-eye area. Choose a creamy concealer that blends easily and offers full coverage. Look for a shade that matches your skin tone or is slightly lighter to help camouflage dark circles and discoloration. Apply it sparingly and blend well for a flawless finish.
If there is one makeup product that I can’t live without, that would be concealer. I have very dark under-eye circles and need a concealer that covers them well but won’t settle into my fine lines.
My picks for concealers are:
- L’Oreal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer. The lightweight, crease-resistant formula infused with 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine hydrates skin. Their formula neutralizes the look of dark circles on bare skin over time.
- Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind . This anti-aging under-eye treatment concealer is infused with Haloxyl. It diminishes the look of fine lines, blemishes, redness, and dark circles
Blush
Adding a pop of color to your cheeks is a great way to brighten up your complexion and achieve a youthful glow. Cream or liquid blush, tend to blend more seamlessly into mature skin. Choose shades that complement your skin tone, such as soft pinks, peaches, or rosy tones. Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it out towards your temples for a natural flush of color.
- e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush. The lightweight liquid blush formula effortlessly blends out to a soft finish on your face.
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Blush. The lightweight liquid formula is infused with hydrating squalane to add instant luminosity and radiant dimension to your complexion.
Eyeshadow
When it comes to eyeshadow, neutral tones are your best friend. Avoid glittery eyeshadows, as they can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Instead, opt for matte or satin finishes in shades like taupe, brown, or bronze. These colors will enhance your eyes without drawing attention to any signs of aging.
My picks for best eyeshadow palettes:
- Wet n Wild Always Naked Palette Always Nude. A curated selection of highly-pigmented neutral mattes and subtle shimmers. Specially formulated to be long lasting, each pigment resists smudging throughout the day for maximum staying power.
- Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Queen Eyeshadow Palette. This versatile collection has 16 creamy mattes and ultra-pigmented shimmers in perfectly complementary warm tones and golds.
Mascara
Mascara is a game-changer when it comes to opening up your eyes and making them appear more youthful. Look for a mascara that provides length, volume, and curl without clumping or smudging. Consider using a lash primer before applying mascara to add extra length and thickness to your lashes. If you have sparse lashes, you may also want to try using a lash serum to promote growth.
My picks for best mascaras are:
- L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara. This mascara enhances your lashes with intense length and unique lash by lash separation.
- L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara. It’s uniquely formulated to resist clumping, soften & build lashes up to 5X their natural thickness.
I love wearing lash extensions. When I’m wearing them, I don’t need to use any mascara or eyeliner. It’s so easy to do lash extensions at home and it’s much cheaper than going to a salon.
If you are looking for good DIY lash extension kit to do your lashes at home, I recommend the Mereton Lash Extension kit. It comes with the bond, and seal along with the lash glue remover and tweezers. The lash clusters come in a variety of different lengths ranging from 8-16mm.
Lip Products
As we age, our lips tend to lose volume and become drier. To combat this, choose moisturizing formulas that won’t settle into fine lines. Opt for shades that complement your skin tone, such as nude pinks, mauves, or berry tones. If you prefer a more natural look, you can also try lip glosses or lip stains for a hint of color and hydration.
My picks are:
- NYX Butter Gloss. Each glossy color delivers sheer to medium coverage that melts onto your lips
- MILANI – Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper. Sheer, lightweight, non-sticky, creamy formula. Formulated with a blend of lip-loving oils and Hyaluronic Acid
The Latest Makeup Trends for Women Over 40
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup, there are a few trends that can be particularly flattering for women over 40. Here are some of the latest makeup trends to try:
Soft Smoky Eyes
Instead of a heavy, dramatic smoky eye, opt for a softer version that uses neutral shades. Blend a medium-toned eyeshadow into the crease and outer corner of your eyes, then apply a lighter shade on the lid. Finish off with a touch of shimmer on the inner corners to brighten the eyes.
Dewy Skin
Achieving a dewy, glowing complexion is a timeless trend that looks beautiful on women of all ages. Use a hydrating primer, followed by a lightweight foundation with a luminous finish. Apply a cream highlighter on the high points of your face for a natural, lit-from-within glow.
Bold Brows
Well-groomed brows can frame your face and give you a more youthful appearance. Fill in any sparse areas with a brow pencil or powder, using short, feathery strokes. Set your brows in place with a clear brow gel for a polished look that lasts all day.
For brow gel, I recommend NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue, 16H Extreme Hold Eyebrow Gel.
In conclusion, as a woman over 40, there are plenty of makeup products and trends to enhance your natural beauty. Embrace products that nourish and protect your skin, and choose colors and finishes that flatter your complexion. Remember, makeup should be fun and empowering at any age, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
I would love to hear what some of your favorite makeup products are? List your faves in the comments below.
You can find all these products listed available in my Amazon storefront.