Reading: 9 Makeup Myths for Women Over 40

When it comes to the makeup industry, it seems as if no one is speaking to mature women unless it’s all about anti-aging. As if nature is all wrong and we are not worth talking to after the age of 40. I believe women over 40 become their most beautiful selves. We have more knowledge and confidence, we have raised children, survived illness, loved hard and sometimes lost hard, seen the world change, and have adapted through it all. 

This is the best time to celebrate the age you are right now, embrace your uniqueness, and use makeup as a way to polish your current beauty. We are conditioned to think that there is only one way to look beautiful as we age and that is to hold on for dear life to looking young. But I don’t believe that. When I see a mature woman who looks polished and manicured in a classic way without trying to hide every flaw, she comes across as the most confident goddess in the room. 

As a 48-year-old makeup artist and beauty enabler I have worked with hundreds of thousands of women at every stage of life. When I developed my new cosmetic line,  Carmindy Beauty for QVC,  I made sure to test my products on a woman in her 70s first to ensure they would work on everyone regardless of age. 

Here are my top nine myth-busting makeup tips that will help you achieve your most beautiful radiant self.

Makeup Myth #1: Apply concealer to cover all flaws
You may think concealer  helps mask your imperfections, but as you get older it’s actually doing the opposite. Instead, you should apply a liquid foundation first all over your skin. This will make your complexion look natural and even; it will diffuse light over your imperfections. If dark areas, redness, or spots still show through, just tap on a concealer stick in that particular area to hide the spot. Not only will you be using far less product, you’ll allow your skin to look natural and avoid the cakey-looking mask.

Recommendations
*Carmindizing Foundation
*Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
*It Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation

Makeup Myth #2: Loose powder is the best way to erase shine
Not only is loose powder a dated idea (dusty and pigmented versions are particularly aging because they settle into fine lines and creases), it’s a total mess in the bathroom. Plus, it can’t be controlled when applying it to the skin. Some areas will get too much, while others will get too little. Instead try a pigment-less, pressed translucent powder (often sold in a portable compact) that helps the product do the two jobs it’s meant for: erasing shine and setting your makeup — but without leaving a dusty trace behind. 

Recommendations
*Sheer Whisper Finishing Powder
*Mac Blot Powder
*Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder

Makeup Myth #3: Long-wearing lipsticks are best as we get older
Uh, No. Long-wearing lipsticks are often created  with ingredients that dry out your lips, leaving them looking cracked and parched; the color then ends up looking chunky. As we age, we need more moisture and hydration, so opt for soft creamy lipsticks and just reapply when needed. 

Recommendations
*Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour 
*Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Hydrating Lipstick
*Carmindy Beauty Universal Love Lipstick

Makeup Myth #4: Colored lip liner will keep your lipstick from bleeding
The only thing highly pigmented lip liners do is create a harsh ring around the lips as soon as your lipstick wears off. If your lips have lines around them, I suggest using a clear or very natural lip liner that matches your actual lip color. This will lock down any shade you are wearing but in a soft and pretty way. 

Recommendations
*Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil
*Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner
*Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in Clear

Makeup Myth #5: Shimmer is a no-no after 40
All shimmer is not created equal! Yes, it’s true that glittery eye shadows, bronzers, and highlighters should be avoided as they can cause older skin to look crepey, but you can still rock a glowing look. Choose products that have a refined and pearlescent candlelit  effect. The best way to discern pearlescent over shimmer is to swatch the product on the inside of your wrist and look at it in daylight. If you see little chunks of shimmer stay away, but if it looks smooth and glowy, almost like oil in water, go for it. 

Recommendations
*Carmindizing Highlighter in Ethereal
*RMS Living Luminizer
*BareMinerals Invisible Glow Powder Highlighter

Makeup Myth #6: Sagging eyelids should avoid eye shadow
This is simply not true. The best way to accentuate your eyes if your lids are no longer where they once were is to choose sheer and matte neutral-toned eye shadow. Start at the lash line and blend over the lids and all the way up to where your crease originally was. Use a pearlescent highlighter under the brow for a simple yet polished look.

Recommendations
*It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Trio in pretty in Nudes
*Smashbox Photo Edit Eye Shadow Trio in Night Shoot
*Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Nude Dip

Makeup Myth #7: Avoid tattooed eyebrows
This is only partially a myth, as traditional tattooed makeup should be avoided. The new microblading trend is a great alternative for women with barely-there brows, and the best part is that it fades over time so it’s not permanent. Make sure you do your research and find a great brow technician by reading reviews and asking friends who look good for recommendations.  

Makeup Myth #8: Mature women should wear only cream blush
Cream blush can slip and slide throughout the day and settle into lines and wrinkles. I prefer a sheer matte blush applied with a big fluffy powder brush for a softer and fresh look with staying power. 

Recommendations
*Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion
*Lancôme Blush Subtil 
*Make Beauty Matte Finish Powder Blush

Makeup Myth #9: Use contour to sculpt away jowls
No woman, no matter her age, should do this! It always looks obvious — those brown and white patches all over your face won’t fool anyone. In many cases, attempts at contouring actually draws attention to just what you’re trying to disguise. Forget about the features you don’t like and focus on enhancing those you love.