4 Super Important Rules for Changing Your Makeup Routine As You Get Older

If you’re over 40, your skin has gone through a ton of physical changes in the past few decades. The new development of fine lines and wrinkles throughout the years calls for an improved skin care regimen to cater to your skin's latest concerns. However, most of us tend to forget that it’s not only your skin care products that need an upgrade as you age, but your makeup products as well. So, we tapped celebrity makeup artist and author of Lazy Perfection, Jenny Patinkin, for her best tips on tweaking your makeup routine as you age.

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Rule #1: Eliminate “heavy” products from your routine.
“It seems counterintuitive to wear less makeup as we age, but it really does look more youthful and fresh,” says Patinkin. “Products that are heavy or heavily applied, have actual weight to them, so they can depress the delicate skin on the eyelids or sink to the bottom of fine lines just enough to accentuate wrinkles.” Translation: If you’re applying too many layers of makeup or wearing ultra-thick foundation, you could be unintentionally making your wrinkles more noticeable. Instead, strategically emphasize areas of your face with light makeup instead of trying to cover up too much of your face with thick foundation. 

Rule #2: Stop wearing matte or powdery products on your eyes.
“Matte or powdery products, particularly around the eye area, absolutely make matters worse,” explains Patinkin. “Dewy products that crease a bit are better than dry products that don't have any flexibility or movement and just sit on top of the skin.” Creamier formulas give a sheen look to the face, making your skin appear much more youthful. As a bonus, using these dewy formulas remove the issue of powder products settling into the fine lines surrounding your eyes.  

Rule #3: Toss your sparkly makeup products ASAP.
“Also, anything with sparkles, where you can see individual particles of glitter on the skin, are best avoided, as they sink to the bottom of fine lines and then act like a beacon, calling out for attention to your wrinkles,” adds Patinkin. Long story short: Toss your glittery eye shadows and sparkly highlighters before they make you look older than you are.

Rule #4: Stock up on liquid makeup products.
According to Patinkin, liquid or slightly luminous products blend easily, meld with the skin, add the look of hydration, and give a very uniform reflection of light which creates the illusion of a more even, smooth skin surface. Dry skin can make a lined complexion appear even older, so be sure to invest in hydrating products, as Patinkin suggests, to counteract that effect.