Beauty Basics: Makeup Over 50

Women over 50 are usually the first to admit that their makeup needs morph as they age. Changes in skin texture, type and resilience, along with eye and lip shape, demand an update to application techniques and product choices. Case in point: Highly sparkly or shimmer lip glosses can look unsophisticated on the over 50 crew (for suggestions on pout products that do work, see Step 10). We asked expert makeup artist Carmindy, who stars on Bravo's What Not to Wear, for advice on how to update your makeup routine as you mature. The tweaks are easy, but the impact it huge. And as an added bonus -- it's super quick! In 10 easy steps, you'll have a fresh, glowing, youthful look.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 1: LUMINIZING PRIIMER
Primer is every makeup artist's secret weapon for prepping the skin for foundation application. The clear base fills in rough patches and wrinkles to allow foundation to slide on smoothly and help your makeup stay on longer. For mature skin, Carmindy suggests a luminizing primer, to supply the above benefits plus an added bonus - these formulas contain reflective particles that will scatter light to visually "airbrush" wrinkles and uneven spots, while giving skin a radiant boost.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 2: FOUNDATION
As you get older, less foundation is more. "You don't want a full face of foundation," explains Carmindy. "Just a thin veil, only where you need it." To get the lightest possible application, use a makeup sponge (pictured) or a foundation brush. Squeeze a little foundation on your hand and dab the sponge or brush in it to just pick up a little. Then, concentrate the foundation in areas that need evening - usually the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. You can layer for higher coverage, but start off light for the most natural look.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 3: CONCEALER
Use concealer only in places you need extra coverage -- like the dark areas at the inner and outer corners of the eyes and red patches around the nose. TIP: To make eyes appear wider open, a great trick is to apply concealer at the inner and outer corners. The inner corners are obvious - obscuring dark circles help us look well rested and younger. But many people don't realize that the outer corners of the eye can look a little darker as we age. Brightening them up with concealer will make the eyes appear refreshed and awake.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 4: CREAM BLUSH
"Our skin tends to become dryer as we get older, says Carmindy, "so I suggest making the switch to moisturizing makeup formulas." With blush, that means trading in your trusty old powder for a cream formula. The creamy consistency will deliver hydration throughout the day, to keep the color from settling into dry patches and wrinkles, allowing the skin to look more fresh and youthful than a powder formula will. Use a stipling brush to apply cream blush to the apples of the cheeks, blending out and up towards the temples.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 5: TRANSLUCENT POWDER
Even out your complexion with a light dusting of translucent powder. To keep skin from looking too matte (which can exacerbate wrinkles), concentrate application on the T zone - the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 6: FILL IN BROWS
"Brows get sparser and color can fade over time," says Carmindy. "so I recommend a brow color corrector to restore." Use a brow brush to apply the color, feathering it through the brows. The deeper color and defined shape will frame the eyes and draw attention upwards -- where you want it.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 7: EYE LINER
One of the hallmarks of aging is a change in eye shape - due to changes in the fat distribution under the skin, eyes can look smaller and sunken over time. Eyeliner is your best weapon for overcoming this: Blend a gel pencil formula in brown or gray (black can look too harsh) at the base of the upper lash lines, from the inner to outer corners. Not only will the liner help to visually open up your eyes, it'll also make your peepers appear longer and wider.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 8: EYE SHADOW
"I don't like to use a lot of eye shadow on women as they get older," says Carmindy. "It actually weighs down the lids." Choose muted, natural shadow shades - like taupe, gray, pink, green and soft lilac - in a light highlight color and a medium lid shade. Apply the highlight shade right underneath the brow bone, and blend the lid shade from the lash line up to the crease.

Peter Buckingham

STEP 9: MASCARA
Polish off the eyes with mascara, using an eyelash curler prior to application to visually open up the eyes. Since lashes can look thinner as we get older, opt for a volumizing formula to give your fringe extra oomph.

Peter Buckingham