Makeup You're Too Old For
By the time you hit your 40s, it's a good time to rethink your makeup habits so that everything you do feels more polished and flattering. Getting older doesn't mean giving up on fun or color, but it does mean that certain looks might start feeling more dated than you want. With these small swaps, you can keep your makeup looking smooth and bright as ever! Here are 20 makeup looks to avoid by the time you're 40.
1. Heavy Black Eyeliner All Around The Eyes
Throwing on some thick black liner on both the top and bottom lash lines when you're older can make you seem a lot more tired than you actually are. The look comes across very harsh, especially for a daytime look, and can accentuate any lines you already have around the eyes.
2. Ultra-Matte Full-Coverage Foundation
A very matte, full-coverage foundation can settle into fine lines when you're at an older age and make your skin look flatter than you'd like. By the time you’re 40, skin often looks fresher when you use less. You don’t have to go completely dewy, but a natural-finish base can make your complexion look much more comfortable.
3. Overdrawn Lips That Look Obvious
It's become trendy to overdraw your lips, but when it's done dramatically, it looks cheesy instead of flattering. For older women, it's much better to emphasize your natural lips rather than pretend they're something they're not. Choosing a shade close to your lip color and a softer outline usually creates a fuller effect without looking forced.
4. Frosty White Eyeshadow Under The Brow
Bright white shimmer under the brow bone had its moment a decade ago, but now, it just makes makeup look dated. It can also draw attention to texture instead of lifting the eye area, which really just defeats the whole purpose.
5. Super Thin Pencil Brows
Very skinny brows might've been popular many years ago, but in today's beauty world, they're known to make a face look much too severe and harsh. Fuller, softer brows tend to frame the face in a more balanced way that also feels more youthful.
6. Clumpy Spider-Lash Mascara
Layering mascara until the lashes stick together can make the eyes look heavy and messy, which doesn't look particularly attractive on older women. It may also flake or smudge more easily throughout the day, which can be an unwanted stressor.
7. Bright Concealer Triangles Under The Eyes
The old technique of applying huge light triangles of concealer under the eyes is no longer around because it looks way too stark in natural lighting. For older ladies, it might also emphasize dryness when you use too much product!
8. Powdery Blush Placed Too Low
Makeup placement is just as important as the products you use, which is why blush that sits low on the cheeks can actually pull the face downward visually and make you seem older. Powdery formulas can also look patchy if the skin is dry or textured.
9. Glittery Eyeshadow For Everyday Wear
Glitter might feel young and energetic, but when older women wear it, especially during a regular day, it can actually make you seem more dated. Not only do they crease quickly and highlight texture on the lids, they also just feel out of place.
10. Dark Lip Liner With Pale Lipstick
A high-contrast lip liner paired with very light lipstick can make the mouth look more dated than defined. There's something about it that just feels a bit unfinished, and the clashing of the colors simply doesn't look very clean or elegant on an older woman.
11. Too Much Baking Powder
Heavy baking under the eyes or around the mouth used to be very popular, but it actually leaves the skin looking dry and overly powdered. While it might look alright under bright lights, it ends up looking far too intense in everyday settings.
12. Harsh Contour Stripes
Everyone loves a good cheekbone, but not if the contour isn't blended well so it looks natural. When you use the wrong shade or the contour just sits on top of the skin, it can make your face look heavier and tired in a way you didn't intend.
13. Metallic Lipstick In Pale Shades
Compared to creamy, satin, or glossy finishes, metallic lipsticks can be eye-catching, but in the wrong ways. They tend to look less flattering and less suitable for everyday looks, and if you have dry lips, it'll certainly cling onto those patches and highlight them.
14. Matching Eyeshadow To Your Outfit Exactly
Coordinating makeup with your outfit can be fun when it's subtle, but matching your eyeshadow too perfectly can feel a little costume-like too. A blue dress doesn’t always need blue eyeshadow, and a green blouse doesn’t need green lids. Choosing complementary neutral tones often looks more stylish and less restrictive.
15. Foundation That’s Too Dark
Using a foundation that’s darker than your actual skin tone can create a noticeable line around the jaw and neck. It also makes your complexion look uneven, especially in daylight, which highlights texture you don't want.
16. Heavy Lower-Lash Mascara
Too much mascara on the lower lashes drags the eyes downward and create smudges under the eyes that make your look far too heavy. It might also make your dark circles look more noticeable if the product transfers!
17. Sharp Instagram Brows
Sharp Instagram brows might look good for models in a serious photoshoot, but for everyday life, they might look too intense and harsh. They photograph well, but remember, most of your life is lived in person, not through a screen.
Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash
18. Thick Foundation On The Neck
It's okay to blend foundation slightly down the neck as long as you don't leave behind a heavy layer that looks messy and mismatched. Not only will it transfer onto your clothes, but it'll draw attention to your skin for all the wrong reasons.
19. Neon Eyeshadow Without Balance
Neon eyeshadow can absolutely be fun, but it's all about the right occasion and wearing it in a polished way. If you don't know what you're doing, it may overpower your features if the rest of the makeup isn’t balanced. And as an older woman, it might look out of place.
Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash
20. Ignoring Skin Prep Before Makeup
Skipping moisturizer or primer can make even expensive makeup look less smooth than it should. As your skin gets older, makeup usually sits better when the base is properly hydrated. Taking a few extra minutes before foundation can help everything blend more evenly and look better.
