Foundation is the makeup product we most associate with a flawless-looking complexion and even-toned skin. A great foundation that matches your skin tone and has a formulation that works with your skin type (whether it’s oily, dry, or somewhere in between) can look like real skin. It can blur imperfections and pores and create warmth and radiance.
But so many of us struggle to get foundation right. We overthink it in some cases, applying way too much product, or don’t think enough about it in other cases, choosing shades that we WANT our skin to look like (or believe it looks like) rather than what it actually looks like. Foundation is not bronzer. It’s not concealer. Its purpose is to look as close to your skin as possible — and here are four smart tips and tricks for women over 40 that will create a more beautiful foundation look.
Prep Your Skin
Whenever you see someone who has flawless-looking foundation, you A) probably don’t even know it because the makeup looks as natural and blended as possible and B) are also looking at someone who has their skincare routine down to a science.
There is no gorgeous foundation application without a good skin prep routine. In order to prep your skin prior to foundation, make sure you clean it with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer. Keeping your skin hydrated is key to your complexion looking smooth and radiant under makeup. Make sure you also wait at least 10 minutes for moisturizer to absorb prior to applying primer first and then foundation.
Choose the Right Shade
Your ideal foundation shade in your forties, fifties, and beyond may not be the exact shade you wore in your teens and twenties. Skin changes over time, and skin tone can also change. It’s important to visit a makeup professional once a decade or so and have your skin tone and foundation reviewed to make sure you’re wearing the right hue. Even if your foundation is off slightly in tone and shade, it can appear too orange or too pallid for your complexion, and throw off your entire look.
Don’t Overdo It
Less is more when it comes to foundation. If you get carried away and apply foundation all over your face, in heavy layers, the makeup is more likely to settle into pores, fine lines, and creases. It also won’t be as easy to blend and looks less natural. A better application method is to apply foundation in small amounts, sparingly, on various areas of your face that tend to look less evenly toned, such as around the nose or where shadows may appear by the temples and chin. Make sure you blend the foundation well, using a damp makeup sponge, brush, or your fingers.
Use Setting Powder and Spray — But Sparingly
Once your foundation has been applied and is setting, it’s a smart idea to help keep it set for hours using a setting powder and setting spray. The powder will ideally be translucent, lightweight, and applied with a light hand ONLY where you need it to avoid making your skin look cakey. Follow up with a few spritzes of a refreshing setting spray to seal the deal. You can even carry the spray with you and use it throughout the day to give your makeup an instant refreshened look.
