X

A Makeup Artist Explains Why You Shouldn’t Use Concealer To Hide Wrinkles: ‘You’re Going To Draw More Attention To Them’—Here’s What To Do Instead

January 16, 2024 by Marissa Matozzo

 
Shutterstock

Many of us tend to assume that what works for us in terms of makeup at one point in our lives will continue to do so without the need for modification. However, the truth is that just like our haircare needs (or anything else for that matter), our makeup needs change as we age.

Celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter recently provided Vogue with valuable tips and tricks for women over 50 who want to achieve radiant and stunning ageless makeup. Linter suggests using concealer to enhance one’s eyes and favorite features instead of covering up wrinkles. This technique, she explains, will create a glowing and beautiful overall look.

Concealer Tips & Tricks For Mature Beauties Over 50 For A Glowing Makeup Look

Something that Linter (whose impressive portfolio includes collabs with Christie Brinkley, Elizabeth Hurley, Debbie Harry and Rita Wilson) stresses is that rather than "trying to hide flaws" over 50 with makeup, it's better to "enhance what you’ve got." Before applying any concealer or makeup at all, she recommends preparing a "glowing base" with the help of a good moisturizing cream and primer.

"You can’t hide wrinkles, so don’t try to, because you’re only going to draw more attention to them," Linter told Vogue. Before reaching for concealer, she recommends applying a translucent, moisturizing foundation that "doesn’t look plastered to the face" with a damp sponge or a brush specifically designed for foundation application.

1. Use A Lightweight Concealer For Your Under-Eyes

Next, for those seeking to cover hyper-pigmented areas, her advice is to opt for a concealer with a lightweight yet durable cream formula that blends effortlessly, such as the Giorgio Armani High-Precision Retouch Concealer which she personally recommends.

For effective dark circle counteraction when applying liquid concealer to highlight your peepers, she says to concentrate on the under eyes and inner corners. "Most women get darkest on the inner corner of their eye as opposed to the outer corners where you smile and have the laugh lines," she added.

2. Don't Find An Exact Concealer Or Foundation Match

According to Linter, when selecting a foundation or concealer shade, opting for an exact match may seem like the obvious choice. However, to avoid appearing drab  and washed out, it's advisable to go for a shade that is one or two tones warmer. "If it’s too matchy-matchy, it can age you," she explained.  "After the face, take a foundation brush and blend very slightly around the neck so it doesn’t look obvious," she went on.

Linter then noted why she uses bronzer on areas other than the cheeks for a more illuminated complexion. "I use it on everyone over 50 because it warms up the skin in a natural way," she said. Linter dished that she frequently applies bronzer in a sweeping motion below the cheekbone, along the sides of the nose, on the forehead, and below the jawline to achieve a sculpted radiance.

Bonus Tip #3: Apply Blush At The Top Of The Cheekbone

For women over 50, the application of blush on the cheekbone instead of the apple area of the cheek is the final tip for skin coverage, as advised by Linter.

"Instead of on the apples of the cheeks, I like to apply blush at the top of the cheekbone and then blend inward," she said. "You want to point the attention up to enhance." The more you know!

Load more...