This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
If you’re over 50 and searching for ways to feel your best, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars at a spa or salon or commit to hours a day in front of a mirror. Some of the most effective beauty hacks require little more than a cheap swap here and there or taking on one additional habit that can make your skin glow, your smile brighter, and your hair look more voluminous. Before you pop out to Sephora to buy another product, check out these five life-changing beauty hacks for women over 50 — all pro-approved.
1. Use Primer Before Adding Any Makeup
The secret to making your makeup last all day long, especially eyeshadow, is to apply a thin layer of primer on skin after your cleansing and moisturizing routine and before makeup application. Primer can help blot the natural oils in your skin so that creams and shadows go on smoothly and stay on longer. It can even help make the colors in products pop more.
“Even if you don't have particularly oily eyelids, primer can help reduce some signs of aging and keep your makeup in place all day,” said Alice Rawling, a hair stylist and chief editor at Hairdo Hairstyle. “As we age, our skin becomes thinner, especially around our eyes, often resulting in uneven tones of purple, blue, and red. You should tap a skinny layer of eye primer to your eyelids to even out the tone, neutralizing any of the unwanted shades. If you choose, this will make for a more vibrant, long-wearing eye shadow application.”
2. Change Up Your Part
You don’t always have to invest in pricey highlights or get an extreme haircut to make a major change — changing up the part in your hair can be all it takes to look more youthful and current.
“A part straight down the middle is hard to wear as you age because it tends to drag features down,” said Sam Villa, co-founder and chief creative officer of Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken 5th Avenue. “Try a soft irregular part to add volume and softness. And don’t forget about bangs, soft longer curtain fringe or other face framing bangs can make you look younger.”
3. Whiten Your Teeth
“Whiten your teeth … and watch your lip statements POP,” said Makeup Artist Mary Winkenwerder.
“Generally, our teeth get darker as we get older. Think of all the moments you had tea or coffee with friends and family, or enjoyed by yourself. Over time, these stain the teeth in multiple layers. Stained teeth produce off-color changes in your lip color and limit the colors you can successfully wear. To be more precise, all your favorite lip colors with any type of yellow in the formula tend to make you look older. Whitening your teeth keeps you looking fresh in your favorite lip colors. Whether you go to a cosmetic dentist or opt to do a DIY treatment at home, do this and watch your smile blossom.”
4. Make Hyaluronic Acid Your New Best Friend
Paying closer attention to the ingredients in your skincare and choosing those with effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid is a key change you can make as you get older.
“Are the lines around your eyes and lips deepening? You may benefit from hyaluronic acid,” Winkenwerder said. “This miracle serum improves the condition of features over time. It's almost like pushing the factory reset button and watching your skin get better. Even if you get injectable treatments, your skin's overall condition may improve with HA use.”
5. Wear Sunscreen Every Day, Year Round
Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, says that the most crucial step in any great anti-aging morning skincare routine is "sun protection." Chacon adds that "everyone should consistently use sunscreen as the last step after skincare and before applying makeup." To prevent premature wrinkling and fine lines caused by sun damage, the daily application of sunscreen is vital.
Dr. Angela Casey, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare line Bright Girl agrees, and notes that "prevention is truly the best medicine when it comes to your skin health." Implementing a skincare routine that "cleanses, moisturizes, and protects your skin" will lead you on the path to a healthy and glowing complexion (with much less wrinkling and fine lines than if you skipped this step), she notes.
She deems sunscreen to be the "non-negotiable final step," following vitamin C serum (we'll get into that in a second), and that you should choose one with an "SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection."
"The best medicine for your skin's collagen is prevention and sunscreen," she says. A broad spectrum sunscreen "protects from both UVA and UVB rays," and she suggests selecting one with "SPF 30 or higher." This, she says, "prevents the UV rays of the sun from penetrating into your skin and causing collagen and elastic fiber breakdown."
6. Take Steps To Help Combat Thinning Hair
One of the most common concerns women have as they age is dealing with thinning hair. Akirashanti Byrd, the co-founder and CEO of Curl Centric, offers a few great tips on how to combat the issue.
“A scalp massage can help with thinning hair because it increases circulation to the hair follicles,” Byrd said.
“Increased circulation helps the hair to grow back thicker and more robust. Scalp massages are also helpful for treating scalp conditions, like dandruff or psoriasis, that can cause hair loss. Massage has also been shown to effectively reduce stress, which may also lead to reduced hair shedding. Many hair products that use keratin are great for thinning hair. Keratin is a protein found in the hair and nails, and it helps to keep them strong. Keratin products can help to decrease hair loss and promote growth.”
And don’t sleep on the power of a home spa day that includes treating yourself to a hair mask. “Hair masks are also a popular way to improve the appearance of thinning hair,” Byrd said. “They involve applying a treatment to the hair that helps to restore thickness and density. Combining ingredients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals often does this. Hair masks can be very beneficial for people who suffer from hair loss due to various causes. They can help to stimulate new growth, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.”
These hacks won’t break the bank, but can keep you looking and feeling your very best.
