This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
The cosmetic trio of eyeliner, eyeshadow, and eyebrow products have the ability to perform various functions when it comes to perfecting one’s makeup look. In particular, these products are integral in creating an anti-aging appearance, whether through the application of a winged liner, the look of fuller brows, or a slight enhancement to the eyes.
To aid women who are over 40 in achieving a revitalized and vibrant look, we sought advice from makeup professionals who imparted three straightforward and enduring tips for mastering the usage of these vital cosmetics. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Mandie Brice, professional makeup artist and beauty expert and Kerrin Jackson, celebrity, film and television makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery blog.
MUAs Share 3 Flattering & Simple Eye Makeup Hacks For Women Over 40
1. Apply Eyeliner Solely to the Top Lid
Eyeliner instantly has the power to open up your eyes and lift them at any age, Brice explains, and for women over 40, this is especially true when it is only applied to the top lid with a minimalist approach. "How the eyeliner is applied makes a big difference," she says, while explaining how mature beauties can be careful not to make a common mistake with eyeliner.
"Often, people will apply it in a very heavy fashion all the way around the eye, which can make the person look tired, and the eyes look heavy," she points out.
Instead, she recommends "a light touch, and just the outer two thirds of the eye on top, and skipping eyeliner altogether on the bottom."
Another fun tip she shares for a more lifted look is to add a shiny dot of highlighter to the inner corner of your eye. "Using a brightening highlighter in the inner corner can really wake up someone's eyes as well," she says.
2. Use Cream or Powder To Fill in Your Eyebrows
If you often fill your brows with a pencil product, Brice notes that a cream or powder is often more flattering. "Eyebrows are actually more science than art, if you want a natural look, because you can use geometry to find where specific points are and then fill them in," she says.
"You can use a makeup brush to hold against your nose straight up, and that's where the inside of your brows should go," she advises. She then suggests "tilting it toward your ear at a 45 degree angle, and you can find where the tail of the brow should end."
Next, Brice says to "go through the center of your eye and that's where the point should be where the brow angles down." She stresses that "it is better to use a cream or powder than a pencil, because it blends easier and looks more natural."
In addition, Brice also shares that she "starts with refining the tail," and then uses "what cream is left on my brush to fill in the more sparse hairs at the front of my brow, as that usually requires less product." Another general tip she recommends is "using a shade lighter than you think you need, or lighter than your hair."
3. Contour Eyes with Shadow Just Like Your Cheekbones
While you may typically associate contour makeup with accentuating the cheekbones, it's important to note that the same principle can be applied to enhancing the appearance of the eyes. "To put it simply, the contour trick means creating the illusion of depth on a part of your eyelid that doesn’t naturally have depth. ie. your hooded eyelid," Jackson explains.
"By using the right product and the right brush," she adds, "you can very quickly and easily create this look on your own hooded eyelids."
According to Jackson, contouring hooded eyelids can aid in achieving a youthful appearance through enhancing the definition and form of your eye shape.
Additionally, it can help in reducing the impact of loose skin that often leads to the formation of hooded and/ or aging eyelids. "By using a shade that’s slightly darker than the skin on your eyelid, you can help make that skin recede," Jackson notes.
Good to know!
