As we age, and our skin and features change, so should our makeup techniques! In fact, the right makeup can enhance your natural beauty, boost your confidence, and keep you looking fresh and radiant. Here are 30 over-40 beauty hacks from TikTok!
Hydrate and Prime
Start with a hydrating moisturizer AND a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup. Your makeup will look cakey otherwise!
Choose a Lightweight Foundation
Opt for a lightweight, hydrating foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Heavy foundations can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, so something sheer and buildable works best.
Use a Damp Beauty Sponge
Put the brushes down! A damp beauty sponge helps to blend foundation and concealer seamlessly into the skin, providing a natural, airbrushed finish.
Spot Conceal
Instead of applying a heavy layer of concealer everywhere, focus on spot concealing only where needed. Less is truly more!
Cream-Based Products
Powder products are not the way to go as we age. In fact, cream-based blushes, bronzers, and highlighters blend more seamlessly into mature skin.
Subtle Contour
If you like contouring, keep it really subtle. Use a cream contour stick to gently defining your cheekbones, jawline, and temples for a natural, sculpted look.
Brighten the Eyes
Apply a brightening eye cream or primer before your eyeshadow to reduce puffiness and dark circles. This helps your eye makeup look more vibrant and last longer.
Warm-Toned Eyeshadows
Warm-toned eyeshadows, such as golds, bronzes, and soft browns, enhance the natural warmth of your skin and make your eyes appear more awake and youthful.
Avoid Heavy Eyeliner
Instead of heavy eyeliner, opt for a softer look by using a dark brown or taupe eyeshadow as a liner. This provides definition without being too harsh.
Curl Your Lashes
Curling your lashes will open up your eyes, making them look larger and more youthful.
Define Your Brows
Well-groomed, defined brows frame your face and can take years off your appearance. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas and set them with a clear gel.
Blend Blush Up!
Apply a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards. This will not only lift your face, but also give you a natural, healthy flush.
Highlighter on High Points
Apply a subtle highlighter on the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. This adds a youthful glow without looking overly shiny.
Hydrating Lip Products Only
Matte lipsticks can be drying and accentuate lines. Opt for creamy or satin-finish lipsticks and lip glosses that keep your lips hydrated and plump.
Define Lips with Lip Liner
Use a lip liner to define your lips and prevent lipstick from feathering. Choose a shade that matches your natural lip color for a subtle look.
Blotting Papers for Shine
Instead of piling on powder to combat shine, use blotting papers. They absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.
Setting Spray
Finish your makeup with a hydrating setting spray. It helps to set your makeup, keep it in place all day, and give your skin a fresh, dewy finish.
Avoid Shimmery Eyeshadows
While a little shimmer can be flattering, overly shimmery eyeshadows can settle into fine lines. Opt for satin or matte finishes for a smoother look.
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Retinol Patches for Targeted Wrinkles
Retinol is a key anti-aging ingredient, but many people on TikTok are using retinol patches to target specific areas like crow’s feet or smile lines (which tend to show up more as you get older). These patches deliver concentrated retinol to soften fine lines without irritating the entire face.
Gua Sha Facial Massage
TikTok has brought back the ancient Chinese gua sha tool, which helps to contour the face and boost circulation. In fact, regular facial massages with a gua sha stone help lift sagging skin and reduce puffiness.
Root Touch-Up Powders
Are your gray roots coming in between salon visits? Plenty of TikTokers recommend using root touch-up powders to cover grays and give your hair a fresh, youthful look in minutes.
Double Cleansing
Double cleansing, a Korean skincare method, involves using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one. Over-40 TikTok users swear by this method for thoroughly removing makeup and sunscreen while leaving skin soft and hydrated
Silk Pillowcases For Smoother Skin
Silk pillowcases have been used forever, but they’ve become a TikTok staple in recent years for preventing wrinkles. And, not only does a silk pillow case reduce friction on the skin, which can help prevent sleep lines, it will also keep your hair smooth and frizz-free.
Facial Ice Rollers
Ice rollers have become a go-to for reducing puffiness and inflammation. In fact, TikTokers over 40 recommend using these rollers every morning to wake up your skin, tighten pores, and improve circulation for a refreshed look.
Rice Water for Hair Growth
TikTok has really brought attention to rice water as a hair treatment. Countless over-40 users have hyped up its ability to strengthen hair, reduce thinning, and promote growth.
Castor Oil for Lashes and Brows
TikTok has made castor oil a favorite for those seeking fuller lashes and brows. Many over-40 users apply it nightly to nourish and encourage hair growth.
Sunscreen Over Makeup
Reapplying sunscreen can be tricky over makeup, but TikTo suggests using spray or powder SPF to maintain protection throughout the day without disturbing your look.
Say Yes to Natural Gray Hair
One of the most empowering TikTok trends for over-40 women is embracing natural gray hair. Influencers have shared tips on maintaining and enhancing gray tones using purple shampoos to prevent brassiness, proving that aging hair can be stylish and beautiful.
Focus on Skincare
Good makeup starts with good skincare. Make sure to maintain a consistent skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and sun protection.
Read More: Luxury Cosmetics That Will Step Up Your Makeup Routine
Embrace Your Features
Lastly, embrace and enhance your natural features. Makeup should be about highlighting what you love about yourself, not masking what you perceive as flaws. Confidence is the best beauty tip of all.
Read More: These Are the Top 20 Makeup Trends of 2024
