Many women begin to notice dark spots, sun damage, pores and wrinkles as we age, and our first instinct is to cover them up. But here’s the thing… the more makeup you add to an aging face, the more you accentuate what you see as flaws. I have always been a makeup girl, and there are always special occasions where I amp up the glam factor. But I’m looking for a no-makeup makeup look every day that refreshes my face, and enhances my natural features.
And the good news? It’s on. A natural makeup look is perfect for pro-aging. Bring out the best in your own natural beauty, without covering it up with heavy foundation, thick false lashes or dark lip color. And, you can do a no-makeup makeup look in 5 easy steps! Yes, if you are looking for a natural makeup tutorial for women over 50, you are in the right place!
About the author
Kathy is the founder of Bates Middle GirlsA platform dedicated to empowering women over 50 to embrace their potential and live fulfilling, purpose-driven lives. With a passion for encouraging self-awareness and self-love, natural makeup is right up her alley! Embracing the no-makeup makeup look is key to helping the over-50s feel naturally beautiful, and today she’s sharing all her tips so you can do the same!
Prepare your skin
Step One – Healthy Looking Skin! It’s all in the skin preparation, right? Well when it comes to makeup, that’s always true, no matter what your age. But your skin type can change with age, and mature skin is drier and has problems with texture and wrinkles. So taking the time to prep your skin properly can be the difference between natural-looking makeup and cakey and crappy makeup all day.
- After using a mild facial cleanser, make sure you moisturize well. This is the number one step to avoid a cakey look.
- The second most important step? Use a hydrating primer. Makeup primers help conceal skin texture by filling in pores and fine lines. This allows your makeup to go on easily and last. They help camouflage texture issues like fine lines and make any concealer last through the day without wearing it off.
Need product racks? Check out my post on Best makeup for mature skin To find mine. (Spoiler alert: some of my picks combine primer with SPF!)
Bonus tip for your skincare routine – try some natural, Homemade face mask As a DIY solution to any of your skin concerns.
Create a flawless base
Now, time to choose foundation and concealer! For this next step, opt for lightweight products with plenty of hydration. The idea is not to cover your skin like paint. It’s meant to blur out the areas that make you feel boring, but still let your natural glow shine through. To stick to a natural makeup look, stay away from full-coverage foundation and concealer. Some great light coverage foundation options include a BB or CC cream, a skin tint, or a tinted moisturizer. Also choose a light coverage concealer. You can always layer it for extra coverage, but there’s no way to lighten a product that’s too heavy.
How to apply foundation for a no-makeup makeup look:
- Dab your chosen foundation on your forehead, nose and chin.
- Use a damp beauty sponge to blend your foundation outwards towards the edges of your face.
- Allow to dry for 3-4 minutes.
- Repeat if more coverage is desired.
- Under your eyes and any areas you want a little more coverage. Use an up-and-down dabbing motion with your fingers to pat it into place. This gives great coverage with an airbrush look.
- Allow to dry for 3-4 minutes, then brush your entire face with a small amount of powder to set the makeup for the day.
Make those eyes pop
The best tip to make your eyes pop when you want a minimal makeup look is to choose the right colors. Go for a medium shade in a color that complements your eyes. A quick chart?
- Blue eyes: Earth tones: Warm browns and taupes provide a beautiful contrast. Avoid blues, as they can spoil the natural color of the eye, and do not have a natural effect.
- Brown Eyes: Neutral Shades: Soft beiges, taupes and creams for a natural enhancement.
- Green Eyes: Purple and Plum: These colors are the opposite of green on the color wheel, making green eyes stand out.
- Hazel Eyes: Bronze and Copper: Hazel enhances the gold flecks in the eyes.
There is no need to overthink your eye makeup when going for a natural look. It’s easy!
- Sweep over your chosen shadow on the lid and blend towards your crease. Make sure the edges are blended.
- Use a brow gel that matches your brow color and gently sweep your brows upwards and outwards.
- Apply 1-2 coats of mascara. You can experiment with using mascara only on your upper lashes. It helps to visually lift more mature eyes.
Add color and glow
A hint of color will brighten your face and give it a natural glow. Just remember, stick to natural-looking shades when going for a no-makeup makeup look.
- Add powder or liquid blush to your cheekbones, blending upwards and outwards. Here less is more. Gone are the days of sucking on our cheeks and tucking our cheekbones down. That look pulls the face down visually.
- If desired, add a subtle translucent powder highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones with a small fluffy brush, just to brighten pale skin and draw attention to the eyes, as well as make your cheekbones appear more defined.
- Add a natural lip color of a mid-shade – tinted lip balm is a good option.
Look in the mirror and love that face
This is the last step in bucking the no-makeup makeup trend in a mature woman. You need to look in that mirror and know that the 80s are over, baby. It’s time to be the girl you’ve always been, and that means not being a slave to makeup, but instead using it as a tool to help boost your confidence. A minimal makeup look is perfect for bringing out the best in aging skin and eyes without weighing down your overall look. And on a side note, we women over 50? We’re a little busy living our wonderful lives, who has time to be stuck in the mirror for an hour every morning? Go natural!
Ready for more inspiration? Check out our post on the best Eye makeup looks for women over 40 years of ageOr learn to go natural with your curls with Remy Tips for trying the Curly Girl Method. Go down the hair health rabbit hole with us Natural hair growth recipes and remedies Or try a little DIY hair masks!
