Elizabeth Rist, who’s a long-time contributor to Prime Women, and a professional makeup artist who regularly does the makeup for mature women, took the time to give one of our readers a makeover and makeup lesson for women over 50 specifically. In this video, she’ll teach you a quick 5 minute makeup routine you can easily do when rushed for time, but still look naturally put together.
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How to apply makeup for women over 50 in 5 minutes
1. STEP 1 – Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
- It’s one of the most important things you can do. Protect your skin and moisturize
- While you’re at it – give yourself a face massage. Anytime you can use your hands to apply lotions and makeup, you’ll stimulate your circulation. Your face will love you forever!
- Elizabeth Recommends: CeraVe Ultra-light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
2. STEP 2 – Eyes
Yes! Eyes go next. Why? So you can clean up anything that falls under eye and reduce darkness
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Eye Primer
- Only a need a hint – no need to cake it on.
- Clear or skin tinted is best (instead of one with a shimmer)
- Elizabeth Recommends: Benefit “Stay don’t Stray” Eyeshadow Primer
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Eye Shadow
- Start with a skin tone
- Apply liberally in small circles
- Gently pull the eye out to the side to get a smooth surface
- Following your normal lash line to the edge of your brow to find the correct placement
- Apply a lighter taupe or grey to create a soft sideways V slightly above the crease
- Use a bigger fluffy brush for no harsh lines
- Elizabeth Recommends: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette or Smashbox Cover Shot Eyeshadow Palette – Minimalist
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Shadow Liner
- Use an angled brush
- Choose a natural medium shadow color- not too dark or too light
- Stamp it down right at the lash line
- Move outside inward and then inside outward
STEP 3 – BASE
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Face Primer
- Apply with fingertips to T Zone area only
- Recommended primer: Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer
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Foundation
- Apply a light Application
- Avoid a matte, cakey look – it tends to sink into lines and wrinkles
- Look for a light silicon or water based foundation with emulsifiers in them
- Consider “BB Creams” – (lighter than foundation but heavier than tinted moisturizers, with SPF and anti-oxidants) or “CC Creams” – (color correcting creams with a lighter feel to them)
- To soften the look, dampen a sponge and pat around your face
- Elizabeth Recommends: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ “Your Skin or Better” or…read all her recos in MAKEUP FOR WOMEN OVER 50: THE 7 BEST FOUNDATIONS
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Concealer
- Use 1 – 2 shades lighter than skin tone
- Apply a very light layer right underneath eyes
- Also use anyplace you have a little redness, like around the nose
- Don’t use on blemishes, though, as it will make them stand out more
- If applying with your fingertips, use ring or middle finger and softly tap
- Elizabeth Recommends: Stila Aqua Glow Serum Concealer
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Powder set
- Set concealer with a light dash of translucent powder
- Apply a light powder only in the T Zone
- Elizabeth Recommends: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro Powder or Limelife by Alcone
STEP 5 – Brows
- Go for a neutral tone eye shadow – avoid auburns and warm tones
- Use two similar colors for dimension
- Take small vertical strokes with a firm eye shadow brush
- Just fill in your natural brow line
- Extend just slightly at the end to the angle of your lash line
- Soften with your damp sponge
- Elizabeth Recommends: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo
STEP 6 – Mascara
- Do a light layer Fiberlash or Mascara – just get a little bit on upper and lower lashes
- Elizabeth Recommends: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
STEP 7 – Blush
- Relax your face (no smile)
- Tap your brush once to get off excess color
- With a big fluffy brush pop a bit of color right above cheekbone
- Pounce up toward your temple softly – no harsh angles
- The goal is to lift your face
- Elizabeth Recommends: Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Pinched or for more recommendations….read her article HOW TO APPLY BLUSH AND THE BEST TYPES FOR MATURE SKIN
STEP 8 – Lips
- Elizabeth Recommends LimeLife Perfect Lipstick #100 – “Knot telling”
This makeup lesson for women over 50 make look like it has a lot of steps. But they only require quick applications. Once you’ve applied to your own face a couple of times, this will be an easy routine to manage when you’re headed out the door for a casual day at the office or running around town.
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Read Next:
Best Face Primers For Women Over 50
Ultimate Guide to the Best Drugstore Makeup Brands
The Best Makeup for Women Over 50
THE BEST WAY TO APPLY FOUNDATION
READ: HOW TO PUT ON MAKEUP: TIPS FROM AN EXPERT