While makeup products have the power to play up your best features at any age, there are some that anyone over 40 might want to avoid (if your goal is not to emphasize wrinkles), experts say. We checked in with professional makeup artists and experts to learn more about one common makeup product that could inadvertently add years to your look, and what to opt for instead. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Mandie Brice, celebrity makeup artist, author and beauty expert, and Destiny McGill, celebrity makeup artist and Day Spa Owner of Lavish Life Studio.
Glittery Makeup (Especially With Alcohol As An Ingredient)
When thinking aesthetically, Brice suggests avoiding products with glitter (including eyeshadow, highlighter, blush, etc) and choosing products without it to not draw more attention to wrinkles. "Sometimes sparkles and dark colors can make lines and wrinkles more drastic, so I tell people to proceed with caution when using those," she explains. McGill agrees, and says, "Glittery and shimmery eyeshadows really settle into the wrinkles and draw attention to them." Instead, she advises anyone over 40 to try "choosing a matte eyeshadow."
Lots of glittery, sparkly or other products can also be drying due to alcohol as an ingredient, which Brice recommends steering clear of as well. "I think the most important thing with mature skin to avoid is products that are drying, so that would include makeup or skincare with alcohol as an ingredient," she says. This, she adds, is because aging skin "tends to produce less moisture, and dry skin shows texture and wrinkles more." Depending on the person, Brice notes that powder formulations for makeup can "exaggerate skin texture and wrinkles more than a cream product would," so this is "sometimes a recommendation" she makes.
