Skip to main content
Kim Kardashian at Kering's Caring for Women Dinner
Madonna in blue mini dress at Paris event
Taylor Swift boarding private jet in 2024

Beauty

4 Life-Changing Makeup Hacks Every Woman Over 40 Should Know To Look 10 Years Younger

July 1, 2019 by Jayla Andrulonis
shefinds | Beauty
Featured image

In a beauty market catering to airbrushed perfection and makeup bloggers, it can feel daunting to navigate the makeup needs of mature skin all on your own. The truth is, we all deal with dull skin, fine lines, dark circles, and imperfections in some way or another. This means the desire for a youthful looking appearance is nothing new and there’s a whole arsenal of tricks to help you turn back the clock!

By following these four makeup-hacks, you’ll be armed with an age-defying arsenal of makeup techniques guaranteed to knock years off your appearance:

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
Image from SHEfinds

Always Use Primer

The easiest way to breathe life back into your skin is by making a primer part of your daily beauty regimen. By applying a primer, you can fight back against fine lines and imperfections, all while creating a smooth and hydrated base for your foundation. Although the analogy lacks a sense of glamour, you wouldn’t dare paint a wall without priming it first if you’re after a flawless finish, so why treat skin differently? 

We're big fans of this Timeless Smoothing Primer by Tarte, for its innovative blurring and filling technology that gives a youthful appearance, while prepping the skin for makeup. The antioxidant-rich formula melts into the skin to deliver much-need hydration, peptides, and other powerful elixirs for a firmer, smoother appearance. 

Image from SHEfinds

Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer ($39)

 

Opt For Cream-Based Formulas

As we age our skin inevitably changes, and this means the foundations that may have been our makeup-staples in the past just don’t cut it. As your skin and its needs evolve, your foundation formula should, too! Cream-based and liquid foundations are best for ensuring a smooth finish, without drawing unwanted attention to fine lines and wrinkles. Powder formulas have a tendency to settle into fine lines and crevices as the day goes on, which doesn’t exactly do us any favors in the anti-aging game. Instead, opt for a cream-based formula to give your skin coverage and hydration all in one.

 


Try Bare Mineral’s Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream for oil-free coverage, formulated with mineral-rich SPF 30. Not only will the lightweight foundation even out your complexion to create a healthy youthful-looking glow, but it also quenches dry skin for with hydration lasting up to 12 hours after application. 

 

 

Image from SHEfinds

Opt For Cream-Based Formulas

As we age our skin inevitably changes, and this means the foundations that may have been our makeup-staples in the past just don’t cut it. As your skin evolves, your foundation formula should, too! Cream-based and liquid foundations are best for ensuring a smooth finish, without drawing unwanted attention to fine lines and wrinkles. Powder formulas have a tendency to settle into fine lines and crevices as the day goes on, which doesn’t exactly do us any favors in the anti-aging game. Instead, opt for a cream-based formula to give your skin coverage and hydration all in one.

Try Bare Mineral’s Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream for oil-free coverage, formulated with mineral-rich SPF 30. Not only will the lightweight foundation even out your complexion to create a healthy youthful-looking glow, but it also quenches dry skin for with hydration lasting up to 12 hours after application. 

 

 

Image from SHEfinds

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($32)

 

Image from SHEfinds

Level Up Your Lashes

When it comes to mascara, always opt for a classic black formula. Choosing a black mascara over a brown hue ensures an eye makeup look that creates the perfect definition so your eyes can steal the show. There’s nothing more aging than the look clumpy mascara, so apply with a light hand to keep lashes long and defined!

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara is the perfect ally for all your lash-boosting needs. The specially designed brush features staggered bristles to lift lashes from the root for maximum volume and length, while its long-wearing formula will keep smudges away.

Image from SHEfinds

BENEFIT COSMETICS They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara ($25)

Image from SHEfinds

Keep It Warm

If you’re looking to make the most of your makeup after 40, it’s crucial to opt for a less is more approach in terms of eye makeup. Warm, neutral, and soft colors will create the illusion of a natural glow and well-rested skin, while darker shadows (and bright neons) will only make skin appear dull. When searching for a go-to eyeshadow, always look for one with warm tones to ensure your skin will look as radiant and youthful as possible. 

Opt for Clinique's All About Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral Territory, complete with a range of flattering tones and hues to complement all complexions. The shadow formula is crease and fade resistant, so you can feel confident as the day goes on! The shadows have just the right amount of shimmer to ensure an age-appropriate and anti-aging eye makeup look. 

Image from SHEfinds

CLINIQUE All About Eyeshadow Palette Neutral Territory ($38)

 

Author:

Editorial Contributor

Jayla is a SheFinds editorial contributor with an enthusiasm for covering the latest news in the intersecting worlds of style, beauty, and wellness. She holds strong in her belief that leopard print is actually a neutral, and can most often be found with a coffee in hand. You can reach her at editor@gmail.com.

Trending Italian bob haircut for summer 2023.
Woman applying concealer in a beauty tutorial.
Six beauty habits causing skin inflammation.
Older woman performing skincare routine for healthy skin.
Woman enjoying spearmint tea for relaxation and wellness.
Common hair mistakes that may age you, according to stylists.
Anti-aging skincare advice from Arielle Lorre and Dr. Anthony Youn.
Best foundation types for mature skin to reduce fine lines.
Butterfly haircut trend featured on Instagram by The Studio.
Fresh haircut styles for women looking polished in 2026.
Pouring shampoo into hand for hair washing.
Everyday habits that may accelerate collagen breakdown.
Shutterstock image related to beauty and skincare.
Top summer scents and fragrances for 2026, according to editors.
Makeup tips shared by Nikol Johnson on YouTube.
Common skincare mistakes women over 40 make regarding fine lines.
Haircuts that detract from jowls and subtly lift the face.
Pouring vitamin D oil into palm for supplementation.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for making fine hair appear thicker.
Chiffon nails design showcased on Instagram by Iram Shelton.
Trending Italian bob haircut for summer 2023.
Woman applying concealer in a beauty tutorial.
Six beauty habits causing skin inflammation.
Older woman performing skincare routine for healthy skin.
Woman enjoying spearmint tea for relaxation and wellness.
Common hair mistakes that may age you, according to stylists.
Anti-aging skincare advice from Arielle Lorre and Dr. Anthony Youn.
Best foundation types for mature skin to reduce fine lines.
Butterfly haircut trend featured on Instagram by The Studio.
Fresh haircut styles for women looking polished in 2026.
Pouring shampoo into hand for hair washing.
Everyday habits that may accelerate collagen breakdown.
Shutterstock image related to beauty and skincare.
Top summer scents and fragrances for 2026, according to editors.

Beauty

Summer is my favorite season. If I could bottle up ...

Makeup tips shared by Nikol Johnson on YouTube.
Common skincare mistakes women over 40 make regarding fine lines.
Haircuts that detract from jowls and subtly lift the face.
Pouring vitamin D oil into palm for supplementation.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for making fine hair appear thicker.
Chiffon nails design showcased on Instagram by Iram Shelton.