Welcome back to our mature beauty series! This week, over 40s makeup expert Amanda Ramsay shares the cliché tips she’s tired of hearing. Buckle up…
Why is it that having a few wrinkles and crinkles seems to bring out the fun police? There are so many ‘rules’ when it comes to mature makeup that surely by now we have earned the right to break! I hear many cliché tips in the beauty industry that, frankly, as a professional makeup artist with over 19 years of industry experience, an over 40s makeup expert, and 49-year-old mother-of-two, I’m sick of hearing. Gah, rules can be so stifling and boring can’t they!? Here are three cliché tips I am so sick of hearing (and hope that you ignore!).
Cliché tip #1: “Keep your eye makeup neutral”
Ain’t nothing wrong with neutrals but they can get a little, well, boring, and on some complexions look a little flat. Browns and neutral eyeshadow shades are an easy go-to — and of course I love them too — but they’re definitely not all you’ve got! Bringing a little colour into your eyeshadow can swiftly update your look. Try playing with pinks, apricots, peaches, and watermelon tones to instantly modernise your makeup.
Top product pick: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette, $17.96 at Amazon AU
Cliché tip #2: “Stop wearing shimmer and sparkle”
You’ll often read makeup artists warning mature skin beauties to steer clear of shimmer and sparkle. Now, I get it, shimmer can accentuate the crinkles on your lids or around your eyes. But I’m here to tell you that your shimmer and sparkle days are far from over. My goodness, who decided that was even a thing? Get those sequins out, we are NOT fading into the background. The reason I say poo-poo to this cliché is that shimmer and sparkle is playful, it’s fun and I really believe we 40+ women need to up the sparkley-fun ante. My tip here is to use it strategically; trying popping a strong shimmer or sparkle right into the middle of your eyelid or the inner corners of your eyes, making your peepers pop. It’s like a little wink!
Top product pick: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Colour Clutch Saharienne, $152 at bareface.shop
Cliché tip #3: “A smokey eye is no longer for you”
A smokey eye is 100 per cent a friend of mature skin. It’s a brilliant technique for balancing and opening up your eyes. It does not need to be a dark sooty black or charcoal grey — start with a tone that you feel comfortable with and build up your smokey eye confidence from there.
Top product pick: M.A.C Eyeshadow x 9: Burgundy Times Nine, $63 at maccosmetics.com.au
I’ll leave you with this: remember that rules are always there to be broken. I’ve provided you with some guidelines to bust up three cliché tips that are designed to keep us over 40s stuck in a boring, old makeup rut… but you do what feels good for you. After all, makeup is all about how it makes YOU feel. When you feel good, you radiate confidence. So take the tips, and guidelines, then make them work for you.
Want more tips from Amanda? Read her foundation hacks for mature skin and tips for dealing with puffy eye bags, or join her for The Shine Sessions — a series of video makeup masterclasses that’ll teach you how to embrace your beauty at any age.
Which cliché makeup tips are you tired of hearing? What topic would you love Amanda to cover next time?
Make up is all about feel good thing, age is just a number. One should wear what they are comfortable about and love to wear.
totally it is about self confidence
At this age, ideally you feel comfortable doing whatever you want!
absolutely be yourself
I use make up to feel the best about myself so don’t read cliche’s
M.A.C Eyeshadow x 9: Burgundy Times Nine. Beautiful colours here. Like it a lot
I don’t believe there are any rules with makeup, I wear it the way I like regardless of the age
Some people suit bright colours and age does not change that -Just be happy in yourself
Yves Saint Laurent is really lovely but of my so expensive. Pity.
do what you want
If you feel good you look good -Just be happy with yourself and shine from the inside
Just wear what you like no matter your age – or what anyone else says!
Beauty is as individual as you are!
I love this! I couldn’t agree with her more 🙂 🙂
Mm.. i have no cliche tips i can think of