Eye Shadow Tips For Older Women

Name: Debra

From: New York, NY

Age: 58

Occasions: Just need help with better shade blends

Makeup application is a continuous learning process – you have to constantly modify your tools and techniques, taking into consideration your mood, style, the occasion and more importantly, your age.

Debra sent us these pictures and she was looking for ideas on better shade blends appropriate for her age. For women who are over the age of 50, here are some makeup advice for them: the main goal of your makeup is not to look younger, but rather to look best by enhancing your features gracefully.

When it comes to eye shadow blends on aging eyes, the basic rule of “less is more” should be applied. Eyelids that are accompanied by pronounced lines, dark skin and crow’s feet can look overdone in bold colors. Instead, older women should stick to neutral shades –lighter ones (tans and beiges) during the day, and for evenings, darker shades (browns, taupe and deep caramel tones) applied on the crease to add definition. Two shades are enough on the lids. As for texture, they should avoid heavy powders which can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, exaggerating their appearance.

Powders are also harder to blend on crepe lids, making them look harsher. It is better to use sheer powder or cream shadows which are easily blended using a makeup brush or just the fingers to achieve more natural looking skin.

Avoid shimmery or metallic finishes (leave that to the teens and twenty-somethings). Iridescent hues, no matter how pretty, can accentuate the wrinkles around the eyes and make them look patchy as they settle into the skin’s crevices. And since we all need a little sparkle in our lives, older women can simply apply a nude shadow with a satin finish on the inner corners of the eye and down to the center of the lid. This way, they can get a subtle glow without highlighting fine lines.