Is Less Makeup MORE for 60+ Women?

Quinny · ‎03-09-2010

I am 60 years old. I've observed many women my age who use less makeup as they have gotten older and I think they look very pretty.

I have tried to use less; foundation, concealer, undereye concealer, eyeshadow, blush and lip color (not all at the same time) and always feel I look pale and unfinished.

My 37-year-old daughter has very kindly mentioned when I've "used less" that I look pale or asked me if I changed blushes?

My sweet husband, who doesn't have a clue about what makeup I use or don't use has asked me on my "less makeup" attempts, "are you tired?"

Is there a method of using less makeup and still maintaining a finished look?

nevergivesup · ‎04-24-2010

I am no beauty expert but i’ve struggled with this myself in the last few years. I am 69 and have always worn makeup, not excessively, but like a finished look. I have found a few things that work for me.

I never wear matte lipstick or dark lipstick colors anymore. However, I need lip color and look for creamy lipsticks with a strong color payoff like warm pinky coral. I always moisturize my face first and try to get a foundation as close as possible to my skin tone. When I was younger I could wear a foundation shade a little darker but now the wrong shade just sit in my lines and accentuates them. I also learned to go very light on the finishing powder. Just a light dusting on my t-zone to avoid that old lady heavily powdered “embalmed” look. As with the lipstick, I choose warm blush tones that show up but I use a lighter hand.

I still use eyeliner but nothing exaggerated; I keep the line very close to the lash line on top and just a partial line on the outer corners of the bottom to avoid that tight circled look. I still use mascara but not multiple coats and I never use eye shadow anymore but I make sure I use concealer on my lids for a clean look.

As I said, I’m no expert but these things have worked for me after a lot of trial and error. There are a lot of savy beauty experts here who could probably help us both!

QVCkitty1 · ‎05-23-2015

I think you answered your own question, you must look good when you use your usual make-up routine, and maybe a little washed out when you don't.

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan

jannabelle1 · ‎09-12-2010

I guess it depends on how much makeup you used before you turned 60! I just turned 70, and I have no intention of wearing less makeup than I have the past 20 years! I've never worn tons of makeup, and I still seldom go a day without my usual makeup - light foundation, concealor, taupe shadow, a little liner, blush and lipstick. Here's my thinking - when I turned 60 (or 70), I still had the same face I had the day before so why would I start wearing less makeup? Whoever made up that "rule" is about like the folks that tell me I shouldn't wear my white jeans or capris until after Memorial Day. Phooey on that as well as wearing less makeup when I reach a certain age. I know my face, and I know what I need!

SuzyO · ‎04-21-2010

@Quinny wrote:
I am 60 years old. I've observed many women my age who use less makeup as they have gotten older and I think they look very pretty.
I have tried to use less; foundation, concealer, undereye concealer, eyeshadow, blush and lip color (not all at the same time) and always feel I look pale and unfinished.

My 37-year-old daughter has very kindly mentioned when I've "used less" that I look pale or asked me if I changed blushes?

My sweet husband, who doesn't have a clue about what makeup I use or don't use has asked me on my "less makeup" attempts, "are you tired?"

Is there a method of using less makeup and still maintaining a finished look?

Awww, I was just talking about this today and how it's a delicate balance. I'm 63 next month and I used to be a makeup junkie. I loved it! I started to notice my makeup just accented all that was bad so I had to change the whole routine. It has taken me approximately 3 - 4 years of experimenting with lighter weight foundation, a good blush with no glitter, and I use eyeshadow, two natural looking colors blended on the lid and under the lower lashes. And the other two essentials I have found are a good eyebrow pencil - eyebrows tend to become pale and wash out your whole face - and a good lip color that looks natural. I have tried so many things and finally feel like I look appropriately made up and not too pale. What I use might not work for you, we are all so different.

Also, I have found that good skin care means a lot. My skin has to be brightened... I use retinol and hylauronic acid products and my skin is dry so I use a very thick emollient night cream. I don't even use concealor anymore, just gets in the lines. For foundation I use Philosophy "hope in a jar" foundation, it's as light as a tinted moisturizer (not the renewed in the jar), the one with awesome packaging: a pump of just the right amount for your whole face! Have to get it from philosophy.com though.

Good luck on finding the right combination.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Quinny wrote:
I am 60 years old. I've observed many women my age who use less makeup as they have gotten older and I think they look very pretty.
I have tried to use less; foundation, concealer, undereye concealer, eyeshadow, blush and lip color (not all at the same time) and always feel I look pale and unfinished.

My 37-year-old daughter has very kindly mentioned when I've "used less" that I look pale or asked me if I changed blushes?

My sweet husband, who doesn't have a clue about what makeup I use or don't use has asked me on my "less makeup" attempts, "are you tired?"

Is there a method of using less makeup and still maintaining a finished look?

@Quinny- Don't worry about the number. Think more about your skin and the overall look you want to have. Just because you're 60 doesn't mean you suddenly have to use half of everything or even eliminate products. It's funny, I see women in our age group or older, sometimes even younger, and it seems more like they've just given up rather than make adjustments. I'll be 61 soon. For me, using less is more about how I do my eye makeup and the overall application of my products, not really using fewer of them. There are days where I'll use a BB/CC cream/tinted moisturizer rather than a full-fledged foundation, but that's using something different rather than using less. I still do eyeshadow (sometimes simple, sometimes smokey)) but the shades are usually softer and more neutral. Brows and mascara are still a must. Lipsticks still have color (shades depend on the season) but I opt for those that aren't so opaque. The one thing I have given up on, though, is dark eyeliner on the top of my lashline. Instead, I'll use eyeshadow to give the effect, but get it right on the lashline and blend it out or up in the waterline (that took some practice) for occasions where I want more definition to make my lashes look fuller. I believe we still need all our face products because we lose that natural, youthful color as we age. Make sure you're using the right shade and don't be afraid to use blush, bronzer, and highlighter approprately. The kind (whipped, cream, liquid, powder) will be dictated by your skin type and condition. I have never been consistent with bronzer but recently tried the new one by IT and I really like it. It was a very nice surprise. For now, I'll keep doing what I'm doing and not really do less just because of a number. When my complexion or facial texture changes, then it will be time to re-evaluate.

KentuckyWoman · ‎03-13-2010

I haven't changed much. I don't wear really dark lipstick anymore but I do wear bright, vivid colors. I look like a ghost in pale lipstick. I still wear foundation, eyeshadow, liner, mascara, and do my brows. I have switched from powder blushes to IT Cosemetics cream blush in Naturally Pretty.

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

Matte lipstick:

i think it works better now because the new liquid mattes stay and don’t go in the inevitable lip lines, whereas a cream will look horrible in a hour

obviously we aren’t going to wear what a 20y/o is but cut and dried rules don’t have. To be followed blindly

KentuckyWoman · ‎03-13-2010

@Quinny wrote:
I am 60 years old. I've observed many women my age who use less makeup as they have gotten older and I think they look very pretty.
I have tried to use less; foundation, concealer, undereye concealer, eyeshadow, blush and lip color (not all at the same time) and always feel I look pale and unfinished.

My 37-year-old daughter has very kindly mentioned when I've "used less" that I look pale or asked me if I changed blushes?

My sweet husband, who doesn't have a clue about what makeup I use or don't use has asked me on my "less makeup" attempts, "are you tired?"

Is there a method of using less makeup and still maintaining a finished look?

If I don't wear makeup, my husband says the same thing. Are you sick, tired? Friends say the same thing. I rarely go with a bare face so when I do I evidently scare people, animals, and small children, lol.

marmarbrooklyn · ‎04-28-2015

@Quinny

Hi I will soon be 55 and while I agree less is more it doesn't always mean less makeup . It can mean less products like contoring or highlight or several eyeshadows . It is a fine line between less makeup and looking washed out. Also you really have to work with your skin type . Many times they recommend for over 40 women creamy foundations and blush , but I still have combination oily skin if I use cream products they disappear in an hour. I can no longer use bronzers and luminzers it just highlights lines and pores . Sometimes the placement of eyeshadow might have to change it can really lift and brighten the eye area . One trick I have found is that for lip color I combine a mauve your lip but better shade with a pink peachy lip color , so it is neither too warm or too cool and it goes with everything