Enjoy our series of daily makeup tips from experts and our readers. We are celebrating women above a certain age encouraging you to have fun with makeup. Instead of trying to hide our well earned “facial ruffles”, this series will give tips and tricks on how to enhance our already perfect beauty.
Lifting your Look using Blush and Bronzers
As we get older, the smiling technique to apply blush is no longer applicable. The trick is to apply the blush to give the “lift” effect. Applying it too low will make your face appear droopy.
In an article by Good Housekeeping, Karla Powell, makeup artist and brand ambassador for MUA Cosmetics, gives tips on how to avoid making mistakes.
Select the Right Color
“Look at your skin tone first and foremost – as general rule I suggest subtle rose and baby pink shades.
“If your skin tone is medium to olive you can opt for dusty mauve shades or peachy, apricot tones. Berry and Tangerine shades look amazing on dark skin. Also consider your lipstick choice if you’re wearing a bright lip – apply your lip shade before your blusher, to avoid clashing tones and looking ‘over done’.”
Apply The Blush In the Correct Place
‘If you have an oily complexion opt for powder formulas, as these will give a matte effect and absorb any excess oil. For drier skin types cream formulas work much better as they leave a dewy fresh looking finish.
“If you have lots of lines around the eye area, choosing a powder blush can look cakey and accentuate these instantly aging you! So for older skin types I suggest a cream or gel formula which will leave a subtle hint of colour.”
Choose The Right Formula
“For a youthful glow opt for light liquid and cream blushers to add a touch of colour to your face, we’re always taught to place blush on the apples of our cheeks, but as we age these can drop, so for a more youthful effect try adding your blush a little higher up, nearer to your cheekbones for a ‘lifted’ effect.”
Proper Blending
“If using a powder blush, avoid small dense brushes, and opt for large fluffy ones, sweep it into the product and tap off any excess, then lightly take the brush onto the apples of your cheeks and up and outwards towards your temples and hairline. For cream formulas I recommend using your index and middle finger to gently dab and blend the product out, pat the product up and outward.”
Recommended Blushes
Stila Convertible Color Lip and Cheek Cream
Max Factor Creme Puff Blush
Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Radiance Blush
Nars, The Multiple
Bronzers
Bronzers warm up the skin in a natural way. Sweeping it under the cheekbone, side of the nose, under the jawline, and across the forehead will give the effect of a chiseled glow.
Some of the mistakes to avoid when using a bronzer is don’t use a shade that is too dark. The goal is a sun-kissed look. Avoid this mistake by choosing a bronzer that is no more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone.
Here are high recommended bronzers brands.
