Countdown to Valentines Day 💘 for mature ladies!

So you want to look yummy for your Valentine? 

Check out my make up tips for mature women

These basic makeup tips, for both deep and light skin toned women, will ensure you make the most of your beauty!

Deeper skin tones

Women of colour have skin tones ranging from one end of the colour spectrum to the other. They can follow the same rules for applying makeup as women of other ethnicities (such as proper blending or choosing colors based on undertone). The biggest difference may come in where colours are concerned and selecting the best makeup shades based upon your complexion.

When you get ready to make yourself up for the day, adhere to some guidelines so that people notice you and not your makeup. Use your cosmetics to enhance your natural beauty instead of hiding it.

Base

For the most complementary look, start with a good foundation. If your complexion is flawless, you can skip this step if you want to. However, make sure you choose makeup compatible with darker skin tones. This is key for avoiding an unattractive ashy undertone that can show up with a base that's too light. Also, to avoid ashiness, if you have discolouration you may want to use an orange corrector first.

There are several cosmetics brands that cater to black women, but even among mainstream lines that are targeted to all women, you can find a range of foundation shades from light to dark. BlackUp and MAC Cosmetics have a great line that carries high-intensity colours suitable for women of darker complexions.

For women with clear skin, simply use concealer where needed, such as under the eyes or to hide dark spots. Follow with a light dusting of loose powder for a natural look.

Brows

If you have lighter brows (some women lighten their brows for a "softer" look), use a brown eyebrow pencil.  Even if your browns aren't bleached, use a dark brown rather than a black brow pencil.  Black can look harsh.  Only use black if your hair and brows are jet black.

Stick with the right palette

Knowing your skin's undertones is important for choosing the right makeup colours for you. Black women, like all women, have undertones in their skin that range from cool, neutral or warm. When you know what your undertones are, you're able to select makeup colours that are most compatible with your skin tone.

Go bold if you want to

One of the great things about having a deep complexion is being able to wear bold shades that can overpower women with fair skin. This includes gold, bronze, orange, fuchsia and silver makeup. Just be sure you wear these bright colours judiciously; select a feature to draw attention to and focus on that, leaving the rest of your face neutral, so bold lips and neutral lip or bold lip and neutral eyes, not both.

Focus on your best features

What do you love best about your face? Whatever part it is, accentuate it. If you love your eyes, wear an attention-getting eyeshadow and two to three coats of mascara. Or line them in Cleopatra-style for dramatic effect. If your lips are your best feature, wear a bright shade of lipstick, followed with a little gloss for kissable lips!

Avoid these looks

Don't go too dark!

Even if you have a very dark complexion, you don't have to stick to dark makeup colours. In fact, this can make your entire look too drab. Instead, experiment with various shades, even colours you thought weren't right for you. Spend an afternoon at a department store makeup counter and let an expert apply various colours on your face to see which ones you like.

Don't line your lips in black!

Some women have a preference for lining their pretty lips in black or a nearly black lipliner and then applying red or another bright shade of lipstick. This is not an attractive look. Lipliner should match your lipstick colour as closely as possible.

You can wear any colour on your lips and if you find it looks to bold or bright - here's a great tip - try using a brown lip liner as this helps to blend the colour so it doesn't look too stark. "Contour" lips by outlining lips in brown lip liner, focusing and filling in the outer corners. Try this trick first before throwing out that lipstick that doesn't suit you!

Lighter skin tones

Preparation is key. When you have prepped your face properly, your skin will be more protected and the make up will sit better. Mature skin tends to have a normal to dry complexion so you will need to moisturise using a good cream, on a clean face, and not forgetting to use eye cream. You can step up your beauty regime with a hydrating oil or serum.

Base

Primer is not for everyone, especially for every day, but it can provide a smoother base for easier make up application. It hides pores and prolongs the life of your make up. Tightening or hydrating primers tend to be the best. For foundation, go with a creamy or liquid consistency, preferably a non-drying formula and blend it with your fingers, a buffing brush or, my personal favourite, the beauty blender, which blends the foundation flawlessly and leaves no hard edges or streaks.

Tinted moisturisers are popular. They are fantastic when you are having a good skin day, or if you just prefer lighter coverage. All the better if it has skincare properties and sun protection. Steer away from heavy matte powders. They can make you look older and magnify lines. If you prefer powders or want to set your foundation, then mineral or translucent powders can be a good option. They are lighter and illuminate and brighten the skin.

Concealers can hide all our sins but keep a light touch when it comes to concealing dark circles under the eyes. With concealers, opt for lightweight formulas as the heavier ones can settle into fine lines and crease easily. The same goes for blemishes and imperfections. Yes, we can get blemishes at any age!

Eyes and brows

Long-wearing cream eyeshadows are good on their own or as a base under a powdered eyeshadow. I recommend a light wash of colour. You can also add a matte eyeshadow into the crease of the eye, but only to the outer corner. Avoid too much crease definition as it can make your eyes appear sunken.

Eyeliner goes a long way for any eye look. But don’t go overboard. Try using brown instead of a black, as the latter can look a little harsh on older skin. Keep the line thin rather than thick. Remember to finish off your eye look with a good quality mascara.

Brows are important; their job is to frame your face. Eyebrow colour fades with age, but an eye pencil in a shade lighter than your natural brow colour or the same colour as your hair will help to define your brow shape. Avoid black pencil as this will look harsh and unnatural, you want to softly frame the face, not look like Groucho Marx!

Blush

Cream blush can do wonder for your face. It blends seamlessly with foundation, and can be applied for a fresh youthful appearance. Finding the right colour is important; rosy pinks and peachy tints go well with fair to medium skin tones, where as coral and berry colours go well with darker skin.

Bronzers are a fantastic way to give more dimension and life to your face. Stay clear of very glittery/shimmery products and instead go for a matte or a slightly shimmered bronzer. Cream bronzers are also good. Apply sparingly on the high points of your face, where the sun would hit, for a year round sun kissed glow.

Highlighters can age you almost instantly and unwittingly highlight fine lines. A cream product will be your best option and the less shimmer the better. Use a balm, such as Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Dab it on the top of your cheeks for an effective highlight.

Lips

Don’t be shy of bold colours. A fabulous pink or a coral lip can give your face that extra oomph. Stay clear of shimmer and metallic tones and avoid a heavy hand. Stick to creamy and moisturising formulas. Dark colours, mainly dark red, can age you significantly. Stick to brighter colours that will enhance your complexion.

If bold lips have never been your thing, or you want to tone down a little, tinted lip balms are always a good option. Nude lip colours are great but you need to find your perfect nude for it to work. Visit a makeup counter and try out nude lipsticks. Trust me, when the right one comes along you will know.

Lipliners are ideal for defining any lip look but can be overdone. I recommend finding a lip liner that is as close in colour to your chosen lipstick to avoid going overboard. Lipliner is not there to draw attention to itself - its job is to contain your lipstick so that it doesn't feather and bleed. Applying a lip primer first can also help to prevent feathering and bleeding lipstick.

Makeup fun!

Above all, cosmetics should be a fun part of a woman's life. Following a few makeup tips for will help to bring out your natural beauty in a flattering way and make you look like yourself only better!

Valentine kisses x

Carol Douglas MUA

I offer make up for special occasions

email: makeup@caroldouglas.co.uk