In the good old days of girls’ night out, almost any basic drugstore mascara and foundation would do the trick. But now it’s ladies’ night and our needy skin demands something much more seasoned. When you’re getting glam after 40, and still want to look natural, you need makeup that’s hydrating, illuminating and age-defying. It’s all about putting the spark back into your complexion.
To learn all the industry tips and tricks, we turned to Jamie Greenberg, a Hollywood makeup artist who specializes in beautifying the 40-and-up starlets.
The basics of getting glam
Greenberg knows better than anyone how the art of natural glam changes after 40. As skin texture changes and lines begin to form around the mouth, forehead and eyes, our makeup starts sitting differently on our faces.
So when applying a glam makeup look, Greenberg recommends a moisture-focused beauty routine, using products and techniques to liven up the skin.
Prepwork
No matter how skilled you are with makeup, even the best products (yes, even Chanel) can appear dull and cakey without moist skin underneath. That’s why whenever you see Jennifer Aniston on the red carpet, you’ll notice her makeup always looks luminous and natural — her main focus is skincare.
Take it from Greenberg who sees, all too often, the pitfalls of women who skip steps toward healthy skin By keeping the complexion bright and healthy, your glam makeup will appear more fresh and radiant. “Many women don’t hydrate or have a full skincare regimen,” she says. “I highly suggest finding products that feed your skin. It’s imperative so that makeup can look more natural on the skin.”
If you don’t already use a dewy serum under your moisturizer, you should start. Right now, there’s a lot of buzz around the No7 Serum and Shiseido is also making some interesting breakthroughs in anti aging skincare.
Prime your base
As skin matures, makeup can settle into fine lines and exaggerate your age. Greenberg suggests using a makeup primer to create a smoother, softer skin texture, especially when creating an evening makeup look. Primers are usually made of silicone and create a veil over your skin, forming a photo-filter effect that blurs imperfections and reflects light.
Another reason to use primer is to help your makeup adhere to the skin, letting it last all night. There are all types of the primers on the market to help target different problem areas such as wrinkles, large pores or dryness. Make sure to do your research and select a primer that can deliver on your unique needs.
Let’s get perfected
The secret to a natural glam look is PERFECT foundation. Yes, perfect. Your foundation is what sets the stage for all the other elements of makeup. After all, that’s why it’s called foundation — it’s literally the foundation of beauty. So although the word, “perfect” might sound intimidating, it’s actually surprisingly achievable, especially with today’s premium products and techniques.
Getting a flawless foundation look comes down to three main elements: color, texture and application. Greenberg always stresses the vital importance of skillful application. “Many women haphazardly schmear on foundation with their hands, and often miss spots or create lines of demarcation,” she says. “Poorly blended foundation looks wonky on everyone, but it’s especially obvious on more mature skin.”
Be sure to use moist textures that are easily blendable. Makeup Forever HD cover sticks are great for fuller coverage, but are less forgiving over fine lines. It’s safer to opt for a texture that’s more sheer and luminous, a trick that blurs that appearance of pores and wrinkles, instead of globbing makeup over them.
Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint has made a major breakthrough in developing a foundation that honestly meets the claims of mimicking real skin texture. It’s a watery gel-like consistency that contains floating pigments that melt on contact with skin, producing a bare skin effect and natural healthy radiance.
It’s time to strobe
As one of the hottest trends in the makeup industry, strobing is the new contour. Instead of creating shadows to slim your features, you’re using creamy illuminating products to make your best features pop.
“Use it sparingly,” cautions makeup artist Jamie Greenberg tells Forbes. “Too much will give you a mirrored effect, particularly when photographed with flash. The best highlighter in the game is Madina Milano Chic & Shine Stick. Unfortunately, it’s only available in Italy, but I stock up anytime I’m there. If you aren’t planning a trip to Italy soon, try my other favorite: Benefit Watt’s Up.”
Or for those who prefer a bronzey highlight, Nars Multiple sticks have shades featuring every type of coppertone across the Carribean. They add warmth to your complexion, while attracting light onto your skin, giving you a dewier texture.
Pop Those Lashes
Perky lashes are a high-performance trick to make your eyes appear brighter and younger. Yet, most importantly, lashes add drama to enhance your natural glam.
The only problem is that many of us don’t have the time or patience to putter around with false lashes. That’s why Greenberg recommends magnetic lashes. “Once you get the hang of it they are easier to apply than false lashes, but it does have a learning curve,” she says. “You have to make sure you get them right on the lashline. Take your time, sit at a mirror and practice.”
You’ll know the effort was well-spent when you can say goodbye to heavy, clumpy mascara.
Let your Cheeks Glow
The final step to your glam is a cute set of glowing cheeks. As Greenberg revealed to StyleCaster, she prefers “products that are more universal, a blush that would look good on light and dark skin.” Usually, these would be pinkish-bronze colors that give the right balance of warmth and flush.
Stick to cream-based blushes to add hydration and luster to the skin. Powder blushes tend to be drying, so be wary and try to seek a version with a softer, velvety texture. BECCA is known to make illuminating pigments that are micro-milled for a silkier finish. Try the Luminous Blush range to revive your cheeks for a red carpet impact.
Use these tips and tricks to create a natural glam look that’s still natural. You’d be surprised how talented you can become with makeup once you invest more time practising your skills and learning how to flatter your angles and features. It’s time to empower yourself.
