How to Achieve Natural Beauty for Women in Their 50s, 60s, and 70s

Makeup can present certain challenges in the 50s, 60s, and 70s due to the natural changes that occur with aging. Here are some reasons why makeup can be more challenging in these age groups:

Skin Texture

As we age, our skin tends to become drier and more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and texture. Certain makeup products, like heavy foundations or powders, can settle into these lines, emphasizing them and making the skin appear older. Finding products that work well with mature skin and help create a smoother texture is important.

Loss of Elasticity

With age, the skin loses its elasticity, leading to sagging and drooping in certain areas, such as the eyelids and cheeks. This can make applying eyeshadow or creating precise lines more difficult. Adjusting your techniques to accommodate these changes becomes necessary.

Thinning Eyebrows and Lashes

Over time, eyebrows and eyelashes can become sparser or lose their natural pigmentation. This can make it challenging to define and enhance these features. The use of brow pencils, powders, and mascaras becomes helpful to create the appearance of fuller brows and lashes.

Changes in Skin Tone

The skin’s natural pigmentation can change with age, leading to the appearance of age spots, uneven skin tone, and redness. This may require more coverage or color correction to achieve an even complexion.

Dryness and Dehydration

Aging skin tends to become drier and may lose its natural radiance. This can make makeup appear dull or cakey if not properly hydrated. Using moisturizing products and incorporating a good skincare routine is crucial to combatting dryness.

Sensitivity

The skin may become more sensitive as we age, making it important to choose makeup products that are gentle and non-irritating. Avoiding ingredients that can cause allergies or irritation becomes more important.

Vision and Dexterity

Aging can sometimes affect vision and fine motor skills, making it more challenging to apply makeup with precision. This may require the use of magnifying mirrors or adapting techniques to accommodate these changes.

How to Enhance your natural beauty

The key to makeup in these age groups is to enhance your natural beauty while adapting to the changes that occur with aging. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Skincare: Prioritize a good skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Use moisturizers, serums, and eye creams suitable for mature skin to address specific concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
  2. Foundation: Choose a lightweight and hydrating foundation or tinted moisturizer that provides coverage without settling into fine lines or emphasizing texture. Opt for a formula that gives a natural, radiant finish.
  3. Concealer: Use a creamy concealer to cover any areas of discoloration, dark circles, or age spots. Apply it sparingly and blend well to avoid a heavy or cakey appearance.
  4. Eyes: Focus on brightening and opening up the eyes. Use neutral eyeshadows in soft, matte shades to create depth and definition. Avoid heavy shimmer or glitter, as it can emphasize crepiness. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to make your eyes appear more awake.
  5. Eyebrows: Fill in your eyebrows lightly with a brow pencil or powder to add definition and frame your face. Avoid harsh, overly dark lines and opt for a soft, natural look.
  6. Blush: Apply a subtle, rosy blush to the apples of your cheeks to add a youthful glow. Cream blushes can be a great option for mature skin as they blend easily and provide a natural-looking finish.
  7. Lips: Choose lip colors that enhance your natural lip tone. Opt for moisturizing formulas, like tinted lip balms or creamy lipsticks. Avoid matte finishes, as they can be drying and accentuate lip lines. If you prefer a bold lip, go for classic reds or berry shades.
  8. Highlighting and Contouring: Use a subtle highlighting powder or cream to add a soft glow to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones and brow bone. Avoid heavy contouring, as it can appear too harsh on mature skin.
  9. Setting: Use a lightweight setting powder to set your makeup, focusing on the T-zone where oiliness can occur. This will help your makeup last longer without settling into fine lines.
  10. Confidence: The most important key to timeless makeup at any age is confidence. Embrace your natural beauty and wear your makeup with pride. Remember, age is just a number, and you can rock any look you feel comfortable and fabulous in!

While these are general guidelines, remember that individual preferences and skin types may vary. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. Again, despite these challenges, makeup can still be a fun and creative way to enhance your features at any age. By understanding these challenges and adapting your techniques and product choices accordingly, you can achieve beautiful and age-appropriate makeup looks.

Dr. Shekina Farr

Editor

Named among Atlanta's Power 25, Dr. Shekina Farr, Ed.D., is passionate about building confidence in women. A serial entrepreneur, she runs Formidable Woman®, the #1 confidence brand in the world, inclusive of her beauty company, Formidable® Woman Beauty, Formidable Woman® University and her signature publications—Formidable Woman® Magazine, Formidable Woman Beauty® Gazette, and Formidable Men™ Magazine. She has been featured by FOX, CBS, NBC, Black Enterprise, Forbes and more.