The 40th decade brings new adventures, wisdom, and changes to the skin. Now is the perfect opportunity to revamp your beauty routine according to these changes.
If you’re a makeup lover aged 40 or older, you’ve probably noticed that the products and techniques of your 20s and 30s aren’t cutting it anymore.
Post-40 skin is evolving. So should your beauty routines. Be open to experimentation—a changing face is a wonderful canvas for new possibilities.
Understanding Over 40 Facial Skin
Post-40 skin goes through a second puberty. But this time we can be better prepared.
What’s Changing
Anything and everything, maybe. Perimenopausal and menopausal skin can (sometimes suddenly) change in look, appearance, and texture.
Post-40 skin could become more acne-prone, or super sensitive. It could change type (from dry to oily, etc, or vice versa).
Insert joke about hairs sprouting around the jawline, cuz it’s true.
The Usual Suspects, But Worse
And of course, there are the obvious things: more wrinkles, less volume, and a weaker skin barrier. (Thanks, not using sunscreen until age 30! Or was that just me?)
Not only does this decade bring more wrinkles, but also a new kind! Static wrinkles. These are ones that just are there all the time, regardless of expression (like “11’s” or “marionette lines”).
Actual Structural Changes
The fun just doesn’t stop! When I say faces change post-40, I mean it.
Many see structural changes to their face shape: foreheads and temples become bigger (thanks to thinning hair), noses “grow” bigger (they just droop due to loss of collagen), and eyes grow more hollow while necks get jowlier (chalk that up to facial fat redistribution).
Skincare Tips For Over 40 Face Makeup
A flawless makeup look starts with a solid skincare regimen, especially for the over-40 crowd (we’re facing unique skin challenges).
Here are some essential tips to enhance the wear of face makeup:
Double Cleansing for a Fresh Start
- Why: Double cleansing ensures the face is thoroughly clean, removing makeup and impurities that can clog pores and dull the complexion.
- How: Start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil
- e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
- Olay Daily Facials
- Cetaphil Cream to Foam Face Wash
- No7 Lift and Luminate Dual Action Cleansing and Exfoliating Face Wash
Exfoliate with a Gentle Toner
- Why: Slower skin cell turnover leads to a dull complexion and uneven texture. Exfoliating helps slough away dead skin cells.
- How: Use a toner containing gentle exfoliants like AHA or BHA to refine the skin’s surface, smoothing it for better makeup application.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- e.l.f. Pure Skin Toner
- COSRX AHA/BHA Treatment Toner
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Nourish with an Essence
- Why: Essences boost hydration while delivering nutrients(I’ve found that they’re a formerly extra step now necessary for my aging skin).
- How: Use a hydrating essence daily to enhance post-40 skin elasticity, tone, and hydration.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- 3-pack of mixsoon fermented essences (worth the time and price!!)
- COSRX Snail Mucin Essence
- I’m from Rice Toner
Targeted Eye Care
- Why: The delicate eye area is prone to fine lines anyway and requires special care after age 40.
- How: Use a separate eye cream with ingredients like peptides, retinol, caffeine, and/or hyaluronic acid to smooth this area (and improve concealer wear).
Ish Mom Recommends:
Don’t Forget the Neck
- Why: The neck often shows signs of aging first, as the skin is more delicate.
- How: Extend your skincare routine to your neck, applying face products to even skin tone and texture.
Ish Mom Recommends
Add a Serum with Coverage
- Why: On non-makeup days, a serum with coverage can provide a healthy glow (while treating skin concerns).
- How: Look for serums that offer slight tint or shimmer (and anti-aging benefits!) to keep skin looking fresh.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 Sunscreen
- RMS Beauty SuperNatural Radiance Serum
- L’Oreal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
Implement these skincare steps into your routine to create a smooth canvas for makeup, helping it look better and last longer. Your skin—and makeup—will thank you!
7 Changes To My Post-40 Makeup Routine
Many of these changes are similar to the ones explored in my post-40 eye makeup guide. It’s all about using more products, in different formulas, more strategically.
Break Up With Foundation To Explore Polyamory
Foundation has simply become too heavy for my maturing skin. Now I layer different products to achieve the coverage provided by foundation.
These days, you’ll find me applying a good primer, a skin “brightener,” and then concealer. That’s a light makeup day.
If it’s a heavier makeup day, I’ll dot a tinted moisturizer or light coverage foundation over those products (Then I’ll go on to contour, blush, bronzer, etc, if I’m using them.)
Ish Mom Recommends:
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
- Sally Hanson Line Smoothing Skin Brightener
- INNBEAUTY Project Glass Skin Duo
- RMS Beauty Master Radiance Base
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
- RMS Beauty UnCoverup Concealer
- Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer
- TIRTIR Cushion Foundation
- wet n wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator
Consider Creams
Cream formulas sit better on maturing skin. Over the last few years, I’ve made the switch with all my products: blush, bronzer, contour, and highlighter.
There’s a bit of a learning curve, but so worth it. A few video tutorials and some practice later, I got it. You will too.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- Honest Beauty Cream Blush
- RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek Tint
- e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi-Stick
- e.l.f. Putty Bronzer
- RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
- NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick
- wet n wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick
- RMS Beauty Luminizer
- Milk Makeup Dewy Cream Highlighter Stick
- NYX Professional Makeup Conceal Correct Contour Palette
- Makeup Forever HD Skin All In One Palette
Blend Like A Pro
Theoretically, using more products (with new formulas) can lead to cakey-looking skin. It’s even more important to blend products evenly onto aging skin.
Blending is your best friend. Whether it’s tinted serum, concealer, or blush, blend thoroughly for a seamless finish.
Get good tools and keep them clean. And just when you think you’re done? Pat a little more. The motto here is blend, blend, blend, and then blend some more!
Ish Mom Recommends:
- Beautyblender Original Pink Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge
- e.l.f. Total Sponge Set
- e.l.f. Putty Tools Trio
- Sonia Kashuk Air Brushed Skin 5 Piece Brush Set
- e.l.f. Complexion Duo Brush
- Alyfini Makeup Brush Cleanser Machine
- EcoTools Makeup Brush+Sponge Shampoo
Layer Products For Longevity
I didn’t throw out all my powder products. When makeup needs to last for hours in tough environments, I (lightly!) layer cream products with their powder counterparts.
Powder foundation on top of tinted moisturizer, powder contour on top of cream, you get the picture.
Make sure to layer precisely on post-40 skin. Haphazardly applying powder blush to cream will just get product everywhere (and exaggerate texture).
Ish Mom Recommends:
- L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation Powder
- IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination
- L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Blush
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush
- Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
- Tom Ford The Ultimate Bronzer
- wet n wild MegaGlo Contour Palette
- LORAC PRO Contour Palette and Brush
- Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter
- essence Pure Nude Highlighter
- Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
- Patrick Ta Double-Take Creme & Powder Blush
- Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Cream Contour and Powder Bronzer
- Patrick Ta Major Skin Creme Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo
Movin’ On Up
As skin ages and features droop, product placement matters.
Apply cream blush and contour higher on the cheeks. Blush should be closer to temples than what will initially feel comfortable.
Cream contour, when used to sculpt cheekbones, should be closer to your eyes than the middle of your face. When used to accentuate the jawline, cream contour shouldn’t drift into the neck/jowl area, it should be up on the actual jawbone.
These techniques counter the natural drooping that can occur after 40, giving a more lifted appearance.
(Also: don’t put bronzer where you put contour. Apply it in a straight line mid-face, from outer cheekbone to outer cheekbone, under invisible sunglasses.)
Use Lipliner Every Day
I had read about the Disappearing Lips of Middle Age, but I didn’t believe it. Until it happened to me.
Consider this your warning: lip lines really do fade into the rest of the face. Lipliner will help alert viewers as to where exactly the mouth is.
It will also keep lip products from bleeding onto the upper lip and chin area (since that barrier is more porous now!).
Ish Mom Recommends:
- e.l.f. Love Triangle Lip Filler Lipliner Pencil
- RMS Beauty Go Nude Lip Pencil
- Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Reshape and Resize Liner
- BUXOM Power Line Plumping Lip Liner
Primer, Setting Powder, and Setting Spray Matter
Only recently have I taken primer, setting powder, and setting spray seriously. In my 40’s, makeup needs to stay put. (It’s strategically covering imperfections!)
And it’s those three products that most positively affect makeup wear and longevity.
Use a gripping primer to help makeup adhere to maturing skin, a good blurring to set all those cream formulas, and a high-quality setting spray to meld it all together.
Ish Mom Recommends:
- e.l.f. Power Grip Primer+4% Niacinamide
- L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer
- Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder
- Covergirl Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle Blurring Pressed Powder
- RMS Beauty Hydra Setting Powder
- Milani Make It Last Natural Finish Setting Spray
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- One Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray
Conclusion
There you have it, you fabulous makeup enthusiasts! A treasure trove of makeup tips tailored for the 40th decade—because it’s all about using the right products and techniques to enhance your natural beauty.
It’s never too late to change up your routine and fall in love with the reflection you see in the mirror each day.
Want More?
- Bougie vs. Broke: Original Beautyblender vs. e.l.f. Makeup Sponge
- Best Makeup Tips and Tricks for Your 30s
- Bougie vs. Broke: Review of Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation and wet n wild Photofocus Foundation Dewy
- In Defense of Makeup: Maybe She’s Born with It, Maybe It’s Fundamental Attribution Error
You Tell Me
How has your beauty routine changed over the years?
Happy aging gracefully!
Love,
