When we think of ageing, we automatically think skincare, but your make-up can help you take years off too.
We share the latest make-up tips to look younger with our go-to formulas, colours and tricks to help you battle the signs of ageing – for your skin, eyes and lips.
The make-up look: Slick eyeliner
If you’ve finally mastered the smokey eye and it’s your go-to look, a warning: that lived-in, smokey smudge has been usurped by a sleek yet subtle black line.
“This ‘invisibility liner’ is the most flattering for women,” says well-known make-up artist, Terry Barber. “It’s a much skinnier, ‘lid-hugging’ line that creates a cooler, narrower eye as opposed to the big panda eye we’ve seen of late.”
ALSO SEE: Our top anti-ageing skincare products
How to wear it
As you age, and the texture of your skin changes, don’t rely solely on a liquid liner. It creates a fine, strong edge the eyes can’t fully support if skin’s not ‘tight’.
Once you’ve drawn the line with liquid liner, go over concealed parts of the line with a gel liner (it’ll dry fast and won’t move), or apply kohl and the same shade of powder shadow on the top, which will absorb any oil so it stays still and doesn’t imprint.
Try this
If you’re conscious of crow’s feet or overhanging hooded eyelids, end your liner along the lid just before the last few lashes. Go no further, as your socket may be slightly collapsing, which will distort the line. Now get a short stubby brush – try Essence Eye Blender Brush, R5– dip it in the gel and push into the lash line for more control.
Wedge the liner right at the root of the lashes, so you don’t see an obvious line. Called ‘tightlining’, this creates great definition, without looking too made up.
Prefer kohl pencil? “Do dots in-between lashes, then get a tiny brush to do a mini smoke into the lash line,” adds Terry.
Best products for a subtle smokey eye
Eye shadow
Balance black eyeliner with a smudge of a neutral colour, such as Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow, R380, or Revlon Colorstay Cream Eyeshadow in Honey, R105, all over the lid to open up the eye.
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow, R380
Revlon Colorstay Cream Eyeshadow in Honey, R105
Liquid-liner
We love how the neck of Lancôme Grandiôse Liner, R340, tilts at 35 degrees to get right into lashes. Plus it has a firm tip that’s easy to control.
Lancôme Grandiôse Liner, R340,
The makeup look: Natural lashes
The key makeup trend this season is natural lashes. In fact, lashes have almost been non-existent on the catwalk. However, we know that telling a woman to leave the house without mascara is like telling her to shave her hair off and go out in public!
So, rather focus on creating a natural look with your mascara. This means no clumpy, dark lashes that look too made up. Also try curling them first and then choose a separating formula or opt for a conditioning formula with built-in serum to strengthen the lashes.
Best product for natural lashes
Our go to is Yardley Volume Lash Mascara Maximus, R130.
Yardley Volume Lash Mascara Maximus, R130
The makeup look: Barely-there lips
There’s a new neutral lip to counteract a dark eye. It’s your ultimate ‘no makeup make-up’ that looks as if you just gave them a good scrub – your own lip colour but heightened – then plumped up with a transparent tint.
“We’re moving away from concealer beige,” says Terry. “For older women, it deadens them. It’s all about lip exfoliators: I like the effect you get when you really scrub them.”
ALSO SEE: Youth-enhancing make-up to disguise lines around lips
Best products for nude lips
For fresh nude lips try Labello Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose, R34,95, a nourishing balm and Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub, R105 for 25g which is like a facial for lips.
Labello Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose, R34,95
Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub, R105 for 25g
The makeup look: Full, natural brows
Eyebrows have gone back to being natural again, but as full as possible, not overly tweezed, and looking brushed and groomed.
“We’ve moved away from the statement brow,” says Terry. “Think super groomed, brushed up and filled in-between. I’ve always loved the Margaux Hemingway look, myself; it adds a bit of sexiness to the face: tweeze too sharp and they look witchy; too unkempt looks crazy. Just find a fine balance that suits you.”
How to wear it
“Creating shaped, styled and balanced brows is one of the most beneficial and transformative things you can do for your face,” says makeup artist Lee Pycroft. “Brows highlight bone structure, open up the eye area and give character and individuality to your features.”
Use a pencil slightly lighter than the brow hair, as this prevents the brows looking too heavy once they’re coloured.
Be clear on where you need to add shape rather than colouring the hairs in randomly.
Start by sketching in the frame of the brows by lightly pencilling in the areas that are sparse or lacking in structure.
Once the frame of the brow is in place, colour the hair where needed. If more definition is then required, choose a darker pencil to add more depth to those specific areas.
The makeup look: a flawless complexion
While you want to conceal sun damage, blemishes, pigmentation and wrinkles on the skin, the aim is to create a flawless finish without ‘caking’ the skin with too much foundation.
The latest foundations on the market are so lightweight and breathable, you might even forget you’re wearing makeup. Plus, they’re packed with ant-ageing ingredients to offer a radiant, natural-looking finish.
ALSO SEE: Products and tips for younger-looking hands
Best products for your skin
We love the dewy finish of Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Make Up, R585 or for a more matte look, try Body Shop’s vegan Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation, R150, which is super lightweight and enriched with clarifying tea tree oil.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Make Up, R585
Body Shop’s vegan Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation, R150
