A while ago, I had just come from a luncheon and was cutting through the makeup department on my way home when the gentleman pictured stopped me to sell me makeup! How could I resist a touch-up when I knew I was on my way home to see my ultimate concierge?
*Affiliate disclosure.
When It Comes to Makeup, Stop Chasing Youth
First of all, our makeup routine should never be about trying to look young. We should give up chasing youth because we can’t catch it! Instead, it should be about accentuating the positive, darling! And it is about feeling good.
But, we have a few options to keep age at bay. We should always think of age as just a number, we should walk into a room with perfect posture; head held high and a smile on our face. We should continue to learn and always be curious.
It is important to continue to have a desire at every age to dress with style, and that includes makeup and our glasses. A woman should want to take pride in her outer look; never ever letting herself go.
Flaunt Yourself With Your Makeup & Glasses!
The way to keep up with the trends in color, fabric, prints, length of skirt or dress (read my take on how short is too short) is to stay on top of fashion news, listen to the advice of good makeup artists, find a trusted stylist, and talk with your girlfriends.
Below are the ‘don’ts’ I learned from makeup artists, specialists and from personal trial and error. You will also see that at times I buck against the pros tips, I like to do my own thing. C’est la vie! On top of that, I had to write a section on eyeglasses because I consider my glasses great accessories that are just as important as my jewelry, belts, and handbags.
Makeup Don’ts and Dos
#1 Don’t Use Heavy Foundation
I have two favorite foundations, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen, and LA MER soft fluid long-wear foundation (SPF 20). I like them because of their thin and silky texture. And, I recently discovered this mineral powder, M.A.C. Mineralize SkinFinish, that is ideal for hot and humid days. The makeup pros taught me to choose a shade or two darker than my natural skin tone because going a shade lighter exaggerates fine lines.
#2 Pro Tips for Cheeks
Here are the best tips for cheeks that I’ve gotten from the pros.
Avoid Bright or Dull Blush: I love my blushes. My favorite brands are Chanel and Tom Ford. I think every woman should add ‘blush’ to her cheekbones. It is feminine. A makeup artist told me to wear Tom Ford’s blush at night. I think of my blush as part of my personality, upbeat and fresh and ready to explore.
Avoid Applying Your Blush the Wrong Way: If you are applying blush on the apples of your cheek you are adding ten years to your face. I wear a powdered blush but the experts tell me to use a liquid blush because powdered blush makes fine lines prominent. Use your own judgment!
#3 Pro Makeup Tips for Eyes
Avoid Dark Eyeliner on Upper and Lower Lids: Dark eyeliner brings out the dark circles under one’s eyes and makes your eyes look smaller. Opt for a soft grey or brown pencil rather than dark liquid liners. I use a white pencil by NARS because the pencil is soft and does not pull the skin under my eye.
What I do is I place a white dot in each corner of each eye but I don’t line my upper lid. However, I do line my lower lid with the same white pencil. It is my own thing, darling!
Avoid Eyeshadow With Glitter: The experts say your eyelids will look crumpled and thin lines will show if you wear shimmery shadows. Opt for a matte shadow that will give a very striking look to your eyes. That being said…I wear Sisley Glow Silver. Again, I’m cheeky and do my own thing. It is a grey shimmery shadow!
Avoid Heavy Concealer Under Your Eyes: You should not commit this cardinal sin. It will only make your dark circles worse. I have the perfect product to cover your darkened circles. It is inexpensive and works AND lasts forever. Buy Trish McEvoy’s brightening eyeshadow primer . It is my favorite product in my makeup drawer! It will give your face an uplifted look without anyone knowing you are wearing the product.
Avoid Mascaras That Are Too Light: If you have great lashes flaunt them with black mascara and in my opinion wear Le Volume de Chanel or L’Oreal. However, if you are like most women over 50, your lashes may be on the thinner side. If that is the case, I 1,000% recommend this lash enhancing serum — it is a MUST TRY!
Eyebrows: I have my eyebrows dyed. They look very natural. I use an eyeshadow instead of an eyebrow product; Sisley Mat Taupe #15.
#4 Flaunt Your Lips
Avoid Dark Lip Liner or Harsh Shades of Lipstick: Applying a very dark lipstick will make your lips appear thinner which adds years to your look. Lip liners that are darker than the shade of lipstick are out of fashion! My favorite brands of lipstick are Tom Ford and Guerlain. All that being said, darling, red is NOT a harsh color. Every woman over 50 should wear red lipstick (at least on some occasions!).
#5 The Eyes Have It… Eyeglasses I Mean!
I love my glasses! Glasses came into my life at the age of 46 when I realized if I wanted to continue seeing my world with rose-colored glasses, I would need them. I was not excited to cover my face and eyes with glasses, so the day I picked out my first pair of frames I decided with a fierceness I would classify every frame I added to my wardrobe.
Who would have thought eyeglasses and sunglasses would become an important accessory in my wardrobe!
And, darling, that is what you should consider… your glasses should make a statement about who you are and your style!
I have saved every pair of glasses except the few I have lost. I suggest you do the same because eventually, they will come back into style. Just change your prescription and voila!
Eyeglasses Are a Hot Commodity!
Glasses are a hot commodity. Looking over my stash I photographed a few of my vintage oldies but goodies. Each pair has a sentimental story with my personal secrets. Our eyes are the window to our souls. So dress them up with great glasses!
My Red Frames
When I bought my first pair of glasses, I chose large red frames. Why? Because I knew they would stand out in the crowd. They had personality! And, they represented me, and my personality. I wore them on my first date with my husband Shelly. He loved them (by the way he is known for his red frames, I even got him a red-framed glasses birthday cake)! Buy glasses that ‘speak’ to you and then they will speak to others.
My Flowered Frames With Sequins and Pearls
I bought them at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu. They are a memory of my life in Honolulu with my family. I bought them to wear to a ball at the Kahala Hilton Hotel. Buy a pair of frames with rhinestones arms for special occasions.
My Aviator Frames
My husband chose them for me. Save your old frames. I promise aviators will come back into vogue… a lot of young people wear them today!
My Orange + Black 1960 Christian Dior Frames
I bought these in a resale shop while shopping with my daughter, Jenny. I always think of her when I wear them. Visit resale shops for vintage frames, darling. They will be half the price and you may find a surprise as I did.
Barry Kielselstein-Cord Frames
I have four pairs that are now collector’s items… little did I know when I bought them. And, I just loved them. I love them as much today and wear them often.
A Story With a Happy Ending
One summer my Ultimate Concierge and I and another couple attended the weekly outdoor concert at Millennium Park in my beautiful Chicago. I wore my powder blue Kielselstein-Cord glasses. After the performance, the four of us went to the Erie Street Cafe for an outdoor dinner.
Leaving the restaurant I noticed I did not have my glasses! We looked in the car, on the outside ground around the restaurant and then… I looked to the right and there they were placed on a ledge.
Someone had stepped on them and smashed them, I am sure accidentally. The arms were hanging by a limb and the nose piece was cut in half. The lense was shattered on one side. They were so damaged and most women would have tossed them. I just couldn’t.
The next day I visited two eyeglass shops in my neighborhood. One of the shops sent them to be repaired! They knew a specialist who repaired very damaged glasses. My glasses were then returned to me in their original condition! I was shocked and filled with happiness.
The moral of the story is to always reach out to the best resources for help. If you don’t know anyone, do your research or ask for help. If they cannot help you do not give up. Ask them if they know someone. Think positive. Where there is a will there is a way. (BONUS: Click here for a video of story via YouTube!)
Enhance The Glass For Style
I tint all my lenses to coordinate with my frames. I have pink frames with rose-colored lenses; grey frames with light grey lenses, blue frames with lightly tinted blue lenses. My tortoise frames have light green lenses, and all of my black lenses have different shades of blue lenses. All of my lenses are sun exposure safe. I don’t think you will be sorry.
With an upbeat attitude, an outfit that makes you feel great, the correct eye makeup and gorgeous shades you cannot go wrong. After all, our eyes are the windows to our soul.
Do something for yourself today, darlings!
What are your best after 50 makeup tips? What about your favorite pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses? Please share below!
Honey Good is a mentor for women, empowering them to live vibrant and visible lives after 50. For more insight into her daily life, plus tips and tricks, follow her on Instagram @iamhoneygood. To inquire about working with Honey, please email her at collabs@honeygood.com.
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