For those of you new here welcome. Vicki Archer, Sandra Sallin, Beth Djalali, and I recently did a joint post on going gray. It was so well received that we decided to continue the discussion and talk about how we have adapted our makeup routine to accommodate our gray hair. My hair has been “silver” for over eight years and I am 65 years old. I have acne scarring and wrinkles from too many years worshipping the sun. I love a more natural look, but these issues have caused me to step up my makeup game. I have yet to do anything more drastic than botox, but I am considering my options. That’s another post. Today le’s talk about Makeup Tips and Tricks for Mature Women with Gray Hair.
Before I share which products work best for me you might enjoy this post that I did back in 2016 12 Essential Makeup Tips for Women Over 50. In 2016 there was next to no information on makeup for women with gray hair. Unfortunately, there still isn’t an overabundance of information available. Most of it is found on YouTube. You might enjoy You Tube Videos by Makeup Artist Kerry Lou. Many of the make-up videos on Youtube on gray hair are done by younger women which aren’t very helpful. Kerry Lou is a professional makeup artist and she isn’t a 40-year-old with gray hair. You might also enjoy Goodtimes Makeup Tips for Women with Gray Hair. And you will not want to miss the latest Instagram rockstar Sandra Sallin’s video here.
Gloria Garcia, a makeup artist that works with women with gray hair, says “because gray hair tends to wash you out, you need to pay special attention to the eye and lip. You’re also able to take more risk with your makeup.” Consider a bolder color than you’re used to for the lip. “Vibrant lip colors are definitely a go when you have gray hair,”
I am not a makeup artist or any sort of expert, I am just here to share my tips, and what products I like.
#1 Whiten Your Teeth
This is not theoretically makeup related but important. As we age tea, red wine, and over-fluoridation of water can cause the teeth to yellow. This is very aging. I once read that you should not wear a white shirt that is whiter than your teeth (eeeek!!). A white shirt is really flattering with gray hair so teeth whitening to the rescue. You might find this article helpful. 20 Secrets for Whiter Teeth After 40 or this one The 20 Best Whitening Toothpastes of 2020. In January I penned this post on Self Care Over 50 where I featured teeth whitening and went into more detail. FYI I am not an expert on anything I just do my research.
I have had the best luck (when I am diligent about it) with the glo whitening system. I know many have great luck with the crest whitening strips and others but this works best for my tea and wine-stained teeth. I have to admit I have not been as religious as I should during the lockdown, but these are the products that currently work best for me.
Clockwise from left. I use the glo system it is similar to what you would have done in the dental office. It comes with a low concentration of bleach. When you need a refill if their gel isn’t strong enough and your teeth need more whitening, increase the concentration and order the opalescence (it is the same as most dental offices) .My husband uses the 20% (his teeth are sensitive) and I use the 35% I am currently using supersmile whitening toothpaste (it is expensive but worth it). I am also using the active wow charcoal powder and it seems to really help. If you don’t drink a lot of tea, coffee or wine you may not need any of these.
I used Tom’s of Maine’s regular toothpaste for years. His natural Anti-Plaque and Whitening Toothpaste would be a good fluoride-free option.
I am not going to cover moisturizers and serums. I will save that for another post. I did a post on How to Choose the Best Vitamin C Serum here.
#2 Foundation or CC or BB cream
I have two that are my current favorites. If I had perfect skin this would be my hands-down favorite. There is not a lot of product in the container and it is pricey.
Chanel ULTRA LE TEINT VELVET BLURRING SMOOTH-EFFECT FOUNDATION SPF 15.
At this age, I feel like I need “spackle and plaster” to cover up all the problems. Most of the time I favor Bye Bye Cosmetics CC Cream SPF 50 I mix it with some my inexpensive olay regenerist serum. It is a tad heavy on it’s own for me. FYI Olay has reformulated the serum and I don’t care for it, so I am on the lookout for a new one.
#3 Bronzer
I am embarrassed to admit that I use an inexpensive eye shadow for bronzer. I have olive skin and most of the bronzers don’t even register on my skin. My skin is still somewhat oily as well so a creme product after a few hours just melts into my skin.
#4 Blush
I did a post on the Best Blush For Mature Skin here. Most experts advise if you are gray you should stay away from mauves, rose and peachey colors are more flattering to gray hair.
Powder blush is not normally a good thing for mature skin (my skin is still a bit oily). What I have found that works for me are a combination of the Shiseido minimalist whipped blush and the Ilia Multistick If your skin is dry the Ilia would probably be great. For me, I still have combination skin. Powder blush looks chalky but the Shiseido topped with a bit of the ILIA works.
#5 Lips
Back in 2018, I did a post on The Best Lipsticks and Lipcare for Mature Women where I go into more detail. I find lip color to be a challenge. I have lots of tiny lines around my mouth where lip color loves to creep. In order to achieve my best results, I use the two-faced anti feathering lip primer then, line my lips with the Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner.
I used the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick for several years and now that we are wearing masks I am going to order a couple. Have you had the lovely experience of your lip color rubbing off on your mask? You take off the mask and look like a clown? The Stila can be drying, however. If you aren’t wearing a mask my current favorites are the buxom lip liner as a base or on its own and the Bobbie Brown Art Stick (I wish they had more colors) . The Chanel Le Rouge Ultra Lip Color is my absolute favorite for staying power but it is a bit pricey for the amount of product.
#6 Eyes
As you can see in the photo above I have hooded eyes, and I really need to learn more about applying eye makeup. Kerry Lou has a good Youtube video here on hooded eyes. Risa does Makeup also has a good one here. This is a work in progress for me, so I am going to look to my fellow bloggers for advice on their favorite products. I am planning to have my makeup done so I will do a post later once I do more research.
I have tried so many mascaras and have yet to find one I love. When it comes to eyeshadow avoid anything with sparkle. When it comes to brows most experts advise (if you have thinning brows) to fill them in with an eyeliner pencil or eye shadow close to your pre-gray color. I still have full brows so this isn’t too much of an issue for me.
I hope you enjoyed this post on Makeup Tips and Tricks for Mature Women with Gray Hair. Please check out my posts that I have linked for more in-depth information. Now pop over and see the tips that Beth, Vicki, and Sandra have shared. These ladies know their stuff. You won’t be disappointed.
I have always used Lancome skin care and at 75 I have very few lines . Just recently a friend suggested it Anti-Aging Armour for foundation. I love this product. Not to heavy or greasy just a light cover with a SPF of 50 , I tried using Bye Bye Foundation but it was to heavy and the color was to dark even in the light shade. My hair is very salt and pepper. To my dismay it is getting thin. I own a small shop and work full time. To stay young in my opinion keep that mind working. I love your blog and have purchased several items you have suggested.
Thanks,
Amy
Buongiorno Cindy
Sono Dora Renata
Come sempre interessante articolo pieno di buone idee e consigli. Anche’ io appartengo alla categoria del sale pepe sono circa cinque anni ed è una assoluta libertà. Molto carina la foto col taglio un po’ più corto. Consiglio dettato dal cuore ti prego rimani come sei col tuo vissuto che traspare nel tuo viso perché arrivare a questa età e farsi stirare e plastificare dove quasi cancellano ogni espressione, che ci contraddistingue. Avanti così siamo belle!!!! Buona settimana Cindy 💐🌼🌸
Hi Amy
I am going to take a look into the Anti Armour! Amy you are absolutely right about keeping your mind working. Congrats to you for continuing to stay active and vital. You sound like Sandra!!
Hi Dora
I always enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your supportive comments. If only I could speak Italian. We certainly hope to come and visit again some time soon!
Hi Dora
I would never do any fillers or anything like that but I have been considering laser to get rid of scars and sun spots! Thank you for always being so supportive and sweet! Love hearing from you!
Hi! I’m enjoying your posts on grey hair and for me they’re very timely. I’m also 65. I had a misdiagnosis over 2 years ago for Psoriasis. A new Dermatologist, (5th Dr I saw) thought it was an allergic reaction to the preservatives in hair color and other skin and makeup products. Covid happened and I couldn’t be tested but with only eye makeup for now, I’ve totally clear skin! I’ll be tested next week and can’t wait to hear which products I can safely use. But the hair will be staying grey. The out grow is hard as I have dark hair, but I don’t go out much anyway and there are hats and scarves. I’ve colored my hair since I was in my early 30s.
HELLO BEAUTY!
LOVED THE TEETH WHITENING INFO……………which I cannot USE DUE to BRIDGE WORK I HAD AT AGE 16!BUT MAYBE I’ll try it again!I too have very sensitive teeth!
AS for the foundation you use I too have a tint with SPF50 which I love.Found it in ITALY and now I think SOME CVS carry will send you a photo!I especially like it for THE GARDEN when we are out there pulling weeds etc…….
LOVE THIS SERIES………and of course MY BUDDY iS AN INSTAGRAM STAR!
OFF TO VISIT THE OTHER GALS!
FUN FUN WAY TO SPEND MONDAY MORNING!!!!!!!
NO HOUSEWORK TODAY!
XX
Yes Sandra rocks Instagram doesn’t she? I still want to be Sandra when I grow up, or did I already do that?!! The charcoal powder sounds gross but it works too if you are persistent!
How smart are you??? Of course teeth are so important. You’re right too focus on that. I’ve been using, when I remember those Crest White strips. I also love those Bobbi Brown Art Sticks. I want to try the Two faced lip primer. I love being a part of your blogging group. So much good information from such lovely and talented women. Thank you
You comment in the beginning of this post that you had done nothing but Botox but might consider “other options.” I’d like to comment on that because even though I am not gray (still color and highlight my hair) and not considering going gray, some of these “other options” I find after a certain age are not attractive.
I watched YouTube videos of women in their 30s and 40s having Botox and fillers and thought “that’s for me” and I drank the Kool-Aid. I went to a dermatologist’s office and had Botox around my eyes. Guess what, I had double vision for weeks and couldn’t drive. While not usually normal it can happen.
The fillers, Juvederm and Voluma caused very visual lumps and I had to have injections to dissolve. My face, at 75 years old, had that “pillow face” look that you see in older women who have had fillers (look around-not attractive).
So mine is a cautionary tale that some “other options” might not turn out to give you the illusion of time at a standstill if briefly.
Thank you Paula for your comment about your experience. I’m turning 70, and would love to have a face “refresh”, but very afraid to have it done because of potential problems. Not sure it would be worth it.
Hi Paula
I guess I should have been more specific. Although I don’t condemn anyone for doing whatever they feel comfortable with, I would never do fillers. I have been considering laser as I have a lot of sun damage and acne scars. I will do a post about that at some point. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. We all enjoy hearing others’ experiences.
I WISH THEY HAD MORE COLORS TOO FOR THE Bobbi Brown ART STICKS………..I WONDER WHY THEY ARENOT MAKING THEM!
Thank you Cindy this is wonderful, great tips and tricks!
Hi Francesca
thank you so much for stopping by!
Thank you for writing on this topic, and all of the resources. I really enjoyed the video links you provided as well.
Hi Alexis
I am so glad you found it beneficial and thank you for commenting!
Great info Cindy – I hadn’t really thought about teeth, but now that you mention it! Thanks for all the tips. They’re always so helpful! 💗 Take care and stay beautiful my friend! 🙂
Cindy,
This is great information for me. I struggle with eyeliner…I guess old eyes tend to have issues. All of your posts help with finding the best products, or at least some of the best products. It’s a different world from where we could get by with drugstore foundation and other cosmetics and look okay.
xo,
Karen
How I love your posts, Cindy! Always relevant and on spot with what our over fifty and sixty ladies need. As far as gray hair, I really didn’t know until the pandemic and my last hair color and cut which was in January, that I’d see my true color. I am still (knock on wood) very strawberry blonde, my Irish roots, with just a bit of gray at my crown. My girl always focused on me wanting an ash blonde. That said, I still enjoyed your makeup tips. You mentioned so many products I’d love to try.
I swear by Falsies mascara, by Maybelline. Another is Light’s Camera by Tarte. I’m blessed with long lashes. The falsies maker them thicker, and the Tarte mascara makes them very long and natural. I wish I could combine the two!!!
Thanks again for a great post!!!!😘
Hi Jane
I will have to give your mascara selections a try. I have never had long lashes, but they are really “mingy” now. I need all the help I can get
I am looking forward to trying some of these CIndy.. especially your BB and CC cream recommendations.. I am always looking for these xx
Hi Vicki
I already ordered your serum recommendation. Thank you so much for joining us once again!
Thank you for all the recommendations and the time you likely spent researching/creating this post! Much appreciated.
Hi Nan!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Do pop over to the other ladies…they are the experts!
I think you are gorgeous so any am really reviewing your post carefully! Love the lipstick ideas ~~ and you are reminding me to bleach my teeth!
Mary Ann
Hi Barbara
Your teeth are beautiful you don’t need to think about it! I have drank too much coffee tea and red wine over the years!
Hey Mary Ann
You are the one that inspired me to bleach. Your teeth always look fabulous!
I love Bobbi Brown cosmetics, particularly her eye shadows and mascara. I also use her blush and loose setting powder.
Hi Claudia
Thank you so much for sharing. Bobbi Brown really knows her stuff doesn’t she? I will have to try her eye shadow! Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks so much! Lots of great information. I’m 68, just started back WW and whitening my teeth. I needed the boost! Appreciate it.
Hi Arlene
I need to get back on the weight watchers bandwagon. It is the best plan for me and really simple to maintain. I have been eating way too many carbs of late. Teeth whitening is essential at our age. I am right behind you in age!!