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The Best Insider Tips on Applying Makeup on Mature Women

According to Trish McEvoy, “What time takes away we can bring back with makeup”. I recently had my makeup done (I am makeup challenged) by local makeup artist Anna Grimes. Let’s chat about the Best Insider Tips on Applying Makeup on Mature Women. Here is what I learned.

If you are in fact makeup-challenged like me, I would highly recommend finding someone in your area that is highly recommended and going for a makeup lesson. Anna had me come with my own makeup on so she could see what it looked like. She also had me bring all of the products, and applicators I was using.

We failed to take a picture before with my own makeup on, but here is a up-close pic with my makeup done by me.

She was very careful to try my products to find out which products she thought were okay, and which were not. In the before picture on the left, she had already begun to do her magic on the eyebrow on the right. Note my lipcolor is also still in place.

insider tips on how to apply makeup on mature women

Here’s what she suggested, and what she used that I already owned.

SKINCARE

Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner

Charlotte Tilbury Moisturizer & Eye Cream

Hourglass Primer

Laneige Lip Mask

FACE

Charlotte Tilbury Fair Flawless Filter (glowy dewey before face makeup)

My own Tinted Moisturizer ( Bare Essentials Ginger)

Concealer-Hourglass Concealer Pearl

(applied with “fluffy” brush buffed under eyes & patted on discolorations)

Bronzer-Gucci Bronzer Shade 3

see the diagram for placement

She liked my milk lip & cheek blush in flip

EYES

Concealer or Eye Shadow Primer (over the entire lid and very lightly brushed over with translucent powder ). She approved of my By Terry Hyaluronic Powder

Highlighter Under Brows

Brows-Charlotte Tilbury Natural Brown

Apply in small dashes see the diagram

Eyelashes-Kevin Aucoin The Volume Mascara

She is a big fan of this one and thinks it is worth the money. She thinks it is the best for women our age.

She heartily approved of my eyeshadow palette Tartlette in Bloom

She used Wanderer over the entire lid area and then kept gradually adding more depth with the darker colors in the crease. She emphasized being careful not to go too dark too soon so it doesn’t look harsh.

Eyeliner-Hourglass Mechanical Gel in Obsidian

Use an angled brush to apply from the iris outward

She also “tight-lined the upper inner eyelid

Beige Eyeliner on Inner Rim Anastasia

I was really surprised how this brightened the eye

What’s in Your Makeup Bag That You are Loving Right Now

LIPS

She loved my Chanel Les Rouge Ulta Tenue in Bright Raspberry

I no longer use lip liner and all of the other preps. I am a huge fan of this product and use nothing else. It isn’t drying and it does not creep into the creases around the mouth. I also like the Strawberry Red and sometimes use them together or just the Strawberry Red when I want a more natural look. She used it as a liner to line first and then filled in.

Here is the diagram that she prepared for me which is quite helpful.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THE MAKEUP LESSON

Anna stressed the importance of not applying too-heavy a foundation or tinted moisturizer. She covered up the imperfections with concealer.

The brows and eyes are super important at our age. I was amazed at how emphasizing and lifting the brows helped with the hooded eyes.

Applying liner and shadow properly can also do wonders for the hooded eye issue.

I hope you can find Anna’s tips helpful as well. I have linked all of the products in the text and at the end of the post. I have linked a few more articles that you might find helpful below:

VOGUE-AGELESS MAKEUP FOR WOMEN OVER 50

AARP-10 BETTER WAYS TO DO GROWNUP MAKEUP

ELLE 2022 MAKEUP TRENDS FOR OLDER WOMEN

Thank you for reading The Best Insider Tips on Applying Makeup on Mature Women. You can find Makeup by Anna Grimes on Instagram here, and her website here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. claire says

    Hi Cindy – love this! I clicked on the link for the inner rim eyeliner and it doesn’t seem to be working. Could be me though! Can you please tell me exactly what brand and product it is so I can do my own search? Thank you so much – I have been looking for an inner rim product and have struggled so I’m hoping this might be it. Did it feel like it went on smoothly?

  2. Susan says

    Cindy, thank you for so bravely and generously sharing all the pro’s make up tips, which resulted in your pretty, vibrant and polished look, not overdone. You asked what’s in our make-up bags….I’m well over 60 and have hooded eyes. I just recently tried the Contours Rx eyelid tapes for lifting and they are easy to apply and do lift. My eyes are similar to yours and I tried the 6mm size with decent result I’m thinking of trying the 7mm for even more lift. So I would say it takes some trial of different size tapes and placement. Up very close you can see the tape a bit, but no one looks at your face up that close and I wear glasses.
    A another new product for me, I’m loving is L’Oreal Infallible foundation stick. It’s great for a quick no fuss…cover up the areas you need, to even out your complexion. Roll on, blend in and done. I tried color Nude Beige 402 and it seems perfect.

  3. Juliet says

    This is such great information, Cindy. I struggle with make-up. Especially concealer which always seems to cake instead of conceal. I’m pinning and studying the guide … and I’ve ordered the eye shadow palette. Love the lining of upper lids. I’m going to try that too. Awesome (and helpful) post!!! xo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Juliett

      Anna is great. I learned so much for her …now if I can perfect what I learned!!

  4. Barb L says

    You look stunning – love the lip color. It’s so helpful to get updates, hints and ideas. The last time I had my makeup done the makeup person told me I had Oprah eyes and applied eye shadow that made me look like I had been in a fight. I have used the same make up/skin care products for years. On the upside during covid I discovered tutorials and some of your recommendations and learned there are some really terrific products out there more suitable for my again skin. My eyebrows have almost disappeared so even on my no makeup days I ‘put on my eyebrows’. I think its great to update and get ‘a new look’ every so often. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

  5. Novia lytle says

    this was a great article! like most of us, I won’t put all this stuff on every day….but I go to a lot of events and parties and will use the tips then. I am also buying 5 of the products suggested. Thanks…you look great in both photos but more polished when she was done . Something we all strive for on special occasions. thanks. Love your blog and emails so much.
    If I live in California, not Georgia, I would be over at your house all the time, going for coffee, antiquing, flea markets.
    thanks again!

  6. kim says

    Cindy loved this and both looks. Your brows are still fabulous!You are a natural beauty. Mine are like invisible. I think this was fun and I need to order a few of these products! xo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kim

      My brows were horrendous when I was younger. They were huge and bushy. They have just now tamed with age.

  7. Bette says

    Everyone’s mentioned the smile, but no one has commented on the different lighting in the two photos. The first/before photo is warm toned, the second/after photo is cool. The same jacket appears olive in the first photo and gray in the second. Just that change is enough to make the before/after photos like comparing apples and oranges. With that said, I prefer the more natural look of the first photo. You’re a beautiful woman!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Bette

      My hair was a wreck that day so I waited until I could get home in better light to take the after photos so you could see the makeup better. Her studio is very dark with artificial light. I merely wanted you to see the end results in natural light. My office has a huge french door so there is a lot of natural light.

  8. Debe says

    I just had cataract surgery on one eye and the other this week. So I am going without eye makeup which sure makes getting dressed faster. I do still do my brows which have almost disappeared, brown hair, and having lost some I guess, they seem to disappear. I am considering having them done by a tattoo artist. Would have to find a great person. Thanks for sharing this and smiles do all of us good.

  9. Karen B. says

    You look great. I’m convinced some of the success of the makeup is the inner beauty that shines through. I always appreciate a tutorial on makeup application. There used to be a fabulous make up person at my Nordstrom. She has left but I kept her paper face of my makeup and occasionally refer to it.
    Thanks, Cindy.
    Karen B.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Lindsey

      I know that is a point that many have a problem with due to allergies etc. Thank you for bringing that up. I have plenty of other issues, but eye sensitivity is not one of them yet!

    • Brenda Dyck says

      During my last eye exam my eyes dr commented on the traces of residual eye makeup she was seeing around the inner rim of my eyes. She took a QTip and ran it around the rim- the color of my eye shadow was all over the QTip 😳. I was shocked because I m diligent (I thought) about clean my makeup off each night. She reminded me of the importance of being sure I clean off my “eye makeup” very carefully and thoroughly since this residual makeup will clog up the tear ducts and lead to more problems with dry eye syndrome (which I have). Since I don’t use makeup on the inner rim of my eyes, (and still have left over makeup build up like this) I would think it would be all the more important to make sure the inner rim is carefully cleaned.,- 🇨🇦

  10. Amanda says

    I think the makeup you did looks prettier and that the pro-shot on the right seems harsher and more obvious.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Amanda

      Well the “pro shot” on the right was not pro at all. It was taken by me in natural light in my office. Anna’s studio is quite dark, so the other photo was taken under artificial light. If you could see the background you would notice how unpro it is. My hope was to learn a few tips that you all might find helpful. I for one would not go through all the steps on a daily basis, but hope to become a little more proficient at they eyes and eyebrows.

      • Amanda says

        By pro, I simply meant the shot the pro(fessional) make-up person had done, not a photographer. And the smile made a difference too!

  11. La Contessa says

    Lovely !
    How did she get your top lip to be fuller?In your photos it’s always much thinner.
    What fun to have this done!I have only had it done once in my life!Best have another go at it although not wearing much make up these days.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Eliz

      She lined the outer lip with the Chanel lipcolor and filled in. She went a little above the natural lip line. She did not use any other products other than the le neige before applying.

  12. Kathy says

    You look lovely, as always. Just wondering, did Anna put mascara on your bottom lashes? When I try to do that, I just make a complete mess and have to take it off!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kathy

      Great point. She did the eyes first, for that reason. If you hold a tissue under your eyelashes, you can avoid that. I have that problem as well.

  13. Heidi says

    Hi Cindy,
    Well you look fabulous! But then you always do, imo.
    All I can think is how many products were used and how long this must have taken. I’m really into a quick face, but I could probably use an update in my process! One thing I do realize is what a difference it makes to define my eyebrows. I found a product that I really like and just brush it on using small strokes up. It works and stays on all day. Can’t for the life of me remember what it’s called but I get it at the drugstore. EEK, I know.
    fun info, Cindy,
    xo Heidi

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Heidi

      You are right about the brows. “taming them” does wonders for lifting the eyes. Most of us (me included) will not take the time to do all the steps on an everyday basis, but hopefully will have a few takeaways that will help.

  14. Susan says

    Looks beautiful Cindy! I really want to try some of those tips. Right now I am looking for a great moisturizer. I see so many advertised on line, it’s so confusing. Definitely want an SPF in it as well.
    You always look beautiful!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Susan

      I am currently using ceravie facial moisturizer. It comes highly recommended and is inexpensive. I use Ulta MD sunscreen under my makeup and my tinted moisturizer also has spf in it.

      • Laura says

        Cindy,

        I use the tinted Elta MD moisturizer with SPF of 44. You could cut out the CeraVe (which my dermatologist also recommends) and the tinted moisturizer and just use the Elta MD as it has it all in one!☺️ Love your blog!

        • Cindy Hattersley says

          Hi Laura

          I use the Elta MD as well but find it doesn’t have quite enough coverage for me. I have a lot of dark spots unfortunately!

  15. Kathryn says

    Oooooo…… Thank you SO MUCH for this, Cindy!! I can’t wait to read through all your tips and listed products! 🙂

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kathryn

      You are so welcome. It is my hope that each of you can find a tip that might be helpful.

  16. eileen chadwick says

    Anastasia makes a brow wiz in TAUPE for blond and gray hair. Very small tip to make fine hairlike strokes. This natural brown(CT) lists dark blond, brown and auburn.?? Also when you start a brow go light then get darker at the arch and try not to take the tail of brow down ,but out. If I didn’t know I would have thought black was used on brows. Harsh and the whole look makes you look like you have a lot of makeup on.Your lips shape and color great with your sweet smile. I like the black on the eyes. But tone down the brows. I am much older than you…so I have had lots of years to learn and am still learning.
    Just like a good friend, I will not always say everything is Great…but be honest.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Eileen

      I appreciate your honesty. I actually am going to talk to Anna about that. My hair before it was white was very dark brown almost black, so my eyebrows are naturally black and still quite thick. I think if I were to have them tinted a lighter color I would be constantly doing them, but an excellent point.

  17. Wren says

    I dashed something off on your Instagram account of this and now I’m regretting it. I thought the make-up seemed too harsh for your face, especially the brows. But when I see it on my computer instead of phone, it seems to be growing on me. She did a good job with evening out your skin tone. I also find it interesting about using the beige liner on the lower lids. That’s new to me and something to try. Your eyes really look great and she filled out your upper lip which looks very natural. However, I thought the “old” Cindy looked great, too! You really don’t need to go heavy to look pretty.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Wren

      Don’t ever be sorry for being honest. As Eileen said that’s what friends are for. As I said, I obviously will not be doing my makeup like that everyday. Frankly, I am too lazy. That is one of the reasons you see me in sunglasses all the time in my photos. My hooded eyes make me look like I have my eyes closed in most pictures! And, a little secret. If I am able to wear sunglasses, I don’t have to make up my eyes at all! My hope was that I could be a guinea pig and gather some tips that might be helpful to all of you.

  18. Joanna says

    As others have said, I think a smile is the best tool in our makeup arsenal. I try to remember to put a slight smile on my face when out & about.
    I wear very little makeup – foundation, mascara & lip gloss. I think I need to take your advice and book a consult. What a difference the eyebrows and lids make to your look.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Joanna

      I agree it is all about the eyebrows and the lids at our age. When I take the time, (which isn’t often), it does make a huge difference. Hopefully, there are a few takeaways that you will find helpful.

  19. Barbara at Mantel and Table says

    Here’s another vote for your gorgeous smile! 🙂 Thanks for the tips – can’t wait to try them out. Happy Friday down there!

  20. Michele says

    Thanks for posting. You look lovely. When I looked at the eyeshadow palette, there is no color called Wanderer…I’m confused. Please help.

  21. Mar says

    Thanks so much – this is extremely helpful. Although, the biggest difference in your before and after photos is your lovely smile!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Mar

      I know! Anna advised me to smile. I should have taken a smiling before! Live and learn!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Annie

      Yes it is all about the eyes at our age. Sandra knows how to do them! She gave me my first lesson!

  22. holly says

    This is fabulous! Little tips that go a long way, like applying eyebrow color in dashes and the beige liner below the eye. I can’t wait to try them and see how they look with my new DiCaprio eyeglasses! Thanks for all you share!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Holly

      I agree Holly. Yes the eyebrow color in dashes is such a great tip! I always enjoy hearing from you pal!

  23. dianne says

    You are gorgeous regardless of makeup. I do believe, though, that a smile is the best facelift and make up. Your smile radiates beauty

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Diane

      You are absolutely right. I am sorry I did not smile in the before photo. I was trying to get a photo quickly and didn’t think…typical of m,e!

  24. 1010parkplace says

    You look beautiful, Cindy! I think every woman should have her makeup done every five years by a professional makeup artist. Out skin tones and our skin and the muscles underneath change, and there are different tricks and tips to help us with these. xoxox, Brenda

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Brenda

      Good point…totally agree. I have been meaning to do this for a couple of years. I was always leary, afraid that whomever did it would apply too much.

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