We asked celebrity make-up artist Hannah Lisa all our questions about make-up and getting older as, well frankly, it’s on our mind. This is what she had to say…
What are the 3 biggest mistakes women make with their make-up that ages them?
Forgetting your blusher – a little bit goes a long way, and can make your whole face appear brighter, fresher and more lifted. Apply on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards to temple.
Heavy eyeshadow/eyeliner - Going too dark, especially underneath the eyes, can give the impression of dark circles/ tired eyes. I’d recommend keeping it fresh and use more neutral, brighter tones.
Ignoring your eyebrows! Eyebrows can lift and shape your entire face, so a little bit of filling in can go a very long way.
Does skincare play a part here too?
Skincare absolutely plays a part in how your make-up looks, especially on ageing skin. It’s imperative to keep hydrated (both inside and out!) and exfoliated to ensure your makeup goes on smoothly. Taking care of your skin will also make your make-up last longer, as your skin won’t be producing excess oils and/or overly dry aka patchy!
Can you still follow make-up trends without aging yourself?
This is a tough one to answer as it entirely depends on the trend – there are some trends I don’t think ANYONE should follow! However, let’s use the classic autumnal dark lip as an example; you can easily follow this trend in a more subtle way by using a moisturizing, balmy lipstick such as Dior Addict Lip Glow, instead the more opaque matte liquid lipsticks. This will freshen up the look making it wearable at any age.
What 3 make-up products should a 40 something woman own?
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter – this product is fantastic for giving a glow that looks like you’ve just had 48 hours sleep, a facial and drank 3 litres of water!
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder – use a fluffy brush to apply this, to set your make-up (especially good for under eyes) without looking cakey
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof mascara - A volumizing, waterproof mascara to enhance lashes whilst avoiding panda-eyes throughout the day.
I feel that when I put loose powder/powder on my face that I look older. Why is this? Is there any way to help here?
This is because ageing skin tends to be drier/more dehydrated in the first place, so it can emphasizes the lack of moisture. Powder can also settle into lines on the face – therefore enhancing them! If you have to use a powder, I’d suggest using a setting spray over the top such as Anastasia ‘dewy set’, which will melt the powder into your skin and ensure your skin looks more hydrated. To stop from looking shiny, simply apply a small amount of loose powder to the specific areas affected. Loose powder gives a more subtle finish than compact powders. I’d recommend Makeup Forever HD loose powder.
Your lips get thinner as you age. What can you do make-up wise to help without having to resort to filler?
Invest in a good lip liner in a shade that matches your natural lip colour! I’d recommend Huda beauty lip contour 2.0 as it glides on seamlessly and doesn’t smudge. Adding a touch of lipgloss to the centre of the lips can also help with the illusion of plumper lips. Fenty beauty gloss bomb heat is silky smooth and creates a tingling effect which even physically plumps the lips slightly!
Any other make-up application tips over 40?
Avoid too much powder
Use cream based products
Fill in/shape eyebrows
Use a nude kohl eyeliner on the waterline of your eyes to brighten them up
Avoid powder highlighters as these will emphasize any lines
Invest in skincare products and treatments