RUBY REVEALS: MAKEUP TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 40

I have never been one to hide my age (I'm proudly 62 years young), but we live in a world where as we age we are told to stop wearing certain colours, avoid different textures and hide visible signs of ageing... so it is easy to get stuck in a rut. Whilst we (usually) learn our earliest beauty routines from our mothers, by our 40s those routines may no longer be relevant.

With each decade, though we have similarities, differences also start to creep in. If you are feeling bored by beauty, it is time to shake things up, Makeup should boost your confidence, enhancing your favourite features for all to see.

Skincare

Skincare no matter what age you are, should be adjusted to your skin. There is no one miracle potion, we are all unique and as such have to take some responsibility for ourselves. If your skin is dull and dry, have you been exfoliating? Is it acne prone? Are fine lines and wrinkles setting in? 

I am blessed to have been born with good genes for skin, but that doesn't mean I don't have to work for it. It is not about ageing in reverse (which is not possible) but looking and feeling the best you can for you. This could mean adding in vitamin C, peptides, or retinol into your routine to give the skin a boost. An eye cream targeting fine-lines and to boost hydration. Niacinamide to even out skin tone and help fade dark marks. 

Blush for a Natural Flush

Choose a Cheek Colour Cream or liquid blush in a red hue to add a natural flush to your cheeks. Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards and outwards for a lifted effect. Avoid going too low on the cheeks as this has a tendency to drag your features down. 

Concealing dark circles

Depending on how dark your circles are, you may want to start with a colour corrector before concealer. I'd suggest an apricot shade to neutralise the colour. Once colour corrected, apply a small amount of concealer to both the inner and outer corners of the eye using a small brush or the tips of your finger, and then pat the product down rather than spreading it around the skin. Slowly build up the coverage. The thin skin under the eye can easily become cakey if overloaded with product.

Define your brows

Eyebrows can completely transform and lift your face. Fill in sparse brows with a brow pencil, or powder using feathered strokes for a natural look. Then, use a clear gel to set them in place for the day. In theatre you are taught brush the brows up for a youthful appearance as it opens up the lid space, and brush brows down to appear older as it makes the eyes appear smaller - a very simple but effective trick.

It’s all in the eyes

In the same way that brushing up your brows opens up the lid space of your eye, curling your eyelashes does the same for the eye. Instantly making you look more awake, add a couple of drops of eye brightening drops if your eyes are red and tired. Follow up with a lengthening mascara that picks up every lash at the root for extra definition and depth. 

If your eyes have hooded, adding eyeshadow above the crease lifts the eye. Hooding can make you feel like you can no longer use eyeliner without it smudging, but that is not the case. Changing the placement of liner from wings to tightlining or adding a kitten flick at the outer corner looks great at all ages and on all eye shapes.

Avoid heavy powder

Less is more when it comes to powder products, as powder can settle in to fine lines making them appear cakey and more pronounced. Stick to using translucent powder only in the areas prone to excess shine, such as the t-zone.

Whatever you try, the key to remember is to 'play up the features you love and make peace with those you don't'. I repeat this daily to people... It is easier to make peace with your own features when you take the time to look at them, rather than looking at an image of a Kardashian or Kate Moss and trying to make your features look like theirs. Have fun and experiment!