How should I wear makeup at 60?

As we age, our skin and features naturally change, and so do our makeup needs. However, this doesn’t mean that makeup should be avoided—it’s all about adapting your techniques and products to enhance your natural beauty. At 60, you can still create a fresh, youthful, and sophisticated look with the right approach to makeup. In this article, we’ll explore the best makeup tips and techniques for women over 60, helping you feel radiant, confident, and age-appropriate.

1. Start with a Good Skincare Base

Before applying makeup, it's essential to create a smooth, hydrated canvas. As we age, skin tends to become drier, thinner, and less elastic, so taking care of your skin before applying makeup is crucial.

Hydrate and Prime

Start with a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. Look for one with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides that lock in moisture and plump up the skin. Follow up with a primer to smooth out fine lines and minimize pores. A hydrating primer will help create a smooth surface and ensure your makeup stays in place throughout the day.

SPF Protection

Don’t forget sunscreen! The sun’s harmful rays can accelerate aging, and sun protection is vital at any age. Choose a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher, or apply a separate sunscreen before your makeup.

2. Use a Light Foundation or Tinted Moisturizer

At 60, a heavy foundation can settle into fine lines and make the skin look older. Instead, opt for a lightweight foundation or a tinted moisturizer to even out your complexion without looking cakey. Here’s what to look for:

Lightweight, Buildable Coverage

Choose a foundation that offers buildable, medium coverage. Tinted moisturizers or BB creams are great for providing a natural finish and allowing your skin to breathe. Look for formulas with a dewy finish, as they’ll give your skin a youthful glow without settling into wrinkles.

Avoid Matte Foundations

Matte foundations can make your skin look flat and emphasize dryness or fine lines. Opt for foundations with a luminous or radiant finish that will give your skin a healthy, dewy appearance.

Conceal with Care

Use a creamy concealer to brighten under the eyes and cover any blemishes or redness. Avoid thick or dry concealers that can crease and draw attention to fine lines. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone or is slightly lighter to brighten the under-eye area.

3. Enhance Your Eyes with Subtle Definition

As we age, our eyebrows tend to thin, and our eyelids may lose some of their definition. The goal with eye makeup at 60 is to open up the eyes, creating a youthful and lifted look without heavy or harsh lines.

Shape Your Brows

Full, well-shaped brows can make a huge difference in your overall look. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas, keeping the shape natural. Try not to make them too dark or too heavy—light, feathery strokes will help achieve a soft, flattering look.

Opt for Lighter, Softer Eyeshadows

For eyeshadow, choose soft, neutral shades like taupe, beige, peach, and soft browns. These colors enhance the eyes without being too dramatic. Avoid using shimmery eyeshadows all over the lid, as they can draw attention to fine lines. Instead, a subtle shimmer on the inner corners of the eyes or under the brow bone can brighten up the eyes and create a youthful glow.

Eyeliner

Instead of using harsh black eyeliner, opt for a soft brown, gray, or navy eyeliner to define your eyes. A pencil eyeliner can be smudged along the lash line for a softer, more natural look. If you have sensitive eyes or aging skin, gel liners are also a great option as they tend to stay put without smudging.

Mascara

Mascara opens up the eyes and adds definition. Choose a lengthening mascara that won’t clump or weigh down your lashes. Avoid waterproof formulas, as they can be drying and difficult to remove. If your lashes are thinning, consider using a lash serum or trying eyelash extensions to enhance their appearance.

4. Add a Natural Flush with Blush

Blush helps restore a youthful glow to your complexion, but it’s important to apply it in a way that lifts and brightens your face. Here’s how to achieve a natural flush:

Use Cream Blush

Cream blushes are a great option for mature skin, as they provide a dewy, fresh finish without settling into fine lines. Stick to soft, rosy, or peachy tones that mimic the natural flush of healthy skin. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, and blend it upwards towards your temples for a lifting effect.

Powder Blush

If you prefer powder blush, look for one that has a silky texture and doesn’t emphasize dryness. Avoid matte blushes, as they can make the skin look flat. Apply powder blush in a light, circular motion to the cheeks, and make sure to blend well to avoid harsh lines.

5. Highlight Your Best Features

Highlighter can create a fresh, youthful glow when applied correctly. However, less is more, as too much highlighter can emphasize wrinkles or make your skin look overly shiny.

Focus on High Points

Apply a soft highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow. Avoid placing highlighter directly under the eyes, as this can accentuate dark circles. Stick to a subtle, natural glow for a fresh and radiant look.

Be Careful with Shimmer

Choose a subtle, finely milled highlighter that gives a soft glow, rather than a chunky or glittery formula. The goal is to enhance the skin’s natural radiance without drawing attention to fine lines or texture.

6. Lips: Go for Subtle, Youthful Color

Lips tend to thin as we age, and matte lipsticks can accentuate dryness or fine lines. The key to a youthful lip look is moisture, subtle color, and definition.

Hydrate Your Lips

Start by using a lip balm to hydrate and plump your lips before applying color. You can also use a lip primer to help your lipstick stay in place throughout the day.

Opt for Sheer Lip Colors

Instead of bold, matte lipsticks, choose lipsticks or glosses with a sheer or satin finish. Soft pinks, peachy nudes, and rose tones are universally flattering and give a fresh, youthful look. You can also opt for a lip stain for a natural flush of color that lasts longer.

Define Your Lips

Use a lip liner that matches your lip color to define the shape of your lips. This will help prevent feathering and give your lips a fuller appearance. Avoid dark or harsh lip liners, which can create an artificial look. Blend the liner with your lipstick for a seamless finish.

7. Finish with Setting Spray

To keep your makeup fresh and long-lasting, finish with a light mist of setting spray. Setting sprays help lock in your makeup while giving your skin a radiant, hydrated finish. Look for one that is hydrating and dewy, rather than mattifying, to avoid looking dry or cakey.

Conclusion: Makeup for Confidence and Beauty at 60

Makeup at 60 is all about enhancing your natural features and embracing the beauty that comes with age. The goal is not to mask your age but to feel confident and refreshed. Focus on skincare, lightweight foundations, natural eye makeup, and soft blushes to create a youthful yet sophisticated look. With the right makeup, you can feel empowered and beautiful at any age. Remember, makeup should be fun, and it’s all about what makes you feel your best!