At some point, you may have googled ‘makeup for 40s women’ after noticing the techniques you used to rely on don’t work the same way anymore. Decades ago, you may have loved experimenting with 10-step regimens or trending techniques. But today, the goal is choosing hydrating products and gentle formulas that enhance your glow and let your skin breathe. Inside, you’ll discover a quick routine tailored for mature skin along with clear explanations and pro insights.

Makeup for 40s Women: A Step-by-Step Routine

As you reach the vibrant age of 40, wrinkles might settle down and fine lines may appear more visible. None of these signs are bad as they’re simply part of the reality called aging. On days when you want to feel and look good, the right makeup routine can make you look more radiant and lift your confidence. Here are five easy steps:

Step 1: Hydrate and Prime

Apply moisturizer all over your face and dab a lightweight eye cream under the eyes. Then, follow with a hydrating primer to smooth the texture and help the makeup last longer. Choose a formula with a satin finish to make the skin look fresher.

Glow Logic

Hydrated skin looks plumper and holds makeup longer. Meanwhile, dehydrated skin makes fine lines more pronounced and causes makeup to separate.

Step 2: Foundation and Concealer

Skip heavy matte bases. Instead, choose a luminous foundation or tinted moisturizer and apply it using a damp sponge. Press the product gently to help it quickly melt into the skin and avoid streaks. When concealing, focus exclusively on areas that need coverage such as the inner corners of the eyes or redness around the nose. Avoid overconcealing to prevent makeup from creasing.

Glow Logic

Matte formulas emphasize dryness or wrinkles while luminous versions make the skin appear rejuvenated.

Step 3: Blush and Bronzer

Powders can look flat on mature skin, so opt for cream formulas. Smile softly, then tap cream blush on the apples of your cheeks and sweep slightly upward. For bronzer, choose a cream stick or pot then blend it lightly into your temples and along the jawline to sculpt the features.

Glow Logic

Powders settle into fine lines and can make skin look dull. On the other hand, creams help moisturize the skin and blend more seamlessly with other products.

Step 4: Eyes with Subtle Definition

Forget harsh-looking black liners and go for brown shades instead. Press the pencil into your upper waterline or the strip just beneath your lashes. Then, choose neutral satin-finish shadows such as soft browns or taupes to brighten the eyes. Finish with a lash curler and lengthening mascara for more definition.

Glow Logic

Black liner can look overpowering on the lids and may even make the eyes appear smaller. Conversely, soft browns help lift the gaze and keep the look modern.

Step 5: Brows and Lips

Brows naturally thin as we age. To add extra volume, use a pencil or tinted gel to fill them in via short, hair-like strokes. For the lips, choose sticks with satin finishes or tinted balms and consider soft colors such as rosy or nude shades. 

Glow Logic

Hair growth slows as estrogen levels decrease in your 40s and beyond, so thinning brows are completely normal. As instructed above, you can fill them in using gels or pencils to frame the eyes and restore facial harmony.

Makeup for 40s Women: The Final Swipe

Makeup in your 40s is more about self-care and less about chasing youth. Instead, it’s more about enhancing your favorite features and using beneficial products for your complexion. After all, beauty doesn’t fade with age but evolves. So should your makeup routine.

What do you consider the biggest makeup challenge in your 40s? Tell us what’s on your mind!

FAQs

Q: Do I need to switch all my makeup products once I hit 40?
Not at all. When it comes to makeup for 40s women, the focus is on refining a few essentials rather than replacing everything. Swap foundation, blush, and lipstick for hydrating, glow-friendly versions, and keep what still works for you.

Q: Should I avoid shimmer altogether in my 40s?
No, just use it strategically. Opt for subtle satin or cream formulas instead of chunky glitter, which can accentuate texture.

Q: What’s the fastest routine if I only have 5 minutes?
Hydrate your skin, add cream blush, fill in brows, and swipe on tinted lip balm. It’s quick, easy, and instantly refreshing.

1. Moisturize

There’s really no other way to say it, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Your face needs moisture to keep it hydrated and supple. Dry skin is your enemy, and you have to make sure that you do what you can to prevent your skin from drying. Skin aging gets worse with dryness, so moisturize during the day and before you go to sleep.

2. Go for Liquid Concealer

The older we get, the more things we need to conceal. However, concealer can be a double-edged sword when not used correctly. Concealer sticks and pots may work against you. They tend to emphasize wrinkles and fine lines more. Hence, go with liquid concealer, as its formulation is more blendable and will not leave a cakey look.

Sale

Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer Makeup, Natural Coverage, Lightweight, Conceals, Covers...

• Maybelline Concealer: In 12 shades, this oil free concealer matches skin tones to deliver a more even complexion, with a natural finish; The oil...
• A Shade That Fits Me: Maybelline Fit Me liquid concealer provides coverage for a wide array of skin tones, from Fair to Cocoa; Use as a redness,...

$6.94

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2025-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Curl the Lashes

You’re getting old, so there’s really no point in curling your eyelashes, right? Wrong! You must know that as you age, the eyelashes become sparser and flatter. Thus, there’s more need to curl them up (especially if you’re starting to get hooded eyes)! This will make your eyes look younger, brighter and prettier too. Using mascara is also helpful, but please be careful when removing it as you may tug out some of your lashes.

No products found.

4. Keep Cheeks Flushed

image via

The fact of the matter is, when you get older, you lose fat on your cheeks and it’s not necessarily a good thing. To make sure that you still highlight the apple of your cheeks, always apply blush on the highest point of your cheekbones. This should help make the cheekbones stand out. Make sure to apply in circular motion.

Sale

L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder Blush, Baby Blossom C1-2, 0.21 Oz (Packaging May...

• With a soft, powder texture, True Match Blush goes on smooth and blends evenly into skin to naturally brighten up your complexion
• Blush coordinates perfectly with your True Match Makeup, Powder, and Concealer, and comes with a mirror inside

$9.97

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2025-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Stick to Natural Lips

As people age, the lips become smaller and thinner. Instead of plumping it up with bright colors, you are better off sticking to a lip shade close to your natural lip color. You really don’t want to bring attention to your smaller lips. Moreover, using lip stains is a better option over using creamy lipstick, just to make sure the color is toned down. Then top it off with a lip balm or gloss to make the lips look more hydrated and full.

6. Use Cream Eyeliner

 

7. Warm-Toned Foundation

This is a makeup secret that you should know. When you use yellowish foundation, it makes the skin look warmer, which translates to younger skin. So if you’re looking for a liquid foundation to use, choose something with a warm-tone, silicone-based (it’s dewier) and with medium coverage. Avoid using pressed powder on top of the foundation to prevent a cakey look.

8. Eyebrow Game

Jonteblu Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil Liner Long Lasting Ultra Fine Slim - Natural Makeup Microblading...

• ULTRA FINE EYEBROW PENCIL - This retractable Eye Brow Pencil is a waterproof long lasting eyebrow pencil. Checks all your eye brow makeup...
• NATURAL LOOKING EYEBROW MAKEUP - Achieve hair-like strokes for the most natural eye brow makeup with this eye brow liner pencil which also is...

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2025-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. Sun Protection

 Don’t skip your daily sun protection

 10. Wear Sunglasses

The sun is another enemy that you have to face every day. Aside from SPF, wearing sunglasses can also help fight off wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet. However, if you are going to wear them, the bigger the better. This will offer more protection around the eye area.

On that note, protect your neck by using a stylish scarf. The skin around the throat is thin and can sag easily if you don’t protect it.

Trying to look younger does mean changing your skincare and makeup routine, or even changing products you use. But at the end, putting these tips to good use will be worth it. Stay fierce, look young and have a youthful glow…because darling, we only live once!

Mature Makeup to Dazzle on The Red Carpet

Evening parties are the perfect time to transform yourself. Are you ready to give it a try?

Step 1

The first step is to apply face primer. A primer works amazingly on older women’s skin because it helps fill in the lines and create a smoother surface for makeup. Also, it makes the makeup last longer so you won’t be bothered with retouches during the party.

Step 2

If the primer is completely dry, apply a base foundation. Make sure you pick something that matches your skin tone on the face and neck. Also, pick one with a matte finish. Apply with a foundation brush.

Step 3

After the base foundation, you need to apply concealer. Concealer is helpful in hiding parts that you don’t want to be seen, like age spots, blemishes, dark circles, and redness. Pick a concealer in the same color as your base foundation so they can blend together smoothly. For older women, a creamy concealer is best.

Step 4

Moving on to the eyes, you will need to apply eye primer. It is a perfect eyeshadow base and will make the eyeshadow last longer.

Step 5

While letting the eye primer dry, work on your eyebrows. Using a brow filler, apply using light feathery strokes to fill in the eyebrows. After filling in, use a spoolie to tidy up the hair. Don’t rush this part because your eyebrows not only frame the eyes, but also the entire face.

Step 6

By this time, your eye primer is dry and you can start by applying eyeshadow. Start with a charcoal shade and use an angled brush for application. This is your base color for the smokey eye. Pick a matte finish and apply generously on your eyelids. Blend once you’re done with the application.

Step 7

When you’re done with the lids, it’s time to color up the crease and socket line. Use a taupe shade for the rest of the eyelid and apply slightly above the socket line. This will create a more dramatic effect for your smokey eye. Don’t forget to blend with your base eyeshadow color afterward.

Step 8

You must also color in the lower lash line. First, use taupe for definition. Avoid drawing hard edges or lines as this doesn’t look good on older women. After that, apply charcoal eyeshadow on the outer corner of the eyes.

Step 9

Highlighting is your secret weapon. Using a highlighter, apply under the eyebrows (for a more defined arch), on the T-zone, cheekbones and around the lips to make your lips stand out. Highlighting makes your makeup more flattering.

Step 10

Blend the highlighter and eyeshadow together for a smoother smokey eye look. The secret to great smokey eyes is in the blending!

Step 11

You’re almost done with your eye makeup. Now, it’s time to curl those eyelashes to open up the eyes.

Step 12

Apply mascara on the top and bottom lashes. With the bottom lashes, use the end of the wand to prevent excess product on the lashes that can spill to your undereye. Two coats should be enough, but you can always add an extra coat for dramatic eyes.

Step 13

After the eyes, you can now go back to adding color to the face with a blusher. For an evening look, the best choice for blushers are the stronger colors. Pink tones look beautiful on older women.

Step 14

We’re almost done! It’s time to prepare the lips for color. Apply a lip primer on to make sure that the lip color stays throughout the night.

Step 15

To complete the look, apply a cherry red lip color on your lips using a lipstick brush for precise application. While many older women would stay away from bright lips, we know that it’s a great color for an evening look. Need proof? Just look at Helen Mirren pulling off those red lips.

Daytime and nighttime makeup for older women are worlds apart. When it comes to daytime makeup, the look is more subtle with more careful application. Plus, the natural daylight is quite unforgiving.

On the other hand, nighttime makeup is something you can enjoy and play with more. At night, the artificial lights are not as harsh as natural daylight, hence, you can get away with using stronger colors and more makeup on the face. So, don’t be afraid to wear sexy smokey eyes and red lips for your party makeup look!

Watch the full tutorial here: