10 things to Get Rid and/or Replace

As we age, our skin changes, and so should our makeup. Over time, makeup trends and formulas evolve, and what once worked for you may not anymore. If you’re over 50, here are ten things to consider getting rid of or replacing in your makeup bag to enhance your natural beauty and complement your skin’s needs.

1. Heavy Foundation

Get Rid of: Full-coverage, cakey foundations. Replace with: Lightweight, hydrating formulas. As we age, heavy foundations can settle into fine lines, making them more noticeable. Opt for lightweight, moisturizing foundations or tinted moisturizers with buildable coverage to give your skin a natural, glowing finish.

2. Powder Blush

Get Rid of: Matte powder blushes. Replace with: Cream or gel blushes. Powder formulas can settle into fine lines and emphasize wrinkles. Cream or gel blushes, on the other hand, melt into the skin, providing a youthful, dewy flush that lasts throughout the day.

3. Matte Lipsticks

Get Rid of: Dry, matte lipsticks. Replace with: Hydrating, satin, or gloss formulas. Lips can lose volume with age, and matte lipsticks can make them appear even thinner and dry. Choose hydrating lipsticks with a soft satin finish or lip glosses that provide moisture and add dimension.

4. Thick Eyeliner

Get Rid of: Harsh, thick eyeliner. Replace with: Soft, smudged lines. Thick eyeliner can weigh down the eyes and make them look smaller. Instead, use a softer pencil or eyeshadow to lightly smudge along the lash line, creating a softer, more flattering look.

5. Powder Eyeshadows

Get Rid of: Dry, matte powder eyeshadows. Replace with: Cream or satin-finish shadows. Like powder blush, powder eyeshadow can settle into creases. Cream eyeshadows or satin-finish powders create a smoother application and brighten the eyes without drawing attention to fine lines.

6. Shimmery Highlighters

Get Rid of: Glittery, shimmery highlighters. Replace with: Subtle luminizers. While highlighter can add a youthful glow, too much shimmer can accentuate texture and wrinkles. Opt for a subtle luminizer with a soft glow, applied strategically to the high points of your face like cheekbones and brow bones.

7. Powder Foundation

Get Rid of: Dry powder foundation. Replace with: Cream or liquid foundations. Powder foundations can make the skin look dry and dull. Switch to cream or liquid foundations that offer hydration and a more natural, luminous finish.

8. Harsh Contour

Get Rid of: Overly harsh contouring. Replace with: Soft bronzer or blush for definition. Heavy contouring can make the face look harsh. Instead, use a soft bronzer or blush to lightly sculpt and define your cheekbones for a more natural, lifted look.

9. Clumpy Mascara

Get Rid of: Thick, clumpy mascara formulas. Replace with: Lengthening and volumizing mascaras. Mascara that clumps or flakes can make eyes look older. A lengthening or volumizing mascara will open up the eyes and make lashes look fuller without the heavy buildup.

10. Bright, Bold Eyeshadow Colors

Get Rid of: Bright, intense eyeshadow shades. Replace with: Neutral, earthy tones. Bright colors can overwhelm mature eyes and make them appear tired. Neutral shades like taupe, brown, and soft gold enhance your natural eye color and provide a sophisticated, elegant look.

By updating your makeup routine to reflect your skin’s changing needs, you can highlight your natural beauty and feel confident at any age.

Here are some brand suggestions to replace the 10 makeup items you might want to revamp if you’re over 50. These brands are known for catering to mature skin with products that hydrate, illuminate, and enhance your natural beauty without settling into fine lines or emphasizing texture.

1. Lightweight, Hydrating Foundations

  • IT Cosmetics – Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
    This offers buildable coverage with hydration and a radiant finish, plus SPF 50 for sun protection.
  • NARS – Sheer Glow Foundation
    A lightweight foundation that delivers a luminous finish, perfect for mature skin.

2. Cream or Gel Blushes

  • Glossier – Cloud Paint
    This gel-cream blush is easy to blend and adds a natural, dewy flush of color.
  • Charlotte Tilbury – Glowgasm Beauty Light Wand
    A creamy, glowy blush that blends beautifully and gives the skin a radiant finish.

3. Hydrating, Satin, or Gloss Lipsticks

  • Bobbi Brown – Crushed Lip Color
    A creamy lipstick that hydrates and delivers rich color with a satin finish.
  • Clarins – Lip Comfort Oil
    Offers hydration and a glossy finish without the sticky feel, great for adding moisture and fullness to lips.

4. Soft, Smudged Eyeliner

  • Charlotte Tilbury – Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner
    This pencil glides smoothly and allows for easy blending to create a soft, smudged look.
  • Smashbox – Always On Gel Liner
    A creamy, waterproof liner that can be smudged for a softer effect, but stays in place all day.

5. Cream or Satin-Finish Eyeshadows

  • Laura Mercier – Caviar Stick Eye Color
    Creamy, long-lasting, and easy to blend, these stick eyeshadows are perfect for mature lids.
  • Tom Ford – Cream Color for Eyes
    Offers a subtle satin finish that won’t emphasize texture, perfect for mature skin.

6. Subtle Luminizers

  • Hourglass – Ambient Lighting Powder
    A finely-milled powder that creates a soft, diffused glow without glitter or shimmer.
  • Becca – Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid)
    A liquid luminizer that blends beautifully into the skin for a soft, radiant glow.

7. Cream or Liquid Foundations

  • Armani Beauty – Luminous Silk Foundation
    A luxurious, hydrating liquid foundation that offers buildable coverage with a silky, radiant finish.
  • Dior – Forever Skin Glow Foundation
    Provides long-lasting hydration and a natural glow, perfect for mature skin.

8. Soft Bronzer or Blush for Definition

  • Fenty Beauty – Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer
    A finely-milled bronzer that delivers a subtle, buildable warmth without harsh lines.
  • Chanel – Soleil Tan Bronze Universal
    A cream-gel bronzer that blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural sun-kissed look.

9. Lengthening and Volumizing Mascaras

  • L’Oréal – Lash Paradise Mascara
    Provides voluminous, fluttery lashes without clumping or flaking, great for mature eyes.
  • Lancome – Définicils High Definition Mascara
    This mascara lengthens and separates lashes for a natural yet dramatic effect.

10. Neutral, Earthy Eyeshadow Tones

  • Urban Decay – Naked3 Palette
    A palette full of soft, neutral pinks, taupes, and browns that complement mature eyes without overpowering.
  • Tarte – Tartelette In Bloom Clay Palette
    A mix of matte and shimmer neutral shades that are flattering and blendable, perfect for everyday wear.

These brands are well-known for their quality, and many have been specifically designed with mature skin in mind. Trying out these formulas can help refresh your makeup routine while providing a more youthful, radiant look.


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