Tuesday Tip!

There are many ways in the make up world to talk about aging skin.  My most favorite term is mature skin, so here are some myths and tips about make up for mature skin!

Only use matte eyeshadow and matte lipstick.  -I will partially agree with this statement.  Matte lipstick does better on mature skin because it does not bleed into the fine lines around the mouth like lip gloss.  Women with mature skin can use shimmer eyeshadow.  I would steer clear of glitter, but shimmer or satin eyeshadow is flattering on everyone.

The thicker the foundation, the better.  -Mature women should use tinted moisturizer.  The moisturizer helps plump drying skin from the aging process and you still have the coverage of a foundation.  If you have a favorite foundation that seems to settle into your wrinkles, mix half and half with your favorite moisturizer.

Use all the anti-aging products you can find.  -A strong moisturizer and a night cream or serum with collagen-boosting properties.  Also, serums that increase cell turnover are beneficial.

Don't forget those brows! -Your eyebrows made it out of your tweezer-happy twenties, but they need some maintenance.  If your brows have become too thin, which can age your face, use a pencil or shadow to fill them in.  Don't be afraid to trim your brows if they appear too thick or unruly.

Only apply makeup to mature skin with brushes. -Your skin is losing collagen, which means more wrinkles and not enough bounce.  Use a patting technique with the pad of one finger, instead of rubbing (especially around the eyes!)  While applying concealer to my under eyes, I pat the concealer on with one fingertip until blended.  If using brushes, wash once a week to avoid breakouts or infection.

Don't forget to treat yourself to facials!  Mature skin benefits greatly from microdermabrasion (a heavy duty exfoliator) and chemical peels (a chemical exfoliator).

Tuesday Tip!

Today's tip is all about eyebrows.  They can be very difficult to shape!  If you are at all unsure about shaping your own brows, head to a reputable spa for waxing or threading.  One opinion I have had lately is to not over pluck your brows.  Over plucking now will leave you will very thin eyebrows in your mature years and thin brows age the face.  I have included a diagram of angles to keep in mind when shaping your brows.

Axis A shows that your brow should begin above the outer edge of your nostril.  This is the most common mistake when women try to shape their own brows because they tend to take too much and end up with brows that are too far apart.  If you have created brows that are too far apart, stop plucking and let them grow back in our use a brow pencil to fill them in. Axis B shows the highest arch of your brow.  Most brows have a natural arch around this point so follow the natural arch.  Avoid plucking above the brow because it can really flatten your shape.  Axis C is the end of the brow.  Notice it extends past the length of the eye.  I always end up filling in this area because my natural brow ends at the eye, while filling in makes the eyes appear larger.  Avoid the comma brow.  I made this mistake A LOT in my teen years and notice how unflattering it is.  The comma brow is taking too much off the end of the brow but leaving the front of the brow full, creating a comma shape.  If this shape has been created, there are two solutions.  Thin out the front of the brow if you are not going to end up with pamela anderson-thin eyebrows.  The other solution is to grow out the back of the eyebrow and start again.