Beauty Thought Leader: Elise Marquam-Jahns
If you have ever wondered why makeup looks bad some days after 50, several surprising culprits may be affecting your results.
Have you ever looked in the mirror after finishing your makeup and wondered why it does not look as good today as it did yesterday? Most of us have had this experience, but the good news is that there are several simple reasons this happens and easy fixes that can make a big difference. Some of these may surprise you, especially the last one.
If you are new here and have mature skin, and you want tips, techniques, and product suggestions that can help you look and feel your confident best, you are in the right place. As an over-50 makeup artist who specializes in working with older women, there is nothing I love more than helping you look in the mirror and see a smile on your face.
Today, we are looking at eight surprising culprits that can sabotage your makeup look and what you can do to get consistently better results.
8 Reasons Why Makeup Looks Bad Some Days After 50:
1. Lack of Sleep
Our skin makes new collagen when we sleep. Without enough sleep, our skin can look dehydrated, which makes fine lines more visible, especially under the eyes where the skin is thinner. Lack of sleep can also cause red or swollen eyes, darker under-eye circles, and droopy mouth corners.
As we get older, our sleep becomes more fragmented because of changes in circadian rhythm, physiological needs, and lower production of melatonin and growth hormone. The good news is that several habits can help improve sleep quality.
Here are a few helpful tips:
• Avoid reading from a back-lit device like an iPad before bed. Use an e-reader with an external light instead.
• If you nap, limit it to early afternoon and keep it between 15 and 45 minutes.
• Avoid foods high in sugar and refined carbs before bed, including white bread, pasta, rice, and French fries.
• Avoid alcohol, which disrupts sleep more than it helps.
• Aerobic exercise is one of the most effective tools for improving sleep as we age.
2. Dirty Makeup Brushes
Dirty brushes can make a big impact on how makeup applies and blends. When brush bristles are coated with old makeup, they become stiff and can irritate the skin. Makeup also takes longer to apply and blend.
Even more importantly, dirty brushes spread bacteria. Brushes can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli, fungus, and viruses.
Two of my favorite brushes are:
• Sephora 56 Pro Brush
• Sigma E25 Brush
3. Not Exfoliating
Exfoliation creates smooth, even-textured skin that helps makeup apply better and stay in place. Without exfoliation, foundation can cling to dry patches and look splotchy or cakey.
My favorite exfoliator is the Tatcha Rice Polish Exfoliator. It does a wonderful job of smoothing the skin and leaves it feeling soft. It also comes in versions for different skin types.
4. Peach Fuzz
Fine vellus hairs on the face can make makeup look uneven or cakey. Removing peach fuzz helps the foundation sit more smoothly.
For facial shaving, I prefer not to use regular razors because it is easy to cut the skin. Since I take blood thinners, that is something I avoid. The tool I rely on is the Flawless Touch Razor. It is safe, effective, and quick to use.
5. Not Pampering the Skin
Giving the skin extra love helps makeup look smoother and more radiant. Steaming the face is an easy way to soften skin and open pores. Another option is using masks that target specific concerns like dryness, redness, or dullness.
Masks to try yourself:
• Caudalie Vinosource Hydrating Moisturizing Mask
• Elta MD Skin Recovery Mask
• Shaie Darden Signature Nourishing Face Mask
• Kate Somerville Mega C Brightening Facial Mask
• Tatcha Dewy Luminous Face Mask
These can be used depending on your skin type and concerns.
6. Not Switching Makeup for the Seasons
Our skin responds to weather conditions. In summer, lighter moisturizers and satin or matte foundations can work better. In winter, richer moisturizers and hydrating products help makeup look smoother.
Seasonal adjustments make a noticeable difference.
7. What We Eat
Food choices can influence how our skin looks. Some of the biggest culprits are:
• Alcohol, which causes inflammation and dehydration
• Sugar, which contributes to oxidative damage
• Refined carbohydrates, which convert to sugar in the body
• Processed meats, which contribute to inflammation
• Salt, which can cause under-eye puffiness
When we wake up puffy, we often know exactly why.
8. Using Too Many Products
This last culprit surprises many people. Sometimes we use too much of a product, especially moisturizer. For those of us with dry skin, it is tempting to apply a thick layer, but too much moisturizer can cause foundation and blush to disappear into the skin or slide around. It can also make the skin appear sticky or dull.
Allowing moisturizer to fully absorb before applying makeup helps everything apply more smoothly and last longer.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips help you get consistently better makeup results. Thank you for spending your time with me today. If you would like more makeup suggestions and fun short articles, check out my bio below.
Wishing you good health, happiness, and a fabulous rest of your day.
Disclosure: Some product links in this article are affiliate links, which means the author may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are entirely her own.
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About the Author:
Elise Marquam-Jahns is a professional, working makeup-artist who is passionate about helping women 45+ get their glow back. In addition to her work as a makeup artist for a major cosmetics line, she founded Boomer and Beyond Beauty. She is also an author and a speaker. Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 45+ and don’t forget to subscribe. She also does personalized online Zoom makeup consultations so be sure to contact her at boomerandbeyondbeauty@gmail.com if you’d like to work with her. And, if you’d like to receive more inspiration each week, check out her weekly newsletter here.
