The Perfect 15 Minute Makeup Routine for Women Over 70

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I used to have a whole system.

Foundation first. Powder second. Contour. Bronzer. Highlight. Setting spray. By the time I was done I had been standing at my vanity for 45 minutes just to go to the grocery store.

Here is the truth, honey. My skin changed after 70. What worked at 50 started settling into every line on my face and making me look more tired, not less. I had to tear the whole thing down and start over.

So I did. And what I came up with is a 15 minute makeup routine that actually looks good on the skin I have right now.

Start With Skin Prep

Moisturizer first. Always. Dry skin and foundation are mortal enemies and I found that out the hard way. I use a lightweight moisturizer and give it about five minutes to sink in before I touch anything else.

If my skin is looking a little dull that morning I will press a small amount of facial oil on top of the moisturizer. Not much. Just enough to wake things up and give me that glow before makeup even goes on.

Foundation or Skip It

I am going to say something that might surprise you. I do not always wear foundation anymore.

Some days I reach for a tinted moisturizer instead. It evens things out without sitting heavy on my skin. When I do wear foundation I go with something buildable and light. Nothing matte. Matte foundation on mature skin looks like spackle and I say that with love because I absolutely learned the hard way.

Concealer Is Your Best Friend

Concealer under my eyes and anywhere else I need a little help. I pat it in gently with my ring finger. No dragging. The skin under your eyes is delicate and you want to treat it that way.

A peachy tone works better than a pink one for most of us. It cancels out the blue and purple shadows without making you look washed out.

Set It Lightly

A light dusting of translucent powder under the eyes and on the T zone. That is it. Not the whole face. We are not baking ourselves here. Just enough to keep things in place without sitting heavy.

Brows First Then Eyes

Strong brows frame everything. Even if I do nothing else that day my brows make me look put together. Fill them in before you do anything else on your eyes.

For eyeshadow I keep it simple. A neutral on the lid, a slightly deeper shade in the crease, and a little shimmer on the inner corner to brighten things up. That is the whole look. It takes about three minutes once you have done it a few times.

Liner is optional. If I use it I keep it soft. A hard line looks harsh on mature eyes. I use a pencil and smudge it slightly so it looks blended rather than drawn on.

Mascara

One coat on the upper lashes. Maybe two if I am feeling like it. I usually skip the lower lashes because it can pull the eye downward and that is not what we are going for.

Lips

This is my favorite part. I mean it.

A good lip color lifts your whole face. It makes your eyes look brighter. It honestly just makes you feel more like yourself walking out the door.

I love a berry tone or a soft rosy pink. Line first, fill in with lipstick, then blot once. Lip liner keeps everything clean and in place. A touch of clear gloss in the center if I want something a little more glam that day.

Blush Last

A little blush on the apples of my cheeks blended up toward the temples. Cream blush melts into mature skin beautifully. Powder blush works too but blend it well.

Smile when you apply it and put it right where the color naturally comes to your face. That is exactly where it looks most natural and most alive.

The Whole Thing Takes 15 Minutes

I know that sounds impossible right now but I promise once you have your products figured out and you stop second guessing yourself it goes fast.

This is not about looking like you used to. It is about looking like the best version of who you are right now.

Want to know exactly which products I reach for? Go read 50 Beauty Products That Actually Work After 70 and I will show you everything.