9 Beauty Trends To Follow If You’re Over 50
If you’re over 50, you might think that beauty trends are irrelevant to you. But applying what’s trending and skipping what’s not gives you a fresh, modern look. (For example, natural-looking lashes instead of the heavy eyelashes of 2018). Here are the beauty trends that I think are relevant for those of us who are over 50…
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Face
1. Healthy Skin
Healthy skin is always in style, and lately the focus has been on improving our skin rather than hiding it under heavy makeup.
As we age, our skin becomes drier, less elastic, and thinner. Our diets, sleep, sun protection, and hydration all make a difference, but it also helps to have a good moisturizer.
I buy simple, clean moisturizer brands (often guided by EWG’s Skin Deep Database, which ranks personal products according to potential health hazards). Two of my favorite brands are Cocokind and MyChelle, both great options if you are looking for unscented moisturizers. I often also use a lightweight serum before I moisturize.
2. Lightweight Satin Foundation
For the past few years, we’ve seen youthful glass skin and dewy skin trends (i.e., high shine). This year, more natural-looking satin skin is trending, and it’s much easier to achieve for women over 50. How do we achieve satin skin?
Use a liquid foundation: Powders and creams can create a heavy or dry look. Some of my favorite lightweight (and clean) liquid foundations are Jane Iredale’s HydroPure Tinted Serum, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga’s Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation, and Ilia’s True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation.
Eyes
If you’re over 50, you’ve probably noticed changes in your eye area like thinning brows, hooded eyes, and wrinkles. Try these beauty tips to make them appear bigger and brighter…
3. Cat Eye Look
The cat eye look is trending again. What is the cat eye look? It’s when you apply your eyeliner with a little wing at the end and line your lower lash line too. For those of us over 50 who have been noticing droopy eyes, this trend will help give us the “lift” we need!
If your eyes are hooded, create a thin line with your eyeliner. A thicker line will make your eyes smaller. (See the difference in my photo?) Sharpen that pencil or use a liquid eyeliner. I am currently using this RMS Beauty Pencil and this Powdered Eyeliner (which comes with a tiny brush that gives me more control than an eyeliner pencil does).
Try tightlining – lining between your lash roots (to create more space on your eyelid for eyeshadow).
4. Natural Brows
The trend reports actually suggest skinny brows (i.e., the return of the 2000s), but I can’t bring myself to recommend plucking. If you’re like me, your brows are already thinner than they used to be. So, I recommend filling them in for a natural look.
Choose a color that is lighter than your hair color. For example, I have black hair, but a black eyebrow pencil would give me a harsh look. I use this brown pencil. If you use a pencil, use short, light strokes to create the illusion of additional hair.
For a softer look, try applying a brow powder with a small angled brush.
5. Subtle Mascara
Our eyelashes shorten, straighten, and become thin with age. So, if the heavy, thick lash trend didn’t work for you, rest assured, we’re returning to a more natural look. This is my absolute favorite clean mascara. I’ve also tried this Tubing Mascara. Tubing mascara uses flexible polymers that create tubes around each lash – the tubes wash off with warm water.
6. Shimmer Eyeshadow
Have you been told to only use matte eyeshadow after age 50? Well, eyeshadow with a little shimmer is actually very flattering for women over 50. If you’ve found that your eyes are more hooded now than they were before, the contrast of a dark matte eyeshadow and a light shimmery one will give your eyes more depth.
I use this Cool Nude Necessary Eyeshadow Palette, which has a combination of matte and shimmery shades. (There’s also a warm version).
Cheeks
If you’re still applying blush to the apples of your cheeks, try starting a little higher (at eye level ) and blending down. You’ll create the illusion of higher cheekbones.
7. Soft Blush
Recent blush trends have included hot pink blush and glossy cheeks, but we’re returning to a softer look this year. Skip the contour and bronzer and opt for a warm blush that gives you a soft, flushed look. I’m currently using this MOB Clay Blush and this Rhode Buildable Cream Blush in Sleepy Girl which is a soft mauve.
If you’re over 50, you’ll love the baked blush beauty trend, which is a cream blush baked into a solid powdery consistency. The result is something in between a cream and a powder blush.When I’ve used my current blushes, I’m adding this Baked Blush-n-Brighten Powder Blush, to my cart.
Related Post | 3 Clean Cream Blush Options For Mature Skin
Lips
8. Blurred Lipstick
Another beauty trend that works really well for those of us who are over 50 is the blurred lip trend. Skip the lipliner, add a dab of lipstick to the center of your lip, and spread to the outer corners with a brush or your finger. It should look like you stained your lips on a cherry popsicle. I use this Westman Atelier Suede Matte Lipstick which is infused with hyaluronic acid and peptides to blur fine lines.
9. Saturated Colors
Which lip colors are trending right now? Berry (dark red), true red, mauve, deep plum and terracotta. Should you wear these colors? Only if they work with your skin tone.
Which Beauty Trends Should You Avoid If You’re Over 50?
That’s a trick question! You should wear what makes you comfortable and what suits your personal style. We all age differently, and have different looks we want to achieve. These are just some suggestions that will give you a youthful, natural, healthy look.
More Makeup Tips For Women Over 50 | My Simple Natural Makeup Routine
Personally, I’m skipping these beauty trends as a woman over 50: metallic eyeshadow, dark gothic lips, and “tired girl eyes” (you can read about it in this Byrdie post).
How about you? Which of these beauty trends are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments section…
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Thanks for sharing these. I’m interested in trying the blurred lip and the cat-eye!
I love the “lift” a cat eye gives me, and the blurred lip has been my everyday look. Cant wait to see how you do these techniques! xo Nipa
I like your advice about the eye liner. That is a really noticeable difference. Helpful since I feel like my eyes look tired so much more easily these days 🤪.
I also really like the baked blush. Great post!
Hi Chris, Same with mine… though to be fair, I am often tired! I’m trying to figure out how to get better quality sleep, but until I figure it out a few makeup tricks help. xo Nipa