- Remember that often, less is more. Don't cake on the foundation; this only emphasizes your age. Stay away from heavy foundations and opt for a softer, more transparent liquid foundation, which you can mix with moisturizer for an even dewier appearance. Better yet, try a mineral makeup that appears to be powder but isn't. It gives you all-over coverage but not obviously so.
- Use cream rather than powder blush, because powder can actually accentuate lines and creases by settling into them. Additionally, cream gives you a softer, more luminescent look. Powder tends to dry out your skin.
- Conceal your waddle (chicken neck) and make your jawline more distinct by brushing on or applying a slightly (but minimally so) darker color of foundation under your chin and down your neck. Be very discreet; you don't want any lines of demarcation. The effect should be subtle, yet do the trick of minimizing saggy jowls and a less than perfect neck line.
- Use flat, neutral-colored eye shadows. Stay away from shimmer and shine on your eyelids, which emphasizes the crepey skin that you don't want to advertise. Curl your eyelashes to open your eyes more. Experiment with liquids and pencil. See what works best for your eyes. However, don't line the entire eye because that will make your eye look smaller. Try lining from the outside edge, making your line narrower as you approach the inside of your eye and stopping before you get to the inside corner. The objective is to make the eyes more noticeable and bigger. Use over-the-counter eyedrops to make the whites of your eyes whiter.
- Wear a blue-based lipstick, rather than orange based, because this will make your teeth look whiter. Use a concealer under your eyes. You'll be amazed by how much more rested and youthful you look if you cover up those dark rings. Try Garnier's new roll-on eye gel that helps banish puffiness above and under the eye.
- Pay attention to your eyebrows. Perhaps you've never thought much about them, but plucking (or waxing or whatever method you chose) and shaping your brows can do wonders for your face. Just don't overdo it. Pencil-thin eyebrows aren't necessarily the look you want. Get an eyebrow pencil that's very similar in color to your own brow color and use it. Use a light hand in your application. You want your eyebrows to be distinct but not so much that you can see them coming from 100 paces. Put a spot of highlighter right under your eyebrows, on the brow bone. This adds lift to your face.
- Pull your hair back and upwards. This directs the eyes of others up, rather than down. When you're a woman of a certain age, the objective is to lift everything up. A flat hairdo will do just the opposite and emphasize less-than-taut facial skin. Put some color on your hair, but don't think that over-all black dye is going to return you to your youthful looks. Even if you were a natural brunette, you may find that going a little lighter--or at least putting some shiny highlights in your hair--is more flattering at this stage. Ask your hairdresser what she recommends. Consider your posture. Stand up straight, suck in your gut, press your shoulders back and present yourself as the smart, experienced, confident woman that you are.
- Remember to moisturize and exfoliate. Keep your skin clean. Don't go to be bed with makeup. Examine your diet. Are you getting the proper nutrients and minerals that you need? Take a daily supplement. Remember to include some exercise into your daily routine; this makes you look better and feel better and keeps your juices flowing. Wear sunscreen. Quit frowning so much. Get your sleep. Limit your alcohol consumption and don't smoke. That doesn't mean that you have to lead the life of a nun, but do things in moderation.
