I recently wrote an article for Sweet Tart Beauty with my co-author Janna Beatty.  After working with women for over 30 years, she knows a thing or two about aging gracefully. In the article, Janna shares some common misconceptions about makeup and the maturing woman:

1.  As we age, we should wear less color. False.  As we mature, our color begins to fade—in our cheeks, our lips, our eyebrows, our hair. In order to regain that fresh, youthful glow, we must replenish color. Simply adding a bit of blush, lipstick, and eyebrow pencil can give our faces the definition and brightness we once had.

2.  We can get rid of large pores by using a particular type of makeup. False. Large pores are a skin issue, not a makeup issue. The only way to reduce the look of your pores is by sloughing off dead skin cells, and pulling debris from the surface. I recommend daily masking, in lieu of morning cleansing. It can be done in less than five minutes. Simply place a gentle daily mask (designed for your skin type) on your face, and go about your morning. After 5 – 10 minutes, rinse the mask off and apply skin products as usual. (See my previous blog: Put Your Mask on Every Day.)

3. The older we get, the more foundation we should use. False.  Many of the clients I work with have a misleading notion that foundation should be applied heavily all over the face. If you want to look younger, just the opposite is true. Heavy makeup can collect in the creases and wrinkles of the skin—actually accentuating them. I recommend finding a shade of foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone and applying it only where you need to even out the color.

4. When trying out a lip color, pay attention only to your lips. False.  This is a concept I teach almost every one of my clients. When you are trying on lip color (or cheek color), take a step back from the mirror and view your entire face, not just your lips. Does the lip color light you up, or dim you down? Does it accentuate your skin and eyes? Lip color can do all that, if you choose the correct shade. You just have to pay attention–to your whole face, not simply your lips.

5. Look to the younger generation for ideas on makeup and skincare. False (sort of). I have seen countless clients who have been led astray by taking makeup and skincare advice from young celebrities or even their own daughters. Your skin is different than it was twenty-plus years ago. Make sure the products you are using are designed for your skin’s needs right now. You wouldn’t walk around in shoes that fit you a size ago. It’s the same with skincare and makeup.

But makeup myths aren’t the only things we have to watch out for. Janna says women should not compare themselves to who they were 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. In fact, she says, “Comparing ourselves to ‘our former selves’ can be more detrimental than comparing ourselves to supermodels.” 

Wow, thanks for that sage advice, Janna!

Here I am today. And I can never go back. (Especially to that hair.)

“Who are YOU? TODAY?”

See our entire interview at Sweettartbeauty.com.