Reaching the age of 50 brings many new things to learn—and unlearn.
Our bodies undergo significant physical changes, which means the routines we followed in our younger years may no longer apply. Subtle changes like extra lines and wrinkles can alter our features, making it necessary to adjust.
What you could once skip or ignore in your youth may no longer work for mature women.
Mistake #1: Not exfoliating


For a smooth, natural look, having a great base is essential. This starts with skin that’s free of impurities and dead skin cells.
Exfoliating is key. Keep an exfoliating scrub in the shower, next to your shampoo and conditioner, as a visual reminder. To stay consistent, schedule specific days for exfoliation—like Monday and Friday, or Tuesday and Friday. The choice is yours!
What other mistakes should you watch out for? Click Next to find out!
Mistake #2: Heavy foundation
A heavy foundation isn’t necessary—you’re not painting a canvas. Just dab a pea-sized amount on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead, and blend seamlessly with a foundation brush.
The goal is to even out your skin tone and cover redness, not to change your natural complexion. Dab, blend, and you’re done!


Mistake #3: Too much concealer
Using the right shade of concealer that matches your skin tone is essential for a natural look. Too much concealer can draw unnecessary attention and appear unnatural.
Instead of creating a large triangle under your eyes, simply dab and blend gently. Avoid over-applying, as this can highlight fine lines and wrinkles. Always blend outward for a smooth, seamless finish.


Mistake #4: Applying blush on the apples of the cheek
When we were younger, applying blush to the apples of the cheeks worked perfectly. However, as we age and the skin on our cheeks begins to sag, this placement can look unnatural.
Instead, apply blush higher on the cheekbones, blending it upward toward the corner of the eye and just below the eyebrow. This technique lifts and slims the face, creating a more youthful and flattering look.


Mistake #5: Not grooming eyebrows
Sometimes, women are too busy for a full makeup routine or may not know much about applying it. Experts agree that if your eyebrows and lipstick look great, you’re good to go.
Shape your brows by trimming and filling them in with a bit of color, then brush them for a polished look. Pair this with a flattering lipstick, and you’ll look effortlessly put together.


Mistake #6: Black eyeliner
If you loved black eyeliner in your younger years, it might be time to reconsider once you reach 50. Black eyeliner can create a harsh look, especially with drooping or hooded eyes.
Opt for softer shades like brown or navy eyeliner for a more flattering and natural appearance.


Mistake #7: Wearing dark matte lipstick
As we age, our lips naturally become thinner. Wearing dark matte lipstick can accentuate this and highlight fine lines.
To make your lips look fuller, apply a lipliner and finish with a hydrating, glossy lipstick. Alternatively, you can use just the lipliner and top it with lip gloss to keep your lips moisturized while adding volume and shine.


Mistake #8: Not moisturizing the eye area
For mature women, one golden rule stands out: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Always prep your skin with moisturizer before applying anything else.
When it comes to your eyes, apply moisturizer first. This simple step will brighten the eye area and enhance your natural eye color.


Mistake #9: Forgetting to prime eyelids
After moisturizing your eye area, apply primer. It creates a smooth base for your makeup, helping it stay in place and preventing it from sliding.
Primer also evens out any discoloration around your eyes, making your eye makeup pop and last longer.


Mistake #10: Not concealing dark circles under the eye
Always apply concealer under your eyes to even out the color, especially if you have dark circles. Use your finger to dab and blend, making sure to blend outward and upward.
You can use your ring finger, as it’s the weakest, to gently pat and blend. However, if you prefer using your other fingers, just be sure to pat lightly.


Mistake #11: The waterline
While applying eyeliner on the eyelid isn’t necessarily a big mistake, it can make the eyes appear thicker and create a harsher look as the eyelids become smaller and droopier with age. Instead, try applying brown or navy eyeliner on the upper waterline for a thinner, more subtle effect.
For the bottom waterline, opt for a lighter color, such as nude eyeliner, to help brighten your eyes.


Mistake #12: Putting mascara on the bottom lashes
Mascara on the bottom lashes may not be the best choice for mature women, as it can make the eyes look smaller and accentuate wrinkles under the eyes. If you still want to enhance the bottom of your eyes, try using dark eyeshadow and gently smudging it just below the waterline and under the lashes.
Limit the application to about two-thirds of the eye to prevent the eye from looking too closed off.


Mistake #13: Forgetting to clean up under the eye area
To lift the eyes, clean up under the outer corner with a concealer that’s a different shade from the one you used earlier. Dab a small amount in the corner and use a dry sponge to gently blend it upwards.
Remember to always apply makeup outward and upward to counteract sagging skin. Start with a light application—it’s easier to build up makeup than to fix overdone layers.


DON’T: Use too much highlighter
Many people see highlighter as the “fountain of youth,” but in reality, it can emphasize wrinkles, making you appear older.
That’s not to say you should skip it altogether—just use a small amount to subtly highlight areas, rather than overdoing it.
How do you do that? Click next.


Solution: How to wear highlighter
When it comes to highlighter, less is definitely more. Avoid going overboard—just dab a small amount on top of your cheekbones using a highlighter brush to add a subtle sparkle.
You can also lightly apply it between your eyes for a soft glow. That’s all you need for a natural, radiant look!


The “Disappearing Cat Eye”
Mature women may see younger women rocking cat eyes and think, “I want that, too.” Or perhaps you used to apply this look in the past and want to continue. However, as we age, our eyelids can become hooded or droop more, which can make the cat-eye look less effective.
When applied, the cat-eye method may end up hidden behind the folds of your eyes, making the effort feel wasted.


Solution: Smudge eyeliner slightly upward
The cat-eye method is a great way to accentuate the eyes, but as a mature woman, you may need an alternative. Heather suggests using an eyeliner pencil for a softer take. Start by applying the eyeliner as usual and extend it slightly past the corners of your eyes.
The key step is to smudge the eyeliner upward using your fingers or a small brush. This creates a more natural, lifted look that still highlights your eyes beautifully.


Lipliners that are too dark
Dark lip liners can create a bold look, but they often work better for younger individuals. For mature women, using a dark lipliner can lead to a less flattering result, especially as lipstick wears off throughout the day, leaving you with just the dark liner.
Is that the look you’re going for?


Solution: Match liner to lipstick
The best approach is to use a lip liner that matches your lipstick. For instance, if you’re wearing pink lipstick, choose a pink liner to complement it.
You can also add a touch of sparkle with a lip gloss in a similar shade to brighten your lips and give them a fuller, more youthful appearance.


Over Bronzing
If you’re feeling too pale and want to add a sun-kissed glow, bronzer can help. However, it’s easy to overdo it.
Some women feel the need to cover every pale spot, but this can make the result look unnatural and harsh. Instead, use bronzer sparingly to enhance your natural complexion, applying it to areas where the sun would naturally hit, like your cheeks, forehead, and nose.


Solution: a natural glow
For a more natural, sun-kissed look, try using a bronzing spray instead of powder. Lightly spray it on and blend with a paper towel for an even, subtle glow. The goal is to achieve a healthy, radiant finish, not a heavy, cakey look that feels overdone. Keep it light and natural for the best result.


Over Done Brows
Dark brows may work for younger individuals, but for many mature women, they can look too harsh and unnatural. As we age, our features change, and what worked in the past may no longer be the best choice. Opting for a softer, more natural brow shade will give a more youthful and balanced appearance.


Solution: more natural brow
Darker brows might not suit mature women due to sparse hair. Instead, choose a shade that matches your natural brow color. Fill in the gaps between the hairs to create a more natural look. For the tail of the brow, where hair may be thinner, carefully define the shape, and don’t forget to accentuate the arch for a lifted appearance.


“Back to the 60s eyeshadow”
Using too much sparkly, bright eyeshadow can come off as tacky, especially for mature women. While it’s beautiful, overdoing it can make you appear as if you haven’t evolved with time. Subtle, more refined shimmer is the way to go—enhancing your natural beauty without overpowering it.


Solution: Dab a little eyeshadow on top of the lid
You don’t have to skip sparkly eyeshadow entirely—just keep it subtle. Apply a small amount to the center of your eyelid and use your finger to gently blend it across. This way, you’ll have that hint of sparkle without it overwhelming your look, keeping things natural and elegant.


Over contouring
Contouring can be tempting, but it often overemphasizes wrinkles as we age. What worked when you were younger might not be the best choice now. Using too many contouring products can create a heavy, unnatural look that draws attention to fine lines. Instead, embrace a more natural approach to enhance your features without the extra layers.


Solution: Lightly contour using two brushes
For a more natural and defined look, use two brushes—one for blending and one for contouring. Apply contour along your cheekbones, then blend gently to create a soft, seamless finish. This method enhances your features without the heavy, overdone appearance.


Dated 1960’s Lip Look
The glossy lip look that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s is best left in the past. While it complemented shiny outfits back then, today it can highlight wrinkles and fine lines, making them more noticeable. Instead of drawing attention to your beautiful smile, glossy lips can end up being distracting.


Solution: More natural/less shine lipstick
Matte lipstick is the way to go. Whether you choose peach, pink, nude, or even light red, matte finishes give a sleek, elegant look. Skip the gloss and shine to keep things understated and flattering.


Caked on Powder
One mistake many mature women make is continuing to use powder-based makeup. It’s best to avoid it after 50 because it settles into fine lines and wrinkles, making you appear older. Adding more powder to cover it up only creates a cakey look. Instead, opt for cream or liquid formulas for a smoother, more natural finish.


Solution: Use an anti-shine cream
Switch to cream makeup instead, as it blends seamlessly and provides a more natural look. Opt for anti-shine formulas to apply on areas that tend to get oily. Remember, less is more, and always blend well for a smooth, flawless finish.


Overdone Smokey Eye
As we age, it’s important to adapt our makeup to reflect the changes in our skin and features. While you can still use the same techniques, they need to be updated to suit your current look. For example, smokey eyes, while beautiful, may need a softer approach as gravity and fine lines come into play. Black eyeshadow can make wrinkles and drooping eyes more prominent.


Solution: Go more subtle with lighter colors
For a smokey eye look that flatters mature skin, opt for dark but softer shades like deep purples, browns, or even plum. These colors give the dramatic effect you’re after without being too harsh. As always, a little goes a long way. Dab a small amount and blend it well, focusing on the outer corners of your eyes and gently smudging the shadow for a soft, sultry look. This method will give you the glam you want without the intensity of black eyeshadow, which can be too harsh for aging skin.


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