Masterclass: Party Make-Up Tips For Mature Skin

“Good evening make-up isn’t about putting ten things on your face. It’s about finding hybrid products that work hard. I designed my Miracle Balm with this in mind and it’s a great product to kick-start any beauty look. It’s hydrating and brilliant for dry, mature skin types, and comes in several shades to create whatever effect you’re after. For the upcoming party season, I recommend trying the ‘Disco’ shade which will enhance mature skin with warm bronze tones and flecked shimmers of gold. It’s a great priming base for the rest of your make-up, but also looks pretty worn alone on the eyes, cheeks and lips.” – Bobbi Brown, professional make-up artist

“Mature skin doesn’t need heaps of foundation, no matter what evening look you’re trying to achieve. Choose a lightweight formula with a dewy finish, like Erborian’s CC Cream. This is ideal for dry, mature skin types as it’s hydrating and gives a lovely luminous finish while evening out your skin tone for a clear, smooth effect. Add a tiny bit of concealer where you feel you need more coverage and leave it at that – I recommend trying one like NARS’ Soft Matte formula. It comes in several great shades, and it will also stay put all day and into the night without creasing or drying into fine lines.” – Zoe 

“To balance out your complexion, I recommend being strategic with your placement. I use my Jones Road Face Pencils, with the lightest one under my eyes, the medium around my nose and mouth and, lastly, a darker shade on my forehead and cheeks for some warmth – this really is all you need to cover brightness or dark spots, and everything else should be left alone for a more youthful effect.” – Bobbi

“An important piece of advice is to apply evening – and any – make-up in very good light. Do it near a window or with a very well-lit mirror, as it’s one of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting an even blend with no creases into fine lines. Use this light to help you warm up your skin tone with a good bronzer. This is one of the best ways to give yourself a youthful glow – I love the Chanel Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream as it’s easy to blend and glides on seamlessly for a nice hit of warmth. Focus on applying it to where your skin would naturally bronze – think the temples, cheeks and forehead.” – Zoe

“I recommend using a lip liner to give your mouth some soft definition. I love the Vieve Lip Definers as they are so creamy and easy to work with, but also don’t budge. Then go in with your lipstick on top – it shouldn’t be too matte or glossy. Look for a long-wear option that feels comfortable – Revlon’s Colour Stay Liquid Lipstick is brilliant and lasts well into the evening. The NARS Velvet Lip Pencils are a must-try if you want to go for a more vivid colour. Easy to scribble on and blend, they transform any look immediately. My other tip to keep lips looking youthful is to prep them well. Use a scrub before any colour, like Tinker Taylor’s, to buff away dead skin and keep the skin smooth. You prep your skin, so your lips should be no different. Doing this will help lipstick adhere properly, but also prevent it from settling into creases as the night wears on.” – Zoe

“As we age, we lose colour in our face and around our eyes, so it’s important to put it back in, while remaining authentic. Enhance your eye sockets by using a light beige or taupe tone to start with, then build in some deeper chocolate browns gradually. Avoid anything shimmery or sparkly as this can be quite ageing. Try using a soft brown pencil, smudging it along the lash line and lid for some depth around the lashes. This will help them appear thicker and will look quite natural. Likewise, avoid liquid liners – these are very harsh and can shrink the eye, giving an ageing effect.” – Zoe

“If you’re wearing a bit more on your eyes, keep your lips pared back with a neutral gloss. Likewise, if you’re opting for a darker, red lip, keep everything else simple with just a slick of mascara and some bronzer or blusher on your cheeks. A smattering of red on the lips is a great way to distract from tired eyes and add a festive hit of colour. If you’re worried about it looking too red, opt for a gloss texture which can be easier to sheer out and build upon.” – Bobbi

“If you still have relatively thick lashes, don’t be afraid to beef them up with lots of mascara – eyes need opening up. Unless you’re very fair, always use black mascara – no matter your age. Brown should be reserved for those who want something subtle. You always want a bit of drama, especially for the evening, and nothing delivers like good old-fashioned black. If you don’t have naturally full lashes, try a set of falsies. I love the ones by Lashify – they are great as you put them on under your own lash set, so they never look fake or out of place.” – Zoe

“We’ve covered bronzer, but a good highlighter and blush are essential, too. Often, those with mature skin steer clear of highlighter but, providing you use the right texture, you’ll find it can be very youthful. A go-to for me is the Vieve Skin Dew. Once you’ve finished the rest of your look, use this dotted over your cheekbones for a smattering of luminosity. As for blusher, this is just as important for a younger-looking warmth. Try a creamy formula, like Stila’s Convertible colour. These will move with your skin, rather than sitting on top of it and leaving an unwanted cast. They do beautiful colours that suit all skin tones and they stay a little glossy throughout the night – they’re guaranteed to earn you a few compliments.” – Zoe

“While matte textures are best on mature eyes, there is room for glitter if you’re inclined. The key is to use one with a slightly chunkier grade. Apply it only on the very top of your lid and over your socket line – never take it below as this can draw your eye downwards and have an ageing effect. Like foundation, you should keep it light and subtle – less is definitely more, but it is there to have fun with.” – Zoe

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