Exactly How an Over 40s Makeup Artist Does Blush, Highlighter & Contour for Mature Skin
Amanda Ramsay is an award-winning professional makeup artist who specialises in makeup content and education for mature skin. Known as your over 40s makeup expert, Amanda has worked with thousands of Aussie women, including celebrities and personalities like Julia Gillard, Sophie Monk, Delta Goodrem, Collette Dinnigan, Jackie O, Miranda Kerr and Mia Freedman.
There is so much information out there on the interwebs around how to use blush, highlighter and contour products.
And don't even get me started on TikTok makeup trends...
Have you seen how The People are applying blush over their dark circles before concealer?! Wild.
Honestly, it’s not surprising women are confused, overwhelmed and put-off by it all!
And if you're a woman 'of a certain age' like me, there are other factors to consider.
Because yes, our faces are a little different to the 20-somethings.
Mature skin is generally thinner, more crinkled, and lacking in the plump-factor.
This means where and how you apply your blush, contour, bronzer and highlighter can be the difference between your face looking youthful, radiant, plump and lifted, versus drawn, harsh, OTT or even clown-ish (sorry that seems a little rough, but it’s true).
If the thought of applying blush, contour or highlighter (or... all of the above) is intimidating, I'm here to help.
Follow my tips and tricks below to ensure that your blush, highlight and contour efforts deliver fresh, plump, healthy-looking skin.
Watch how I apply my blush, contour and highlight for mature skin in the YouTube video below:
Mature Skin Makeup Mistakes.
As an over 40’s makeup expert and experienced professional makeup artist, I think the key challenge for mature skin around highlighter, contour and bronzer is putting it all in the wrong spot.
Followed closely by over-doing the contour and highlight, but under-cooking the blush.
It shouldn't be a case of blush or bronzer for mature skin. Blush is a seriously underrated product for mature skin that really deserves more credit.
Blush breathes life into your complexion. The biggest mistake people 40+ make with blush is not wearing it.
Highlighter and contour for mature skin are completely different beasts.
In my experience with thousands of women over 40, most love the effect of highlighter, but are confused about where and how to use it. (Read on, as all shall be revealed.)
But I have a pretty unpopular opinion on the whole contour shenanigans.
To be frank, I’m not really here for it.
Contouring cheekbones on most mature faces is really bloomin’ easy to get oh-so-wrong.
But subtly shaping your face to give the illusion of volume? Big yes.
The main thing to remember is the objective of blush, highlight and contour is to add some dimension, shape and contrast back into your skin.
Now, onto how and where to apply these products to achieve just that.
How to Do Blush for Mature Skin.
Ever Googled 'how to apply blush over 40'? You're not alone.
My simple method for blush for mature skin is to first find the high point of your cheekbone.
Using that as your starting point, blend your blush up and out towards your hairline and temples to create a more “lifted” look to your face.
When you smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, thanks to a loss of elasticity with age, that blush can sit too low.
(Not unlike some other parts of our body that, erm, aren’t as perky as they once were...)
Best Blush for Mature Skin.
Cream or powder blush for mature skin: An age-old debate.
A cream blush for mature skin will always be my favourite blush formula.
Applying blush over 40 can be tricky, but a cream blush will melt into and hydrate the skin, and it’s really hard to get it wrong.
Best cream blush for mature skin options:
- Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel Cream Blush - Technically, this is the best liquid blush for mature skin, and such a bargain!
- Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lip & Cheeks - A bougie blush for mature skin, but it doubles as a moisturising lip tint.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush - Draw this blush stick on and go, also comes in awesome shades. (Side note, the best colour blush for mature skin is whatever shade YOU like.)
- Benefit FloraTint - If you have oily skin or are a menopausal women, a cheek stain will be your best friend. Perfect for humid climates and sweaty moments (if ya know, ya know!).
Best powder blush for mature skin:
- If you’re wedded to a powder blush, choose a formula that isn’t too shimmery.
- For extra “oomph” and staying power, layer a powder over your cream blush.
- Designer Brands Make 'Em Blush Pressed Mineral Blush is a bargain powder blush favourite.
How to Do Highlighter for Mature Skin.
My top tip for mature faces is to avoid highlighting your brow bone.
This was hot in the 90s, but it brings more attention and emphasis to already hooded or heavy eyelids.
Same goes if you have a lot of laughter lines. Nothing wrong with that, but applying highlighter in that area will emphasise the lines.
Rather, I like to choose a highlight colour that complements your blush of choice, then apply it over your blush on the highest point of your cheekbone.
You can also use highlighter on your cupid's bow to create fuller-looking lips, or add a few drops of liquid highlight to your foundation, moisturiser or BB cream for an all-over glow.
Side note, can someone please tell me why we're highlighting the tip of our noses? I just don’t get it.
Best Highlighter for Mature Skin.
It’s probably no surprise to you all by now that a cream highlighter is my fave formula.
Cream highlighters are also less likely to accentuate crinkles.
Powder highlighters will cling to any dry or dehydrated patches of skin, making them appear drier and more dehydrated, particularly around the delicate eye zone. Avoid if you're super dry.
Liquid highlighters and luminisers are amazinggggg for adding glow to your skin, too.
Best highlighter for mature skin options:
- KORA Organics Rose Quartz Luminizer - This one's a new favourite, the colour looks lovely on cool undertones and it has a dewy finish.
- Pai The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops - Yes, it's a bit bougie, but think of this as your liquid bronzer and illuminator in one.
How to Do Contour & Bronzer for Mature Skin.
Instead of 'contouring', I prefer bronzer for mature skin.
My contouring for over 40s method involves choosing a satin or matte finish bronzer (avoid glitter and shimmer) with a touch of warmth to subtly and gently shape around the perimeters of your face.
Take a soft fluffy brush and swoosh your bronzer along your jawline to carve out and bring definition to the jaw, this is great for those feeling a little 'jowly'.
You can also sweep it down your chin and onto your neck to soften a double chin, and around your forehead to create that sun-kissed glow.
Keep your bronzer placement higher up on the face, avoiding the mouth area.
I'd also avoid applying bronzer like contour under the hollows of the cheeks as we already lose bone in this area of the face.
Best Face Bronzer for Mature Skin.
What is the best bronzer for mature skin?
For shaping and contouring, powder bronzers are generally easier to use and harder to get wrong than cream bronzers.
I do like a cream for someone with really dry skin, or those who want significant change.
If you're nervous about using a cream bronzer, try applying it underneath your foundation or skin tint.
Best bronzer for mature skin options:
- Nude by Nature Sunkissed Pressed Bronzer - Another excellent affordable matte/satin bronzer.
- Benefit Hoola Lite - The best bronzer for light mature skin complexions.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer - The best cream bronzer for mature skin, and in plenty of inclusive shades.
Makeup Palettes for Mature Skin.
If you just can't be arsed with different blush, bronzer and highlighter products, grab a multi-use palette.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Face Palette - Italian Summer (Light To Medium) and Eye Of Horus Sacred Earth Bronzing Palette are two palettes everyone will get great bang for buck out of, no matter their age.
They're even better for travel and doing makeup on the go, AND you can use all the shades for quick eyeshadow looks, too.
A final word of advice: Remember, makeup is all about how it makes YOU feel.
So if you’re loving what you’re currently doing and it makes you feel fab, ignore these tips and please keep it up!
Know I’m here to help you every step of the way to makeup confidence.
For more info on mature skin makeup tips, check out my online makeup masterclass series The Shine Sessions.
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