Makeup through the decades

Products, tips & tools to take years off

Something happens to your make-up when you get past 30. It suddenly goes from being your best friend to your worst enemy. The reason is simple. As we age, our skin becomes drier and more uneven in texture and tone. Fine lines and wrinkles creep in, while under-eye bags and circles become a permanent rather than an occasional feature. Even a smidgen too much make-up, the wrong textures or finishes will draw attention to unwanted lines. So what\'s the solution? Introducing the fabulous new-generation formulations that diminish rather than punish the signs of ageing, plus easy application tips from top make-up artists over ‘a certain age\'...

Makeup in your 30s

‘The most common mistake made by women in their 30s is to mask their natural bloom with heavy foundation,\' explains make-up artist Dani Guinsberg, who made up the models for these pictures. ‘Going full throttle with make-up on the eyes and lips doesn\'t help, either - it makes most of us look dated and over made up.\' Dani\'s advice? ‘Focus on either the eyes or the lips. Or, as with the natural look shown right, apply a wash of neutral eyeshadow over the entire lid to even it out. Then use a gloss slightly darker than your natural lip colour to inject vigour into the face.\' 

The right look in your 30\'s

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, £49 (020 7225 5758): apply with a foundation brush all over the face, but blend it with the fingers for a seamless finish. Dani swirled Korres Cheek Blush, £16.50 (020 7581 6455), over the apples of model Helen\'s cheeks. Then Becca Shimmer Perfector in Pearl, £29 (020 7225 2501), was dusted over the top of the cheekbones and sides of the face for a touch of gleam. To finish, Helen is wearing Korres lipstick in natural pink, £15 (020 7581 6455).

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Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals, £38 (020 8450 7111), a clear gel with powder bubbles suspended in it, creating a cross between a skin-evening foundation and an anti-ageing, super-hydrating, radiance-boosting moisturiser. For a little more coverage that\'s virtually untraceable, try By Terry Light Expert, £38 (020 8740 2085). It\'s fine, yet camouflages blips and comes in a brush applicator for a perfect finish. And finally, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Summer Tan, £16 (0870 034 2988), will keep cheeks looking perky.

Makeup in your 40s

A full, colourful face of make-up when you hit your 40s, and especially your 50s, makes you look as if you\'re clinging on to the past (see left). Celebrity make-up artist Mary Greenwell, a fabulous-looking 50-something, advises investing in sheer, light-diffusing formulas to add radiance. She loves Chanel Teint Innocence Compact Foundation, £31 (020 7493 3836), Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £26 (020 7318 2486), and Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect foundation, £8.95 (0800 269836).

Makeup in your 50s

Make-up maestro Bobbi Brown has glowed into her 50s thanks to practising what she preaches. Her tips? Apply concealer to the hollow, bony bits on the sides of the nose to brighten and open up your eyes. It eradicates the need for a full face of foundation - the biggest instant ager. And for a healthy sheen: ‘Add a couple of drops of a light facial oil to your fingertips, rub together, then pat over the drier areas that absorb the light, like cheeks and temples.\'

The right look in your 50s

Dani used Lancôme Color Ideal Foundation, £22 (available nationwide), ‘for its colour matching and blending qualities\' and Givenchy Mr Light Concealer, £19 (01932 233824), to bring light to the eyes: ‘It\'s the best under-eye concealer on the market because it\'s incredibly sheer, doesn\'t sit in lines and lights up the area.\' Givenchy Tendre Sun Loose Bronzing Powder, £35 (01932 233824), was applied to model Michele\'s cheekbones and apples using a MAC Brush in 187, £28 (0870 034 2676). ‘The brush is as important as the blusher, and the bristles on this one pick up just enough product to give a diffused shot of colour to the cheeks,\' says Dani.

For eyes

For the eyes she used BareEscentuals Glimmer Eyeshadow in Nude Beach, £12 (0870 850 6655), and Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder, £16 (available at Selfridges; 0800 123400). ‘These formulas are miraculous,\' she says. ‘They glide over the lid, giving a subtle gleam.\' Diorshow Mascara, £18.50 (020 7216 0216), plumped up the lashes.

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YSL Touche Brilliance Lip Gloss in No8, £18 (01444 255700), is responsible for the fresh-looking lips. ‘Avoid heavy matt lipstick,\' warns Dani. ‘Sheer lip balms and glosses diminish fine lines and make lips look conditioned. We love Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation, £26 (0870 034 2566), and Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Cream Compact Makeup, £25 (0870 034 2566), for their hydrating, boosting properties. Also try By Terry Baum de Rose lip colour, £26 (020 8740 2085), for a natural sheen.

Makeup for your 60s and beyond

Mature glamour is about radiating confidence, health and being yourself, so the message is: loosen up! ‘Lightly made-up radiant skin, understated eyes and sheer lips with a soft rather than garish colour are flattering and youth-boosting,\' says make-up doyenne Barbara Daly, a glowing example of how to look great.

New-generation formulas have revolutionised face powders. ‘One dust makes pores looks smaller and mops excess shine while remaining imperceptible,\' says Barbara. ‘It blurs the bad bits while letting your skin - and you - show through.\'

The right look in your 60s

For model Debbie\'s make-under, Dani used Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, £49 (020 7225 5758): ‘It bonds like a second skin yet seamlessly camouflages blemishes.\' She added Becca Shimmer Perfector in Pearl, £29 (020 7225 2501), and Smashbox Highlighter Quad, £26, available from QVC (0800 504030). Barbara Daly for Tesco Super Sheer Loose Powder, £4.75 (0800 505555), is a dinky little pot to pop into a handbag, ready to remove excess shine when you need to. And finally, Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Soft Rose, £14 (0870 034 2988), is bright but not strident.