How To Be a Boomer Babe
November 10, 2006 by Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler - The Glam Gals
Just came across this scary picture of Liz Taylor, and it reminded us of a really important beauty rule you must follow if you want to be a Boomer Babe.
For heavens sake ladies, GO EASY ON THE MAKE-UP.
As our hair lightens and begins to go grey, (or in Liz’s case, goes blonde!) our eyebrows also lighten, our skin pales and we start to look washed out.
Many of us try to compensate by piling on the make up. We think that bright lipstick, lots of blush, tons of eye shadow, and dark eyeliner will restore our youth. Here’s proof that bright make-up after 40 will make you look like a clown or female impersonator!
So here’s what you do:
- Foundation: Since your skin drys and dulls at it ages, you need to switch to a more dewy look. Trade in your heavy matte foundation, which gives you that mask look, for a tinted moisturizer (We love the one by Laura Mercier). Or, mix your foundation with some moisturizer to thin out. You may also want to check out “light reflecting foundations” especially created for mature skin because they reflect light off those little wrinkles.
- Powder: This can make you look pastey so use loose powder only on the T-zone, if needed
- Blush: Say so long to dry cake powders and instead try a cream blush for a nice youthful glow!
- Eyeshadow: Be careful with shimmering shadows. They tend to accentuate crepey eyelids. Use neutral colored eyeshadows so we see your eye instead of just your eyelids.
- Eyeliner: Don’t use black…too harsh. Instead, try brown and then blend well with a brown powder.
- Eyebrows: Be sure to keep them in good shape so they don’t get scraggly.
- Many women tend to let the brow go pale and darken the lips at this stage, when in fact you should darken the brows so they frame your eyes (but don’t get as carried away as Liz), and lighten up the lips.
- Lipstick: Soften lips with pinks, corals, light browns, nothing too dark or too bright or there will be too much contrast between your lips, skin and hair.
- Lip Liner: Good idea to use a liner to prevent lip bleed, but keep it soft. You should not be able to tell you have it on.
- Got a few make-up tips of your own to share? We’d love to hear from you!
I am 39 years old and I have always struggled with finding a foundation that works for my skin, some areas it’s oily and some area dry. Until recently, Motives makes a custom blended foundation that matches my skin tone perfectly. It has fluid silk which makes it go on smooth like a moisturizer and it’s not heavy. It’s been a God send.
Thanks, JoJamie for all the great advise! Here’s one that works great for me: I always use a light, neutral powder on my entire eyelid before applying contouring eyeshadow. It assures an even application and no blotchiness. I also use the tip of my foam eyeshadow applicator to put a little neutral shadow under my eyes just along the lash line. No smudges!!
Thanks for these tips! Makeup is something I’ve always shied away from, except for minimal on my eyes and lips. I like your tips for tinted moisturizer and keeping lips on the light side.