Did I get your attention with that headline?! I thought I might! I’m certainly no beauty expert, and I’m not really much of a product junkie…but I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of extremely talented beauty professionals and glam squads…and therefore have amassed some great tips and products.
I’m no longer a spring chicken (forty-four to be exact, however I prefer to keep the second four silent), and the evidence is staring back at me in the mirror. I am trying my hardest to age gracefully (whatever that means), but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to look my very best. Of course there are the obvious things we can do, like getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, and taking care of our skin, but there’s also a lot to be said for the power of makeup!
I’ve changed my makeup routine and products over the years, to both flatter and adapt to my skin as it ages. And while it’s tempting to stock-up on all the latest and greatest, I’ve learned that less is more, and can do this everyday makeup in less than five-minutes!
My goal isn’t to cover my face, and thereby my wrinkles, because that actually works in the opposite, but rather, to look fresh and luminous.
Favorite White Jeans (30% off! size down one) | Hoop Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Backseat Besties’ (only $7!) | Lipstick in ‘Punch’
Five Makeup Tips to Make You Look Younger
1 // Use cream-based products, not powders
Powders actually add more texture to your already textured (thanks, crows feet!) skin. Prep your face with plenty of moisturizer to plump it up before adding any product.
2 // Use under-eye concealer sparingly & be sure to blend it well
Too much product under the eyes settles into fine lines and acts as a magnifier.
3 // Add life with rosy blush & lipsticks
Remember the flushed face of your youth?! #sigh Matte lipsticks can be aging, so stick with creamy lipsticks and glosses for a plumper look.
4 // Brighten eyes & raise cheekbones with highlighter
Older skin tends to be duller, so this step helps to lift your face and make it glow.
5 // Define your brows & lashes
Well defined brows can help a face of any age look bright and awake.
This last step is by-far my favorite, and a step I’m almost-never skip! Our brows tend to get thinner and more sparse as we age, taking away the focus on the eyes. This is even more evident for us blondes, as our brows also get lighter. It’s like taking a picture out of its frame, and tacking it on the wall by itself.
Here’s my full makeup, but with my natural brows (and crazy-eyes!).
Using Anastasia ‘Brow Whiz’ mechanical pencil in ‘Soft Brown’ (available in a thicker pencil here), I quickly outline my natural brow line, then fill it in to create a darker, more prominent frame. Then using the comb-end of the pencil, I blend any hard edges and lines for a natural look. The whole thing takes less than 30-seconds…the key is not to overthink it! #stepfordwivescalled
For a more step-by-step guide, this video is a great how-to resource.
Sidenote: Did you know Nordstrom’s site is chock-full of amazing, helpful beauty tutorials?! Find the full video library here.
And here’s a side-by-side comparison, with my brows as the only difference in my makeup. Pretty dramatic, right?! Ladies…get yourself a brow pencil!
Before & After Brow Pencil
I can’t give you my best tips without also sharing my favorite accompanying products! This isn’t my full makeup bag, but it’s definitely the heavy-hitters!
Update: Many are on unprecedented sale right now!
one // Nars Blush in ‘Amour’ Everyone knows this brand for the cult-favorite ‘Orgasm’ hue, but when the makeup artist for my Redbook cover shoot used this shade on me #humblebrag, I immediately switched and never looked back. I brush it on the apples of my cheeks for a natural flush.
two // Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color This lipstick wears like a stain, but feels and looks like a creamy balm. It also goes on fairly sheer and becomes more opaque with the number of layers.
three // Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer This is the lightest, creamiest concealer I’ve found, but still has good coverage without looking crepey.
four // Anastasia Highlighting Duo Pencil I use the concealer end to outline my brows for a more defined look, and the creamy highlighter brightens the brow bone, corners of the eye, and even the cheekbones.
five // Bobbi Brown ‘Eye Opening’ Mascara I’ve been a longtime drugstore mascara fan…until finding this formula, and now I can’t stop telling everyone I know about it. In fact, the day I started using it, two friends asked me if I have eyelash extensions! (I don’t!) The fat brush takes a little getting used to, but the formula is light and layers easily. After a single coat on all my lashes, I concentrate the second coat on the outer lashes to really open the eye.
The formula is really wet, so it glides on easily and builds without clumping. It’s also a cinch to wash off! I can’t say enough about this mascara, and I’m already stocking up on more tubes while it’s on sale!
Crepe Shirtdress in ‘Wine’ | Tassel Earrings | Necklace | Mascara | Lipstick
My makeup routine is pretty much the same, regardless of the occasion…the only difference is the shade of lipstick. Which is almost-always a bright shade of pink or red, a trait I picked up from my grandmother.
Chiffon Maxi Dress (40% off!) | Tassel Earrings (similar) | Tanning Towels | Satin Lip Pencil in ‘Yu’ | Texturizing Spray
Similar White Dress | Jean Jacket (30% off!) | Tassel Earrings | Lipstick in ‘Watermelon’
Eyeshadow Pack (15% off!) | Lipstick in ‘132 Caprice’ (on sale!) | Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Color Binge’ (only $7!) | Similar Dress
Favorite White Jeans (30% off! size down one) | Hoop Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Backseat Besties’ (only $7!) | Lipstick in ‘Punch’
There’s definitely a pressure to be ageless, especially in this world of perfectly curated social media. But nothing compares with the confidence and contentment that comes with being older, and I wouldn’t trade that for a fuller face. I might, however, cut some bangs to disguise it! 😉
What best tips do you have for looking younger? And which products do you depend on most? You can read my thoughts on turning 40 here and more beauty posts here.
And why yes, I do have this dress in three colors now!
{Shop My Makeup All-Stars (most on sale!)}
*Photos by the darling & talented Mary Summers. This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all opinions, product faves & awkward headshots are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
You’re really good with makeup, you look a lot younger than you are! Using concealer sparingly is a good tip. I often see people overdoing it and it becomes very cakey and unappealing!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Cassie, you look GORGEOUS in every single one of these pics!
Another good tip is teeth whitening. It is one of the best improvements anyone can make. Waaay cheaper than a facelift!
One more-50 SPF on the face and hands everyday. Find one that’s not thick and greasy. Apply, then blot w/a tissue or two.
It’s so much easier and better to fake a nice rosy tan these days.
Stay dewy (not greasy) ladies!
Yes!! White strips were the best invention ever! And bright lipstick also makes your smile whiter!
Do you use blond brow pencil? Thanks for the great tips!!!!
No, I prefer mine closer to the color of my roots, so I use medium brown.
You look beautiful and if Mama Sugar Plum is any indication of how you will age I think you will be A-okay! I’ve been looking for a new concealer! Mine has been feeling too heavy. I will have to give this one a try!
I certainly hope so!!! I know I got her bony hands, so hopefully her skin, too! 😉
Your makeup always looks great, and I love these tips. I think they’re also applicable when wanting to appear more awake, which I already need from lack of sleep in my third trimester, and that I’ll probably need even more in about two months with our first baby. Give me all the younger and more awake makeup looks! 😉
Yes! highlighter is your friend!
That first photo of you is so beautiful!
Wow, I really see a difference as far as the brows. Thank you for the tip. Mine are very sparse now and I haven’t tried an eyebrow pencil like that one.
Thanks Kathy!!! I was shocked by the difference, too! It did take a little getting used to…I felt like my brows had a pulse, but now I can hardly stand to go without it!
I agree 100% with the brows. If nothing else, I always do my brows. No matter the age, brows frame the face. You look gorgeous!
http://www.designbysydnee.com
WHOAH! The difference the brows makes is unbelievable! And listen, you are GORGEOUS. Inside and out!
xoxoxox
There is no way you are 44….you look much younger!! Thank you so much for this post! I have never filled in my brows….eeek! I had them done about a year ago by a make up artist and loved the look but wasn’t confident enough to do them myself. I just ordered the “brow whiz” pencil and I’m going to start playing with it until I get it right. Have a great day!!
You’re my new best friend! 😉 Thank you, Jenny!
You seriously look GORGEOUS Cassie! And I love a bright lipstick on you!
Love you, friend! xoxo
Another trick if you have blonde brows is to go in regularly for a wax & tint. I now wake up with eyebrows! 😄
YES!! I do that in the Summer, but still use a pencil to make them a little fuller.
I have light blonde hair and my brows have gotten so light and thin. I was under the mistaken notion that darker brows would look strange with light hair. I was so wrong! Darker brows are key! I love Benefit’s Gimme Brow in #3. It’s amazing what it does for my face. I’ll never be without it!
Benefit has great products, too! I actually go to them in the Summer to have my lashes dyed! I love their Dandelion highlighter!
This is perfect timing! I am 47 years old and was just searching yesterday for makeup tips for women over 40. I am home post surgery for a few weeks and just feel like I need to change things up! Of your 5 makeup products in this post, which one has made the biggest impact?
Thanks!
I hope you’re feeling good!!! The biggest tip is def the brows, but my fave product would be the mascara!
What a great post! I agree 100% about brows. Do you think you might be able to convince Mama Sugarplum to do one with her favorite products and lip colors for those of us who are, ahem, a bit closer to her age than yours??
She uses all similar products as I do!!
What foundation do you wear?
I’m crazy for this iT Cosmetics CC cream!! http://bit.ly/2qyhkyo
I tried this after one of your earlier posts and I agree – its so easy to apply, has a perfect medium coverage for me and the 50 spf is a huge bonus!
What foundation is your favorite?
I actually wear CC cream…and am obsessed with this one!! It’s so light, gives amazing even coverage, and has SPF! http://bit.ly/2qyhkyo
I agree that darker brows are key in showing off the eyes, looking more polished, etc. However, I hate the thought of adding ANY extra steps to my make-up routine. So I dye my eyebrows every 4-6 weeks with men’s mustache dye. It takes about 6 minutes and works great! “Just for men” in medium brown works great for me!
I have mine dyed in the Summer, but you are a brave girl to do it yourself!!! Amazing!
My tip is a great self tanner goes a long way to looking younger and glowy if you can get it right.
On my pale skin if I keep it light and don’t overdo, it seems to soften some of the flaws in my skin when wearing shorts or bare sleeves etc.
Great tip, Patti!!! I always feel better with a little tan!
re: Sedona
Stay, eat, hike at Enchantment Resort.
it’s spectacular.
I bought the mascara you recommended within hours.
In So cal. Our nordstrom triple point time is in session, and Bobbi is 15% off currently.
Thanks so much for the Sedona recommendation…and I hope you love the mascara! xo
Just back from a European whirlwind vaca. You well know the joys of exploring, and the time change challenges. Your makeup tips were invaluable…..snappy, fast, and spot on. The mascara is a the gem …
Love Bobbi formula. It’s long wearing AND comes off easily. ++
I’m so thrilled to hear you loved it, and had a great trip!!! xoxo
I agree that good brows are super important! I’m a makeup junkie so I can’t wait to try some of your suggestions. Have fun in Sedona! I would definitely suggest taking a Jeep tour while you’re there. They’re a blast!
Wondering how you pick the best shade for the eyebrow pencil. I have,medium brown hair. What color would you suggest?
I try to match my natural hair color (my roots)…but I also prefer my brows to be darker and more pronounced. I use medium brown, but the beauty counter lady actually recommended a lighter shade for me, Taupe. So med brown would prob be good for you, too!
Great tips, I love that Bobbi Brown mascara and been using it of late. Deciding whether to cut my hair or not is my latest dilemma in the aging process. Cassie it would be remiss of me not to point out that you have been given a wonderful gift in by your parents and genetics. That gift is that you are slim. You are so blessed to have the figure of a much younger women and those of us battling the ‘apple’ tummy and other forms of middle aged spread would love to be as slim and wear the cute clothes and look as good in them as you do.
Thank you so much, Alison!! That is one of the reason I’ve started to take my fitness a little more seriously though…my body is changing! But I’ve always been mindful of what I eat and try to keep my weight in check.
Hi Cassie,
You are gorgeous!!
I have been using the CC cream you recommended for over a year and even though I loved it and loved how it looked on my skin, my skin started breaking out like crazy. I had to stop and go back to powder and after a month of using powder again, I have clear skin again. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Oh no!! I’m sorry to hear that!! I’ve been using iT CC cream for years and haven’t had any issues?!?!? Is it possible it’s another product, like a new cream or aging treatment? Did you maybe do a mask that brought it out? I’m sorry I’m not more help, but I haven’t had any problems with the cream. I hope that wasn’t it, bc I know how good it is!
Great tips! I’ve been using the IT CC Cream for over a year and have loved how it brightens and can be applied light or medium coverage. It’s never had great staying power though. How are you setting it without using powder? Thanks!
I use a little bronzer and blush, but that’s about it!! I’ve also found that applying the CC Cream with a flat brush gives more coverage, and therefore more staying power! xo
Love these tips, thank you! Would you do a post on your face makeup routine? (the cc cream/blush application and anything else such as moisturizer underneath etc? Your face glows so beautifully! I feel like I might have seen you do something like this on Instastories, but haven’t been able to find on the blog!