When it comes to beauty rules, quite frankly, we don’t believe there are any. However, when a celebrity makeup artist offers a fresh perspective from tricks gathered over a 30-year-long career (and one that includes clients like Gwenyth Paltrow and Cindy Crawford), we are at least a little curious…
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A strong believer that ‘beauty is enhanced by age’, Riku Campo’s latest book I Am Beauty: Timeless Skincare and Beauty for Women 40 and Over, focuses less on anti-ageing skin care and more on how we can tweak our current makeup routine to best complement a more ‘mature’ complexion.
So, according to Riku’s latest book, these are the ‘new makeup rules’ for your 40’s and beyond…
Avoid heavy bases
According to Riku, as we age our skin naturally loses hydration which leads to an overall dryer texture. As a result, he reveals that stick foundations, CC creams and BB creams are too dry and heavy for mature skin and recommends sticking to a tinted moisturiser or concealer only to cover blemishes or dark spots, for a more natural and hydrated result.
bh recommends: Natio Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20
Opt for a cream blush
“I like to use cream blush on mature women because it looks the most natural, glides on smoothly and blends perfectly,” says Riku, while warning to avoid powdered blush products as they can “bring out fine lines”. When it comes to picking the colour, a general rule of thumb to follow is: “the lighter your skin, the lighter your blush should be”.
bh recommends: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush, ulta3 Blush Sculpt Stick
Keep brows natural
Riku is a big advocate for a natural brow, saying that, “eyebrows shouldn’t be the main focus of your makeup”. However, as we age the brows will thin and become uneven so it’s still important to fill the gaps.
He recommends a brow colour “one shade lighter than or the same colour as your natural brows” in either powder or pencil, used to create small hair-like strokes where needed..
bh recommends: Estée Lauder Automatic Brow Pencil Duo, Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Natural Eye Brow Pencil
Avoid glitter
“For daytime, eyeshadow finishes should be matte. For evening, you can choose a light-reflecting shadow but nothing that contains glitter”. The reasoning? Riku says eyeshadows that are overly pigmented with glitter will get stuck in fine lines and creases.
bh recommends: M.A.C Art Library – Nude Model Palette, Clinique All About Shadow
Waterproof eyeliners and mascara
As we get older, our eyes tend to be more prone to watering. So if you’re using a mascara or eyeliner, always opt for a waterproof product. Riku advises that “they dry fast, so blend and soften the line right after you apply it”.
bh recommends: Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara, Lancôme Artliner Laque 24H
Embrace lipsticks
Similar to glitter eyeshadow, Riku suggests avoiding lip glosses as they can “feather away into fine lines around the lips”. But don’t be discouraged that you’re missing out on all the fun, because what he does suggest you should be wearing is COLOUR!
Image credit: Getty
Swearing by a red lip, which he believes is “the classiest makeup look ever”, Riku is all for a statement pout. He favours deeper browns, bright oranges or blue-ish reds for darker skin tones; deep rose, hot pinks and cooler red for olive undertones and for fair skin or blue undertone skin, light rose or bright fuschias are the ones he finds most complementary.
bh recommends: Revlon Super Lustrous™ The Luscious Mattes, Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipstick, Rageism Beauty Matte Lipstick
Main image credit: GettyDo you have any tips for makeup when you’re 40 or over? Will you try these?
Will definitely take some of the advice regarding makeup for older women, will buy a cream blush next time I need some blush. Cannot wear bright coloured lipsticks, still like lipgloss but it is more like a lipstick, but I do use lipgloss have been toning down my makeup need to get a lighter eyebrow pomade if I can.
Thanks BH for the Great Advice!!!
Great advice. Sadly my skin texture means wearing powder makeup makes my complexion dull flat and dry looking. Light cream makeup all the way with a small amount of pressed powder to set if absolutely necessary.
Fantastic article – keeping it on my faves list!
I’ll be reading and re-reading this one lots of times. : )
Can’t wait to check out that recommended MAC palette!
He’s got some good advice, but I don’t think there should be ‘rules’ when it comes to makeup. Your makeup is about you, and how it makes you feel. I’m 52, and if I want to wear a bit of glitter, I’m not going to stop just because the ‘rules’ state that I can’t do so. (The best glitter for grown ups is Hourglass scattered light eyeshadows. Stunning!)
Oh good advice
Dont like “rules” but as guidelines these are good
There’s some good advice here. I use a lightweight BB cream which is the perfect shade for me because I haven’t found a tinted moisturiser that is the right shade. I’m wearing my fuschia lipstick at the moment and I stick with cream blushes because I find them more flattering.
Love that photo of Cindy – evergorgeous! Such an iconic Revlon model – the epitome of glam!
My greatest tip for over 40’s is to do what makes you happy. Life is way too short to follow the rules. I do my makeup for me and I love colour.
I do find my skin feels drier as I get older and whilst I used to prefer matte makeup I have been embracing a dewy finish these days as it looks more forgiving on fine lines
Yes, all good tips that make sense.
I like this, but also who cares about the rules, wear what makes you happy.
I like seeing make-up articles for older women, I have had some trouble especially with eye make-up and find that I can’t do the things i used to. Wasn’t really into glitter much but even shimmery eyeshadows that I used to love can show up the bad texture on my crepey eyelids now 🙁
Not sure about no BB cream – I am still able to use asian ones without issue. I always wear it over moisturiser and sunscreen though.
There are some really good advice and tips in this article. My eyes definitely water more often now that I am older. I have also been thinking of switching to cream blushes for a long time but I find powder blushes tend to have more long stay.
Not so keen on ‘rules’, but these are pretty reasonable, especially the heavy base. I do still use a powder blush though and have no issues with it.
I find a stronger looking brow can help lift the look of eyelids that can droop with age, alot of it is good advice but I don’t like ‘rules’ , why should I start following them now I’m over 40?
With beauty, there is no rules. Though have noticed when girls in 20s wear bronzers , blushes, thick base, zillions of products to finish the “look”…. insta makeup etc. they always look way older. So maybe one rule : don’t do insta makeup?
I’m not keen on rules but these are great as tips that one should consider when they get older.
Good to know!
I’m definitely a fan of bold lips, so Yay! My late Nan wore Revlon Red lipstick until her eyes got too bad to apply it evenly. She looked good, though.
Common sense advice, and I like the tip about using a tinted moisturiser.
Glitter is over-rated anyway
Helpful advice and tips.
I agree with everyone here – tips and guidelines are great but rules are for fools!
I always find that a little is better than too much and if one using a lot of make up it looks too much??
Rules schmules. I wear what I like!
I don’t know of anyone keeps their brows totally natural
Someone on here recommended colour the world lipsticks for over ’40’s and I can agree it doesn’t bleed into fine lines around your lips.
I have said all my life that if I am lucky enough to get old I shall be growing old disgracefully. I will look however I want that makes me happy and I’ve never been into rules anyway. I still have the oily skin I had as a teenager so a powder blush is a must for me and not too heavy like I find creams. I also don’t have any lines where blush is put so I guess for me it’s fine. But I really don’t care what other people think anyway. Do what makes you happy <3.
Great advice thanks
Wearing soft, understated make-up always invariably looks elegant. Prepping the skin is of far more importance – a lipstick applied correctly with primer, lip pencil, a couple of layers of lipstick blotted in between, (no matter the colour as long as it suits your skin tone) looks great.
Looking good indeed
Good to know…
Some helpful tips here.
I had to laugh at the comment “eyebrows shouldn’t be the main focus of your makeup”. Seems these days that too many people ignore that rule and end up with eyebrows that, according to my husband, look like caterpillars!! They look truly awful.
All good tips!
I am always interested to read these tips but usually end up doing what’s best for me.
The only rule is there’s no rule!
I have broken capillaries on my cheeks so tinted moisturisers don’t provide enough coverage.
Makeup can be flattering or unflattering regardless of your age. Experimenting is key. I’ve had my makeup done professionally on a few occasions where the makeup was flawless and youthful and other times where it accentuates every line and wrinkle. It’s not really a one size fits all!