How do you think make up style should change as you age?

[thewickedstyle]

For years I have been an Urban Decay fan, but recently I have stopped buying the eyeshadows... I just feel like I'm getting too old for the frosty, glittery look that so many of them have.

Of course now they are coming out with their matte line... but it's sad that I rarely touch my UDs anymore because I feel foolish in them.

On the other hand, I was never comfortable in darker colors before, and now I think I can pull of darker e/s. Also I have never touched lipsticks before, but lately I've been thinking I should start wearing it instead of gloss. I think this is all because I'm getting closer to 30 and becoming more comfortable with the more defined, dramatic, mature look.

What else about your make up look begins to evolve or change as you reach a certain age?

 

[MACHOMULA]

I'm so glad you've started this thread. Unfourtunately I don't have any answers/explanations for you because I'm just as curious as you are. I love my frosts and bright colors, but I'm 23 and still feel fine in them. It makes me sad sometimes to think that I might be perceived as ridiculous if I continue to wear them later on when I'm older. I'm very interested to see what others think about this.

 

[melliquor]

I think you should wear what you feel comfortable in. I am 32 and still wear gloss and shimmery e/s. It does help though that I look 22 and still dress in jeans, tshirts and trainers. I think if you feel young then do what you want. I still feel 18 and love it.

I don't think there is anything wrong with older woman to wear bright or dark dramatic makeup. Do what makes you feel comfortable and happy... To hell with what anybody thinks. Don't follow trends... make them.

 

[Shimmer]

I think keeping the condition of the skin in mind is one of the helpful things, though.

I'm 28 and wear shimmery eyeshadows, though nothing with glittery chunks in it. Take care of the skin and of course, moderation, and pretty much through the years one can almost wear anything.

 

[SparklingWaves]

When I was in the 20's, I tried to dress older. I had a more conservative style. (Matte makeup all the way) Then in my 30's, I went into a even more serious mode. (Matte makeup with dark lipstick) But, it was all due to jobs and where I was in my life. Life was crazy for me in those years.

For me, I didn't even like the really frosty stuff in the teens. I thought it showed lines even then. Now, I wear a variety of looks on my eyes and lighter shades on my lips with gloss. I have lightened up mentally and so has my makeup.

I think how we wear makeup may have to do with where we are mentally and in our lives.

 

[Mxue]

"The older you are, the less make-up you should look like you are wearing, even thought it might take you longer to apply. If you've worn the same make-up for the last five years, it's time to re-evaluate."

 

[thewickedstyle]

Interesting to see everyone's thoughts. Lately I have just felt the need for change.

I think part of the reason for me was that people often commented on my *makeup*- "That's an interesting eyeshadow, you have shimmery makeup on today" etc.... Now that I'm more consciously going for a subtle look, I get a lot of "You look pretty" or "Your skin is so glowing today." Which seems preferable

My looks tended to center around the eyes before, now I focus on very flawless, dewy skin and try to use everything else to pull it all together. I guess lately I'm just more interested in a classic look.

 

[aziajs]

I'm 27 and I have thought about this alot. I am getting older. I'm not 19 or 20 anymore. I'm almost 30. I find that I still like shimmery and frosty colors but in moderation. I like colors that are more matte. It's just hard to sell all my other frosted colors or think of tossing/B2M'ing them so I am determined to find a way to incorporate them.

God, I am rambling today. I'm tired.

Anyway, I think as you get older it's best to go for a more natural look. It's also best to use more matte shades on the lips and eyes and cheeks. It doesn't have to be matte per se but just a flatter color. Maybe a satin finish.

 

[Beauty Mark]

I began to take interest in different things at different times, like finding a nude pink lipstick instead of wearing dark colors all the time (I'm 22). I think it's natural to change your style and evolve it as you age.

 

[GothicGirl]

Age surely plays an important role in choosing makeup; but the main reason for that is, I think, the lifestyle each age demands. When you´re a teen, you don´t need to "fit in", so you can wear whatever you want, but as you grow old and the social pressure to achieve a certain look for a certain job comes up, you´ll obviously choose a different eyeshadow color, for instance. That´s pretty much what happens to me, and I´m not exactly what you would call old. I´m 25, and inside the office, I´m this classical, conservative lawyer, with grey e/s and red l/s; when the job is done, then it´s the time for my beloved purple lippie and my pretty red and black combination on my eyes. And of course, let´s not forget that another important point is the appearance of a woman´s skin, in the aging process: after the skin loses its firmness and wrinkles come along, some colors are just forbidden, specially the brighter ones, like bright turquoise/yellow/green etc.

 

[Azuresyren]

I have a strong feeling I will completely abandon ALL glitter from my collection as I age.. I've yet to see any older women who look good in glitter; I think it looks a little disgusting even - on wrinkled skin. I might even stop wearing as much mascara~ maybe sticking with a transparent mascara instead of jet black.

Strong lip colours like reds, and deep plums also never seem to look good on older women: especially if the wearer has those fine 'smoking' wrinkles and lines around their lips, and also if the teeth are in awful condition -- red lips + yellow, crooked, coffee-stained teeth is a recepie for disaster.

I can see myself developing a fondness for matte eyeshadows, (which I have verrrrry little of now), because the texture of matte's naturally tend to settle a lot less in fine lines than creams, gels, etc; but my love for light, frosty eye colours will probably never go, and I think frosty colours would look absolutely ethereal on a quite old woman with snowy-grey hair... kind of like an aged Galadriel: still very pure but wizened.

 

[KTB]

My makeup tastes have changed as I've gotten older but I think it also has to do with the fact that I'm more confident now and will try different things. I wear what I'm comfortable with and don't care what people think quite frankly. That said I am trying to move away from the really shimmery shadows but am not about to give them up completely.

I also find it funny that even though I'm only 32 and in my real life don't feel very old but I sure as hell do on here

For the record I still wear my bright greens/blues/turquoises and yellows

 

[Moyra]

I can actually speak with some authori-tay on this topic, since I am 52, and a makeup aficionado.
Note that one of the nastiest statements people fling at older women is that "age appropriate" thing. Age appropriate, as I see it, is what is flattering to you regardless of your age.
Barring illness, accident or acts of nature, everyone WILL age. It doesn't mean you stop enjoying the things you always have, like cosmetics, and it doesn't mean your life as an attractive woman is over.
It is true that our skin changes as we get older, but this is largely dependent on genetics and the amount of time you have spent in the sun. Makeup that is heavy on the frost looks not-so-nice on crepey skin, because it really does emphasize the issues.
Most people can still wear frosty shadows - if that is your thing. The trick is to restrict them to your lid just over your eye, and keep them away from the upper lid, which tends to get crepey. In many cases, a really good eye cream applied before any makeup followed by a very light dusting of silk powder takes care of the "crepeyness".
As to red lipstick, the same is true.
Not all older women have "yellow crooked teeth" or those "smoker's lines" (if you have them, please run and buy the best quality b-complex vitamins and take them. It will cure them pretty fast, and prevent them).
If you can pull off red lipstick - easier if its toned to match your skin, ie, warm reds for warm toned and blue toned for cool skin -, and it looks good on you, rock it.
Having a second opinion from someone who is tasteful (ie, whose taste and style you admire) and honest but not bitchy on what you can pull off or can't helps. I hope everyone has someone like that in their lives, whether you're 20 or 80.
And don't ever bow your head to the "age appropriate" police and let them make you feel ashamed of what you enjoy or look good in. You're not necessarily going to turn into your mother or grandmother, but it is hoped that you will age gracefully and wear your favorite _______ when you're their age.

 

[ginger9]

I'm in my 30s and I would say my make up style doesn't necessarily change with age but more so with my environment and also with the natural changes of my face as I age.

My current work environment is very conservative so I wear neutrals and matte colours so I don't standout. After work or on the weekends I like to play it up as I like. But I think if I was in a more liberal profession my choice of makeup would change for sure.

Lastly I think a person who has a great sense of makeup style is one who knows how to work with what they naturally have. That is to say, no matter your age if you have great skin then you can play that up. Use those highlighters and products that will show off that skin. Or if you have piercing eyes then draw attention to them. Alternatively if you have acne prone skin or smokers lines around your lip there are certain products you should stay away from. So I guess what I'm trying to say is do as you like, take care of your face and skin and there are no fast rules

 

[L281173]

I don't believe in makeup style always changing, but makeup style should reflect your every day lifestyle.

 

[lobsteriffic]

As I've gotten older I find that although I love shimmery eyeshadows, I feel foolish in glitter (I rarely reach for glitter liners anymore). I also find that I tend to steer away from the "HEY LOOK AT ME!" bright eye make-up.

 

[yummy411]

as i get older, i'm leaning toward less is more...

when i started with mac, i liked it for the artistic and creative respect in makeup.... while i'm learning to tone down my style with my fav mac products, i've learned to appreciate lines like clinique and bobbi brown for playing up our delicate, feminine features that we can sometimes hide behind to many colors and too much shimmer.

oh btw.. i'm glad you posted.. i LOVE your avatar =) i'd like to recreate that look one day!

 

[yummy411]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewickedstyle Interesting to see everyone's thoughts. Lately I have just felt the need for change. I think part of the reason for me was that people often commented on my *makeup*- "That's an interesting eyeshadow, you have shimmery makeup on today" etc.... Now that I'm more consciously going for a subtle look, I get a lot of "You look pretty" or "Your skin is so glowing today." Which seems preferable My looks tended to center around the eyes before, now I focus on very flawless, dewy skin and try to use everything else to pull it all together. I guess lately I'm just more interested in a classic look.

i agree with you. mainly because when i look in mags, i find myself gawking over how the girls look great, fresh and pretty. that's what i like about those photos. they never have on wild eye makeup, etc. they just seem to have healthy, beautiful skin.

i still like the creative and fun side of makeup, but as an everyday practical look, i'd like to look flawless, dewy, healthy, radiant... etc.

 

[vica]

i think your makeup style is just evolving cuz now you know u dont HAVE to wear all glitter all the time and you know you have options now..
ive been wearing makeup since i was 15 and my look consisted of a black smoky eye and nude lips all those high school years....(yea not appropriate for an everyday look for a sophmore in high school) after high school, i wore different bright colors so i would do my peacock looks everyday.. i used to love getting compliments on how my eye makeup looked nice and blah blah blah... im 20 now and im barely a young adult, but for some reason, i stopped wearing all the bright colors and ive been using matte, neutral colors... just stuff to compliment my eye shape and make it look like im naturally pretty and glowy.. i feel more confident on how i look without all the dark eye makeup as opposed to back in high school..
and same thing with my peers at beauty school.. i practice makeup on them all the time to perfect my techniques ... i used to do all these smoky eyes and bright colored eyes.. the eyes would look good, but most of the time it didnt compliment their skintone or style.. but now im focusing more on how to make a person just look naturally pretty ..
i used to watch alot of makeover shows and ive noticed that all the makeup artists had barely any makeup on!! you would think the opposite and they would be rockin the smoky eye but now i realized that they dont need all that makeup on to show others that they can be creative and know how to do bright eyes..i think thats why im doing more of the neutrals now..
sry bout the humongo post but i just found somethingn out about myself..lol

 

[spectrolite]

Omg some of these posts are making me feel ancient and I'm only 31. I wear all sorts of finishes and colours and I'm not afraid to be bold. I'm not at all concerned about trying to look like a "mature" woman! That is just so scary lol... You shouldnt have to give up what you like just because you are getting older or to fit in to what society says you should look like at what ever age you are at. Thats just no fun at all.

So I guess I think it should change only if you want it to change and never because someone else says or thinks you should. My makeup reflects my own personal style and that could be anything from the classic Audrey Hepburn look to brighter and more eccentric colourful looks. There is going to be no stopping me from wearing C-Shock eyeshadows with plaid pants and leopard print shoes with a lime green hat with a feather if I wanted to when I'm older lol...