Make up tips for over 50...?

I'm no make-up expert but I found that as I've aged I've needed to go lighter.

I also have to use prescription eye drops now twice a day. So, I quit wearing any mascara or eyeliner. Now it's just a little charcoal gray eyebrow pencil, lip gloss and a little blush.

So far I haven't noticed anyone fainting or gagging when I walk by. I make do with almost no make-up and a great haircut every other month. A $12 cut at Great Clips is affordable.

In my case, I still have combination skin at 60, so you have to keep in mind what is right for you and not what everyone else recommends. You can tell if you have dry skin or breakouts, etc. I use inexpensive makeup sparingly-just a light moisturizer with sunscreen, a little bronze to give a more youthful, sun kissed effect here and there, a bit of blush, a little mascara, natural tone lipstick or lip balm and a light touch of eyebrow pencil to even out the natural brow line. Use color that looks great on you, just a little lighter than when you were younger.

Don't spend a lot of time, energy or money on make up. Glow from within with a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables and spend some time outdoors every day for a natural healthy glow.

I had the opportunity to work with a make-up man who worked at NBC and at one time was Henry Fonda's personal make-up man. One thing he taught me is that with age,less is better. There are some schools that teach cosmetology and they will apply the make-up that is best for you now. There is no charge and it helps to get some ideas. Regarding the actual make-up,keep your eyes open for sales of good products,but some of the less expensive products are good too. You can get by with a light foundation,very carefully applied eyebrows and just a little eyeliner. Mascara should probably be saved for special occasions because it can create a garish look you don't want. Go really easy on blush because too much starts to look like you're just trying too hard. The most important part is your inner beauty and your attitude. My sister had a bout of Bell's Palsy and I can empathize with the situation. Just take your time especially when you're doing your eyes.

I believe, that 'less is more' as I've gotten older. No longer can I wear deep dark

lipstick or eye shadow. In fact, I've stopped using it and eye liner, which can

look hard, if it's too dark. I use just a bit of mascara on the ends of my lashes

now. And I use a peach shade of blush, on my cheek bones, and I wear a light

brown brow pencil to fill in my blonde brows. My lipsticks are all in mauve shades.

It seems to be more natural for my skin color and age, and yet not so light as

a pink or peach shade, or a gloss. I use a heavy facial cream to moisturize,

and I never use soap on my face. I know it dries out my skin, and would age it,

if I used it. I look younger than my years due to taking care of my skin, just as

my mother did. She also showed me facial exercises to keep my face flexible.

So as far as makeup, use very little, and only when you go out, you may find

you look years younger, by wearing less.

I think this is a fun, question, thank you GrannyBee!

I am 53 years old, so we are close in age. I've made a few adjustments as my skin and face have changed over the years. I'm finding that sheer, blended, and matte are my friends...:0

I have not used liquid eyeliner in years. Unless I'm on stage or under bright lights for a camera, liquid eyeliner is just too harsh for my face. I use the CoverGirl Perfect Blend pencils. It is easy to apply, has a sponge tip for blending, and I can make the lines thin or wide, well blended or softly blended depending on the occasion. These liners are soft and water-resistant. I use either the smokey taupe or charcoal; black is too harsh.

CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eyeliner pencil

http://www.covergirl.com/perfectblendeyeliner

Added in Edit: DaisyMae's suggestion to use eyeshadow as liner is great. I have a small, angled brush that I use to apply eyeshadow as an eyeliner. It works great, leaves a thin line, and the shadow is easy to blend. Using the thin angled brush makes it easy to apply.

This is what the brush looks like:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_013600450...

Sorry to read that you've had Bell's Palsy. I think it is more common that we might think.

You could try using a cool compress prior to applying your make-up. Cucumber slices work well, but I use green tea bags. Soak the teabag in water and keep it in the refrigerator to chill. Apply the moist teabag for about 10 minutes before putting on your make-up. Aveeno and several other lines also make a product that you roll on prior to putting on make-up; these products are made to reduce bags and dark circles. I've used them a few times but the teabags work just as well.

Be careful about using a lighter color under your eyes; it will make the bags more noticeable. If you use anything, make sure is sheer and close to your skin color. I use a tinted moisurizer under my eyes (and sometimes over my entire face and neck), Applying a heavy concealer or foundation only makes my flaws stand out more. The other trick is to do a nice, matte, blended shadow and liner on your eyes, which will distract from the pooch under your eye.

Neutrogena Health Skin Enhancer Moisurizer SPF 20

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neutrogena-health...

I avoid "pearl" or sparkle make-up now. Sheer, matte finishes are far kinder to my skin. The only time I use a bit of sparkle is under my eyebrow, in a pale color, when I'm going out at night.

I also prefer tinted lip glosses and balms to lipstick. The heavier lipsticks look to harsh on me in daylight.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

http://www.covergirl.com/natureluxeglossbalm

Hope you will experiment a bit, and have some fun doing it!

I used to wear a ton of make up and now I'm happy to not have to put all that crap on anymore. I use a light foundation applied with a make up sponge, just to even out the tone and then I brush on a little bronze powder up near my hairline, a little on my nose and chin and neck for a healthy glow and a light dusting of blush on the apples of my cheeks (Settle down Spike.)

I use a pinkish shade of lipstick, and for my eyes, just a little pencil liner just above the lashes and a little grey or brown shadow beneath the eye, a light tan on my upper lid and mascara, then a light color brow pencil. Make it simple, light and fast as possible. Less is definitely more as we age. I've seem too many women who try to cover instead of enhance and it just looks awful.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice. My mom wouldn't let me wear make up. Funny thing is, she was an Avon lady. She couldn't or wouldn't show me how to use it. I didn't start wearing lipstick til I was like 24 years old. I wasn't allowed to wear makeup so never got to experiment. I feel as though I have been left out of it in terms of girly things. Sorry, I'm ranting here.

I tried wearing makeup a few times and feel weird with it on, so I just do my eyebrows in a soft brown (I have little natural eyebrows left) and I wear lipstick whenver i go out of the house.

Since I had a reddish/brown look I was using a light brown/red color eyeliner and I have to buy the soft tip ones, because I notice that it hurt when I use the hard tips..so I buy the Revlon's for that, and then I buy the Cover Girl with Oil of Olay in it for the foundation..and notice I have to buy a bit lighter shade..I can find my makeup for under10 bucks at Walmart..I think most of us have to got lighter in colors as we get older unless they are out in the sun all day and everyday..And use lots of moisturizers too..but most of these days I don't wear makeup..=)

Less is more- I am 61 and buy inexpensive make-up. I use a liquid make-up base to even out my skin tones. Match your neck shade. I use a roller anti-puff clear gel under my eyes. I then put on thin eyeliner pencil under my eyes ( dark taupe or lavender ). I use a light taupe powder on the lids. No mascara except for special occasions. I finish with a medium shade lipstick. Do not try to match your clothes with lipstick. This routine takes me 2-3 min. and costs next to nothing. Many people can't guess my age. I hope this helps.

You seem to be using the right colors (ie charcoal brown). I use a matte eyeshadow (gray, dark brown) for my eyebrows and my eyelids. You can use a very dark smoke eyeshadow as an eyeliner rather than a pencil. It should blend pretty nicely for both eyes.