Looking Good Your Fifties

Have you found your tried and true beauty routine doesn't quite cut it anymore?  You may just need a new approach, even if your instinct may be to use more of everything.  Here's a list of things you can try to achieve the characteristics of a younger looking face:

• EYEBROWS - Your eyebrows may have gotten thinner, because all hair thins with age and the brow itself may also sit lower on your face because of the loss of collagen and elastin, which causes sagging.  A well groomed brow is even more essential as we age. 

Fill in gaps using feathery strokes with a pencil that's a shade lighter than your brows.  I also like to use a brow kit in a powder form that most cosmetic companies offer.  You can also use a taupe colored eyeshadow and a stiff eye brush to fill in your brows.  To further lift the eyes, experts recommend defining the along the top part of the brow, starting a bit in from the inner edge and concentrating on the peak or outer arch.  You can soften any lines with a cotton swab - so you don't look too Joan Crawfordish.

• EYES / UPPER LIDS - Don't be surprised if your eyes remain puffy way after you've woken up.  Side effects of aging is to blame, everything from decreased circulation to loss of elasticity. 

Always remember that light-colored shadows attract light and dark-colored shadows absorb light so that should be easy for you to make the right color choices.  Beige or pinky shadows on the lid attract attention there, helping to brighten your eyes.  A dark shade of brown or gray, along the bone of your crease will help firm up a saggy lid - it's like wearing black when you want to look thinner!

Line and define your upper lash line with a richly colored line, not too thick as a thick line may close up the eyes.  Black may be a little harsh, try a charcoal or brown color and don't line underneath your eyes as it may make you look tired.

• UNDER EYES - Dark circles under eyes get darker with age and are so annoying!  This happens because the thinning of that part of the skin brings veins closer to the surface and the fat pads that sit below the eyes start to diminish.    All this causes shadows to reflect off the hollows, darkening that area.

Concealer applied from the inner corner to mid-pupil brightens up the eye amazingly.  Try 3 dots right near your tear duct and blend with your ring finger (less pressure than other fingers) or you can use a (semi-stiff) brushto blend in.  Add more if necessary, try not to cake it on and avoid the outer corner of the eyes, you don't want to attract attention to crows feet (the lines near your outer corner of the eyes).

• LASHES - They get skimpy and wimpy. 

Use an eyelash curler for a lift and primer to thicken before applying a good mascara.

• SKIN - You will notice wrinkles around your eyes, forehead and around the mouth and your skin is probably drier now because of reduced oil production and hormonal fluctuations.  Plus years of sun exposure has damaged the skin cells that produce melanin which may result in uneven pigmentation and age spots.  A slow-down in cell turnover leaves your skin with dead skin cells, duller, rougher texture.  Exfoliation is key, you can use a mild cleanser with a buff puff or mix a little baking soda and water to create your own natural exfoliator.  There are also some good over the counter ones too, but be careful and avoid the eye area as those little microbeads do sting when they get into the eyes!  Follow with a rich, anti-oxidant age defying moisturizer and you should be good.  And don't forget, whatever you do to your face, don't forget the neck and decolletage area.

Mature skin has a rougher texture and does not hold on to color for long, making primer a makeup essential.  When these primers first came out, I thought it was another gimmick for cosmetic companies to make more money.  But now I am convinced, they not only create a smooth surface that color can adhere to, but their light reflecting particles instantly wake up a wan complexion. 

Piling on a heavy layer of foundation or powder will only make lines and wrinkles stand out more.  Instead use a  synthetic-bristle brush or sponge to concentrate coverage around key areas, such as your nose, forehead and chin.  This will give you a more natural effect than slathering a thick coating over your entire face.

• JAWLINE/NECK/CHEEKS - With the loss of collagen and elastin, gravity sets in and contributes to the loss of definition along the contours of the face.

Cheek color is so essential that it calls for 2 steps.  Start with a cream blush in a shade that matches your skin's natural flush, in a creamy texture that is ideal for older, drier skin.  Blend it with your fingers keeping the color just on the apples of the cheeks.  Next is powder blush and you should go for a shade that's brighter than you usually wear for that extra pop of color that mature skin needs.  Sweep it over the cream blush, (with a brush this time) makes the look last for hours.

Makeup artists love contouring since it brings back the definition that makes you look polished and put together.  It is very easy to do, just take a darker foundation or powder and rub it along your neck and right underneath your jaw.  The goal is to have the color emulate the natural shadow that's already there.

• LIPS - The lip line loses definition and natural fullness due to sun damage and loss of elasticity.

Lip liner is always a star player, try to avoid "ring around the lip" by using a lip pencil in a sheer, glossy texture and the result should be subtle and modern.  Beige and brown lipsticks may  look more natural, but it's brighter shades like cranberry and cherry really compliment fading skin tones.  Go for the sheerest texture you can find.