Makeup Mistakes To Avoid Over 60
What makeup mistakes should I avoid after 60? It’s a question I wish I’d asked myself a little bit sooner. There was a time when I could throw on a little foundation, swipe on some mascara, and dab on a hint of pink on my cheeks, and it just worked. No special brushes, no blending tricks, and certainly no YouTube tutorials. Even with minimal effort, everything came together.
Now? Not so much.
These days, the same routine often leaves me looking more tired than I feel. Products settle where I don’t want them to, the finish feels off, and what once felt easy now takes a little more thought.
Of course, not every woman likes wearing makeup, and that’s perfectly fine. But for those of us who do enjoy it (I still find the ritual oddly comforting), it’s worth making a few simple updates so our makeup feels like it’s enhancing who we are now, not clinging to who we were twenty years ago.
So today I’m sharing a few makeup mistakes to avoid over 60 and the small changes that have helped me look (and feel) a little more like myself in the mirror.
BTW.. I decided I liked the above makeup look so much that I reordered the Liquid Eye Tint, which I’d used up.
Small Makeup Habits That May Be Aging You
Wearing Foundation That’s Too Heavy
Full-coverage foundation might seem like the obvious choice for uneven skin tone, but heavier formulas can actually draw attention to fine lines and dry patches. Instead of smoothing things out, they can sit on top of the skin and make it look dull or cakey.
A better option is a lightweight foundation, a tinted spf, or a skin tint (my favorite is the Ilia one!) You can find all of my favorites in this post: Best Foundations for Women Over 60. These even things out without masking your skin. Look for formulas with a natural or radiant finish to give your skin some life. You can always build up coverage in areas where you need it, but less is often more.
Overdoing Concealer Under the Eyes
We all want to cover dark circles, but too much concealer can settle into lines and actually make the under-eye area look more tired. It’s tempting to keep adding more when you see darkness, but that usually backfires.
Use a lightweight concealer and apply only where you really need it. A tiny amount can go a long way. And make sure you prep the area with a bit of eye cream first so the concealer has something to glide over.
Using Too Much Powder
Powder can help set your makeup, but as we age, it’s easy to overdo it. It can cling to dry spots and highlight texture. I try to avoid powdering my whole face and instead, just target areas that look too shiny from my sunscreen, like my T-zone.
If you do use powder, choose a finely milled translucent one and apply it sparingly with a fluffy brush. I like this Bye Bye Pores in a compact.
If your skin is very dry, you may prefer using a setting spray instead to keep everything in place without looking dull.
Neglecting Your Brows
Brows thin out with age, and that loss of structure can make the face appear less defined. Filling in your brows makes a bigger difference than most people realize. It helps lift the face and draws attention back to your eyes.
Use a brow pencil or tinted gel to softly fill in sparse areas. You can find exactly how to do your brows and my favorite products I use in this post: How to Do Your Eyebrows As You Age. Go for a shade that complements your hair color without being too dark. For many women, taupe or gray-brown shades look the most natural.
Wearing Harsh Eyeliner
Heavy black eyeliner can look harsh on mature eyes. It can make your eyes appear smaller and draw attention to crow’s feet or sagging lids. If you’ve always worn a strong line along the top and bottom, consider softening it.
BLACK IS HARSH, THIS IS A PALE, SOFT GRAY.
Try a deep brown, slate, or plum liner instead. Apply it just along the upper lash line and blend it out slightly for a softer look. You can also use a bit of shadow to smudge the line. It gives a definition without looking too severe.
Skipping Blush
Blush is one of the easiest ways to add life back to your face. As we get older, our skin can start to look a little dull or washed out. Skipping blush can leave you looking tired or flat, especially if you’re wearing foundation.
A cream blush works beautifully on mature skin. It blends in seamlessly and gives a natural flush. If you’re unsure about where to place blush or how to blend it so it looks natural, I wrote a post all about applying cream blush on aging skin. You can read it here.
Choosing The Wrong Lip Color
Dark, matte lipsticks can make lips look thinner and drier. They also tend to settle into fine lines. While bold lips can be beautiful, certain formulas and shades can age the face without meaning to. I’ve been going through my collection lately to weed out the deeper ones that are starting to look harsh..which makes my lips look thinner too.
Consider switching to a hydrating formula in a softer shade. Mid-tone pinks, corals, or rose tones are often more flattering. Adding a touch of gloss or using a creamy finish can make your lips look fuller and fresher. You may also enjoy reading about a few of my favorite lipsticks for women over 50.
Skipping Lip Liner or Using Too Much
A well-placed liner gives your lips soft structure, but too much looks dated. Lip liner can help define the shape of your lips and keep lipstick from feathering, but a harsh outline (especially in a shade darker than your lipstick) tends to feel heavy and outdated.
Choose a lip liner that matches your lipstick or your natural lip color. Use it to softly define your lips and prevent feathering. You can also fill in your lips entirely with the liner for a longer-lasting base.
Why This Matters
Most of us learned how to wear makeup in our teens or twenties and just kept doing it. But the face we have at 60 isn’t the same one we had at 30. When our makeup doesn’t evolve with us, it can quietly work against us, even when we think we’re doing everything “right.”
Lately, I’ve noticed the skin around my eyes looks drier than it used to, and eyeshadow doesn’t blend the way it once did. So I’ve started using less and am experimenting with creamier formulas.
These aren’t big changes, but they can make a meaningful difference. It’s not about looking younger—it’s about feeling more aligned with the face we see in the mirror.
Applying This to Your Routine
You don’t need to toss everything in your makeup drawer and start over. Just notice what’s no longer working and try one small change at a time. Maybe it’s softening your eyeliner. Or switching to cream blush. Or skipping powder altogether.
Makeup can still be fun and feel like a little part of your morning that’s just for you. And when it starts working with your face instead of against it, the whole process gets a lot more enjoyable.
Have you made any changes to your makeup lately that felt like a win? Or is there a product you’ve used forever that still earns its place every day? I’d love to know what’s working for you now.
Thank you- some great product ideas to try! I was a fashionista in school, and then for many years at home with kids and on a low budget I had minimal attention to give to hair, makeup, or clothes. Going into my 50s I started exploring those areas again, and things have changed so much, both in myself and in the style world. I was a Jersey mall chick and then a semi-punk college girl in all black; I wore so much makeup, and tons of black eyeliner. The slightest sign of oil was taboo and we powdered everything- it’s been hard to get used to the idea that skin should look moist or “dewy.”
Right now for an ordinary work day I even out my skin with light foundation, put on some gel blush and lip gloss, and fill in my eyebrows. For occasions I use mascara and some lighter liner in grey or brown. Haven’t experimented with eye shadow yet, but I’m sure it will be very different from the layers of smoky, sparkly pastels of 40 years ago! To each her own, but I feel more alert and cheerful than I did in my no-makeup years.
I have tried some of these more expensive products, but for those on a really strict budget try ELF products. They are very conscious of natural ingredients and are so inexpensive. The brushes are fantastic. They do cater to the younger generation somewhat, but the basics are there. I do like the Whoa Glow which gives you a slight “glow” but is also a primer that covers large pores and smoothes out the complexion. I often mix this with a little foundation for a really light, bright look.
I’ve tried a few of their products too and they’re great. Especially the primer.
Thanks for the great tips and suggestions. I’m using mostly Jones Road now. Base, miracle Baum on cheek bones and mascara. I bought mini miracle baum set to experiment with the colors. Any advice for hooded eyes? Mine are almost completely hooded now. I wear glasses all the time so wear just mascara and eye liner pencil in black, smudged to be more smoky and less harsh. Maybe just the Ilia eye liner in a fun color?
Thank you, Jennifer, for these great tips! I’ve been following you for a couple months now and look forward to your posts. Your beautiful attitude toward aging as it relates to our personal style is so encouraging and inspiring!
One question: do you have a suggestion for a product that would cover sun damage spots on the cheekbone area, particularly something that won’t cake (but also won’t melt away) on my maturing skin? I have two fairly large spots on one side, probably 1/4-1/2” each, and I try to cover them with a little of my under-eye concealer but it doesn’t really help much. I’ve taken your advice about using a lighter hand with makeup – cream blush instead of powder, softer lipsticks, etc. – and it’s such an improvement, but I haven’t gone lighter on foundation because of this skin damage that I’m self-conscious about. Any suggestions?
Dermablend is a better consistency for some like that. If they’re brown, you could also ask your derm for some hydroquinone to help fade them. If they’re red, there are vascular lasers they can zap them with. Reg concealer isnt great at sun damage spots. You could also try layering concealer then powder, before adding foundation over it.
Thank you so much for these suggestions!
Jennifer, you have an uncanny ability to do a post just when I need it! I have been thinking hard about how to update my makeup – it is indeed looking tired. So many great options and application tips for foundation, brows, and lips, where I need a change. I haven’t worn blush for years. I am going to check out your post on that. And I LOVE that labradorite necklace and pendant!!
I’ve lightened up too. I love Saie slip tint but it can look a bit too “gleamy” (if that’s even a word!) powder makes my skin look and feel too matte so I use blotting tissues on my cheeks. I’m trying out Laura Mercier real flawless perfecting pressed powder in translucent. So far Ive only used on my nose and I love it. Just a slight sheen so it isn’t dulling.
The best thing I started using is concealer brush. I quit applying it all the way to the outer eye, just from inner to about mid way, then blending, blending. These two brushes are great….sephora concealer 02 brush ( fuller brush, soft, I use for blending) and Sephora pro concealer 45, use to apply under eye or dab around nose)
Thx for your tips. As always, spot on!
Your advice for the concealer application is perfect. When I remember to use one it goes on so much better! Note to self, put that brush front and center.
At 80, less is more for sure. I ordered the Ilia stick blush in the Neutral shade. I have Merit in Cheeky and it has been great on winter skin. I’m getting a little warm color on my skin now from our mile morning dog walks even though I wear a fedora hat.
I really appreciate the timing of this post, Jennifer. It’s past time for me to get a different concealer. I have dark purple “bruises” along the edges of my eye sockets that have been there since getting hit in the face with a softball during a high school gym class decades ago. I have used Dermablend to hide them ever since but the color I’ve used isn’t a good match any longer. So it’s time for a trip to Sephora to find a replacement. While I’m there I’ll look into what they have for rouge, lipstick and lip liners, with your recommendations in mind.
Ouch!! Did you check with your derm about a laser to remove those purple marks? I wonder if there is such a thing now.