This is a special episode of the "Fierce Aging" series, where makeup artist Nikol Johnson applies makeup to her own mother, who is 71 years old. The tutorial focuses on simple techniques and products to enhance natural beauty, especially for mature skin. It's about embracing aging with confidence and looking your best, no matter the age.
Key Takeaways
- Hydrate the skin well before applying makeup to prevent foundation from settling into fine lines.
- Brow definition is important for framing the face, especially for fair skin.
- An eye primer neutralizes the eyelid and helps eyeshadow colors appear true and last longer.
- Creamy, waterproof eyeliners are good for definition without being too harsh.
- Individual false lashes can add enhancement without feeling heavy.
- Concealer can brighten under the eyes and provide coverage without being cakey.
- Serum foundations offer hydration and a seamless finish on mature skin.
- Creamy blushes complement hydrating foundations and add a natural flush.
- Don't shy away from glosses and shimmery eyeshadows to bring light to the face.
Getting Started: Hydration and Brows
We begin with a fresh face, focusing on hydrating the skin. The Ever Youthful Quattro Serum is applied to give the skin a good drink of water, which helps the foundation sit better and not settle into any lines. It feels nice and cool on the skin.
Next, we move on to the brows. Since Nikol's mom is very fair and has thin brows, defining them is key to framing her face. Using the Anastasia Brow Pencil in taupe, wispy hair strokes are added to build up the brow shape. A spoolie is used to blend the pigment for a natural look. It's important to choose a neutral color that isn't too dark or too light for gray-haired individuals.
Eye Prep and Color
An eye and lip primer is applied to neutralize the eyelid. This is especially helpful for mature skin where veins or discoloration might be visible. The primer ensures that eyeshadow colors appear true to pan and stay put all day without creasing or sliding.
For the eyeshadow, Nikol uses her popular "Bottle Blonde" palette. While typically sticking to blues for her mom's eyes, this time she tries something a little different with a touch of sheen to keep the look natural. The lightest color is tapped onto the brow bone for a subtle highlight.
Adding Definition with Eyeliner and Mascara
To define the eyes, a chocolate brown waterproof eyeliner is used. It's applied very close to the lash line to give definition without being harsh, which is great for blue eyes. A little bit is also applied to the lower lash line for subtle enhancement.
For mascara, Chanel's Volume Mascara is used. Since Nikol's mom has very short and fine lashes, curling them isn't effective and could even cause damage. Instead, individual false lashes are applied. These are chosen because they are lightweight and help open up the eye without feeling heavy or looking unnatural. It’s noted that while individual lashes might seem daunting, practice makes perfect, and they can be a great option for special events or for those who like a little extra definition.
Complexion and Cheeks
After applying the eye makeup, any fallout is cleaned up. A light concealer is used under the eyes to brighten and provide coverage. This concealer is hydrating and acts almost like a tinted moisturizer, so it doesn't feel heavy on the skin.
For foundation, the La Mer SPF 20 serum foundation in shade number 11 is used. This foundation is chosen for its hydrating properties and seamless finish, which doesn't sit on top of the skin. It's worked into the skin to warm it up without making it too light or too dark. The foundation feels very light and comfortable.
A creamy blush in "Palm Beach" is applied to add a natural flush to the cheeks. This complements the hydrating foundation and gives the skin a nice glow without covering it up. The color is sheer and not too pink or too nude.
Lips and Final Touches
For the lips, an "Organza" lip liner is used to define the natural lip line. The liner is smudged down slightly to avoid a harsh line. A Chanel lip gloss in shade 119 is then applied over the liner for a pretty, glossy finish.
The Reveal and Mother's Thoughts
When shown the final look, Nikol's mom expresses that it's very soft and she likes it. She notes that while the individual lashes are a personal preference, the rest of the makeup is pretty and soft. She also mentions that in her 70s, she often feels like her face looks "beige" and lacks color, and that making the eyes pop is important. She admits she's been using the same matte eyeshadow for two years and that it's time for a change, especially since matte shadows don't add much to her fair skin. She agrees that the primer is important and that trying new products like the gloss and shimmery shadow is a good idea.
Nikol emphasizes that it's important to bring light to the face and not dull everything out, even in your 70s. Trying new products and techniques, like the serum foundation and creamy blush, can make a big difference. The tutorial concludes with a reminder to embrace aging fiercely and confidently.
