To transform an over-40 makeup routine, Nikol prepped skin with a light serum and primer, neutralized eyelid pigmentation before eyeshadow, built a soft eye with a 3-well palette, lined with a soft waterproof pencil, used a volumizing mascara, color-corrected dark and red areas before a light concealer, and finished with a lightweight serum foundation, prepped lips, and blush and bronzer.
Key takeaways
- Prep skin with a light serum and a smoothing primer so foundation doesn't grab dry patches or move throughout the day.
- Color-correct eyelid discoloration before eyeshadow so your eyeshadow shades show their true color instead of looking muddy.
- Use a dense smudge brush, not a fluffy one, when you want buildable, defined crease color.
- A soft, rounded waterproof eyeliner pencil needs light pressure and quick smudging before it sets.
- Color-correcting pigmentation and redness first can mean you need less concealer overall.
- A lightweight serum foundation applied with a few drops can give coverage without feeling heavy on mature skin.
Nikol's step-by-step routine
- Prep skin with a lightweight hydrating serum and smooth on Fiercely Smooth Face Primer.
- Neutralize eyelid discoloration with Eye Primer before adding any eyeshadow color.
- Apply a sheen mid-tone shade from the Sweet Carol 3-Well Eye Shadow Palette across the lid.
- Add the matte shade to the brow bone, then build matte color in the crease using a short, dense smudge brush.
- Line eyes with a plum WaterProof Eyeliner Pencil, sharpened with the Pencil Sharpener, and smudge quickly before it sets.
- Curl lashes and apply Volume UP Mascara, black on top lashes and brown underneath.
- Color-correct dark pigmentation with Just Peachy Color Corrector and redness with No Redness Color Corrector, blending with the Concealer Brush.
- Buff in Serum Foundation using a few drops, applied with fingers or the Foundation Buffing Brush.
- Prep lips with Rose Lip Balm, outline with Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner, then apply Aperitif Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick layered with Actually, I Can Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick.
- Finish with In Full Bloom Blush Palette and Crème Brûlée bronzer, buffed with the Foundation Buffing Brush.
What skin prep mistakes should you avoid after 40?
Nikol pointed out common issues for mature skin: too much foundation, harsh blending, prepping skin incorrectly, emphasizing texture instead of softening it, and applying products in the wrong order.
Her fix was simple: cleanse, apply a light hydrating serum, then smooth on Fiercely Smooth Face Primer with one pump worked in with a finger. The goal is skin that feels hydrated and set, not overloaded, before any color goes on.
How do you neutralize dark or discolored eyelids before eyeshadow?
Before adding any eyeshadow color, Nikol pats Eye Primer onto the lid using a concealer brush, starting in the middle and spreading up to the brow bone and into the inner corner.
This step neutralizes the natural pigmentation and discoloration on the eyelid so your eyeshadow shade shows its true color instead of looking muddy or making you look tired.
How do you build a soft eye look with a 3-well palette?
Nikol ran through several palette options depending on preference: Strong Brew 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette for all-matte neutrals, The Cabana 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette for the lightest sheen, Rewrite The Rules 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette for cool matte grays, Fresh Beauty 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette and Naughty Nancy 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette for all-sheen looks, and the hybrid Sweet Carol 3-Well Eye Shadow Palette.
She chose Sweet Carol 3-Well Eye Shadow Palette: a sheen mid-tone wash across the lid, the matte shade lightly on the brow bone, then a dense, short smudge brush to build the darkest matte shade in the crease. She noted this brush is dense so it picks up more pigment, while fluffy brushes stay looser and give less definition.
How do you line eyes without harsh dragging or smudging?
For liner, Nikol used a plum shade from the WaterProof Eyeliner Pencils, sharpened with the Pencil Sharpener by turning it until it clicks and emptying the shavings each time.
Because the tip is soft and rounded rather than pointed, she applies with light pressure to avoid pulling the skin, then smudges quickly with a brush before the waterproof formula sets. She noted this formula holds up well for those with dry or watery eyes.
Which mascara formula works for fine or sparse lashes?
Nikol applies Volume UP Mascara starting at the base of the lashes with an hourglass-shaped wand designed to grip fine, sparse lashes and build a natural, fringe-like look without clumping.
She used black on top lashes for an evening look and brown underneath, noting the brown shade gives definition to sparse bottom lashes without looking too heavy, and can be a softer option for anyone who finds black too harsh.
How do you color-correct uneven tone before concealer?
Nikol used Just Peachy Color Corrector on areas of pigmentation and darkness, applying it on an angle at the inner corner and under the eye with a concealer brush, then working it upward and outward.
For redness around the nose, she used No Redness Color Corrector, a green-toned corrector that cancels out red tones on the color wheel. She explained that correcting color first can mean you need less concealer overall, so your skin stays bright instead of looking muddied from layering too much product.
How do you finish with a lightweight foundation, lips, and blush?
After shaking the bottle, Nikol applied a few drops of Serum Foundation with her fingers for a light, melt-into-skin finish rather than a heavy, cakey one.
For lips, she prepped with Rose Lip Balm, outlined with Crystal Clear Invisible Water-Proof Lip Liner to prevent feathering, then applied Aperitif Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick layered with Actually, I Can Shiny Velvet Cream Lipstick for a custom color.
To finish, she added In Full Bloom Blush Palette and Crème Brûlée bronzer, buffing both in with the Foundation Buffing Brush for a soft contour and glow.
Shop the look
Nikol uses Fiercely Smooth Face Primer, Eye Primer, Sweet Carol 3-Well Eye Shadow Palette, Strong Brew 3-Well Eyeshadow Palette. Explore the face collection for more of the pro-aging makeup she created for women over 40.
Frequently asked questions
What order should you apply makeup for mature skin?
Nikol prepped skin, color-corrected and primed eyes, applied eyeshadow and liner, did mascara, then color-corrected the face, applied foundation, and finished with lips, blush, and bronzer.
Why use a color corrector before concealer?
Neutralizing dark or red areas first can mean you need less concealer, so your skin looks bright instead of layered and muddied.
What brush gives the most definition in the eyeshadow crease?
Nikol used a short, dense smudge brush rather than a fluffy one, since dense brushes pick up more pigment for a defined look.
How much serum foundation should you use?
Nikol used just a few drops for a light, melt-in finish rather than heavy coverage.
Should an eyeliner pencil be sharpened to a sharp point?
No, the WaterProof Eyeliner Pencils are designed with a soft, rounded tip, and the Pencil Sharpener is meant to round it off, not create a hard point.
