by Jorunn Hernes (Norway)
As we grow older, our colours fade. Our hair turns grey, and the colour of our eyes fades a little. We don’t shed the outer layer of skin cells like we did when we were young, which results in a duller surface. The skin loses elasticity, and we get wrinkles.
All the emotions we have felt throughout our lives, the smiles and laughs, the frowns of concentration and concern, are written on our faces like autobiographies of our lives.
The cosmetics industry tells us youth is beauty. If youth is beauty, old age is character.
As a Norwegian woman, my attitude towards skincare and makeup is one of Nordic simplicity. So, if you are looking for elaborate skin care regimes and detailed makeup instructions, don’t waste time reading this article.
Regarding skin care, the number of wrinkles you get is determined more by your genetic heritage than any kind of anti-age serums you may choose to use. There’s nothing wrong with extensive use of lovely skin care if it gives you pleasure. Just don’t worry that you’re missing out on eternally youthful skin if you don’t.
I have two words about makeup as you grow older. More and Less.
MORE
More Makeup
If you have never used makeup before in your life, this is the time to begin! This is the time in your life when a little blush and lip colour will do much more for you than when you were young, and your skin did this all on its own.
More Moisture
Counteract the dulling appearance by using blush. Nothing makes your face look fresher and more radiant than the right blush …applied lightly. And as mentioned above, more moisture is key, so cream blush is great.
More Transparent
As the skin loses the youthful radiance, we should compensate by using moisturizing makeup products. A light BB cream is fabulous.
More Blush
A transparent cream blush, a moisturizing lipstick applied lightly. A transparent BB cream that blends into your skin and evens out instead of covering.
More Brows
Our eyebrows get sparser and faded as we age, so this is the time to carefully groom those lovely brows. Choose a soft brow colour and emphasize the brows, gently.
More Eyeliner
Eyeliner is my secret weapon. As eyelids droop and hooded eyes become like medieval cowls (I know because I will soon be mistaken for a Benedictine monk), applying eyeshadow becomes trickier, but a little eyeliner carefully applied just at the root of the lashes is fabulous, even in old age. Just a little eyeliner and mascara makes the eyes pop and the eyelashes look fuller, even if you skip eyeshadow.
LESS
Less Coverage
Because the skin loses moisture, it might be smart to switch from a very covering foundation and powder to a more transparent cream foundation or BB cream.
Less Opaque
Same with lips. The bold, matte, opaque lipstick is a wonderful statement look and if that is your signature, go for it! But generally, a highly moisturizing, transparent variety of the same bold colour may be even better as we age.
Less Shimmer
Eyeshadow with shimmer and glitter will emphasize wrinkles and make hooded eyes appear even more hooded, so it’s time to leave those to the young ones and opt for matte eyeshadows.
Less Black
Eyeliner is my holy grail, but instead of raven black I would go for a softer off-black, or a dark brown. Exception to this: For mascara, I would stick to black if you have always used black.
NEVER COMPROMISE ON COLOUR
Do not be persuaded or tempted to choose makeup outside of your season just because you grow old. Just because we are older, we do not turn into a different season. Every season has a wide array of choices in cosmetics. You may choose the less bold versions of makeup within your season, but never ever compromise on colour. Always use your season’s makeup, just apply it a little lighter.
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