Age no bar

Manpriya Singh

The fountain of youth, promising the legendary sips of anti-ageing potion does not exist…except in Photoshop! As for the reality, it stings with injections (read botox) and anti-ageing skin solutions. A little sweep of brush could be the closest things could get to a magic wand. Make up for aged skin? Resorted to? Always! Admitted? Never!

Hit formula

It begins with fine lines appearing on the visage and challenge could keep growing each passing day. The rules you flouted in the twenties, swore by in the thirties, no longer apply. And it might be weeks before you chance upon the Holy Grail formulas riddling the cosmetic industry by the billion (dollars too!).

Intense hydration

As the biological clock ticks, women approach menopause, estrogen level dip…all the changes make skin drier and thinner.

Apart from liquid make-up formulas, it helps to use products promising intense hydration. Replace the regular moisturisers with hydrating serums that plump up cells by locking in moisture. The facial skin appears fuller and hydrated just as things were back in college.

Minimise fine lines

The telltale warning signs come calling much before the actual calamity. As the skin ages, the fine lines make the unwelcome presence around the eyes, laugh lines and forehead.

Does it sound oft repeated statement, ‘When I put foundation, the fine lines appear more pronounced.’ Shares Tanvi KG, from I Style Makeovers, “A lot of women have this misconception that with age they need more foundation. On the contrary, one ought to put the least amount of foundation, covering only dark spots and other areas that need concealing.” She adds, “The powdered products should give way to liquid foundation, eye shadows and blushers. With age one loses estrogen and collagen, resulting in drier skin. Hence the need to switch to liquid formulas.” Alongside, a good primer will definitely prevent foundation from settling into the fine lines.

Full brow

Full, well-defined yet thick brows immediately take off at least five years from the face. Notice carefully and most women in the advanced age have thinner brows and sparse hair. While not plucking them incredibly thin will help, powder fill-ins done very gently (with a fine brush) can not only cover bald spots but also lend the illusion of thicker and fuller brows.

Right colours

As the years go by, the skin either becomes darker or a few shades paler. Not only losing the youthful sheen, but the little colour too. The right colour and combination of foundation, concealer and or corrector (with little shimmer) can add the warmth and glow to the face.

Fuller lips

Unless you are resorting to lip fillers, fuller plumper lips are more of twenties thing than anything else. With the breakdown of collagen over the years, lips tend to shrink, get drier and thinner. A little bit of gloss can go a long way. Adds Tanvi, “A lot of women tend to line their lips a little above the lip-line, which can look hideous. For the pouty look, one can add gloss and use colours that have a little bit of shimmer in them. Matte and darker shades tend to make lips look thinner. As a general rule, prefer products with luster and shimmer to them.” Make-up, just like life, need not be dull, especially in the advanced years!

manpriya@tribunemail.com