Mature Skin

Oh the joys of getting older...

I see a lot of women struggle with their makeup routines as they get older. 

Many have stuck with the same routine from their teens and early twenties. 

While it may seem harmless, not updating your makeup look, you could be aging yourself even more! 

So how can you look your best with each passing decade? 

Love your skin, and update your makeup routine to fit your lifestyle.

So let's recap with some Do's and Don'ts for mature skin makeup...

*photo by Clayton Hauck, h/mu: Jen Brown

DO...

Use hydrating products. 

One of the downsides of aging skin is a lack of moisture. It's very important to always moisturize before makeup and to use lightweight, hydrating products. These products won't settle into any fine lines and will help to keep skin bright and luminous.

Foundation: Try any of these beautiful foundations...

Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation: 

Light to medium Coverage

*photo c/o makeupforever.com

This very light weight, hydrating, water based foundation is perfect for very light coverage to medium coverage. Built to layer on the skin, this has a satin, natural finish-- creating the look of dewey, healthy skin.

$43

Makeup Forever Liquid Lift Foundation: 

Fuller more Medium Coverage

*photo c/o makeupforever.com

An oil free makeup that "lifts" the skin and fills fine lines. It has a fuller more medium coverage.

$44

Cream Blush: I always opt for a cream blush on my clients- it's a soft/natural wash of color and again, the creamy texture won't settle into any fine lines and help to keep a glowy, youthful effect.

Tarte Cheek Stain: 

*Photo c/o tartecosmetics.com

Super easy application of this sheer based cheek color that lasts for up to 12 hours. 

It has a natural looking tint that brightens. Apply directly from tube onto the apples of the cheeks and use your fingers to tap it up to the cheekbones. This can be  used on the lips too!  *

$30

Concealer: Choose a hydrating, light weight concealer like...

Eve Pearl Pearlfx Liquid Salmon Concealer and Eye Brightener: 

*photo c/o evepearl.com

Lightweight liquid concealer that covers the toughest dark circles.

This concealer is layer-able and sheer enough not to sink into fine lines. With a built in brush you can target those troublesome areas easily.

$40

DON'T...

OVER powder! 
Many older women get freaked out if I pull out a loose powder to set their makeup. They truly believe that no powder should be used...
And while yes, powder can settle into fine lines, it really depends on the type of powder and how much you're using. That's why I always tell my mature women clients to stay away from powder foundations (the lack of moisture in the skin leaves the foundation sitting on top, making it look chalky and obvious).

Powder: Avoid emphasizing what you're trying to tone down by using a finely milled loose powder like...

Shiseido Translucent Loose Powder:

*photo c/o shiseido.com

This invisible powder melts into skin and compliments every skin tone.

Apply lightly with a fluffy brush to areas that need setting (usually the T-zone and a little under the eyes).

DON'T ...

Be afraid of color! 

As we get older we lose a lot of color in our cheeks and lips.


The best way to add that youthful appearance back is to incorporate color into your makeup routine. Use a lip tint, and don't forget to add blush to those cheeks! And just because you're over 50 doesn't mean you have to own a neutral eye palette! You can still pull off greens, and golds, and violets if you want.

I love this look on a Mother of the Bride I had a few years back. We incorporated golds and deep purples on her eyes with a pop of lip color! 

Some things to keep in mind... 

*When playing with color...

 Remember to keep a balance. Color can be tricky at any age! So really pay attention to what speaks to you-- trust me, you know more than you think! Go with your gut on this and have fun with it! The more you play, the more you learn! 

*When playing with metallics... 

Try to keep shiny, shimmer, and metallic shades away from crepe-y or wrinkled areas of the eyes/skin. The bright texture will only call attention to them. Try to pick an area of the eye where skin is taught. 

*When lining your eyes... 

Focus on softening the liner as you get older. Use less harsh blacks and move into navy's, grey's or brown's. 

A great tip is to use a pencil or gel and top with a shadow to soften any harsh lines. As we get older, our features tend to soften, and with that, so must our makeup. 

I hope this post was helpful for you! If you have some favorite tips, or additional questions, please feel free to share in the comments section!

In the meantime, take the time to love the skin you're in and work with your best features!

Product Rave

Hi everyone...

So I thought I'd take this time to share with you some new products that I love! 

Let's jump into it... 

IT Cosmetics

I hadn't heard of this brand until one of the brand marketers sat in my makeup chair. She raved about the products and how they are all she uses now. She also gave me a brief history about the baby company! After our appointment, she kindly asked for my address to send over some product, and let me tell you.. she sent me some PRODUCT! 

She sent me a giant box of pretty much every product they carry! This happened back in May I believe, but it's taken quite a bit of time for me to finally get through the majority of their products! 

And I have to admit, they are quite nice. Here are a few that I now can't live without...

Feel the Moment:

Anti-Aging Ultra hydrating sensory Awakening Primer Serum

I have quickly fallen in love with this stuff. It's like magic! A beautiful lightweight serum that absorbs into your skin-- I love to use this as a primer, especially on dehydrated skin. Sometimes I'll just tap it on to dry patches or under the eyes if it's a little dry. It helps your makeup to glide on seamlessly, and it feels amazing. 

CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation with SPF 50

I am not a big foundation wearer. I generally spot conceal where needed and move along! But after trying this beautiful foundation, I am sold. It is incredibly light, sheer, and yet has great coverage! I love the way it feels on my skin. The best way to apply this is using one of IT Cosmetics' signature brushes... 

Dual Airbrush Foundation Concealer Brush

This is my weapon of choice! All of IT Cosmetics' brushes have received rave reviews from beauty experts and celebs, but this one is so handy! I tap the large foundation brush into the CC+Veil foundation and gently buff it onto my skin. It is a flawless application. After foundation, just flip the brush and use the concealer end to softly buff away any additional imperfections. 

No Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

all images C/O ITCosmetics.com

I can't stop using these pencils! They glide on so easily-preventing any discomfort or pulling. The color is phenomenal, and the best part is-- they do not move! This waterproof, no travel pencil is perfect for a full day wear, and great for events. And, they come in a variety of fun colors! 

There are many more that I'm enjoying and still so much more to try! Be sure to check out their website for a history about the company, product reviews and shopping! You can currently order their products on QVC, online and at Ulta stores. 

Have fun trying out these fab products, and let me know your thoughts about some of the other ones I haven't yet tried! 

Have a beautiful day! 

Top 5

At last month's Beauty Meet Up meeting, our lovely Mel Wilson had the idea to make our theme, "Artist's Top 5 Kit Essentials." 

I thought it was a great idea! 

It's pretty fun to see what products/tools are go to, must haves for these pro, working artists! There are a lot of similarities, but some curveballs thrown in an as well :) 

Sara Jean Stevens 

Hair and Makeup Artist Chicago

*Since she was the only Hair stylist turned makeup artist of the group that night, we made her do her top 5 makeup products as well as hair products!

Makeup: 

Eve Pearl Cream Blushes

$25 for individual 

$52 for Trio

Tarte BB Cream

$34

Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive
*Ah-mazing mattifier/primer for oily or normal skin types*

$24

Boscia Blotting Linens in Lavender

$10 for 100 sheets

Maybelline Eyebrow Pencils

*Precise with a good variety of colors*

$6.95

Hair: 

Rusk Being Sexy Hair Spray

$10 on Amazon!

Kevin Murphy Beach Resort

$35

Teasing Comb 

(found anywhere, but here's a good one from Sally Beauty)

$3

Enzo Milano hot iron tools

$80-$200

Rusk Grooming Cream

$11.50 on Amazon

Mel Wilson

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive

$24

Graftobian Foundations

$18.99 ea. 

Rosebud Salve

*lovely to use as lip balm as well as dry elbow and hands!*

$6

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in MILK

*used as an eye primer for the purest pigment*

$4.50

Dr. Bronners Castile Soap 

(for cleaning her brushes!)

$2.99-$16 depending on the amount

Kat Dejesus

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Kett Foundation Palettes in Ruby and Olive (for a good range in tones)

$105 per palette

$15 per individual pan

MAC Airbrush Cleaner-- claims "it's the best!"
*I couldn't find a link to this product anywhere! So if you find it, consider yourself lucky :)*

MAC Prep and Prime

- mattifies and fills pores

$30

Lorac Pro Shadow Palette

(via Sephora)

$42

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

$19

Angela B. Hall

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Color Stack by Cinema Secrets

*Color correcting creams to mix with foundations*

$10

Cream eye shadows

*No specifics were given, just a favorite medium :) *

Kryolan Concealer 

$11

MAC 217 Brush

$24

Cinema Secrets Foundation Palettes

$28

Cristina Gomez

Makeup Artist Chicago

Great Lash Clear Mascara 

*Perfect for brows or stray hairs*

$6.40

Body Shop Lip Butter 

$6

Kryolan Fixing Spray 

*Makeup Sealer*

$12.99

Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive

(YES! AGAIN!)

Embryolisse Moisturizer

$16-$28 

depending on the size

Martina Sykes

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Embryolisse Moisturizer

$16-$28

Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray

$7-$12

Makeup Forever Flash Palette

$99

Loreal Voluminous Mascara

$7.29

Face Atelier Foundations

$48 ea. 

Nika Vaughan

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Blot Out Offensive

Yet again! 

Makeup Forever Lift Concealer

$25

Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer

$32

Shiseido (original formula) Cream Eyeshadows

$25

Individual lashes

$4.99

Iris Guevara

Hair and Makeup Artist Chicago

Set the Stage Primer by Whip Hand Cosmetics

$39

Face Atelier Foundations

$48 ea. 

Beauty Blender

$20 or 2 for $28!

Yaby Eye Shadows

$3 ea. refill

La Femme Blushes

(via Camera Ready Cosmetics)

$49 for a palette of 12

Andrea C. Samuels

Makeup and Hair Artist Chicago

Embryolisse Moisturizer

$16-$28

Inglot Gel Liner

$12

MAC 224 Blending brush

$32

Inglot Duraline Mixing Medium

$9

Ben Nye Media Pro Concealer Palette

$80

Tell us what your favorite products are! I know this group would love to hear it! 

XOXO JEN

Picking the right Foundation

Foundation is JUST as it's named: It is the foundation of your makeup. 

So make sure it's done right! 

Here are a few things to keep in mind about foundation...

Picking the right foundation. 

There are SO many different types of foundations on the market-- so it can be a little confusing when it comes time to find one that works for you. I feel like there is a big misconception about foundation floating around..
Many women I meet tend to associate "thick, cakey and heavy" when they think about foundation. This is SO far off! 

What makes your foundation cakey? Improper application, using the wrong type for your skin, not properly preparing the skin, and using too much product. 

First things first, let's figure out the basics. 
There are 2 main things you need to determine before hitting the store... 

1. Skin Type

In order to find the right foundation, you need to determine what type of skin you have-- this will make for an easy and seamless application. 

OILY SKIN
If you have oily skin all over (not just the T-zone), you may want to investigate trying powder foundations. I am not a huge fan of powder foundations, I love working with liquids/creams, so go with your preference.
Try these...

SAVE with Neutrogena's Skin Clearing Mineral Powder

Use this alone on your skin for a light coverage foundation-- You can buff it into the skin with a brush (my preferred technique), or use a sponge. OR use at after applying a liquid foundation to keep shine at bay :) 

 $12 @Neutrogena

 SPEND Clinique Super Powder Double Face Makeup
This powder foundation gives Moderate to Full coverage.
$22 (not bad!) @Clinique

SPEND Makeup Forever Mat Velvet
If you prefer to use a liquid foundation-- try this mattifying one from Makeup Forever. If you have oily skin, this blends seamlessly and keeps shine away! Provides a Fuller coverage.
$36 @Sephora


DRY SKIN
If your skin has a hard time retaining moisture, or if you experience flakiness, and tight skin, you should stick to foundations that are hydrating! Liquids, creams, tinted moisturizers..

SAVE Cover Girl Smoothers Foundation
Medium coverage foundation that is hydrating and lightweight.
$6.94 @Target

SPEND Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer
Lightweight, super hydrating tinted moisturizer-- made with skin conditioning jojoba oil, so it glides on seamlessly and hydrates the skin. Sheer coverage.
$42 @Bobbi Brown

SPEND Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation

This medium to full coverage foundation is hydrating and still build able! 

$42 @Smashbox

COMBINATION SKIN
This is probably the majority of the population. If you get oily on the cheeks or down the T-Zone, but still have some dryness on other areas of the face-- you are combination! For combination skin, you may want to stick to a light liquid or cream foundation.

SAVE Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation
This is a lightweight liquid that gives medium coverage. It controls the oily areas but is hydrating enough for your dry patches.
$10 @Target

SPEND Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
This has great build able coverage- from medium to Full-- but still feels light on the skin. Great for most skin types.
$42 @Sephora


NORMAL SKIN
You don't have much discoloration, or dryness, or oil production-- then you have that annoyingly perfect skin :) If you even need to wear foundation, I would stick with a light tinted moisturizer, bb cream or sheer foundation.

SAVE Garnier BB Cream

For someone that needs minimal coverage-- this is PERFECT. Incredibly lightweight, minimal coverage and protects your skin from the sun :) 

$11 @Target

SPEND Dr. Jart BB Cream
I love this product! It's incredibly lightweight, and multi tasking! It's a very sheer wash of color to even out your tone, but also works to keep skin hydrated.
$34 @Sephora

SPEND Makeup Forever Face & Body Liquid Foundation
This is probably my favorite foundation! I've used it for years, I LOVE it! It is so incredibly sheer, but still build able. So if you need more coverage in one area of the face, it can handle it, without caking up! Works on most skin types (especially normal and dry), leaves a hydrated dewy finish.
$40 @Sephora


SENSITIVE SKIN
If your skin is very fragile-- prone to itching or burning when using products-- I would highly suggest going the au natural route. Try using organic products that won't hurt your skin. Figure out if you cater to the dry or oily side so you can find the right foundation.

SAVE Cover Girl Nature Luxe Silk Foundation

Lightweight and pulling natural resources-- oil and fragrance free-- Offers Medium to Full coverage. It's worth a shot! 

$10 @Target

SPEND Bare Minerals Original Foundation
This stuff provides medium to full coverage. I would highly suggest it if you cater to the oily side. It's composed of crushed minerals and is free of any fragrance, preservatives and other potential skin irritants.
$27 @Ulta

SPEND Tarte BB Tinted Primer

This BB Tinted Primer is great for those with sensitive skin who want a light coverage that also smoothes the skin-- this product line also offers a wide range of products that are free of mineral oil, fragrances, and other chemicals. Feel free to try their foundations and cream blushes! 

$34 @Tarte Cosmetics

SPLURGE Jane Iredale Mineral Liquid Foundation

This is a Medium to Full coverage foundation that reflects light and looks luminescent. It is on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way. This is another mineral based foundation that is easy on the skin. 

$50 @Jane Iredale

2. Coverage
The second part to finding the right foundation is deciding on the type of coverage you want. This is important! As I mentioned before, many women automatically think-- foundation=heavy.
NOT the case at all! 
Once you determine your skin type, and you have really taken the time to get to know your skin-- figure out what you want to cover and how much needs to be covered. Always remember you can do a quick wash of foundation and then go back in with correctors/concealers to cover any additional blemishes/discoloration.

LIGHT TO NO COVERAGE
For the girl that doesn't want people to know she's even wearing makeup-- try a BB cream. These creams are super lightweight and have less coverage than a tinted moisturizer. They feel light and fresh and if you're just looking for a quick way to even out your skin-- this is it!
Remember...
Garnier BB Cream
Dr. Jart BB Cream
Makeup Forever Face & Body

LIGHT COVERAGE
You don't want to feel like you're wearing makeup, but you don't necessarily want to LOOK like you're not wearing makeup-- try a tinted moisturizer or a super sheer foundation.
Remember...
Tarte BB Tinted Primer
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer
Makeup Forever Face & Body (yes, again, it's build able coverage!)
Neutragena Skin Clearing Mineral Powder

MEDIUM COVERAGE
If you prefer a little more coverage than a sheer foundation can provide, you may want to try a foundation that promotes medium coverage. This will have a little more pigment-- less layering is needed to get the coverage you want.
Remember...
Covergirl Smoothers Foundation
Clinique Super Powder Double Face Makeup
Jane Iredale Mineral Liquid
Revlon Colorstay
Covergirl Nature Luxe Foundation


FULL COVERAGE
If you prefer a full cover of foundation you don't have to expect it to be super heavy or cakey! There are so many fabulous lines of foundations now a days that cater to those that prefer a fuller cover foundation, without all the baggage!
Remember...
Makeup Forever HD
Makeup Forever Mat Velvet
Bare Minerals
Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation


Here are some other things to consider when thinking about foundation: 
*Good makeup starts with good skin-- so take care of it!
*Skin Prep can drastically change the outcome of your makeup--Read more about it HERE!
*Find the type of application that works best for you, i.e.: brush, hands, puff, sponge, etc.


Best of luck! 
xoxo Jen