Whether or not you choose a new approach to your makeup based on your age is entirely dependent on what you’re doing at the moment and how that makes you feel, but it is not essential or necessary. Just because more and more candles are finding a way onto your birthday cake, you don’t have to hightail it to the nearest cosmetics counter for a makeover.
If you have reached a point where you truly feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, what you adorn it with should reflect this. For most women at any age, this may mean a sheer foundation that matches their skin exactly, a neutral-toned, creaseless concealer that does not play up wrinkles, a light dusting of sheer, non-shiny powder, soft matte eyeshadows in a variety of neutral hues, lightly defined and shaped brows, a great mascara that makes the most of your eyelashes, a softly blended blush color that adds vibrancy and color to your cheeks, and a lipstick color that seems “just right” no matter what other makeup you use. Sticking with well-chosen, adeptly applied and blended makeup in flattering shades gives a timeless look that can make ordinary features stunning.
However, if you breezed through your teens and twenties choosing makeup on a whim or enjoyed using bold, shiny eyeshadows, obvious blush, overly greasy or glossy lipsticks, heavy or mismatched foundation and too-thick concealer, and a kaleidoscopic array of eyeshadows and liners that were “out” as soon as you discovered they were “in,” then you really should consider making adjustments to your routine. The same holds true if you feel as if you’ve been a slave to the latest makeup fads or styles, be they a retro Marilyn Monroe look with liquid-lined bedroom eyes and pouty red lips, or the Crayola crayon-colored eyeshadows and obvious false eyelashes seen in countless ads.
I’m all for self-expression—and when you’re younger the limits of this are justifiably something to test—but as an adult, if your goal is to be taken seriously and be respected, why not think twice before heading to the office or grocery store wearing taxicab-yellow eyeshadow, clumpy mascara, and blue-tinged lipstick?