The Best Makeup Tips for Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

Just as different skin care products and skin care routines suit people of different ages, how you do your makeup should depend in large part on your age. If you think back to 10 years ago, chances are you aren’t wearing your makeup exactly the same way, and with good reason. What works in terms of eye makeup, face makeup, and lip color for a woman in her 20s may not be right for a woman in her 40s, and vice versa. Instead of guessing how to do your makeup the best way for your age, follow our handy-dandy tips. We’re sharing the best makeup tips to use when you’re in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, right here—right now!

The Best Makeup Tips for Your 20s

Follow these tips for doing your makeup in your 20s.

Makeup tip #1: Opt for sheer coverage. A common makeup mistake is using heavy foundation when you don’t need it. It’s an easy trap to fall into—assuming that the more your foundation covers, the more perfect your skin will look. But that isn’t necessarily the case. While foundation may be effective in hiding blemishes and blotchiness, it will also cover up signs of youth, like rosy cheeks. Instead of sporting the most full-coverage foundation you can find, try a product that offers sheer coverage and lets your complexion shine through. A highlighter lotion, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, is a perfect pick.

Makeup tip #2: Color correct dark circles under eye. If you notice dark circles in your 20s (hello sleepless nights!), you can use a color correcting concealer to disguise them. The L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Color Correcting Crayons is available in three shades that can be used to camouflage dark circles under eyes). 

Makeup tip #3: Embrace illumination. Highlighters of every shade and texture imaginable are all the range, and if you’re in your 20s, you’re in luck. Now’s the time to try rocking skin with a serious sheen. Take a break from matte makeup and sweep a prismatic highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder, over the highpoints of your face.

The Best Makeup Tips for Your 30s

Follow these tips for doing your makeup in your 30s.

Makeup tip #1: Wear matte finishes. As pretty as shimmer can be, it isn’t always the most flattering in action. If you’ve started to notice fine lines and wrinkles forming, you’ll want to steer clear of products with lots of shimmer. Otherwise, the shimmer can draw attention to things you’d prefer to distract from, like wrinkles. Stick with matte face powder and foundation to play it safe. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder and the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation.

Makeup tip #2: Choose lightweight concealer. It can be oh-so-tempting to cake on concealer to cover up all of your complexion concerns, but you’ll be better off applying a lightweight concealer with a light hand. The more concealer you wear, the more likely it is to crease and settle into wrinkles.

Makeup tip #3: Define with contour powder. With age, skin can start to lose its firmness and sag. While you can’t get rid of sagging skin, you can use a contour powder to fake a more sculpted look. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Contour Powder to define your cheekbones and jawline.

The Best Makeup Tips for Your 40s

Follow these tips for doing your makeup in your 40s.

Makeup tip #1: Always use primer. As you get older, you may notice that applying makeup is becoming increasingly challenging. That’s often due to changing texture of your skin. If it isn’t completely smooth, makeup may not go on quite as easily. That’s why you should consider using a primer. The L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base smooths lines, hides pores, and banishes imperfections, making it the perfect way to prep aging skin for makeup.

Makeup tip #2: Fill in your brows. Thick brows are more popular than ever, but they aren’t always easy to achieve as you age. Thankfully, you can lean on eyebrow makeup for help. Give your brows a quick swipe of a brow mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Boost & Set Brow Makeup.

Makeup tip #3: Skip harsh eyeliner. For older eyes, thick or overly harsh eyeliner isn’t your friend. Skip liquid eyeliner, which can be hard to create a soft effect with, and use a pencil you can smudge out. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner, and while you’re at, consider switching to a shade that’s softer than black, like gray or brown.

Next, take a look at your skin care routine. To find out what’s best for your age, read our article, The Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Your 20s, 30s, and 40s.