Mature makeup 101

Whether working in New York for Mark Edward Inc. or in Toronto for the Judy Inc. agency, Canadian makeup artist Stephanie Parent knows women want makeup that’s simple and finished in 10 minutes or less. Her fast-fix strategies can polish baby boomer skin in seconds:

• The key to looking good with makeup is to work with what you’ve got. Everyone has at least one good feature. Be honest with yourself: determine your best facial asset, put the focus on that feature, and it will downplay other imperfections.
  
• Well-groomed eyebrows are critical because they open the face and give it a lift. Many older women make the big mistake of letting their eyebrows grow in the direction of the nose, creating a hooked-look on the face. To avoid this, have a professional aesthetician shape your brows.
  
• Never cake on a cream powder base or pancake-styled makeup. They settle into wrinkles around the eyes and mouth and age you. Choose lighter-tinted moisturizers instead and apply only on areas that are red or discoloured to even out skin tone.
  
• To cover age spots, dab on and lightly pat a soft formulated concealer, then go over it with a sheer dusting of pressed powde
  
• Opt for a creamy blush to give the face a healthy glow. Dot on the apples of the cheeks and blend well.
  
• Opt for cream eyeshadows — they’re easier to apply and don’t pull the skin.
  
• Besides a good eyelash curler, black mascara — the makeup equivalent of the little black dress — opens the eye area in seconds and gives it a wide-awake look.
  
• Eyebrow pencils are often overused. Instead, dot a matching shade of eyeshadow onto the brow with a thin tipped brush for a more natural look.
  
• Don’t get stuck in a makeup rut. Incorporate new shades into your classic neutral basics to keep your look modern each season.
  
• Equip your makeup bag with these beauty basics: a compact mirror, an eyelash curler, black mascara, a creamy concealer, a creamy blush and a rich-textured lipstick in a nice neutral of rosy shade.

Plus:

• Beyond cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, good skin starts with what you put into your body. Generally, older women consume too much caffeine or alcohol, both of which dehydrate the skin and the body. Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water a day to keep the skin hydrated.
  
• Stay out of the sun – it only enhances age spots. Use a good sunblock to avoid any further sun damage.

Male call
Men’s skin tends to be somewhat thicker than that of females.

Shaving also makes it more porous and susceptible to ingrown hairs. But when it comes to combating aging, both sexes can derive equal benefit from similar skincare products.

“The only problem with male skincare is one of perception,” says Ralph Macchio, vice president of product development for Lancaster/Coty. “Men don’t want products that are too heavy or too beauty oriented. Sunscreens are great because they’re very unisex. But as technology moves forward, I believe the treatment benefits of tinted moisturizer and daily moisturizer with a unisex scent will become more appealing to mature men, giving them skincare options they can live with.”

For example, Biotherm Homme, a new men’s skincare line from Biotherm France, is one example of today’s new breed of uncomplicated, treatment-oriented products that enhance and protect men’s skin, and includes facial cleansers and moisturizers.

The line also offers anti-agers such as an Active Wrinkle Smoother, which diminishes existing wrinkles, boosts cell activity and imparts a firmer, more youthful appearance.