Okay ladies, let’s get real—I just turned 36 last week, and when I tried to recreate my “going-out” makeup look from college? Honey, it was a disaster. The heavy black eyeliner that once made me feel like a rockstar now made me look like I hadn’t slept since 2012. 😂 That’s when it hit me: makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our skin, features, and vibes change with every life chapter—and that’s awesome. So let’s ditch the rulebook and talk about how to slay your makeup game at ANY age. Buckle up, it’s about to get glow-y in here.
20s: The “I Can Pull Off Anything (Except Responsibility)” Era
Remember when you’d sleep in your makeup after clubbing and still wake up looking dewy? 🙌 Your 20s skin is basically a TikTok filter IRL. But here’s the tea: this is your playground phase. Experiment with neon liners, glitter tears, that weird lipstick shade you found at a thrift store—go nuts.
BUT (and this is a Kardashian-sized but), start two habits now:
1. Double cleansing (that glitter won’t remove itself)
2. SPF 50+ (your 40-year-old self will send you a fruit basket)
Pro tip: Swap cakey foundation for tinted moisturizer. Let those freckles shine through! My current obsession? Mixing liquid highlighter with my moisturizer for that “I woke up flawless” vibe. ✨
30s: The “Wait, Why Does My Concealer Look Like Crumbled Cookies?” Phase
Hi, it’s me—your suddenly dry eyelids and those two “expression lines” that showed up overnight. 👵 The 30s glow-up is all about strategic glam.
Key moves:
– Cream > Powder: That matte foundation that worked in your 20s? It’s now highlighting texture you didn’t know existed. Switch to hydrating formulas and cream blushes that melt into skin.
– Lash Lift > Mascara Clumps: Invest in a lash tint/lift. You’ll save 10 minutes daily—time better spent sipping coffee or pretending to meditate.
– The Blurring Trick: Pat a tiny amount of eye cream under concealer to prevent creasing. Game. Changer.
Personal hack: I use a mauve lip liner as both lip color and cream blush. Multitasking for the win! 💋
40s: “Golden Hour Becomes a Lifestyle”
Let’s normalize looking like a Renaissance painting in everyday life. This decade is about light manipulation.
What’s working:
– Warm Metallics: Swap cool-toned eyeshadows for gold/copper tones that make mature lids glow
– Brow Rehab: Overplucked in the 90s? Try brow laminating + taupe micro-pencil strokes
– Blurred Lips: Harsh liplines can age; blend that liner with your finger for a soft stain
Shower thought: Why did we ever think shiny skin was bad? A dewy finish now makes you look alive, not oily. Pass the facial mist! 💦
50s+: The “I’ve Earned Every Glitter Particle” Era
Newsflash: Mature skin is GORGEOUS when hydrated. The goal? Amplify your natural radiance.
My holy grails:
– Luminous Primer: Gives that “lit-from-within” base without heavy coverage
– Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadows: No fallout, no creasing—just smooth color
– Bold Lips (Yes, Really): A vibrant berry or brick red lipstick lifts the whole face instantly
Fun story: My mom (62) started using peach-toned corrector under her eyes and looked 10 years younger. Her text? “I’ve been lied to my whole life.” 😂
The Real Tea? It’s Not About “Anti-Aging”
Here’s what nobody tells you: The most stunning women I know aren’t chasing their 25-year-old face. They’re using makeup to highlight:
– The laugh lines that show they actually lived
– The silver hairs that glow like crown jewels
– The hooded eyes that make every wink more intriguing
Your assignment? Next time you do your makeup, say one thing you LOVE about your current phase out loud. (Mine? “I finally look like I know stuff.” 👑)
So tell me—what’s your decade’s signature move? Let’s swap secrets in the comments! 👇