7 Tips For an Elegant, Natural Look

As a successful model over 60, Cindy Joseph knows the best secrets for makeup application.

by Cindy Joseph

Updated Sept. 4, 2022

Your clothing and accessories will create the bling and elegance. Use your makeup just to add “polish” to your entire look. Your overall makeup should look moist, real, alive and fresh, rather than concealing, powdered, mask-like and heavy. Less is more. If you are over 50, more than likely you have developed more character in your face than you had when you were younger. You may have stronger features, lines and texture. Be careful not to add more texture to your skin with heavy makeup. It’s best to allow yourself to be the star of the show!

Here are the tips that work especially well for women over 50.

1. You should either forgo foundation all together, or wear a thin coat of foundation over very well moisturized skin.

2. Do not use powder. Powder dulls the skin, creating dryness and texture. Skin is a live breathing organ. The more alive it looks, the more radiant you look.

3. If you want to add definition to your eyes, add a very subtle blended eyeliner to your upper lash line only, and a little mascara. That is all you need.

4. If you must fill in areas of your eyebrows where the hair may be patchy, use a pencil or powder that matches your eyebrow hair exactly. Most browns have too much red in them, which really shows up on the skin. Try a blonde, taupe or grayish brown instead. Do not make your eyebrows darker than they are naturally. It looks old-fashioned and harsh if you are over 50.

5. Do not use any eyeshadow darker than your natural skin tone to contour your eyelids. Keep the lid clean and fresh looking.

6. Using a cream based pearlescent, glimmery but not frosted, eyeshadow can add extra luster to your skin. Choose a tone that matches your skin tone and place that on your eyelids as well as your upper cheek bones, brow bone, clavicle bones, shoulders and décolletage. It will make your skin look healthy and delicious.

7. And most importantly, add a delicate touch of believable color (blends well with your skin tone). Choose a color that you really become when you are blushing from a good workout or make out. Place it where you naturally blush when your circulation is revved up: upper forehead, throat or sides of neck, center of your chest, lips, cheeks, corner of brow bones.

Cindy Joseph was a makeup artist for top fashion and beauty models; now in her sixties, she herself is a model who often represents the Baby Boomer ideal. She created and is CEO of Boom by Cindy Joseph, the first pro-age, pared down skin care and cosmetic line. (Editor’s note: Sadly, Cindy Joseph died in July 2018 at the age of 67.)

See other NYCitywoman makeup tips for older women: