May 25, 2016

The Older I Get, The More I Appreciate Natural Makeup Looks

natural makeup

Lately, I feel like the older I get the more I appreciate natural makeup looks. I never thought there would come a time in my life where I felt like shimmer and sparkle eyeshadow was too much. But lately, that’s exactly how I feel!

Don’t get me wrong I still love me some sparkly eyeshadow but sometimes a simple wash of matte tan on my eyes is all I need to look fresh and natural. Plus with the warmer weather headed our way lightweight makeup is always a plus!

My go to favs for natural makeup are Urban Decay Beware Eyeshadow, NARS Orgasm Blush, and a bolder lip look like red or even hot pink! You don’t want to be completely boring right? So, a little hot pink lipstick goes a long way at brightening up my entire complexion!

pink lipstick

Don’t forget to load up on your favorite mascara because I always feel like fluttery, long lashes make me look more awake, bright eyed, and like I had 12 hours of sleep when I technically had only 5!

It seems less is more sometimes and I feel a lot more prettier with a lot less on my face plus I look younger too!

What’s your favorite natural look?

Are you appreciating more natural looks now in your older age or are you still about bold or vibrant looks?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Rachael

    I’m all about the nudes/neutrals lately. It has taken me a long time but I have finally figured out what really suits me and what I love when it comes to makeup. I am doing a massive clear out of my collection (everything that’s out is being donated to family/friends/women’s shelter) and natural beauty is the focus of my collection moving forward.

  • Kayla

    I’ve been doing more natural looks for a couple weeks now. It’s just better for summer in my opinion. I always do a medium coverage foundation with concealer, but then I just load up on highlighter and make my skin super glowy. Follow that with a shimmery eyeshadow (or just Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin) and then a coral lip! I really like doing this look because I feel like my eyes look so bare and weird without eyeliner. So I’m trying to train myself that it’s okay to forgo eyeliner and over the top eyeshadow looks every now and then!

  • Heidi

    I’m the same way. I used to go all out back in the mid to late 1990s when I “needed” blush, lipliner, powder, contour the eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara (sometimes layered formulas) and on and on, and now I’m into less is more. In part it might be laziness, but there are way better products these days in terms of tinted moisturizers/BB/CC creams, and it’s nicer just to rock a simple look like a bold lip and mascara or just a swipe of bright eyeliner in summer and tinted balm, etc.
    I love that bold fushcia lip look, btw.

    • Isabella Muse

      I don’t think it is laziness for me but it is that I feel younger with less on my face for some reason 😀 so fresher, natural is much more flattering! 🙂 But yeah, I was the same, I could never walk out without a full face of makeup on but now it’s like a bit of blush, bb cream, mascara, and I’m good ;-D Thank YOU!

  • Dee

    I always thought that saying “less is more” was a little nutty, but the older I get I realize it’s true. The more I put on the older I look. And I just can’t do glittery or sparkly! But I find I don’t want to so that’s good.

    • Isabella Muse

      Likewise! I’ve always scoffed people who told me they disliked sparkly eyeshadow. But the older I get the more I realize that I don’t need a ton of sparkle! A wash of matte works great and I look younger too!

  • Jay

    I love a good, simple warm bronzey eyeshadow look. Part laziness lol, part wanting to look nice. Sometimes I want my actual makeup to stand out, but recently I’ve been wanting to just look pretty, if that makes sense. And I can always glam it up with a bold lipsticks if I want!

  • Laura G.

    I couldn’t agree with you more! I turned 30 last year, and now find myself scaling back on my makeup and I surprisingly love it. My biggest change has been switching from full coverage, matte foundation (Marc Jacobs Remarc-able) to sheer, glowing, light-coverage ones (IT Cosmetics CC Cream and Loreal Lumi).

    • Isabella Muse

      right? I just feel like more is so much less lately 😀

  • Dora

    More makeup does make you look older! Totally true. For summer, a BB cream like Dr. Jart (although I never wear foundation anyway), maybe a swipe of MAC Groundwork, mascara (always), blush (or a bronzer that could double as blush — like Balm Desert), highlighter (something dewy like the RMS highlighter), and either a bright or nude lip. (Oh, bought the JLo Nude by L’Oreal on your recommendation recently and am loving it!)

    • Isabella Muse

      Yay! Glad to hear you like it 😀 Agreed! I feel a lot older with makeup on lately! Something light, fresh, and easy is my go to especially for Summer! I’m looking into MAC Groundwork I can’t believe I don’t own it!

      • Dora

        It was on sale at Duane Reade (just at this one DR — and not all the shades, just the JLo one) for $4 and I Googled it while standing there and your review came up right at the top! It’s a lovely nude. Groundwork is so pretty and easy to wear. I heard someone describe it as “my lids but better!”

        • Isabella Muse

          Mine!? I don’t think I even own groundwork lol! Now I’m having a senior moment!

          • Dora

            Nope — was talking about your review about the L’Oreal JLo nude lipstick! Sorry to be confusing!

          • Bonnie

            I think she means your JLo nude review.

  • Christina D.

    Do you think it’s seasonal? I’m older than you, my Sista Muse, and although I’ve always preferred mattes while you preferred shimmers, I feel self-conscious wearing colors as of late, regardless of finish. I’ve actually been reaching for neutrals and nudes for my eyes but I didn’t attribute it to age, I figured it was the heat (not hot flashes)! 😉

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL sis! I laughed at hot flashes. I dunno, I feel like I’m getting older and my makeup choices are starting to get a lot more minimal because it makes me younger. I feel self-conscious wearing color too. Like yesterday, I wanted to do a purple eyeshadow look and I backed out last minute because I was worried it would accentuate my finer lines! Hopefully it is just seasonal otherwise, I’m becoming a very boring makeup junkie if I’m worried how purple looks ;D <3! xoxox!

  • Terri

    I agree that a natural look is better as one gets older. I’m 52 with really great skin, but I take really good meticulous care of it, and I go for microdermabrasion, peels, and even lasers to zap hyperpigmentation. The focus for me is better skin, not more makeup. I no longer wear foundation, just a good sunscreen (and only physical ones) with a few drops of Active Argan Bronzing drops (new line on Evine brought by former HSN vendor Morgen Schick). Then brows (Glossier Boy Brow), some cream blush (never powder), mascara (currently loving the IT Cosmetics Tightline Lash Primer), a little concealer (Glossier’s), and some lip balm. I never wear lipstick and I look horrible in bright shades or mattes. It took a while to figure out what looks better as I age, but even though I do not use most of the stuff I read about, I still enjoy seeing what else is out there. By the way Muse, have you thought about trying some of Glossier’s skin care and makeup?

    • Isabella Muse

      I never limit myself or tell anyone they are too old for something but lately I feel I look better with less 🙂 I agree! Better skin, less makeup is super important! 😀 I have not…! I wanted to try their concealer, a few people recommended it to me! so that’s on my wishy list 🙂 Is their skincare any good!?

      • Tracy

        My makeup routine is similar to Terri’s. I have not had any kind of procedures done and I don’t think that’s for me. The glossier line is great. I love the boy brow and the concealer. I have yet to get my hands on the skin tint as it’s been out of stock. I’ve always been more about skin and less about makeup and now that I’m turning 40 I want to spend even less time in front of the mirror and more time enjoying life. I’m speaking at an expo soon and want to stress to the younger generations to keep it simple and to wear sunscreen (physical) and to love your natural beauty.

  • Annie

    I think part of the appeal of natural looks as one gets older has to do with watching oneself age. Being able to pull off a natural look is impressive when people can’t distinguish a “no-makeup”-makeup face from the bare face of a 21 year old with no significant skin issues. There’s also the effect of badly executed bold looks that unintentionally intensify facial aging, and being aware of the whole younger generation of girls on social media adopting drag techniques for makeup selfies.

  • Cheryl

    Less is definitely more as one gets older, especially in the heat of the summer. While I still enjoy the 25 minutes of “me time” that goes into my morning makeup routine applying (which generally involves a LOT of coffee consumption), I find that fewer products in more natural shades/finishes looks and feels best. I have been loving the Shea Moisture serum foundation for great coverage in a very thin and light formula. When I need more SPF, I go for the It Cosmetics CC Veil or CC Cream, depending on how long I need my makeup to last. A touch of cream blush, a neutral eyeshadow to brighten up the lids, a bit of concealer on the under eyes, and mascara round out the routine. Add a French braid and I’m out the door.

  • brittany

    I’m starting to feel the same way. I’m getting closer to my 30’s. During my early years of makeup, I loved (still do) the sparkle and in nail polishes. Now, that I am getting older, my makeup routine is getting much simpler. I still know how to create the illusion a full face of makeup look even if I’m wearing a few products. My favorite go to makeup for the eyes is Urban Decay Sidecar (shimmer- not over powering) with a liner of choice. I kind of just do my lips and cheeks however I want.

    I was watching It Cosmetics on QVC. In so many words, Jamie said that the best thing girls in our age group can do is go the route of matte and anti-aging makeup and make sure makeup is talc free. She has these eye shadow trios (matte and anti-aging) they look great on the eyes, and I was thinking of trying those. It Cosmetics line is perfect for people like us.

    I love both looks you created for yourself.

    • Isabella Muse

      Sidecar is an excellent pick for natural looks and not much shimmer either agreed ;-D I agree about it Cosmetics, I think many of their items are ideal for natural looks!!!!!!! Aw thanks Brittany! <3!

  • Rachel R.

    I’m 46. I know I’m in the minority, but “no” for me. I love neutrals and wear them, but I don’t think I look good in minimal looks. I don’t think I’m ugly, but I don’t think natural or minimal does anything complimentary for me, if that makes sense. I think bold looks suit my face and personality. I love brights, I love shimmers, I love “weird” colored lipsticks, and I wear them. I know how to apply them so they’re flattering on me. I don’t cake on my makeup. I don’t do Kardashian-level contouring, or Instagram brows. In regards to that, I do think less is more. At least it is for me.

  • Katherine T.

    Muse, I’m 46 and the total opposite. When I was younger, I was more into light foundation, neutral eyes and traditional lip colors, like reds and pink browns. Nothing wrong with that at all, but now that I’m older, I feel more confident about myself, and have been sporting sparkly shadows in purple, green, blues and more unique lip colors like purples, blues, and grays. Not all at once, but I usually try to balance bold eyes with neutral lips and vice versa. And I find that satiny or shimmery shadows help blur fine lines and brightens them, while mattes look flat and dry on me. I also switched to a medium-to- full coverage foundation to hide age spots and hyper pigmentation. I try to keep my skin in good shape, but of course, there are some fine lines and wrinkles that no makeup can completely hide, but so what? No one looks 21 and flawless forever, either you’re older or you’re dead, so who cares, might as well live it up. So if you feel good looking more natural, go for it, but if you like purple shadow with purple lips, go and rock it!

    • Isabella Muse

      couldn’t agree more Katherine 🙂 Whatever way you want to wear it, rock it, the rest is cake 😀

      • Katherine T.

        Thanks Rachel! BTW, you were one of my inspirations for wearing “weird” lip colors 🙂 I kept reading about all the different colors you were buying and wearing, and of course, Christine rocks all of them, so curiosity finally got the better of me, and so glad it did !

  • kellly

    I do exactly the same thing. I still like shine on my eyes but I’ve stopped using liner. My most important things are concealer and tons of volumizing mascara. I use natural colors on my eyes (except that they must be shiny!), some light-handed blush and a fairly bright red-brown or orange-brown shade for my lips to give my face some color. That’s it. It’s natural looking, doesn’t scream MAKEUP but makes me look better and more finished than no makeup at all (that would scare the children, maybe some adults, too!)

  • Terri Wells

    I’m with you Muse, I have dialed back my makeup routine as well. Remember the $30 Lorac palette with all the nudes? I forgot to return it, glad I didn’t because I now love it! I’m getting some really nice no makeup looks with it plus a little BB cream , mascara, blush and balm.

  • Susan

    I love a more natural look. I honestly think a lot of the current makeup looks on social media are downright scary. Sharpie brows so huge they have their own zip code. So much contouring and strobing that skin looks plastic. I’ll be very glad when the pendulum swings back to the very natural look of the early-mid 1970s (which, yes, I remember very well !) but perhaps without the super-thin eyebrows.

    I occasionally like a touch of sparkly eyeshadow but mattes are my friend. As you get older (I’m 57), the skin on your eyelids and around your eyes gets thinner and can be crepe-y, and too much glitter doesn’t look good. Btw, whatever age you are, start NOW to wear a good eye cream, day and night. You’ll be glad later.

  • Jade

    I am looking for the perfect “my lips but better” lip product. I have spent more money than I want to talk about on that. So what is your go-to, must-have, lip that enhances that rosy color and moisturizes.

  • Linda

    I reached that conclusion on my own, Muse, and it’s nice to see so many others feeling it too. I feel bad about all the urban decay shimmer eye pencils and palettes that I’ll likely never hit pan on, but I just feel kind of silly going to work looking like I’m on my way to the club. I’m lucky enough to have good strong Italian skin that doesn’t wrinkle much. My grandma is 101 and looks 70 and so far I’m following in her footsteps in that regards. I’ve reduced my routine to a facial mist, primer, light coverage foundation, IT concealer, a bit of blush, a nude shadow, mascara and Mac brick-O-la lipstick. I feel like I look younger and prettier, and it’s a lot less work. Love your blog, Muse. You’re my favorite by far!

    • Isabella Muse

      Yay! I’m exactly the same way lately, Linda. I never thought I’d reach a point in my life where I feel less is more! You have good genes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m half Italian myself, on my mom’s side, who happens to look fantastic for her age so hopefully I end up looking just as good 😀 Aw thanks dear! <3!

  • Iris

    I like natural looks for work meetings. My favourite is a smokey taupe eye and a pink lip.

  • Barbara Thompson

    I love that lipstick you’re wearing. May I ask what it is? Also, I just want to say how much I enjoy your web site. You’re friendly, smart and beautiful!

  • Bonnie

    I am way older than you and never went much for the sparkly stuff, but I have pared my routine way down in the last year or so. I don’t even wear liquid foundation any more, and I never thought that would happen. Neutral eyeshadow, which despite it being all the rage I never wore before. Tinted lip balm or something similar instead of liner and lipstick. It’s weird but oddly freeing.

  • genevieve

    This is a great point you have raised Isabella.
    I think there comes a time in everyone’s makeup life where you evaluate the makeup you use and whether it still suits who you now are and your age.
    I still love (at 60+) my bolder eye shadows, but am recently finding myself using my Naked 2 palette exclusively and softer lipsticks for a more natural look. I have never used frost or glittery eye shadows. However I still need a medium coverage foundation for my uneven complexion, even though my skin has never looked better.

    • Isabella Muse

      It’s so hard to believe you are 60+ Genevieve you come across as so much more younger for some reason 🙂 like someone in their twenties! It’s so refreshing that I have more mature readers 😀

  • Onyx

    Maybe it’s a phase? I know that sometimes I’ll be all about the neutrals for weeks or even months, and then the pendulum swings the other way and I want all the colors. Don’t get rid of your brighter favorites until you’re sure just in case.

    • Isabella Muse

      Could definitely be 🙂 I would never rid myself of all my brights that’s for sure 😀 one day the mood will strike me to go with aqua or green and I’d kick myself if I didn’t have several to choose from 😀