Makeup artists share their top tips for looking fabulous at every age, from teens to midlife and beyond. Whether you're a beginner or stuck in a rut, these expert insights will help you enhance your natural beauty.
Commit to a Good Skincare Routine
"First and foremost is skincare," says Kate Hughes, a freelance makeup artist specializing in midlife beauty. "No good skincare, no good makeup. Full stop." As we age, cell turnover slows, leading to dull skin. Hughes exfoliates three to four times a week, sometimes daily, to maintain a dewy glow. Beginners should start with exfoliating pads once a week and gradually increase frequency.
Keep Makeup Minimal for Young Skin
Bobbi Brown, founder of Jones Road Beauty, advises keeping makeup simple for young people: "A little lip gloss, a tinted moisturiser, maybe a touch of blush or mascara when they’re older. The goal isn’t to look like someone else. It is to look like yourself." Confidence, she says, is the best accessory.
Don’t Focus on Covering Blemishes
Brown recommends spot concealing rather than full coverage: "Use a lightweight complexion product to even out skin, then spot conceal only where needed." Lisa Eldridge, MBE, advocates "pinpoint concealing" to disguise only necessary areas, leaving surrounding skin visible.
Use the Makeup Sandwich Method in Heat
In humid Ibiza, Hughes uses a grippy primer, setting spray, makeup, and another spray layer for longevity. She also emphasizes high SPF: "A dermatologist said you can either have good skin or a suntan. You can’t have both."
Don’t Disguise Eye Bags
Brown advises hydration first: "A good eye cream and moisturiser will make any makeup look better." Antonio Cruz recommends caffeine eye creams and consistency: "You need to wear it for at least 28 days." Hughes uses ice rollers to reduce puffiness. Eldridge suggests homemade green tea ice cubes: "Wrap a single cube in muslin and gently massage under the eyes." For concealer, Hughes layers hydrating formulas, applying and blending multiple coats.
Apply Foundation with a Brush
Cruz says a brush blends foundation better than hands, giving a smoother finish. Hughes notes that fingers can waste product, while brushes achieve a polished look.
Don’t Cover Wrinkles
Brown advises: "Your goal shouldn’t be to erase every line. Focus on skincare, hydration and lightweight formulas." Hughes suggests drawing attention to favorite features, like a bright lip or soft smoky eye, to divert focus from concerns.
Update Your Techniques
Cruz recommends beauty counter consultations or online inspiration. Hughes suggests recreating Zendaya’s viral eye makeup: "Eyeshadow in the corner of the eyes gives a fresh, glowy look." Linasha Kotalawala loves brightly colored liners and mascaras, like NYX metallic blue liner with Marc Jacobs blue mascara, calling it "making makeup fun again."
Makeup for Men
Cruz notes many men secretly love makeup and uses it for confidence. He did Andy Burnham’s makeup for a BBC interview. Eldridge says concealer is popular for men, but avoid light-reflective textures: "If it’s undetectable coverage, look for sheer textures."
Practice Makes Perfect
Cruz advises practicing new makeup at home, not just before going out: "People only do their makeup when friends are waiting or they have a train, and it’s rushed."
Meet Your Match
Kotalawala recommends Fenty, Mac, and Estée Lauder for foundation shade range. Cruz suggests holding packaging near your face to compare, and testing with your outfit. Brown says the perfect lip color matches your natural lip flush after biting: "Look for a lipstick or balm close to that natural flush."
One Must-Have Product
Cruz picks blusher: "If you’re feeling ill, put on extra blusher. It makes you look more awake." Hughes recommends a cream multi-use product for cheeks and lips. Kotalawala loves a "blonzer" (blush-bronzer hybrid) for a burnt-red warmth that looks great on deeper skin tones.
