Turning 50 wasn’t just a Hallmark birthday for me; it was a time to start reevaluating my style, my fitness and my beauty routine — especially how I wear my makeup. Just a few years ago, I was still applying dark winged eyeliner, bright lipstick and shimmery eye shadows. But these days, I save the bold lips and eyes for special occasions and tend to gravitate toward a more muted look.
Of course, nothing changed overnight. But as we age, many of us start thinking about how we want to present ourselves to the world. For me, that meant toning things down. “I believe that makeup, like our clothing, is one of the most accessible and increasingly inclusive tools we have available to express ourselves,” award-winning makeup artist and educator Natalie Setareh says. “And as we enter our 50s, we have the privilege to use makeup in ways to achieve whatever it is we want.”
Though a ton of my friends were heading for Botox shots, I made a pointed decision to hold off. I don’t judge; I’m just not ready. So, to address my biggest concerns and get a better picture of how to choose the right cosmetics after 50, I went straight to the experts. “The biggest things to consider are hydration, texture and finish,” says Azra Red, a celebrity hair and makeup artist. “As skin matures, it tends to lose moisture and elasticity, so opting for creamy, hydrating formulas — whether it’s foundation, blush or lipstick — helps maintain a fresh and radiant look.”
