In my early teens, I can remember piling on thick Avon foundation and orange blusher with great gusto, thinking that the more I trowelled on, the better I looked.

I couldn’t get enough of aqua blue eyeliner, believing it would give me those Princess Diana doe eyes. Unbeknown to me, the burgundy lip liner I wore made my mouth look tiny and the rose-pink frosted lippy was so pale that I actually looked like the walking dead. I had no idea how to apply my makeup, but how could I, if nobody told me?

Working as a makeup artist for the past 25 years, I now know a thing or two more than I did back then. For this month’s column, I want to share my top tips, so that those of us in our middle years can put our best face forward and look fabulous.

1. THE Power of water

Makeup is there to enhance your beauty, not hinder it, and less is definitely more on mature skin. But before you even reach for your makeup bag, it is so important to drink copious amounts of still water. Drinking at least one litre daily will make your skin look brighter, feel softer and your complexion will be more youthful. You will see great results after just a few days.

2. Magnify it

A magnifying makeup mirror is a wonderful thing. It’s especially helpful for those who wear glasses, as well as great for spying on unwanted facial hair and blackheads. What you can’t see, you can’t fix.

3. Tweeze it

Tweezerman is a fantastic brand of tweezers. They come in vibrant colours, making them easy to find in your makeup bag.

4. Nourishment is THE key

If you nourish your face and neck with a good dollop of anti-aging face cream (with at least SPF 15) twice daily, you will delay signs of aging and plump up and protect your skin. Eye creams keep those crows’ feet at bay and if you suffer from puffy eyes, keeping the cream in the fridge can help, as the cooling cream lightly dabbed around the eye area will bring the swelling down. One product I recommend investing in is Clarins anti-ageing double serum (RRP €69.50.) Your skin will look firmer and wrinkles appear smoother when applied twice daily before your moisturiser. Warm a few drops in the palm of your hands first and lightly pat the serum onto your face, neck and the back of your hands.

5. The foundation

When choosing a new foundation, always test it along your jaw line not on the back of your hand, as your hands and face are a different colour. Our skin changes seasonally, so in winter months you can use a more creamy formula foundation and in the summer months a tinted moisturiser, like The Body Shop Vitamin E BB cream (RRP €15.50).

6. Eye makeup

Stick to neutral tones when it comes to your eye makeup colours. Autumnal colours are very flattering. Pale peach, soft lilacs and vanilla tones work wonders and brighten up tired eyes when applied above the crease of your eye socket.

7. Eye of the tiger

Eyeliner pencils are softer than liquid liners and much easier to apply. Eyeliner (well sharpened) should be applied to the top lash line in short dashes, then blended in with a small blending brush. I use a cotton bud, which is ideal for blending. Estée Lauder double-wear stay-in-place eyeliner (RRP €21.50) stays put brilliantly and there is a smudger applicator at one end, which is a really useful tool for blending. I love the brown for day and black for a more glamorous night look.

8. Volume over length

Older women should choose a mascara that is designed to create thick lashes, rather than mascara products that are designed for lengthening and curling. You want your lashes to look full and lush. Apply two good coats of mascara for the best effect. Black rather than brown mascara makes your eyes look more glam and helps them stand out.

9. Brows on point

As we get older, our brows get thinner and lighter in colour. I buy a kid’s size toothbrush and use that as my eyebrow brush. Start on the inside and brush your brows up and out. Following the natural arch of your brows, use a soft, well-sharpened brown/mink-coloured eyebrow pencil to fill in the eyebrows with tiny strokes. Thicker, fuller brows will frame your eyes and make you look younger.

10. Kissed by the sun

Applying bronzer gives your face an instant pep. Keep away from any bronzers with glitter as the sparkles will accentuate wrinkles. Make a fish face and sweep your bronzer with a small, rounded blush brush along the line under your cheekbones. To mask double chins or jowls, sweep blusher under and along your jaw line. I recommend Estée Lauder bronze goddess bronzer (RRP €40) for a sun-kissed glow.

11. Plump those lips

You may notice that as you get older, your lips seem thinner and paler. To brighten and plump them, lip gloss is your best bet. Add a little colour first by filling in the lips with a lip liner (well sharpened), or lipstick that is a shade darker than your natural lip colour, then add a dab of gloss on top and voilà – instant lip plumper. Dior Addict Lip Glow (RRP €35) enhances your natural lip colour, while moisturising and protecting. Dior Addict Lip Gloss and Maximizer SPF10 (RRP €36) volumises your lips instantly and leaves them looking fuller and shiny. Look out for these products at the airport. They come in a set, which is ideal for your holidays.

ASK DOLLY

Dear Dolly,

Can you recommend a waterproof foundation when swimming in the pool? I’m going away for my holidays and I suffer from rosacea, and am very conscious of my red cheeks.

Thank you,

Clare

Hi Clare,

You can apply Smashbox Cosmetics camera ready BB cream (RRP €34) or Maybelline New York BB Cream (RRP €10.75). Either of these great products will cover up your rosacea while you enjoy swimming in the pool. You could also have a light spray tan before you go because it will help disguise your red cheeks.

Hope you have a fantastic holiday,

Dolly

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