How to Contour Older Faces

Mature makeup expert Sally provides her top tips on how to subtly contour an older face using sculpting, concealing and highlighting techniques

Watch the video below or keep scrolling for her step-by-steps...

Key Contouring Principles...

YOU 'PUSH BACK' WHEREVER YOU DARKEN OR ADD SHADOW

YOU 'BRING FORWARD' WHEREVER YOU LIGHTEN OR ADD LUMINESCENCE 

FOR OLDER FACES, KEEP THINGS SIMPLE: APPLY WITH A LIGHT HAND AND BUILD UP TO YOUR DESIRED EFFECT


1. Conceal

1. Conceal

Cover any blemishes, dark circles, blueness, redness, sun spots and hyperpigmentation with a creamy concealer 

Key areas include under-eyes, the inner corners of the eyes, and around the nostrils

You should focus on covering and camouflaging rather than highlighting, so select a concealer shade that's close to your foundation shade. 

Always set your concealer with a translucent powder to prevent it from moving around the face

2. Highlight

2. Highlight

Key areas include beneath the eyebrow, a thin line down the bridge of the nose, at the high point of the cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes and on the cupid's bow

Apply straight from the pen and gently pat in with your fingers. Any area you apply the highlighter to will instantly appear lifted  

You can also use a non-shimmer highlighter to soften fine lines such as frown lines

3. Sculpt

3. Sculpt

Take a large kabuki brush and a subtle bronzer and apply anywhere that would have a natural hollow

The best technique is to apply in a '3 shape' on either side of your face. Start by dusting along your forehead, bring round below your cheekbones, then down along your jawline

You can also apply bronzer anywhere the sun would naturally hit. Sweep a little across the bridge of your nose for a sunkissed glow

Finish with a swirl of blusher just above the apples of your cheeks for final colour and structure


Watch More Makeup Tutorials for Older Women...

How to Apply Blusher and Bronzer to an Older Face

How to Apply Your Foundation: Tips & Techniques 

How to Create a Smoky Eye Look in Under 5 Minutes