London - I’m bored of my usual eyeshadow and lip colours, which I’ve been wearing for years, but I’m wary of trying something new in case it ages me.
How can I learn some new tips? I’m too nervous to have a makeover at a cosmetics counter.
Sandra, 56, York.
Answer: Have you thought about watching an online make-up tutorial? The growing popularity for uploading how-to make-up videos on the internet has revolutionised the beauty industry.
And they are not just made by twentysomethings in their bedrooms. I have come across some fabulous how-to videos made by older women for older women, with excellent beauty tips.
The best thing is that you can stop the video and re-watch anything you can’t quite get the hang of.
L’Oreal Paris has released a series of YouTube videos called Wow-To (Wow stands for Wiser Older Women), with step-by-step tutorials on how to rejuvenate your style.
The presenters, Tessa Broadhead, 46, and Carol Anne Swan, 56, receive tips from celebrity make-up artist Ruby Hammer on how to shop for and wear make-up that will suit them.
Ruby starts by choosing the right foundation. “Don’t try it on the back of your hand or underneath your jaw,” she says. “Instead, apply a little on your face in natural daylight.” Ruby prefers to apply foundation with a brush, starting in the centre of the face and working outwards.
undefinedShe also has a trick for applying lipstick: use a clear lip liner around lips first. “It stops lipstick and gloss bleeding on to the skin around the mouth,” she says.
To get a perfect outline, Ruby recommends dividing the lips into quarters. “Line and fill in each quarter, one at a time, then use your ring finger to press the colour into the lips to take off excess lipstick and give a smooth finish — this is what we do on catwalk models.”
I find make-up videos especially useful when learning about eye make-up, which is notoriously tricky — Ruby helps with that, too. “Muted colours have the most impact on eyes,” she says.
“Use a natural colour across the whole lid as a base, with a darker shade in the socket to add some definition.” Try L’Oreal Paris Color Riche La Palette Nude Beige, a selection of wearable and natural shades.
Another lady who creates make-up videos for older women is Tricia Cusden, 67, from Wimbledon. She created her make-up brand Look Fabulous Forever (look fabulousforever.com) and made videos for the website, showing how best to use her products.
Tricia suits bright shades because of her cool-toned skin. She uses make-up artist Linda Sullivan in her videos, with advice for every complexion and skin problem.
Linda’s top tip is for thicker-looking lashes. “As we age, they tend to become thinner, so use a waxy eye crayon close to the lash line to give the illusion of a full flutter,” she says.
“With all your products, it is important to blend the colour, so there aren’t any hard edges. Keep it subtle and it won’t beageing.”
Daily Mail