Makeup in Your 50s vs Your 20s: What to Change and What to Keep

Getting Ready in Your 20s vs Your 50s

Remember your 20s routine? Heavy foundation, a thick flick of liquid liner, numerous coats of mascara, and out the door in ten minutes. It worked then. Now it might not.

That's not a problem. Your skin, lashes and eyes change over the years, so your routine should change with them. You don't need to start over, just adjust what you're doing. Here's what's worth updating as you move into your 40s, 50s and beyond.

Start with skin prep

In your 20s: You could skip moisturiser, go straight to foundation and it would still look fine.

Now: Most makeup looks better on well-prepped skin. A hydrating serum and a good moisturiser, left to sink in for a few minutes, give everything after them a smoother base. Keep going with SPF every day.

Try lighter coverage

In your 20s: Full coverage, matte finish, set with powder.

Now: Heavy, matte formulas can settle into fine lines and make skin look flat. Try a skin tint, a light foundation or a tinted moisturiser, and only conceal where you need to. Use powder just on the T-zone, or not at all. The aim is skin that looks like skin.

Swap powder for cream where it works

In your 20s: Powder blush, powder bronzer, powder everything.

Now: Cream blushes and bronzers blend into the skin, so they look fresher and don't cling to texture. Tap them on with your fingers for a natural flush.

Soften your eye makeup

In your 20s: Sharp winged liner and dark, dramatic shadow.

Now: Eyelids can soften and eyes can get more sensitive over time. A smudged pencil or a soft brown shadow pressed close to the lash line still defines the eyes without looking harsh. Matte or satin shadows are usually kinder than heavy shimmer.

Give your brows a little attention

In your 20s: Brows were either over-plucked or left to do their own thing.

Now: Brows can thin or lose colour, and filling them in lifts the whole face. Use light, hair-like strokes with a pencil or tinted gel in a shade close to your natural colour, or slightly softer.

Make lash care part of the routine

In your 20s: Mascara went on, stayed on all day and came off with whatever was nearby.

Now: Lashes can look sparser and eyes can react more easily, so what you put on them makes a bigger difference.

• Care for lashes between makeup days. Add erthlash Peptide Serum to your evening routine, and read more about why lashes deserve a skincare routine.
• Choose mascara that suits your eyes. Look for a formula you find comfortable to wear, especially if you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses.
• Remove it gently. Use a suitable remover and avoid rubbing or pulling at your lashes.
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The erthlash Fibre Lash Mascara is a two-step fibre system designed for buildable, natural-looking length. Green tea fibres add length, Australian iron oxide pigment gives it a rich black colour, and a gentle wax blend helps condition and hold the look. It’s formulated in Australia, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, with two tubes in one boxed ritual. If you’re new to fibre mascara, follow our step-by-step application guide.

Getting ready should feel good

The biggest difference between your 20s and 50s may not be the products. It’s knowing what works for you. Your routine can be shorter, softer and better suited to the face you have now.

Ready to refresh your lash routine? Explore erthlash Fibre Lash Mascara.