How Contouring Can Give Mature Skin A Lift

As we age, the structure of our faces tends to soften a bit: the jawline may slacken, cheeks may droop, and lips could appear thinner. Skincare and facial massage and ‘doing’ aesthetics can help prevent and (to some extent) treat these symptoms in the long term. But if you want instant results? Reach for your make-up bag.

Contrary to what Instagram may have you believe, contouring does not have to involve piling on thick layers of product on the face. Instead, it’s about sculpting and subtly playing with light and shadow.

It can enhance or mildly alter the way your natural bone structure appears, so it’s a quick and easy way to get an instant facelift.

“Anything you want to push back on your face, your contour. Anything you want to accentuate, you highlight – that’s a rule of thumb,” says Julie Unwin, Clarins Retail Training Manager.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to make contouring look great on mature skin.

Choose the right colour and texture

Colour

There isn’t a single shade of contour that will suit every skin tone. To find the right one for you, follow these simple steps. Observe the colour of natural shadows on your face – hollows under your cheekbones or the dip below your lip. You will notice that they are a slightly darker version of your skin tone. And as they’re shadows, they have a greyish undertone.

That’s why contouring products tend to be cool-toned browns rather than warm-toned ones that work better as bronzers.

Texture

“When you’ve got mature skin, I think it’s all about dewiness,” says Unwin. This is why contouring creams are a great idea. Likewise, powders can be good if you have oily skin.

Sculpt the cheekbones and jawline

To subtly chisel your cheeks, start by applying your contour cream or powder just below the cheekbone, in the area closest to the ear. Use a tapered or angled brush like the Blush Brush to sweep the product, blending using short strokes. If you’re using a cream, you could also use your fingers to blend.

Concentrate most of the colour near the area closest to your ear and feather out as you approach the front of the face.

Tip: Make sure the edge is blended to perfection before reaching the front of the cheekbone. Ideally, you don’t want to see any obvious product lines near the centre of the face.

You can also contour your jaw area by sweeping your contour product along the jawline or just under it to make it appear sharper. Then, blend into the neck for a seamless finish.

Subtly contour around the lips

Most people tend to lose some volume in the lips with age. You may also notice wrinkles in the area. There are many ways to naturally reduce fine lines above the lip. But make-up can also help,

If that’s something you want to balance, a good lip liner will help. But also, play with light and shade. Unwin recommends using “some highlighter on the cupid’s bow and a bit of contour powder just below the middle of the lower lip.”

Avoid shimmers and powdery textures

Glittery products can bring attention to fine lines. Plus, the goal of a contouring product is to create a realistic-looking shadow. And shadows tend to be matte, so it’s best to skip shimmers when you’re shading.

Know when not to contour

If you already have hollow cheeks or a narrow face, you probably don’t need to use a cheek contour. You can, however, reach for your highlighter to emphasise the high points of the cheeks.

Similarly, if you don’t like to emphasise the shadows on your face, you can subtly sculpt using just a highlighter, blush and bronzer. Again, where you place the products on the face can make a big difference in enhancing your bone structure.

“I would reach for a highlighter to accentuate the cheekbones, the eyes and the lips,” says Unwin. “Sometimes, if you put too much make-up on a mature skin type, it can look too heavy. Particularly if you’re going through the menopause, you can get quite hot, and you don’t want to have layers and layers of make-up on. So, anything that’s light and fresh-looking is great.”

Read: How To Do Foundation To Contour And Bronze

Make your bronzer work double duty

Adding a bronzer step after you contour will help add more dimension to the face. After contouring, use your bronzer to emphasise the high points of the face where the sun naturally hits.

Try:The Ever Bronze Compact Powders have a plant-based micropatch that make the formula feel smooth and hydrating on the skin, despite their powder-based texture.

If you prefer to use just bronzer, that works too. “A really good way to naturally contour your face is to use your bronzer,” says Unwin. An application tip to remember: “Think about the number three and the letter E when you’re applying bronzer to both sides of the face.”

She explains: “Go across the forehead where the sun kisses your skin, then sweep along the cheekbone and underneath the jawline. And that will give you a natural contour rather than a super chiselled look.”

Read: How to apply bronzer the right way

As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of makeup artistry and its application on mature skin, I have extensive knowledge in the techniques and products that contribute to achieving a youthful appearance. My experience encompasses a deep understanding of facial anatomy, skin types, and the nuances of makeup application, making me well-equipped to discuss the concepts presented in the article.

The article delves into the art of contouring for mature skin, emphasizing the role of makeup in providing instant results to combat the natural softening of facial features with age. It suggests that while skincare and facial massage are beneficial in the long term, makeup, particularly contouring, can offer immediate enhancements. Now, let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:

Purpose of Contouring:
- Contouring is described as a technique that involves sculpting and manipulating light and shadow to enhance or subtly alter the appearance of natural bone structure.
- It is highlighted as a quick and easy way to achieve an instant facelift.
Color and Texture Selection:
- The importance of choosing the right color and texture for contouring is emphasized.
- For color selection, the article advises observing natural shadows on the face and opting for cool-toned browns with a slightly darker version of the individual's skin tone.
- In terms of texture, dewy contouring creams are recommended for mature skin, providing a natural and seamless blend.
Application Techniques:
- Specific techniques for sculpting the cheekbones and jawline are outlined, recommending the use of tapered or angled brushes for application.
- The concentration of contour color near the ear, blending towards the front of the face, is suggested for a natural look.
- Contouring around the lips is also addressed, with a focus on using a lip liner and playing with light and shade to address age-related changes.
Avoiding Certain Products:
- Shimmers and powdery textures are discouraged, as they can draw attention to fine lines. The goal of contouring is to create realistic-looking shadows, which are typically matte.
When to Skip Contouring:
- It is advised not to contour if an individual already has hollow cheeks or a narrow face. In such cases, a highlighter can be used to emphasize high points.
- Overuse of makeup on mature skin, especially during menopause, is cautioned against, with an emphasis on light and fresh-looking products.
Bronzer Application:
- The article introduces bronzer as a complementary step after contouring to add more dimension to the face.
- A natural contour using bronzer is suggested, following the pattern of the number three and the letter E across the forehead, cheekbone, and jawline.

By integrating these concepts into your makeup routine, particularly when dealing with mature skin, you can effectively enhance your facial features and achieve a rejuvenated appearance.

How Contouring Can Give Mature Skin A Lift | Beauty Daily (2024)