Understanding the Canvas: Mature Skin
Contouring on a 70-year-old face is not about harsh sculpting, but rather about restoring lost dimension in a gentle, flattering way. As skin matures, it can become thinner and lose volume and elasticity, leading to a natural softening of facial features. Heavy powders and intense formulas can settle into fine lines and appear cakey, so a light touch and specific product choices are essential. This guide focuses on enhancing, not hiding, your natural beauty.
Choosing the Right Products
Selecting the correct formula is the single most important step for contouring mature skin. Heavy powders are often too dry and can accentuate wrinkles. Cream-based products are a far better choice because they blend seamlessly and provide a more natural, hydrated finish.
- Cream or liquid contour: Opt for products like a cream contour stick or a liquid contour that melts into the skin. Look for shades with neutral undertones to mimic natural shadows, avoiding anything too warm or orange.
- Lightweight, dewy foundation: A hydrating, radiant-finish foundation, preferably with added skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid, will create the perfect base. This prevents a flat, one-dimensional look and ensures your contour blends beautifully.
- Cream blush: Cream or liquid blush adds a natural flush of color, bringing life back to the face. Apply it just above your contour for a lifted effect.
- Soft highlighter: Choose a cream or liquid highlighter with a pearlescent, rather than chunky glitter, finish. This creates a soft, lit-from-within glow that avoids emphasizing texture.
Step-by-Step Contouring for a Mature Face
This technique is designed to be subtle and buildable, allowing you to add dimension without looking overdone.
- Prep and Prime: Start with a well-moisturized and primed face. Hydrated skin is the key to a flawless application. A smoothing, blurring primer can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and ensure makeup glides on effortlessly.
- Define the Cheekbones: Instead of sweeping contour into the hollows, apply it slightly above to create a lifted illusion. Use a small, angled brush or your finger to apply a few dots of cream contour, then blend upward and outward towards the temples with a damp sponge or a fluffy brush, using a gentle tapping or bouncing motion.
- Refine the Jawline: For a more defined jaw, apply a soft, subtle line of contour directly under the jawbone. Blend it downwards onto the neck to ensure there are no harsh lines, creating a seamless transition.
- Sculpt the Forehead: To add dimension, lightly sweep contour along the hairline. This can help create balance and depth, especially if you have a high forehead.
- Add Softness with Blush: Apply a cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend it back towards the hairline. This placement adds warmth and a youthful appearance.
- Brighten with Highlighter: Gently dab a liquid or cream highlighter on the high points of the face where light naturally hits—the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, and the bridge of the nose.
- The Art of Blending: The most critical step is blending, blending, blending! Ensure all products are diffused and there are no visible lines. Take your foundation brush or sponge and gently go over the edges to soften them, creating an airbrushed finish.
Common Contouring Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much product: A little goes a long way. Start with a small amount and build up slowly to avoid a heavy, unnatural finish.
- Overly cool or warm tones: Choose a neutral-toned product. An ashy tone can look gray, while an orange tone can look unnatural.
- Heavy powders: Avoid dense or heavy powders that can settle into fine lines. Stick to creamy formulas for a more hydrated look.
- Ignoring the blush: Don't skip blush. Contouring alone can look stark, but adding a soft blush will add life and health back to your complexion.
Comparison Table: Cream vs. Powder Contouring
| Feature | Cream Contour | Powder Contour |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mature, dry, or textured skin | Younger, oily, or smooth skin |
| Finish | Natural, dewy, hydrated | Matte, sometimes cakey on mature skin |
| Ease of Blending | Blends seamlessly with a damp sponge | Can be harder to blend, risk of harsh lines |
| Longevity | Good, especially with a light setting spray | Can be long-lasting, but may settle in lines |
| Application Tools | Damp sponge, fluffy brush, fingers | Powder brush |
| Ideal Look | Subtle lift, radiant glow | Sharp definition |
Conclusion: Confidence at Every Age
Contouring for a 70-year-old face is about embracing and enhancing your timeless beauty with care and skill. By choosing the right products—hydrating creams over heavy powders—and using a gentle, upward-blending technique, you can restore a sense of youthful dimension and radiance. Ultimately, makeup should be a tool for celebrating yourself, and with these tips, you can achieve a sophisticated, flattering look that helps you feel confident and beautiful at any age. For more comprehensive tips on mature skin makeup, you can consult reputable beauty experts like L'Oréal Paris's beauty articles.
