I just turned 44 and you sure do learn a lot being around the beauty industry. We all want to maintain our youth, however, there are some definite do's and dont's for women over 40 that I want to share with you. We can still be sexy and beautiful with the right attitude, and by following some simple rules in order to showcase our beauty in a classy fashion.

1.  Wear the right concealer and foundation. Color, texture and applying the right amount are key. Ensure a good color match as nothing looks worse on mature skin as makeup that is obviously too dark or light. While it's tempting to apply with a heavy hand to cover imperfections, a thick application just settles into fine lines and wrinkles.

2.  Wear clothing you feel good in that fits well. Too tight makes us look like we're desperately trying to look younger and too loose clothing will just make us look sloppy. Balance is key. Wear a nice, sexy pair of jeans but not with a tight tank top. However, a tank top with loose, yet fitted pants looks amazing.

3.  Want to be trendy? That's great, but buy trendy accessories instead of an entire outfit. If leopard print is in I would buy a scarf and wear it with classic clothing rather than leopard pants!

4. Accentuate your best feature. Lips, eyes, ... whatever it is - choose one and play it up. Smoky, sultry eyes paired with a nude lip will get more attention than if you pair it with red lips. Got great lips? Soft eye makeup with a bold lip will look incredible. Don't try and accentuate it all at once.

5. Try a new fragrance. No one wants to smell like an old lady, so if you've been wearing the same perfume since high school you may want to try a new, fresh fragrance. It will not only please those around you but will instantly lift your spirits and make you feel sexy.

6. Listen to your kids. My 19 year old daughter will tell me flat-out if something I am buying is too old-looking. Don't have kids? Take a niece with you. A friend's daughter. Be open-minded and make sure you still buy something you feel good in. If you don't feel good in it, it's not worth buying regardless how it looks on the hanger.

7.  Keep hair young and fresh with regular trims. Nothing ages us more than dried-out, lifeless hair. Think movement. We're not ready for the 'do that lasts all week long and would survive a windstorm. Choose a color that's easy to maintain so when the gray peeps out it's not terribly obvious. Or, make sure you have the time and budget to keep up a darker color.

8.  Opt for lip gloss over lipstick. Gloss tends to be more moisturizing. Dry lips definitely age us quickly! My all-time favorite is a pinkish-gold shade that provides me a youthful shine and glow without looking too bubble-gummish. I haven't used lipstick in years. If I want more staying power I put a stain under my gloss.

9.  Keep accessories simple, yet stunning. As I mentioned, I use accessories to keep trendy but it's easy to overdo it. Chunky necklaces look fab with a simple dress or top but then I tone down the earrings and bracelet. Let one item stand out. NEVER wear bold jewelry with prints!! Wearing a print blouse or dress? Plain silver or gold jewelry looks best! Got a pair of funky shoes? Wear with a plain black dress or jeans with a white blouse to let them take center stage!

10.  Avoid glittery or shimmery makeup, polish. shadows, blushes or bronzers. Shimmer shadows will settle in lines so I use matte shadows instead. However, at night I do use them but blend well. Or, I use the shimmery one in the crease of my eye, not the lid where the skin is crepier. I use a bronzer with very little shimmer as matte bronzer tends to look muddy on me. Bronzer is great if used sparingly and blended extremely well. I use glitter on Halloween only.

BONUS TIP: Smile. A smile brightens your face instantly and will immediately make you look and feel good, not to mention younger. It's free too! Oh, and it has to be genuine :) ....

There are many ways to exfoliate - at home, with a facialist, with a peel, microdermabrasion, etc. The key is to find a regime that works for you, know what you can afford, and will be able to continue.
 
Why exfoliate? Because your skin ages every 28 days, so it is crucial to get that dead skin off. Otherwise, you're wasting time and money on any skincare products you may be using. I compare it to waxing a car without washing it first, or brushing your teeth without the brush. You gotta get that layer of junk off first to get glowing skin.

A few years ago when the economy was good, and I had my nice corporate job, I would alternate acid peels and microdermabrasion treatments at a med-spa. Why a med-spa? Because I found the dermatologist's office to be too sterile and cold, while the usual spa treatments tended to be lots of fluff and not enough substance. My skin has lots of pitted scars, large pores and is tough as nails, so I need a strong hand. When I got laid off, I started doing acid peels at home and an occassional microdermabrasion treatment at the med-spa. In between, I exfoliate my skin with scrubs at home at least 3 times a week, along with detox/clay masks 3-4 times a week. 

HINT: I use any masks prior to showering so I don't make a huge mess in my sink! I just find this saves me aggravation bigtime!

DAILY: In the morning I wash with a creamy cleanser. I don't like all that foam in the morning, I just want to get that layer of yuck off my face. I then use a toner (CRUCIAL!!!). Finally, a light non-sticky moisturizer for the daytime.

At night in the shower I use a foamy cleanser to get rid of any makeup, tone again, apply eye cream and a night cream.

WEEKLY: I use masks at least 3x a week. I use all kinds, depending upon what my skin needs. Sometimes it's a deep clean with a clay mask, sometimes it's a soothing hydrating mask, other times I use a mild enzyme mask. After a clay/detox mask, I use a serum or facial oil to hydrate my super clean skin. I also use scrubs several times a week. I also exfoliate my entire body 2-3x a week with alternating scrubs - sometimes I use salt scrubs, other times sugar scrubs. The salt scrubs have larger grains while sugar scrubs are more finely milled. Again, I use what my skin needs at the time. I have found a new affinity for body scrubs - was never my thing but now I am hooked.

OCCASSIONALLY: I get professional microdermabrasion and/or acid peels. I wish I could go more for these, but, with the great products I use at home, I find my skin 10x better than it was prior to using organic/natural skincare so I don't need to... I have used acid peels at home too (because I am very familiar with them), so I don't recommend unless you've had prior experience professionally, and start at a very low grade. Most quality enzyme masks do the job very well!   

Seriously.... my skin is so much better behaved - which is why I am such an advocate and believer in green beauty products. They work and your skin with love you for it.

If you have very sensitive skin, check with a dermatologist first before beginning any peels or treatments, other than your basic scrubs, etc.

There are several types of foundations to choose from. Mineral powder, liquid, stick, creme-to-powder and tinted moisturizers. Finding a good foundation for acne-prone skin takes some basic knowledge of the different types available, and knowing what will not aggravate the condition further. The most important thing to remember is to ensure the foundation is oil-free, and uses the most natural ingredients available. Some chemicals may aggravate the skin, worsening the condition.

A tinted moisturizer is the best option as it is water-based and allows the skin to breathe, especially important for long days. However, a tinted moisturizer will not provide full coverage, so a liquid foundation or loose mineral powder is a great option for a night out, or on special occasions when fuller coverage is desired. Creme and stick foundations tend to be heavier and may feel greasier on the skin as the day progresses, but there are oil-free options available.

Additional helpful tips:

Start with a thoroughly clean face. Use an oil-free cleanser, apply an alcohol-free toner, then the tinted moisturizer. Apply an oil-free lightweight moisturizer prior to using liquid or other types of foundation.  

It is best to apply any foundation with a clean sponge, as fingers may transfer dirt and bacteria to your face. If you prefer a foundation brush, clean it daily. You may need to apply tinted moisturizer with your fingers as the consistency is more watery than a liquid foundation. Just ensure your hands are clean before applying.

Use an oil-free concealer to cover pimples instead of relying on the foundation to do this. A small dot blended well will give the most natural results. Blending is key, ensuring it doesn't look too obvious. A light touch is best, as a heavy hand will usually just take off the concealer, requiring a second try. Choose a concealer closest to your foundation shade, as opposed to a lighter one you might use under the eyes.

Instead of using powder throughout the day to blot excess oil, use blotting tissues. The sponges used for powder are great at absorbing the oil, but you're also trapping the oil in the sponge, which you will use later. This can clog the pores and result in further breakouts.

If using a liquid foundation, a tube or a pump bottle are the best options as your fingers are not needed to get the foundation out. Simply pump or squeeze directly onto the sponge or foundation brush. These are also more sanitary options, eliminating a lot of exposure to the air and potential bacteria.

Finally, remove all makeup thoroughly before bedtime. Regardless of how sleepy you are, do not miss this important step. Your skin rejuvenates as you sleep, so sleeping with a clean, moisturized face is crucial at any age, for any skin type.

I firmly believe that finding a concealer in the right color is just as important as finding a brand or consistency that we like. No matter how great the product is, if it's the wrong shade, the resulting look will be fake. The key to a beautiful, flawless look is to complement and enhance what we have, not cake it on and look made-up. There are different types of concealer available, so let's go over the different types and the best way to use them all. 

Stick: You never want to pull the eye area as it is super delicate, and you do not want to loosen the skin whatsoever. Sticks are great, but I suggest using your finger or a concealer brush to get the product on, then apply it. Most stick formulas are hard, so warming it up with your finger will ensure smoother application. 

Liquid (with a foam or brush applicator): These are my personal favorite because they tend to be creamier and you can build coverage better, and you have better control over how much you apply. I prefer the foam over the brush though. The brush tends to poke and goes on less evenly. 

Cream Compact: Similar to stick formulas, so once again, warm up with your finger before applying. Or, use a brush if that is your preference, but it should be warmed up.

Pen/Brush Applicator: These are the kind that you twist and the product comes up through the brush. These are tricky and tend to be wasteful as it is hard to see how much is coming out until it's oozing out of the brush - and you've usually got too much product at this point. These are my least favorite. It's a good idea, but generally you will not use the brush but be forced to dab with your finger.

Tube: These are also great as the consistency is creamier and you have excellent control over how much product is coming out. Also, very sanitary!

Now for some essential concealer tips:

Never ever smear the concealer on. Pat the product until very well-blended. The key is to blend so it doesn't look so obvious and totally contrast with your foundation. Use your ring finger as it has the gentlest touch.

Less is more! Start with a very small dot and apply more if needed. Most women start with way too much and end up having to smear most of it off anyway.

Choose a color that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation. Going too light looks way too obvious. The right color can make or break your look. Do not perfectly match your foundation either. Too dark can also ruin the look. Finding the right color is probably the most important factor.

Apply eye cream beforehand. Most concealers are very concentrated and can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Um... we don't want that! So make sure your eye area is hydrated, and try and find a concealer that has some type of beneficial ingredients that will help keep the area hydrated throughout the day. One of personal faves is Lavera's, which I buy at Target. It contains organic ingredients and I adore the coverage and the consistency is perfect. Fair No. 1 is a great match for my skintone. It has Organic Jojoba & Olive Oil that deeply hydrates as well.

Blending is crucial. Don't try and pack it on to cover the circles. It will move around and settle in a very unflattering way in few short hours! Play around with it (when you're NOT going anywhere) and determine how much you need, what works for you and take pictures to see the result.

There are also concealers available in shades like lavender, yellow and green. Be aware how to use thse properly and for what purpose. Green is supposed to counteract redness (so great for zits), lavender is supposed to brighten yellow-tones and yellow is supposed to cover dark circles. I personally prefer using a concealer that is flesh-toned and one to two shades lighter than my foundation, but using these colors may be beneficial for a condition you really need help with.

Good luck and leave a comment if you have any tips to share, or a favorite brand!