How to Get Dewy, Glowing Skin After 40: My Simple, Effortless Makeup Routine

How to Look Dewy and Glow in Your 40s

One of the challenges of getting older is realizing what worked previously may not be working anymore. Over the last few years I really had to relearn how to do my makeup. Everything I was doing before, even the way I was lining my eyes just wasn’t working. I wanted to look fresh, effortless and dewy, but my skin was betraying me.

I was missing one of the most important components of looking radiant as you age. Hydration.

How to Prep Your Skin for Dewy Makeup

The first step to achieving a glowing makeup look begins long before you apply any products. As we age, skin tends to lose moisture and elasticity, which can result in a dull or dry appearance. So, the foundation of any dewy makeup look for women over 40 starts with hydration and skin prep.

And the prep starts the day and night before. During the day, drinking water helps your skin look and feel better and at night, a moisturizer heavy on hydration will do the work for you overnight.

I hate to report that the first step to receiving compliments on your skin is hydration, but it’s true. When I drink lots of water and use a nourishing and hydrating moisturizer at night, such as Elemis Pro Collagen Night Cream, I look refreshed. ( I also use Olay Regenerist, and my favorite Sunday Riley night oil.)

Shop My Favorite Night Creams & Moisturizers

Best Tips for Makeup Routine for Women Over 40

Will I spend this entire post talking about hydrating your skin. Possibly. It’s that important. So, guess what we do in the morning. We still chug water and we moisturize, moisturize and moisturize.

1. Hydrate, Protect and Add Plumpness

After washing my face, I usually apply a very hydrating day cream or hyaluronic acid to add moisture and plumpness to my skin. These are both fairly well priced so I don’t feel bad using them daily.

Next, I like to mix my hydrating primer, this Pixi Beauty is an affordable favorite, also Dermatologica SkinPerfect primer is great and a little goes a long way. I use that one for special occasions.

A hydrating primer not only helps your makeup last longer but also provides a smooth base that enhances the dewiness of your complexion. Look for primers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or vitamin C, which will provide moisture and promote a natural glow.

Turns out it’s possible to get glowing, beautiful skin with a simple makeup routine, but it does take trial and error.

2. Choose Light Coverage Foundations with a Dewy Finish

When it comes to foundation, less is more, especially for women over 40. Full-coverage foundations can sometimes look heavy or cakey and emphasize fine lines. Instead, I opt for a lightweight, dewy foundation or a tinted moisturizer that allows my skin to breathe while still providing a smooth, even finish.

How to Choose the Right Foundation:

• Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream: If like me, you prefer a lighter coverage, a tinted moisturizers or BB creams can even out your complexion while offering a fresh, glowing finish. For everyday, I use the Cerave Tinted Moisturizer. It evens out my skin tone, provides SPF protection and blends seemlessly.
• Go for a Dewy Formula: I actually no longer use foundation and instead prefer a CC cream. One of my favorite is the It Cosmetics CC Cream. This formula contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane, which help lock in moisture while creating that coveted radiant look. It’s also very buildable, so if I need a little more coverage I just use a little more product.
• Avoid Powder Foundations: As skin becomes drier with age, powder foundations can settle into fine lines and make your complexion look flat. Opt for cream or liquid foundations that hydrate your skin and give it a dewy, youthful glow.

Application Tips:

• Use a Damp Beauty Sponge: For an airbrushed, glowing finish, apply your foundation with a damp beauty sponge. This helps sheer out the product for a more natural, skin-like finish while boosting hydration.
• Blend Well: Don’t forget to blend your foundation down your neck for a seamless look. This prevents any harsh lines and ensures your makeup looks natural.

3. Finish with Light-Reflecting Highlighters and Cream Blush

As we age, our skin loses some of its natural radiance. But with the right makeup, you can bring that glow back. The key to a dewy look is in the highlighting and blush products you choose. Think light-reflecting formulas that mimic the skin’s natural luminosity.

How to Enhance Your Glow:

• Choose a Cream or Liquid Blush: Powder blushes can sometimes make skin look dry or matte, so opt for cream or liquid blush formulas that hydrate and give a soft, natural flush. These types of blushes blend seamlessly into the skin and leave a radiant, youthful finish. I absolutely love the Westman Atelier Blush.
• Opt for a Liquid or Cream Highlighter: To add a little extra glow, use a liquid or cream highlighter that reflects light without looking glittery. Apply it to the high points of your face—your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and the cupid’s bow—to instantly elevate your natural glow. The Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter is one of my favorites.
• Placement is Everything: As we age our face shifts and it’s important to play around with blush and contour to make sure you’re not aging yourself. I recently figured out that a need to use my counter stick a little higher on my cheek bone and use the blush a little lower. Experimenting with placement can make all the difference. I use Westman Atelier cream contour stick for a more seamless application.

Application Tip:

• Layer for Maximum Glow: If you’re feeling extra, layer a liquid highlighter under your foundation for an all-over glow. Then, apply a powder highlighter lightly on top to set everything in place.