How to adapt your make-up routine to menopause

Go light and easy

The more product you use on your skin, the more product there is to sit in your crinkles, so keep it simple. “During menopause, skin often feels hot, so focus on cooling, nurturing and nourishing,” says over-40 make-up expert Amanda Ramsay. “Make-up won’t hide wrinkled or textured skin.” A dry-looking complexion is ageing, so first and foremost use products that give your face a fresh, healthy glow, suggests Amanda.

She recommends adding a face oil into your skincare regimen. This can be applied after serum and before moisturiser. And when skin is feeling hot, use a soothing, hydrating mist, which you can spritz throughout the day to keep skin refreshed.

Try Weleda Pomegranate Firming Facial Oil ($46.95, adorebeauty.com.au) and Clémence Organics Tone + Hydrate Spritz ($39.98, clemenceorganics.com).

Give Dry Skin Some Glow

Don’t use powder to set your make-up, because if you have dry skin, it’ll settle into and magnify fine lines and wrinkles. Instead, opt for a hydrating setting spray, which you can spritz on before and after applying make-up for strong staying power, says Amanda.

Choose a hydrating foundation that is enriched with hyaluronic acid, and apply it in thin layers, building coverage only where necessary. (Heavy all-over make-up is ageing, but seeing a few freckles looks fresh and healthy.) Blemishes can be camouflaged with a spot of creamy concealer where necessary. Deeper lines and dark circles can be softened with an illuminating concealer pen.

Try NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray ($19.95, Priceline) and DB Cosmetics Luminous Hydrating Foundation ($19.99, dbcosmetics.com.au).

Try the no-sweat method

If your skin tends to be sweaty as a result of hot flushing, try a different approach to foundation, as dewy liquid formulations will melt off. Instead, opt for a moisture-absorbing mineral powder foundation. “A quality, natural mineral powder foundation will mop up excess perspiration without caking,” says Amanda.

Try Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder for silky, medium coverage. ($89, janeiredale.com.au). Or Fitcover Active Mineral Powder Foundation, a natural, sweat-proof powder that contains vitamin E. ($59, fitcover.com).

Focus on the good

“Pick one or two features that you love about your face, whether it’s your eyes, brows or lips, and highlight those,” Amanda suggests. “Experimenting with colour will boost your mood.” This doesn’t mean having to go for bright, bold colours.

“You can play it safe, but make pinks and peaches your neutrals instead of browns, nudes and greys, which will flatten your complexion.”

FOR EYES: REVLON ColorStay™ Eye Liner

A creamy, smudge-proof pencil that glides on smoothly. ($23.95, Priceline).

FOR CHEEKS: Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint

This buildable, creamy blush has major staying power. ($39, Myer).

FOR LIPS: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Its special formula seals in colour and softness with moisturising ingredients. ($24.95, Priceline).