‘Tis the season for a bold red lip and a little shimmer on the eyelids, but that can sometimes feel intimidating for women over 50. Makeup artist Laura Geller, who has built her career helping mature women feel confident in their own skin with practical tips and tricks, sees it differently. “The holidays are the perfect time to play around with your makeup and try something new!” she explains.
The key is doing it without tipping into full showgirl mode. For women over 50, Geller says there is a reliable way to get decked out for the season without going overboard. Whether the goal is a subtle glam-up for a work party or something extra for a family gathering, her guidance focuses on polish and ease rather than heavy layers.
Always start with a moisturised base
The first step, especially in winter, should always be a moisturiser. “Cold weather naturally pulls moisture from our skin, so it’s important to make sure you’re properly hydrating it before applying makeup,” Geller has said. “I always say that makeup can only be as good as what’s underneath, and if your skin is thirsty, your foundation will tell on you through dry spots and creasing.”
For dry or mature skin, she recommends following moisturiser with a hydrating primer rather than going straight in with foundation. A lightweight cream-to-gel formula infused with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter and jojoba oil can create a smooth, luminous surface before any colour goes on. “By applying a hydrating primer first, your makeup stays fresh and dewy, creating the perfect canvas so everything you put on top just glides on effortlessly,” she explains.
Think of a well-hydrated, primed base as a soft-focus filter for the face that helps holiday makeup go on more smoothly and last longer without catching on fine lines or dry patches.
Amplify with one or two special touches
Holiday makeup does not need to be complicated or intimidating. “For women over 50, less is more,” Geller says. “Add a few special touches to make it feel festive.” In practice, there is no need to stray too far from an everyday look.
Geller recommends choosing one feature to dial up rather than trying to make everything bold at once. “Go easy on your base and build where you want impact: a classic red lip, a slightly deeper eyeshadow for definition or a soft shimmer on the lid and inner corner to catch the light.”
That might mean:
- A moisturising, berry-toned or classic red lipstick that can be worn as a sheer stain in the day then layered up for evening
- A soft neutral eyeshadow with one slightly deeper shade through the crease for definition
- A finely milled powder or cream highlighter tapped onto the centre of the lid and inner corner for a gentle glow
Here is how Geller approaches holiday glam herself. “When I want more glam for evening holiday parties and events, I reach for a classic red lip paired with a hint of shimmer on the eyes,” she says. “On nights where I want something a touch softer, let’s say for a casual holiday get together with friends, I lean into neutral tones on the eyes and a flattering lip with some gloss.”
The focus stays on polish and light-catching details rather than heavy contour or glitter.
Keep things simple with one makeup palette
Hunting through drawers for an old red lipstick or last year’s eyeshadow can make getting ready more stressful than it needs to be. Streamlining the routine into one face and eye palette can make party prep much easier.
A well-edited palette that includes a mix of soft mattes and subtle shimmers for the eyes plus a blush or bronzer means most of the holiday look sits in one place. It also makes it easier to repeat a look that worked well without rethinking every step.
On top of that, one good red or berry lipstick in a tone that suits the skin can be the workhorse for the season. Apply as a stain for daytime by pressing it on with a fingertip, then build to full strength for evening and finish with a touch of clear or matching gloss if extra shine is wanted.
Keeping products edited and coordinated like this helps the whole routine feel more manageable and leaves more time to enjoy the actual celebrations.
Don’t be afraid to touch up
“You’ll always find two things in my purse: lipstick and blush!” Geller says of her touch-up must-haves for adding colour on the go. “A swipe of my favourite hydrating lip color or a quick sweep of blush can instantly brighten my look and I don’t need a mirror to apply either.”
A tinted lip balm or sheer lipstick is ideal for this. It adds hydration, shine and just a hint of colour to revive a bold holiday lip as it wears down through the night.
When it comes to blush, “a baked formula is my non-negotiable for a fresh pop of color that brings life back to the face and adds a little polish,” Geller says. She favours formulas that give a soft, lit-from-within glow rather than a flat matte finish, which can emphasise dryness or fine lines.
Geller’s favourite party trick is simple and discreet. “I’ll sneak into the ladies’ room, apply a little blush and suddenly I look lifted and camera-ready,” she says. A quick tap of colour high on the cheeks and a fresh coat of lipstick or balm is often all it takes to look revived in photos and under evening lighting.
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