While it makes sense to purge a lot of things in your 40s (toxic people, partners, and toxic habits, to name a few), it’s especially imperative to take a special look at your cosmetics. After all, your skin has different needs now than it did in your 20s and 30s, and products that served you well in decades past can now leave a lot to be desired.
30 cosmetics that no woman over 40 should buy
That is why we have put together the Cosmetic products that every woman over 40 should avoid buying. From modern press-on lip and nail colors to charcoal mascaras that will leave your skin drier than the Sahara.
matte foundation
Now that you’re in your 40s, and you probably aren’t dealing with super oily skin, matte foundations will only make your skin look flat and lifeless. Instead, look for foundations with the words “luminous” or “glow” in the product description. They are much more likely to give you a youthful, wet look.
Liquid eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner is difficult to apply in the first place. And if you start noticing fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, you’ll have a harder time getting it right. Not to mention, a bold cat eye probably isn’t your most flattering look now that you’re in your 40s. Stick to colored pencils in shades like dark gray and brown.
Shimmery lip glosses
Lip glosses are all the rage right now, but that doesn’t mean you should join the party. A smack of lip gloss can look goopy and girlish. If you can’t let go of the gloss, choose a lip gloss, but a very light one.
shimmer eye shadow
Bold eyeshadow looks are hard to pull off. And often, they are more suitable for teenage girls who are still experimenting with new trends. Now that those years are behind us, stick to neutrals in powder, cream, and stick formulas for a classic, polished look.
bright lipstick
A bold red lip is always a classic, but Barbie pink and tangerine orange lips can often be too much for women over 40. Keep your classic reds, but consider swapping out the other glosses for a rich mauve or burgundy hue.
Too bright face highlighter
A bit of highlighter can do wonders to brighten your skin. But as these Cosmetic products get brighter and brighter, you’ll want to try them out before you commit. Pick one that adds a hint of shimmer to your cheekbones, but doesn’t veer into any too-shiny territory.
dollar makeup
cheap cosmetics than a dollar, they can wreak havoc on your skin, plus they tend not to look as good. Step up your game and head to your local beauty counter. Or at least opt for a good quality pharmacy find.
very sweet fragrances
At age 40, your taste in fragrance has hopefully evolved beyond fruits and flowers. But that doesn’t mean you have to go for a musky granny fragrance, either. You can still go floral and fresh, just make sure the scent is more complex than your baby’s favorite shampoo.
purifying masks
Purifying masks tend to dry out the skin with their strong cleansing ingredients. Over time, that could mean skin that feels irritated and uncomfortable. Choose a hydrating mask with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter.
matte liquid lipstick
Liquid lipsticks are popular for several reasons: they’re easy to apply, they don’t budge, and they stay on for hours at a time. Unfortunately, no matter how old you are, they also settle into fine lines. Unless your lips are incredibly well hydrated, you’ll want to avoid this type of makeup now that you’re in your 40s.
glitter on the body
This is another teenage trend that you should stay away from. If you’re looking for shimmer, try a very subtle body shimmer. That way, your skin will look more luminous, and you won’t be covered in glitter until the end of time.
dry cleaners
Humidity, humidity, humidity: this is why your skin is dying right now. Avoid harsh cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils. If your skin feels tight and itchy after washing, that’s probably what’s going on. The cleansing balms, cleansing lotions and the oil-based makeup removers They are great options for women over 40.
hair dyes at home
We get it, dyeing your hair from a box is sometimes a necessity. But trying crazy, overly colorful hair dye at home can ruin your hair, especially since you’re pretty much guaranteed to have to dye it again a few weeks later. Hit the salon if you’re in the mood for an intricate hair color, or stick with a color that matches your natural shade.
sea salt spray for hair
Aging hair is already delicate and dry, and adding a sea salt spray to it can make things worse. If you want to achieve a beachy wave, try a curling wand and some texturizing spray.
Artificial nails
Now that you’re 40, you’ve earned the right to head to the nail salon and splurge on a real manicure, so that’s exactly what you need to do. False nails are too obvious and never last that long anyway.
body scrubs
When your skin is dry, it might make sense to try to exfoliate some of that dryness with a body scrub. But in general, most scrubs will remove much-needed moisture and leave your skin drier than it was before you showered. Avoid exfoliating more than three times a week, and when you do, do so with exfoliants with gentle ingredients, such as shea butter and nut oils.
Light body moisturizers
Hydrating the body is essential for women over 40. And it’s always better to choose a moisturizer that does too much rather than one that doesn’t do enough. Thicker creams will offer more moisturizing benefits than their lighter counterparts. Look for those that contain glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
eyebrow tweezers
Stay away from the tweezers! Now that you’re in your 40s, you’ve probably noticed that your hair isn’t growing as fast and isn’t as dense as it used to be. That is especially true with the hair on the eyebrows. Avoid plucking too often, or you risk not having any eyebrows again.
Makeup with unicorn shades
This is something you will want to avoid. This highlighter trend isn’t flattering on anyone, so don’t fall for the banner ad trap. Stick to classic highlighters that really match your skin tone.
Blotting papers or fat-absorbent papers
Now that you’re turning the corner into middle age, chances are you don’t suffer from very oily skin. And that means you can leave the grease-absorbing papers at home. This product is more suitable for acne-prone teenagers than mature women.
false eyelashes
Some strip lashes are fine, but applying super thick and outrageous strip lashes can look very artificial. Instead, apply individual lashes or treat yourself to lash extensions—they last four to six weeks and look incredibly natural.
eye shadow palettes
You’ll probably never dive into that neon yellow or granny green, right? And if that’s the case, there’s not much point in spending a ton of cash on a palette that you’re only buying for one or two colors. Show a seller a color you like, and he or she will help you find a single-tone item in the color you’re interested in.
crazy lipstick
Lipsticks in colors like black, green, and electric blue have been a big hit this year. But just because you see them on your favorite beauty blogger’s Instagram doesn’t mean they should have a place on your dresser. They are almost never complementary, and will only make you appear to be too heavy with makeup.
Charcoal masks
Charcoal masks are supposed to be purifying, but they also tend to dry out the skin. Plus, they’re hard to remove, which means you’ll likely have to scrub them off.
metallic makeup
A light metallic eye can be totally flattering, but the addition of metallic elements on the lips, cheeks or eyebrows can make you look a bit out of context. Stick to colors that enhance your natural features and avoid those that are more suitable for New Year’s Eve. In this case, a little goes a long way!
neon nail polish
By the time you turn 40, your hands have probably started to show signs of aging. And if you’re looking to draw attention away from those signs, neon nail polishes are best avoided. Go for a classic pink or red and stay away from colors that will draw attention as soon as you walk into the room.
Cleansing wipes
You probably already know that makeup remover wipes are not the best for removing makeup. They can irritate and inflame the skin. Many wipes contain not-so-good ingredients like formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, solubilizers, surfactants, and emulsifiers, which means if you don’t wash your face after using the wipes, you’re at serious risk of inflammation.
lip brush
Lip brushes are difficult for women over 40 because they often seep into the wrinkles and fine lines around the lips. If a brush, apply a touch of lip liner beforehand to prevent smudging.
acne products
It may seem proactive to include an acne-fighting face wash in your morning routine. But unless you really do suffer from adult acne, it’s best to avoid them. These acidic products are some of the driest items in the skincare aisle.
bath bombs
Some bath bombs are fancy, but others are just baby-smelling. Plus, who wants to clean a bathtub stained with glitter all over it? You’re too busy for that.