A few months ago I was in Ulta. I wanted some new eyeshadow even though I already own several great pallettes. I was with one of my daughters who was telling me that I should stop wearing sparkly or glimmer eyeshadow because I’m too old. It sort of hurt my feelings a little. We found a person who works there and I asked her and she said the same thing. That women over 50 should only wear matte and should stick to lighter colors. She said that shimmer shadow reflects light and can draw attention to places we don’t want attention.
I came home with 3 separate eyeshadows. All matte and all colors that match my skin tone so they blend and look natural.
Since then I have searched several times the words “sparkly eyeshadow for women over 50”. Many of the posts and videos I came across say the same things my daughter and the lady at Ulta told me. I have been wearing the matte shadow but I don’t love it.
Then recently I found an article called Should You Shun Shimmer Eye Makeup after Fifty and it had all of the information I had been searching for!
There are 5 things to consider and the first one made me want to continue reading. It said, “Does it make you feel good?”
Now I am a super believer in wearing things that make you feel beautiful and confident and awesome. That is the thing I have been shouting into my make believe microphone for a long time. There are so many older women I follow on Instagram who go against what all of those stupid articles say about dressing and makeup. They are the women I want to emulate with my clothing and makeup because that’s what makes me feel awesome.
There was a time when I would have rather blended in and I’m not saying that I don’t still have those days but I do know now that bright, cheerful clothes that fit my body flatter my shape help me to feel great every day.
The article goes on to talk about ways to apply the shimmer shadow in different ways that will meet your particular needs no matter how old you are. applying with a dry brush or wet brush or with your finger all make a difference. Experimenting with applying it in different areas is a great idea too.
I found this awesome Youtube Video that shows one of my favorite make up artists showing a good comparison between a matte and shimmery eye look.
After these months of researching and wondering and worrying I think I have come back to my initial love of shimmery shadows. How can I possibly give it up when I love sparkle and sequins and tiars so much!
Let me know what you think? Do you think the shimmers should be binned when you get a little older or do you think it’s good to go with what makes you feel great and stop worrying about the “experts”?
