Make-up for every age: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s

There is a time and place for everything—including how you wear your face! Don't lose sight of our own visage, Vogue gives you make-up ideas and tips across all ages. 

In your 20s

This is the time to try everything, and figure out what really works for you.

Celeb champ: Cara Delevigne, Demi Lovato, Emma Watson, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Rihanna

Make-up mantra: Go bold, but look fresh.

Beauty boo-boo: Too-thin eyebrows and too much product, both of which add years to your face. "Clean up the extra hair and trim your brows into a groomed, healthy shape," says celebrity makeup artist Puneet B Saini, of Pankake by Puneet, Mumbai. "Let your youthful skin shine through. Remember, less is more.'

Tricks to try: Play with colour. Find the perfect red. Have fun with multi-hued and multi-dimensional liners (http://ift.tt/1JJQhq9 ), like the scribbled ones seen at Anna Sui. "Alternate between your eyes and mouth," says Saini. "So you experiment with trends, but don’t run the risk of looking older or going OTT."

Make-up musts: A BB cream—The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream (http://ift.tt/1cwo9Zb ), or tinted moisturiser with SPF (try Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20). A lip and cheek stain—Benetint or Clinique Chubby Stick and colourful eyeliners—Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner.
 

In your 30s

You've likely found your look, but are keen to try out new trends.
Celeb champ: Olivia Wilde, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Chitrangda Singh, Kareena Kapoor

Make-up mantra: Keep it clean—and highlight (http://ift.tt/1WAcHPl .

Beauty boo-boo: Mature colours and earthy tones, like maroons and browns. If it goes with what you're wearing, sure, but you risk looking too mature. 'Instead, wear peaches and pinks," suggests Saini. "Pick red to make an impact, but then, keep the face clean."

Tricks to try: Be generous with highlighter and mascara. Go for frosty colours one at a time (http://ift.tt/1SVejRZ). If you like sorbet lips, as seen at Miu Miu and Prada, keep your eyes simple with just liner and lashings of mascara. Or, try a glossy eye, like at Nina Ricci, and go matte with the mouth. "It's trendy and younger," says Saini. Berry lips are great for evenings. And don't shy away from the smoky eye!

Make-up musts: A primer—Dior Maximizing Glow Primer, a highlighter—Chanel Lumière d'Été, black eyeliner— L'Oréal Paris Super Line Black Lacquer and mascara— Lancôme Hypnôse (http://ift.tt/1EyCD2C).

 

In your 40s
It's true—40s are the new 30s. But this is also when you need to start tweaking trends to work around fine lines.
Celeb champ: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu

Make-up mantra: Pick one trend and make it work for you. Oh, and moisturise!

Beauty boo-boo: Stark colours and matte base. "The production of natural skin plumping agents goes down in your 40s," explains Saini. "Pick water- or emollient-based products."

Tricks to try: Switch to gel liners. A partial cat eye, as seen at Dolce & Gabbana, looks great, as does the soft reverse smokey seen at Lanvin—black kohl on the waterline, smudged at the lower lash line. "If you like smoky eyes, go for bronze or browns," says Saini. For your skin, try the poetic nude look seen at Stella McCartney and Valentino—semi-matte, perfect skin, with light touches of foundation, highlighter and loose powder.

Make-up musts: A water-based foundation—M.A.C Studio Sculpt (http://ift.tt/1WAcHyX , gel eyeliner—Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner and a volumising mascara—Givenchy Noir Couture.

 

In your 50s

"This is when your skin starts to show all the care, or the lack of it," says Saini. So you need to be extra careful.

Celeb champ: Michelle Pfeiffer, Sharon Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Sridevi, Neetu Kapoor

Make-up mantra: Go soft. And opt for cream- based make-up.

Beauty boo-boo: Frosty colours and stark liner. "Use an eye pencil to create a softer, more flattering effect," suggests Saini.

Tricks to try: Blend your base well and use cream-based eyeshadows in pastel colours. "They will give you a nice sheen without highlighting any lines around your eyes," says Saini. Don’t forget mascara. Use a deep berry cream blush and go rose on the lips, like at Givenchy.

Make-up musts: A cream foundation—Inglot AMC Cream Foundation, a cream eyeshadow palette—Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color, a pencil liner—Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil and a cream blush—Guerlain Meteorites Bubble Blush.