This holiday season’s makeup trends are all about shimmer, glow and a healthy dose of self-assurance. Think luminous skin, flushed cheeks and eyes that gleam. For women who’ve earned their laugh lines, it’s less about keeping up with TikTok and more about modern tweaks that flatter, not mask.

“As a woman over 40, I’m here to say that every woman should feel empowered to experiment with their makeup looks and try new trends. There is no age limit on colour and sparkle!” avows Lori Taylor Davis, Global Pro Lead Makeup Artist of Smashbox.

With this in mind, here’s how to wear the season’s prettiest trends without looking stuck in the past.

The eyes have it

Golden eyes were on full display during New York Fashion Week runways this fall. The look works especially well for the holidays, says Taylor Davis.

“Chromatic lids can be fun and playful but also extremely chic, making them perfect for a mature woman.”

A close eye of golden eyes with metal FX eye liner. Smashbox

Taylor Davis recommends using a metallic eyeliner, such as Smashbox’s Metal FX Eyeliners, that glide on easily to create a wing or just a subtle pop in the inner corner of the eye.

Also on trend this season is a modern take on frost eyes. According to Taylor Davis, frosted eyeshadow instantly elevates by catching the light, adding dimension that’s both playful and polished. Frost eyes are easy to create, and you can even use your fingers.

To get this look, Taylor Davis primes lids with an eyeshadow base or concealer for staying power, before applying a soft matte neutral shade to create depth. Then she glides on a shimmering shadow across the lid.

Lips and cheeks

Plenty of blush trends emerged this year, but “workout blush” mimics the skin’s natural flush after you’ve just exercised. To recreate that rosy hue, Taylor Davis suggests applying the blush lower on the cheeks than you traditionally would to create a naturally flushed look.

As for lips, the Y2K-style nude lip is back. The current version is softer and more tonal, making it flattering across all skin tones, skin types, and ages. For this latest trend, Taylor Davis advises lining lips one shade deeper than your natural lip colour, then choosing a nude lip that matches your undertone. For fair skin that’s beige-pink or peachy nude. Medium and olive-toned skin can try caramel or warm beige. For deep skin, consider mocha, toffee, or warm chocolate nude shades.

It starts with skin care

Before even getting to the makeup stage, you’ll want to ensure your skin is at its best.

“The main focus for all makeup looks, regardless of age or skin types, is ‘acing your base,’ which means perfecting your skin in a way that looks natural,” notes Taylor Davis.

When it comes to skin care, mature women don’t need to follow the latest trends, says Lorna Brown, owner and certified esthetician and laser technician at Refresh MediSpa in Sherwood Park, Alta..

“We want to look hydrated as opposed to dry at our age,” she admits. “A face full of makeup can settle into fine lines and creases, especially if you’re not hydrated.”

If you’ll be wearing more makeup than usual or getting it professionally applied, Brown recommends having a non-evasive facial a month before the big event. Her favourite treatment for prepping skin before big events or photo shoots is dermaplaning.

“We use a surgical scalpel that scrapes up dead skin and all that peach fuzz women tend to get when we’re older. When you have makeup sitting on top of that hair, it accentuates the fuzz. Dermaplaning makes your skin look like glass afterwards, and there’s no downtime,” she shares.

Whenever you’re wearing more makeup than usual or having it professional applied, Brown recommends scheduling a non-evasive facial like dermaplaning or microdermabrasion a month before the big event. If there’s no issues, repeat it a few days before the event.

“People can have different reactions, and it takes about a month to heal if you do,” she warns.