Highlight and Shadow Techniques for Mature Skin

When sculpting the face with highlights and shadows, lighter complexions tend to need more shadow, while darker skins need more highlights. Warmer, golden-hued highlights work well for darker skin tones. Depending on the undertone of lighter complexions, you may choose cool or warm highlights and shadows. Of course this all depends on the look you are going for, the lighting used (natural, studio, etc.), the color story used on the face, and the wardrobe.

One corrective technique that is especially useful for a mature face is the use of Highlight to neutralize unwanted shadows. These may be found at the corners of lips and eyes, nasolabial folds (from the nose to the corners of the mouth), under the eye shadows (ie: under a puffy eye), or anywhere an unwanted shadow appears on the face or jaw line. Make sure the Highlight is 2-3 shades lighter than the base, has the same undertone, and is applied exactly where the shadow is, using light layers of product until the shadow “disappears.” Then carefully apply Loose Powder or Dual Finish Pressed Mineral Powder to set. This will create the illusion of a younger, smoother complexion.