Makeup is a clever tool with which we can enhance our best features and downplay our flaws. It can also be our worst enemy if not applied properly.

We all know real beauty comes from within, but there's no denying a little makeup can do wonders for our confidence at any age. As we get older, the nature of our skin changes. If you've been wearing the same makeup for years, it might be a good time to reconsider your skincare routine.

Professional makeup artist Carolyn Ryan shares her tips and tricks for mature-age skin.

Throw out the soap
The first step is adjusting your skincare routine, because no matter what you do with your makeup it's not going to do you justice if your skin is not in great shape. For mature skin, Carolyn says dryness is the biggest problem. She's found a lot of older people still wash their faces with soap, which tends to dry out the skin further. Instead, Carolyn suggests using a soap-free cleanser bought from a pharmacy or supermarket or a cosmetic brand cream cleanser, depending on your budget. "Once a week or fortnight, you'll need to exfoliate because otherwise dead skin that's shedding just sits on the skin," she says. "Try a gentle exfoliant, one with granules can be too harsh, or get a good face peel."

Don't forget your neck

It's important to moisturise the skin, especially the neck. Despite the temptation to spend up big on lotions and potions promising to smooth out our wrinkles, Carolyn warns not to get carried away with buying expensive products. "You don't have to buy a special eye cream because the lines are already there, they're not going away," she says.

Build a foundation

Many women never wear foundation. Others swear by it. Whatever your preference in your earlier years, Carolyn recommends mature women consider using foundation. "I would definitely suggest foundation to even your skin tone out," she says. The trick, says Carolyn, is getting it right. Mature women need to bear in mind foundation should be working to their advantage - not undermining it by highlighting lines and dryness by applying the wrong type. "Stay away from a matte finish and powders. Go for liquid foundations with a dewy finish - or a tinted moisturiser if you want light coverage." Some routines, however, are hard to part with. Carolyn says you can also achieve a flawless finish with compact foundation. "If you prefer compacts, choose a cream-based one and apply it with a sponge."

Create bigger eye envy

The eyes are said to be the window to the soul. We can maximise their impact by the way we apply our makeup. The aim is to accentuate the eyes by making them appear bigger. Starting with the eyebrows, Carolyn says tidiness is a must. "A lot of women can't see as well as they get older," she says. "So I would recommend going to a beautician and getting your eyebrows plucked - it doesn't cost too much. If they're too bushy, it can make a person's eyes look smaller." In Carolyn's experience, some women are either too scared to use an eyebrow pencil at all or can be a bit heavy-handed when applying. As the eyebrow frames the face, it's important to get it right for you. "Get a good eyebrow pencil," she says. "Some people lose their eyebrows and an eyebrow pencil is a great way to cheat by improving the arch and length. I'd go for a soft brown; it's probably the safest." As for eye shadow, if you're not 21 anymore, baby blue hues and iridescent colours are probably not going to work for you. "Stay away from the shimmery colours, they accentuate the lines around the eyes," says Carolyn. "You could go for a two-tone to open the eye up. Apply a soft brown or grey on the crease of the lid and the paler colour on the ball of the eye for best results. Keep darker colours away from the corners of the eye, it makes the eye look smaller."

Pretty in Pink

If you are stuck for inspiration, Carolyn says everyone looks pretty in pink. "A nice pink shade over the lid can do a lot to brighten up the eye," she says. The less is more approach is best when it comes to eyeliner. "All you need is a faint line on the lash line to open up the eye," says Carolyn. Carolyn prefers women use mascara, which also makes your eyes seem larger. The key is precise application, made easier with a magnifying mirror. "Get a really good magnifying mirror and attach it to the wall in your bathroom," she says. "It really helps if you are applying makeup without your glasses on."

Chic cheeks, luscious lips

If there's one tool all women need to keep stashed in their makeup bags, it's blush. Do your cheeks a favour and wear soft and matte shades such as soft pinks or light corals, blended in well. You should apply the blush lightly to the apples of your cheeks and brush a little extra high up around the temples, outside of the eye, as this area is the strongest point of colour giving the appearance of lifting the face. "Blush is a must for everybody, it doesn't matter what age you are," says Carolyn. "It's the most complementary makeup - it pretties up everybody."

For your lips, Carolyn says all colours are great. "If your lips are narrow, get a nice lip pencil the same colour as your lipstick or lighter, to fill out the lips and it also helps the lipstick from bleeding," she says.

Insider secrets

With many years of experience working for high profile cosmetics houses, Carolyn is in the know about how you can tap into the wealth of knowledge on offer. If you're unsure of how to makeover your makeup routine, she encourages everyone to ask for advice at the cosmetic counters at department stores and pharmacies. "Go for counters featuring mature ranges, such as Lancome, Clairns, Estee Lauder and Max Factor, and don't be afraid to ask for help," she says. Better still, you can perhaps get a free beauty treatment in the process. "A lot of the big companies have beauty rooms out the back. Once every two to three months most skincare houses have a promotion on," says Carolyn. "If you're already looking to buy a product from their range, ask them when they're having their next promotion and you could get a facial, for example, for free."

Finally, Carolyn says your busy lifestyle needn't stand in the way of looking fantastic. "Even if you don't have much time, go for lipstick, blush and maybe some mascara to make you look a bit brighter," she says.

Makeup for mature skin:

• Make skincare a priority
• Moisturise, especially the neck
• Less is more
• Keep colours subtle
• Use blush if you're in a rush