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Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring
- Elinor Salter
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
To wear, or not to wear make-up – that is the question!
I have seen a number of posts recently obliquely referring to this. People posting for some other reason and then apologising for not having any make-up on, with people commenting on this, either for or against. Then there was a post I did – something about looking your best, putting your make-up on, etc – when a lady came back to me saying that she agreed with everything I said, except the make-up part, as she had made a conscious decision not to wear any.
There is neither a right nor a wrong in this. It is a very personal thing and largely tied up with your style personality. If you are a dramatic personality, say, you will revel in wearing a lot of makeup. If, however, you are a natural personality, you will probably wear very little, if any at all.
But – and this is a big BUT – don’t let anyone intimidate you into wearing or not wearing makeup! If you want to wear it, it doesn’t make you shallow, self-absorbed, or vain. If you don’t want to wear it, it doesn’t make you dis-interested in yourself, a “hippy”, or any other epitaph. Your decision just makes you YOU!
Me? Well, I love wearing it. I am partly a dramatic personality, so I love creating that persona with my makeup.
Also, my eyelashes and eyebrows are very pale, so without mascara and eyebrow pencil, they disappear into my face. I am glad that I wasn’t born in a period of history when there wasn’t make-up, because even though I have green eyes, I don’t think anyone would have said of me "I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes …..”!
Thirdly – and maybe most importantly – the time in the morning spent putting on my make-up is my time to get my mind in the right place. I sit quietly. I decide who I want to be that day (it may be more made up; it may be more natural). I listen to the Morning Mindset podcast and I think. It’s not many minutes, but it is an important routine of my day, which sets me up. It maybe the last time I look in the mirror until I come to take it off again at night, but that time, to me, is non-negotiable.
So, whatever your decision about wearing make-up, make sure it is yours and yours alone, make sure it is done mindfully and make sure you make time for yourself, even if it is just a few minutes of quiet contemplation.
If you do choose make-up - Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring After 40
Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring
Why harmony matters more than trends
“Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered.”— Giorgio Armani
There comes a moment — often quietly — when a woman looks in the mirror and thinks:
“Why does my make-up suddenly feel wrong?”
It’s not that you’ve forgotten how to apply it.It’s not your age.And it’s certainly not that you “need more”.
More often than not, the issue is colour harmony.
Just as clothes can either light you up or drain you, make-up colours can work with your natural colouring — or quietly fight against it.
When your make-up is in harmony with your colouring, everything looks easier. Fresher. More effortless.
And that is the Italian way.
Make-up is not about covering — it’s about revealing
“I believe that beauty first of all comes from within. If you feel good about yourself, it will reflect in your face.”— Sophia Loren
In Italian beauty philosophy, make-up is never about disguise.It’s about enhancing what’s already there.
The right colours bring life to your skin.They soften lines rather than emphasise them.They make you look well — not “made up”.
When the colours are wrong, even the best products feel heavy, ageing or artificial.
What do we mean by “your colouring”?
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”— Giorgio Armani
Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring is the unique combination of:
Your skin undertone (cool, warm or neutral)
Your natural hair colour (including silver or grey)
Your eye colour
Your overall contrast (soft vs strong)
This doesn’t change with age — even though your skin tone may soften.
That’s why copying a friend’s lipstick or following a magazine trend so often disappoints.
It’s not about the product.It’s about whether the colour belongs to you.
When make-up colours are wrong, something feels “off”
“Trends disappear, style is eternal.”— Yves Saint Laurent
You may recognise some of these quiet frustrations:
Foundation that looks dull or mask-like
Blusher that feels harsh or too obvious
Lipstick that looks beautiful in the tube but wrong on you
Eye make-up that makes you look tired instead of defined
Many women assume they need more coverage, stronger colour, or the latest product.
In truth, they need better colour alignment.
Foundation: the quiet hero
“The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.”— Coco Chanel
Foundation should disappear into your skin — not announce itself.
The most common mistake is choosing a shade based only on surface tone, not undertone.
Cool undertones often suit rose-based or neutral-cool foundations
Warm undertones glow in golden or peach-based formulas
Neutral undertones need balance rather than extremes
When the undertone is right, skin looks clearer, calmer — and you often need less make-up overall.
Blusher: where many women go wrong
“Luxury lies in simplicity.”— Giorgio Armani
Blusher should look like life returning to your face — not a cosmetic statement.
As we mature, harmony matters more than intensity.
Cool colouring → soft rose, berry, muted pink
Warm colouring → peach, apricot, warm rose
Soft colouring → sheer, blended, gentle shades
If your blusher feels “too much”, it’s often the wrong temperature, not too much product.
Lipstick: the fastest way to feel radiant — or not yourself
Lip colour sits at the centre of your face, so when it’s wrong, you feel it immediately.
You may notice that:
Your teeth look dull
Your features feel hardened
You don’t quite recognise yourself
When the colour is right:
Your skin looks brighter
Your eyes stand out
You feel quietly confident again
Italian women favour timeless, flattering tones over novelty — and that’s why their beauty feels effortless rather than contrived.
Eye make-up: softer does not mean invisible
“The difference between style and fashion is quality.”— Giorgio Armani
As contrast naturally softens with age, heavy black or very cool greys can feel harsh.
Often more flattering choices include:
Charcoal instead of black
Soft brown, olive, plum or navy — depending on colouring
Satin or soft matte textures rather than sparkle
The aim is definition without heaviness.
Make-up should feel like alignment — not effort
“La vera eleganza è l’armonia.”True elegance is harmony.
When your make-up colours are right:
Getting ready feels simpler
You stop second-guessing yourself
You trust what you see in the mirror again
Most importantly, you recognise yourself.
This is not about rules.It’s about resonance.
“Beauty doesn’t require perfection — it requires presence.”
If your make-up no longer feels quite right — even though you haven’t changed — your colouring may simply be asking for attention.
Understanding your colours can transform not just your wardrobe, but the way you show up in the world.
✨ Because beauty, like style, begins with harmony.
Why not read - /beauty/red-lipstick-after-50 for more make-up inspiration!
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