Let me tell you something: I love makeup. Always have, always will. I’m talking about a full face, bold lips, lashes that could knock you out, and contouring for days now that my Gen Z kiddo taught me how. As the queen herself, Dolly Parton, once said: “It’s a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen.” And let me tell you, that’s basically my life motto. I may not be trying to look like I’m ready for a drag show every day, but you better believe I’m bringing the drama when it comes to my makeup.
But here’s the thing—now that I’m over 50, I’ve had to wise up about what’s going on my face. Back in the day, I could slap on anything and be out the door without a second thought. Clear skin? Check. Zero breakouts? Check. Forget to wash my face at night? No biggie. But now that I’m in my fabulous 50s, my skin has decided to change the rules, and I’ve had to switch things up. My mama always says to take care of what God gave me, and I’m doing just that—starting with protecting this face.
Two of my biggest issues? Sensitive skin, especially when it comes to anything with red dye involving my eyelids and rosacea flare ups on my cheeks. So these days, I’m on the hunt for clean makeup that doesn’t irritate my skin but still lets me live my full glam fantasy. Because here’s the deal: just because it’s clean doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
Why Clean Makeup Matters (Even if You Love Full Glam)
I used to think clean makeup meant walking around looking like you’re wearing nothing at all. And listen, if a natural, barely-there look is your thing, more power to you. But for this southern girl? I want to know I’ve got makeup on, and I want it to stay bold and beautiful all day long. I may now care if it’s clean, but it better give me that full coverage, bold lip, and dramatic eye I crave. The goal here is healthy skin and a fabulous face.
Here’s what I’ve learned: clean makeup isn’t just about ditching the chemicals. It’s about protecting your skin, especially when you’re no longer 25. I’ve got to wear sunscreen religiously, use products that won’t send my rosacea into a tailspin, and avoid ingredients that might leave me red-faced (literally). But none of that means I’m giving up on glam.
My Clean Makeup Must-Haves
So, after a lot of trial and error (trust me, there’s been plenty), I’ve found some clean beauty gems that deliver all the flare without the flare ups. Here are a few of my absolute favorites that let me keep living my bold, beautiful life while protecting my skin:
A Proper Skincare Routine
My first step before makeup application is a great skincare routine. You can read all about my go to skincare products here.
The perfect primer gel to create a surface for my foundation to go on smooth and last longer, I love this over my moistuerizer and sunscreen and under the Haus Labs foundation below
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation Color 210 Light Medium
This foundation gives me flawless coverage without clogging pores or causing flare-ups. It’s clean, lightweight, and makes me feel like I’ve just walked out of a makeup artist’s chair.
Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
On days i want lighter coverage or when I need concealer paired with my Haus Labs Foundation, I use this amazing Merit stick. I like color Bisque which is medium with neutral under tones for my face and color Linen as a concealer or a highlight under my eyes or where I want to brighten as it’s light with neutral undertones. When my rosacea flares up, this foundation/concealer is my best friend. It’s clean, it’s creamy, and it covers everything without making my skin angrier. Basically, it’s magic in a tube.
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer-Sculpting Bronzer
My favorite contour and bronzer in one, I love color Leo and I use it around the forehead for bronzing and to contour my cheeks, nose and under my chin and blend with my favorite contour brush.
Charlotte Tillbury Pillow Talk
For lush lips, these two clean lipsticks are my go-to choices. Bonus: no toxic junk to irritate my sensitive skin! See my choice of lip liners a little farther down in this list. I love a darker liner paired with pillow talk lipstick for a sexy, pouty look.
Haus Labs Hybrid Lip Glaze Plumping Gloss in Gauva
I’m gaga for Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs Lip Gloss. It’s clean and gives the perfect amount of shine
Ilia The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette in Cool Nude
These eyeshadows deliver serious pigment (because I’m not about to settle for anything less) while keeping things gentle for my skin. No fading, no smudging, just bold, beautiful eyes.
Merit Beauty Solo Shadow Cream to Powder Shadow
When I want a fast swath of color on my lids I love to grab Merit’s Solo Shadow and just apply with my ring finger. My favorite shades are Social which is a soft plum or Midcentury which is a warm brown. They are so easy and still super clean.
RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush Color French Rose
I love Pink toned blush for a bright and joyful look and this RMS powder blush is silky smooth and just the perfect pop of color.
Haus Labs Bio Blurring Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder in Translucent
My go-to setting powder to finish everything off takes me back to Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs brand. It leaves my skin perfect and sets my makeup in a matte finish for long-lasting results.
A few other products that aren’t technically rated as clean beauty but I love to pair with the products above and I have had good results and no sensitive skin reactions include the following
Nars Precision Liner Lip Liner in Colors Lerins and Vence
Benefits Precisely My Brow Pencil Color 4 Warm Brown
Benefits Gimme Brow Tinted Volumizing Gel in Color 4 Warm Brown
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner Color Black
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara in Color Black
Bold Looks, Clean Products, and Zero Regrets
The bottom line is this: You don’t have to choose between bold, fabulous makeup and taking care of your skin. You can have both! Clean beauty doesn’t mean giving up your love of glam—it just means finding the products that help your skin feel as good as it looks.
So yes, I might be paying more attention to my skincare and making sure I’m using clean products, but you better believe I’m still showing up looking like I’m ready for my close-up. As Dolly says, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap”—or in my case, it takes a lot of clean beauty to look this fabulous!
