January is traditionally a month to assess your health and wellness, so why not do the same for your makeup products and routines?
Lindsey Regan Thorne, owner of Be Pretty Charlotte and Instagram content creator, curated a selection of 2026 must-have products for women over 40, offering a polished, on-trend, and elevated look.
She anticipates that eyes will have a major moment this year. Expect to see neutrals and rosy gold shadow colors, as well as techniques like adding shadows along your lash line. She also says that brown mascara will be in vogue this year. It’s softer than black mascara and pairs beautifully with her eyeshadow color predications.
For other 2026 must-dos, check out Thorne’s new digital makeup lesson called the Beauty Blueprint. It’s a 20-page e-book detailing how to get her so-called “signature look,” which includes a semi-smoky eye and wearing faux eyelashes. Thorne plans to release new digital lessons regularly this year, too. Keep up with new lessons and helpful tips by following @lindseyreganthorne on Instagram.
Soft-Focus Skin
Lightweight, luminous, skincare-infused texture that’s not dewy or matte—just healthy and radiant. This primer gives a subtle glow while minimizing pores and fine lines for a lifted finish.
Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer
$32
Eyes Are Having A Moment
Color, texture, and statement shadows are back—neutrals, rose golds, velvety mattes, subtle shimmers. This palette’s smooth, silky shades transition beautifully from day to night.
Hung Vanngo Beauty Color Story Eyeshadow Palette (color: New Neutral)
$49
Soft-Lift Blush Placement
Blush moves higher and outward in 2026, instantly lifting cheekbones. Start with cream (love Charlotte Tilbury) and finish with satin. Trending shades: rosy nudes, coral quartz, berry flush.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lip + Cheek Glow Blush Stick with Hyaluronic Acid (color: Rosy Glow)
$42
Nourishing Lip with a Subtle Statement
Wearable plums, berry-rose tones and warm neutrals dominate 2026. Plush, balmy textures replace gloss and matte extremes—nourishing, smoothing lip serums that deliver comfortable, age-friendly pigment.
Rhode Peptide Lip Tint Nourishing Glaze (color: Raspberry Jelly)
$20
The Soft-Focus Lash Trend
Brown mascara is the go-to switch this year—soft, natural and ultra-wearable. It warms the eyes, complements neutrals and earthy tones, and pairs beautifully with rosy shades.
YSL Lash Clash Volume Mascara (color: Uninhibited Brown)
$34
Subtle Glow
Soft sheen replaces sparkle in 2026. Highlighters shift from metallic glare to light-reflecting radiance, applied only on high points for a lifted, flattering, age-friendly glow.
Dior Backstage Glow Maximizer Face Palette
$54
Less Sculpted, More Bronzed Cheeks
Bronzers shift warmer and softer, mimicking real sun-kissed skin, especially with light-reflective pigments that don’t emphasize texture.
Gucci Sun-Kissed Glow Powder Bronzer
$65
Second Glow Skin
This is a medium-buildable serum base with a second-skin finish that gives radiant, naturally blurred coverage—never heavy or mask-like.
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Foundation
$52
LINDSEY REGAN THORNE
Lindsey Regan Thorne is a popular local makeup artist, content creator and mom of two. She started Be Pretty Charlotte, her full-service makeup service 16 years ago, and recently launched an e-book sharing her makeup lessons. If you only buy one thing from this guide, make it the Underglow Blurring Primer from Iconic London, she says, because it gives perfect radiant skin without looking too dewy, evens out your skin tone and reduces the look of large pores. Wear it under foundation or on its own with a tinted moisturizer.