'This is a game-changer.' My over-40s glowy makeup routine that takes less than 10 minutes.

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If you're in your 40s like me, you're probably grappling with hormones that render you somewhat unrecognisable in mood, skin and body most days.

Plus, you're also being hounded by Gen Zs who insist on telling us that, as elder millennials, we're screwing up daily simply by living our lives. (They've taken my no-show socks, my gym tights and my skim milk. Enough!)

But as I approach my mid 40s, I feel pretty damn lucky, despite what TikTok tells me.

Watch: Why Trinny Woodall doesn't like the terms 'anti-ageing' or 'pro-ageing' in beauty marketing. Post continues below.

I don't feel old, I feel free. I give way less F's than I did back then and, while I certainly don't know it all, I'm confident in the fact that I never will, and I'm really okay with that.

But I tell you what, when I look in the mirror I am not overly pleased with the fact that my makeup just doesn't glide on like it used to, and I look just a bit… blah.

It's hard to put my finger on it, but I just don't look the same. That's until I found the secret recipe to hiding some of those imperfections and faking a glow (at least most of the time).

Before and after my little routine! Image: Supplied.

Of course, I start with drinking plenty of water — nature's very own super hydrator — and top off with good skincare and sunscreen.

Now, this recipe involves around five products, and I promise, it will not take an hour or require makeup artist-level skills.

I slap it on in less than 10 minutes, and I'm out the door looking just a bit younger than I feel, which is quite nice really.

So, here are a couple of my tricks to getting that dewy (but not too shiny) no-makeup (but definitely a lot more than you used to wear) makeup look.

1. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, $24.

Image: Supplied.

Honestly, I used to think primer was a bit of a waste as a daily product. I reserved it for the brides whose makeup I did for their big day.

But since my pores have really shown up, I find it keeps everything in place all day — I'm a big fan of this one for the no scent, no fuss factor.

2. Trinny London BFF SPF 30 Cream, $78.

Image: Supplied.

I have worn this solo on days when I don't want to wear makeup but want to have a little polish to run errands (why do you only ever bump into school mums when you haven't even washed your face?!), but it's also great under makeup for that added bit of glow.

A definite bonus (read: unnecessary) step as another layer, but I do feel it smooths out my complexion a bit – and, a bonus, adds a bit more SPF.

3. Trinny London Miracle Halo illuminator, $62.

Image: Supplied.

This is the real key to the whole "I'm not really in my mid 40s, despite what my licence says" glow.

I have tried makeup without it (for years, it only just landed) but honestly, it's the biggest game changer to my makeup routine.

Every now and then, if I'm either in a rush or my peri brain forgets to put it on, I kick myself because I look a little less awake and fresh.

From bougie options like Westman Atelier Liquid Loaded Tint to the budget ModelCo glow drops (a dupe of the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops) and literally a million other options in between, there are other products on the market that I'm sure do similar things.

But I just really love this product. It comes in a few shades, I personally use the Firelight shade.

4. Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation, $132.

Image: Supplied.

Once I've got these layers on, I add my foundation and concealer.

I'm currently using makeup artist foundation fave, Ellis Faas, and the Rare Beauty under eye brightener.

I used to use my fingers for all of this, but since I started using the Mecca double-ended brush, my makeup game has really improved.

I generally skip powder, unless I'm having a particularly shiny time, or it's hot (or hot flash time). If I'm powder-ing, I swear by Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Filter powder, which I've recently discovered comes in a mini – who doesn't love a mini?

5. Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick, $60.

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And the complexion pièce de résistance: Charlotte Tilbury's Unreal Blush Healthy Glow stick in the shade Rosy Glow.

Finally, I curl my lashes and add a coat of tubular brown mascara, because I find it less ageing than black for daytime, and fill in my brows with Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Pencil.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast below or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

Feature image: Supplied.

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