Ageless Beauty Secrets Inspired by the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
Did you catch any of the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 18th? I tuned in, and I have to say — I was thrilled to see the return of unapologetic, GIRLY BOMBSHELL glamour.
But today, we’re skipping the lingerie and focusing on what really caught my attention: glowing skin, sultry eyes, Victoria’s Secret signature pink cheeks, glossy lips, and big, bouncy hair.
As a 48‑year‑old pro makeup artist, I loved seeing this celebration of ultra‑femininity — especially with veteran supermodels Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio (both 45) and 15 proud mothers confidently owning that runway.
Because who says glamorous beauty has an expiration date?
Somewhere along the way, we’ve been surrounded by beige makeup and understated everything. Nothing wrong with that — but sometimes a girl just wants to feel like a BOMBSHELL (ICYMI – We’re Done with Beige Makeup Rules).
The beauty looks, led by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath (age 56), were all about luminous complexions, softly smoky eyes, fluttery lashes, and high‑shine lips. Nothing looked heavy, yet every detail caught the light.
And here’s my favorite takeaway: you don’t need to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel — or 25 — to pull off this kind of glamour. Whether you try one element or go full bombshell, these looks can be adapted beautifully for mature skin.
So, let’s break down how to bring a little of that runway magic into your own routine as we head into the festive season.
SHOP THIS POST:
Key Takeaways
- The VS bombshell look is built on five elements: glowing skin, softly smoky eyes, rosy cheeks, glossy lips, and voluminous hair.
- Women over 40, 50, and 60+ can wear every part of this look by using hydrating formulas, soft diffused liner, cream blush, strategic highlighting, and lightweight lashes.
- The goal is radiance — not heaviness.
1. Get That Lit‑From‑Within Glow
Forget thick matte foundations. Bombshell skin looks radiant, fresh, and alive.
My pro tip: Apply a hydrating, glowy foundation in thin layers. Then highlight only where fine lines are minimal — tops of cheekbones, tear duct area, center of eyelid, and bridge of nose.
Try: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint ($38) and Dior Backstage Glow Palette ($55)
I always come back to this Milk skin tint for its amazing ability to give a realistic glowy and even complexion that never looks heavy. I wear shade 6. And the Dior palette is iconic for its versatility and ability to mix and match the 4 different shades to be able to create your perfect highlight shade! Hold onto this one because you’ll use it again further down this tutorial. A must own product for the upcoming holiday season as well.
2. Bring Back the Sultry Eye
A softly smoked‑out eye is timeless — and yes, even hooded eyes can wear this.
My pro tip: Grab your favorite powder bronzer and a charcoal gray eyeliner. Take that gray eyeliner and go ahead and stroke it along the lower lash line, only ¾ onto the outside, and all the way along the upper lash line – slightly pull it out a bit further here. Go ahead and blend out both liners with a liner brush to smooth.
Now take that powder bronzer and a shadow brush, and blend it from the upper lash line up slightly above your crease (this is replacing regular eyeshadow), then blend it into the grey liner on the lower lash line as well. Repeat by adding more gray liner on the upper and lower lash line to deepen, then smudge again. The duo of your perfect brown bronzer, with a gray liner, gives the prettiest smokey eye that isn’t harsh – Please do try this combo!
Next, curl your lashes, add one thin coat of mascara, then top off those sultry eyes by adding a ¾ length strip lash on top for extra flutter. You can then choose to add more mascara or leave them bare. Whichever gives you the drama you’re looking for. I added more mascara.
The cherry on top is to add a bit of highlighter right into the center of that eyelid and around the tear duct area for a halo vibe around the eyes. It’s all about catching that light when you blink and move your eyes.
Check out some additional helpful tips on how to master eye makeup on hooded eyes here.
Try: Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal eyeliner ($35), shade “Ash”, Eylure No 015 ¾ lashes ($12), L’Oreal Extentionist mascara ($13), and Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Bronzer ($38).
You can’t beat the creamy pigment of these VB eyeliners and this ¾ lash style is my go-to when I want to create “bedroom eyes” on myself or my clients. Plus they’re easy to apply because they’re extremely lightweight and flexible and look super realistic. And no need to trim!
SHOP THIS POST:
3. Don’t Be Bashful With Rosy Cheeks
A healthy pink flush brings instant femininity and fullness to mature cheeks.
My pro tip: Apply cream blush slightly higher on your cheekbones than you usually do and blend upward towards the temple for a lifted appearance. Pop on a highlighter afterward for that extra added girly glow! Refer back to that Dior highlighter palette from step 1.
Try: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush ($34), in “Perfect Pink,” and Mary Phillips cream blush brush ($36)
This cream blush is literally, THE perfect pink like it says. Use a specific cream blush brush to give it that airbrush effect instead of streaky fingers.
4. Give Me All the Glossy Lips
Glossy lips = bombshell energy.
My pro tip: Slightly overline only the center of your lips where the cupid’s bow is, then on the lower lip, with a pink-toned pencil. Then top it off by adding a super shiny gloss with golden flecks for dimension. Make sure to drag that gloss all the way over the liner for max fullness.
Try: Pat McGrath Lust Gloss ($29), in “Sunset Rose,” and Morphe signature lip pencil ($7), in “Wifey.”
If it’s a sexy, full, shimmery pout you’re after, look no further than the lead makeup artist’s own line, Pat McGrath Labs, and her line of glosses. And this color in particular I am wearing is a flattering warm rose with gold pearl finish. It’s truly angelic paired with that perfect pale pink liner. This is one of those luxe glosses I reach for often.
5. Bigger, Bouncier Hair, Please!
The signature VS blowout is BACK — and it’s incredibly flattering on mature hair.
My pro tip: Whenever I’m at the salon, my stylist ALWAYS applies a volumizing mousse before she does my blowout, so I’ve started adding that product into my at-home hair routine. Applying a volumizing mousse at the roots on damp hair, then blow-drying each section of hair with a round brush and letting it cool for a few seconds before releasing each section is the best way to give my locks a boost.
Then in order to keep that volume, a super hold volume hairspray is a must.
Try: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Big List Volumizing Mousse ($8) and Kenra Volumizing Super Hold Hairspray ($19).
This mousse is a great drugstore price point to get started on your mousse journey. The Kenra hairspray is one that ALL of my hairstylist friends swear by, now I do too!
SHOP THIS POST:
The rest of my look details:
- Wearing that signature pink + white striped Victoria Secret print look. Here’s their original silk striped pajamas ($90) as well as some similar pink striped button up vibes from Anthropologie ($110), the Gap ($68), and Untuck-it ($98).
- Everyone needs a set of statement earrings that sparkle right? These Ettika Opulent Stardust ($60) ones are perfect.
- Not shown, but certainly the finishing touch is smelling gorgeous. My daughter and I both share this exquisite smelling body spray from Victoria’s Secret Bare Vanilla mist ($19).
Why This Bombshell Look Works on Mature Skin
The VS bombshell aesthetic is built on radiance, softness, and lift — not heavy contour or harsh lines. Hydrating formulas, diffused liner, cream blush, glossy lips, and voluminous hair all enhance mature features beautifully.
Closing Thoughts
At 48, I love embracing fun, flirty, feminine beauty again. Glamour doesn’t have an age limit — and neither do you.
Before You Go
Which bombshell element are you trying first — glowing skin, sultry eyes, rosy cheeks, glossy lips, or bouncy hair? Tell me in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mature women wear the bombshell makeup look?
Absolutely. Use hydrating formulas, soft diffused liner, cream blush, and glossy lips.
How do I get glowing skin without emphasizing fine lines?
Highlight only where lines are minimal — cheekbones, tear duct, center lid, bridge of nose.
What’s the best smoky eye for hooded eyes?
Use gray liner + bronzer, keep depth at the outer corner, and add a nude waterline.
What lip color works best for the VS look?
A pink‑toned liner + glossy rose shade with golden flecks.
How do I get VS‑style volume in mature hair?
Use volumizing mousse at the roots, round‑brush blowout, and strong‑hold hairspray.
LEAVE A COMMENT