Many of us like using makeup to boost our appearance and make ourselves feel good. Though, as we age, we may need to adjust the products we use to suit our changing skin.
A beautiful face of makeup and a glowing complexion are possible no matter what stage of life you’re at. Plus, experimenting with different make-up products and techniques can be fun!
So, whether you’re bored with your make-up routine, want to enhance it, or are interested in branching out, these eight makeup tips for mature women will hopefully help you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful.
1. Use a lightweight moisturiser first
Rich and hydrating moisturisers are often well-suited to mature skin, but it’s worth thinking about what you put on your skin before applying your makeup. The creams and serums we use first can affect how makeup sits on our faces.
For example, if your moisturiser is too thick, it can easily change the texture of your foundation, concealer, and other skin products – sometimes causing it to pill, run, or look shiny.
Your best bet is to use a hydrating moisturiser that isn’t too greasy or heavy. L’Oréal Paris’ brightening moisturiser and Simple’s hydrating light moisturiser are good examples that can help to provide a smooth base for makeup.
Remember, this isn’t to say that heavier moisturisers don’t have a place in your skincare routine – they do. It really just comes down to when you use them. As a general rule of thumb, it’s worth saving thicker products for before bed, or any other time that you won’t be applying makeup.
2. Add primer to your make-up routine
Primers are cream products used to create a soft makeup base; smooth out fine lines, wrinkles, and skin pigmentation; and make your makeup last longer. You can buy primers for the lips, eyelids, and entire face – and these can make a difference to how makeup sits.
Many primers contain silicone ingredients, which helps them ‘fill in’ any ‘imperfections’ like lines, pores, or scarring. While primers can’t completely hide lines or blemishes, they’re popular for their ability to create a blurring effect.
The right primer for you will depend on your skin type and how long you’ll be wearing makeup. For example, lighter, gel-based primers may be preferable during the day, but if you want your makeup to last all night, professionals recommend using one with a tackier texture that’ll help makeup stay in place for longer.
The three most common types of primer are…
- Silicone-based primers help to even out skin texture and leave the face feeling smooth. This type of primer is best suited to those with oily or normal skin. Check out these best silicone-based primers from PinkVilla for product ideas.
- Moisturising primers combine skincare with makeup and tend to suit dry or mature skin best. Have a browse of these best hydrating primers for dry skin from Look Fantastic to see what’s available.
- Primer sprays don’t provide as much help for evening-out skin imperfections but are best at creating a tacky texture that’ll help your makeup last longer. Sprays suit all skin types. Check out these best sprays for a base that stays put from Vogue to find the right one for you.
Alongside choosing the right primer for your skin type, it’s also important to choose one that compliments your foundation. For example, oil-based primers work best paired with oil-based foundations, and the same is true of water-based primers and foundations. You can read more about this, here.
It’s worth noting that menopause – and ageing in general – can change your skin. So, if a primer you once loved is no longer having the desired effect, don’t be afraid to swap it for something else.
If you’re unsure what skin type you have or what product would suit you best, experts recommend seeking advice at the beauty counters of department stores. This way, you can make sure that whatever you buy, your money is well-spent. Or, read WikiHow’s guide on determining your skin type at home.
3. Avoid heavy-duty foundation where possible
If trying to conceal scarring, blemishes, pigmentation, or anything else, it can be tempting to go for a heavy foundation. But this can produce a ‘cakey’ finish that makes everything we wanted to cover up more prominent.
For a full-coverage look, makeup artists recommend choosing pigment-rich products over those with a thick texture. Pigment-rich products tend to be lightweight, non-greasy, and buildable. This means you can simply layer up the product in areas where you’d like extra coverage.
For product inspiration, you might like to have a read of our article: 8 of the best foundations for mature skin.
4. Choose a moisturising under-eye concealer
Our eyes tend to be one of the first areas of the face to show signs of ageing because the skin here is thinner and more delicate than other parts of our face. Experiencing dryness or tightness around the eyes is also common with age because the area retains less moisture.
One of the best things you can do to smooth and plump the skin under your eyes is to increase moisture levels – not only with good skincare, but also with hydrating makeup products. The good news is that this will improve the way your makeup sits, as well as help the condition of your skin.
When it comes to makeup, concealer can brighten the eye area – and for best results for mature skin, makeup experts recommend creamy and hydrating formulas because these tend to be better at preventing creases.
This creaseless concealer from Tarte has been noted as a favourite among professionals. But you can also check out other popular products in this list of 14 of the best concealers for mature skin from Prima.
This beauty trick from First For Women also recommends placing concealer slightly lower down than the traditional under-eye placement and has been championed for helping prevent the product from creasing as much.
5. Use the right mascara
A lot of mascaras have thickening formulas, which don’t necessarily work for mature women because our eyelashes tend to become thinner, sparser, and more brittle with age. Using the wrong mascara can cause clumping – something that many of us work hard to avoid – so finding the right one can make a big difference to your look.
Using mascara infused with ingredients that nourish lashes can keep your lashes happy and healthy too. You can browse this list of the best conditioning mascaras from Style Craze to see what’s available.
Other products to consider are mascaras made for sensitive eyes, or perhaps a waterproof mascara if you suffer from runny eyes.
Alternatively, if your concern is around lashes becoming sparser, you might be interested in adding an eyelash serum to your routine. Eyelash serums are made from formulas that stimulate growth and, when applied regularly, can help to make your lashes look fuller. For more information, check out this list of eyelash serums that actually work from Good Housekeeping.
Many women also champion castor oil for eyelash growth. There’s evidence to suggest that ricinoleic acid, a chemical compound which makes up 90% of castor oil, may help to prevent hair loss. Castor oil is available to buy on Amazon if you’d like to give it a try.
To enhance your overall look, experts also recommend leaving bottom lashes free from mascara and eyeliner, as this can help to make eyes appear brighter and more open.
6. Apply powder sparingly
Previous makeup trends were fairly set against shiny skin, but these days having a bit of shine on your face and achieving a ‘dewy’ look is often desirable.
And while powder can be useful in setting makeup and mattifying skin, it’s also notorious for seeping into lines and creases, flattening complexion, and leaving the skin looking dull if over-applied.
That said, for those of us with oily skin, powder might feel like a must-have product. And, luckily, there are a few tips that can help you apply powder while still achieving that glowy look.
For example, experts recommend applying powder around the T-zone area only, where oil is more common, or using an ultra fine-milled formula powder and applying it in fine layers. You could also consider using a setting spray, which is great for helping your makeup stay in place.
If you have particularly oily skin or struggle with shine, you might like to consider adding some of these skincare products for oily skin from Who What Wear to your routine.
7. Try using a cream blusher
Just like face powders, powdered blush products can sometimes stick to dry patches of skin and leave the skin looking dull or overly mattified. If this sounds familiar, next time you buy a blusher, consider getting a cream-based one instead.
Experts say cream blush can look more natural than powder and, because they’re softer and more moist, can give you a lovely glow.
When it comes to application, smiling as you apply is a tried and true technique for blush, but some makeup artists have suggested this isn’t as effective as we age.
Instead of applying a brush to the apples of your cheeks, they advise placing the product at the top of your cheekbone, before blending inwards. This can help to sculpt the face.
As for blusher shades, it really depends on your skin tone and what kind of look you want to achieve. You might find this advice on how to find the best blush colour for your skin tone from L’Oréal Paris useful. But if you’re still not sure, a muted rosy shade is always reliable.
For product inspiration, check out this list of best cream blushers from Cosmopolitan.
8. Add some warmth with a bit of bronzer
Using bronzer is an easy way to give your makeup an extra boost and add some warmth to your face.
Makeup artist Sandy Linter, now in her 70s, says she uses bronzer on everyone over 50 because it warms up the skin in a natural way. For added glow, Sandy recommends sweeping your bronzer under the cheekbones, across the forehead, under the jawline, and down each side of the nose, rather than just on your cheeks.
Since most bronzers are powdered, it can help to pick one with finely milled particles, as these products will be less likely to gather in any facial creases. Experts also suggest opting for a non-shimmer bronzer, as these tend to look more natural on the skin.
To find one that’s right for you, check out this list of the best bronzers for mature skin from Style Craze. You’ll find everything from the best hypoallergenic, oily skin, and anti-ageing bronzer options.
Final thoughts…
Picking products that are tailored to mature skin and trying out new application techniques can make a world of difference to how your makeup sits – which can help you look and feel great.
For more inspiration, head over to the fashion and beauty section of our website. Here, you’ll find advice on everything from how to dress with colour and confidence to tips for gorgeous grey hair and healthy skin.
And if you’re interested in everything makeup and skincare-related, why not read our interview with Tricia Cusden, founder of Look Fabulous Forever?
What are your favourite makeup products and techniques? Do you have any extra tips that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!