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Many of us like using makeup to make ourselves feel good. Though as we age, we might need to adjust our products 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 makeup products and techniques can be fun!
So, whether you’re bored with your makeup routine, want to enhance it, or would like to branch out, these eight makeup tips for mature women will hopefully help you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful.
1. Use a lightweight moisturiser first
Rich, hydrating moisturisers are often well-suited to mature skin, but it’s worth considering what you put on your skin before applying 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 them 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 provide a smooth base for makeup.
Remember, this isn’t to say that heavier moisturisers don’t have a place in your skincare routine. It really just comes down to when you use them. Generally, it’s worth saving thicker products for before bed, or any other time you won’t be applying makeup.
2. Add primer to your makeup 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 – these can affect how your makeup sits.
Many primers contain silicone ingredients, which help 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 depends 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’d like your makeup to last all night, professionals recommend using one with a tackier texture to help makeup stay in place longer.
The three most common types of primer are…
- Silicone-based primers help even out skin texture and leave the face feeling smoother. This type of primer best suits those with oily or normal skin. Check out these best silicone-based primers from Marie Claire 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 to even out skin imperfections, but are best at creating a tacky texture to 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 complements your foundation. For example, oil-based primers work best when paired with oil-based foundations, and the same is true of water-based primers and foundations. You can read more about this in this article from Makeup.com.
It’s worth noting that menopause – and general ageing – can change your skin. So, if a primer you once loved no longer has the desired effect, don’t be afraid to swap it for something else.
If you’re unsure of your skin type or what product would suit it 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 use 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 pigment-rich products over those with a thick texture. Pigment-rich products tend to be lightweight, non-greasy, and buildable, meaning you can simply layer them up in areas you’d like extra coverage.
For product inspiration, check out 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. 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 how your makeup sits and the condition of your skin.
When it comes to makeup, concealer can brighten the eye area. For best results on mature skin, makeup experts recommend creamy, hydrating formulas as they tend to be better at preventing creases.
This creaseless concealer from Tarte has been noted as a favourite among professionals. You could also check out other popular products in Prima’s list of the best concealers for mature skin.
5. Use the right mascara
Many mascaras have thickening formulas, which don’t always 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 many of us work hard to avoid – so finding the right one can make a big difference to your look.
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 for sensitive eyes, or perhaps a waterproof one if you suffer from runny eyes.
Alternatively, if your concern is around lashes becoming sparser, you might like to add an eyelash serum to your routine. These use growth-simulating formulas and, when applied regularly, can make 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. Evidence suggests that ricinoleic acid, a chemical compound that makes up 90% of castor oil, may help prevent hair loss. Castor oil is available on Amazon if you’d like to try it.
To enhance your overall look, experts also recommend leaving bottom lashes free from mascara and eyeliner, as this can help 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 skin looking dull if over-applied.
That said, for those of us with oily skin, powder might feel like a must-have product. Luckily, a few tips can help you apply powder while still achieving that glowy look.
For example, experts recommend applying powder only around the T-zone, where oil is more common, or using an ultra-fine-milled powder formula and applying it in fine layers. You can also use a setting spray, which is great for helping your makeup stay in place. This list of the best setting sprays from Cosmopolitan offers a helpful starting point.
If you have particularly oily skin or struggle with shine, you might like to try some of these skincare products for oily skin from Who What Wear.
7. Try using a cream blusher
Like face powders, powdered blush products can sometimes stick to dry patches of skin and leave it looking dull or overly mattified. If this sounds familiar, next time you buy a blusher, consider trying a cream-based one instead.
Experts say cream blush can look more natural than powder and, because it’s softer and more moist, can give you a lovely glow.
When it comes to application, smiling as you do so is a tried-and-true technique, but some makeup artists suggest this isn’t as effective as our skin changes with 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 sculpt the face.
As for blusher shades, it depends on your skin tone and the kind of look you’d like to achieve. You might find L’Oréal Paris’ advice on how to find the best blush colour for your skin tone useful. But if you’re still not sure, a muted rosy shade is always reliable.
For product inspiration, check out this list of the 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 warmth to your face.
Makeup artist Sandy Linter, now in her 70s, says she uses bronzer on everyone over 50 because it naturally warms the skin. For added glow, Sandy recommends sweeping bronzer under the cheekbones, across the forehead, under the jawline, and down each side of the nose, rather than just your cheeks.
Since most bronzers are powdered, it can help to pick one with finely milled particles, as these products are less likely to gather in facial creases. Experts also suggest choosing a non-shimmer bronzer, as these often 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, which includes the best hypoallergenic, oily skin, and anti-ageing bronzers.
Final thoughts…
Picking products tailored to mature skin and trying new application techniques can make a world of difference to how your makeup sits, helping you look and feel great.
For more inspiration, head over to our fashion and beauty section. Here, you’ll find advice on everything from dressing 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.
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