13 Best Cosmetologist-Approved Makeup Products For Older Women (2024)
Tips, tricks, and guides to using makeup products on mature skin for a flawless look.
Abhilasha Singh is one of the top bridal makeup artists and a celebrated Bollywood makeup artist with a decade of experience. She was the Creative and Business Head of Makeup for Jean Claude Biguine Salons and Spa - India. She is now a USA-certified cosmetologist and a bridal hair and makeup artist based out of the Bay Area, California.
Read full bio of Abhilasha Singh
Experience: 3 yearsEsha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes that makeup is nothing less than art.
Read full bio of Esha Saxena
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 3 yearsAsmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.
Read full bio of Asmita De
Image: Shutterstock
Makeup gets trickier on mature skin. But, the correct makeup techniques can make or break a look. The best makeup tips for mature skin can enhance your natural features and timeless beauty. With advanced age, skin concerns like wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, etc., appear on the facial skin. To navigate these signs and get a good makeup look, you must follow some cardinal makeup rules that professionals follow. In this article, we have listed some insider makeup tips and tricks for women who want to feel great in makeup while embracing their aging process. So, keep reading to learn more.
In This Article
The 13 Best Makeup Products For For Mature Skin – 2024
Here’s our compilation of the best makeup tips that you need to keep in mind the next time you’re doing your makeup. We guarantee that you will see a huge change!
Prepping your face is a must if you want your makeup to look flawless and last all day long. Use a hydrating moisturizer and a primer to go with it. A primer will even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of large pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.
NARS Smooth & Protect Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Ladies, no matter what your age is, everyone needs sun protection. This dermatologist-tested, fragrance- and paraben-free primer from Nars, a beloved brand of many makeup artists and celebrities, is a must-try because it doubles as a sunscreen. The lightweight formula of this celebrity-favorite primer creates the perfect canvas for the rest of your makeup, corrects uneven texture, and protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It also makes your makeup last longer, imparts a natural finish, and brightens up your complexion in an instant. Know more about this product through a tester’s experience of using it in this video.
Pros
- Does not feel heavy
- Breathable coverage
- Matte finish
- Oil-free
- Illuminating effect
- Leaves no residue
- Offers UV protection
- Suitable for oily skin
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- No artificial fragrance
- Dermatologist tested
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Expensive
"This NARS primer minimizes the appearance of my pores and grips onto my makeup. It gives my skin a smooth, matte finish and makes it look younger. The best part has to be its SPF 50. Thus, it shields my skin from harsh UV rays. The formula smoothes my fine lines and lends my face a soft glow."
Using the right foundation or BB cream makes a world of a difference. A lightweight formula will help your base look more natural and radiant (and nobody wants to end up with a cakey finish). Apply your foundation with a damp Beauty Blender or brush, and blend it in really well to achieve the right amount of coverage.
This long-wearing formula is ideal for all skin types (and is available in 50 different shades!). Moreover, Kendal Jenner and Adele’s makeup artists adored and used this foundation for their makeup looks. This makeup-artist-approved foundation is extremely easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural “second skin” finish. When it comes to aging skin, it is best to opt for products that won’t leave you with a powdery finish – and this is perfect! You’ll be left with a subtle, satin finish that stays on all day long. This mature skin foundation can be used on all skin types, as it does not irritate even the most sensitive lips. Apply this product using a dense brush for gorgeous coverage. Learn more about this drugstore foundation and the reviewer’s experience with it in this video.
Pros
- Ideal for all-day wear
- Oil-free formula
- Fragrance-free
- Buildable coverage
- Satin finish
- Does not clog pores
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Heat-resistant
- Humidity-resistant
- Smudge-free
- Transfer-free
- Does not stain clothes
Cons
- None
"This Estee Lauder foundation hides all my hyperpigmented spots and stays in place throughout the day. It lends my skin a soft matte finish. It blends nicely on my skin and layers well under my makeup products. I like how lightweight it feels on my skin. The foundation does not smear or cake up."
Pro TipIf you have problem areas like dark circles, age spots, dark spots, and redness, all you need is a bit of concealer to get them sorted. Remember, always use your concealer after you’ve applied your foundation . That way, you won’t need much coverage. Find a shade that exactly matches your foundation for best results.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer
This concealer pen from Yves Saint Laurent, celebrity-endorsed brand, is a must-try if you want to fake a good eight hours of sleep with just a click. Its formula is amazing, especially when it comes to brightening up your complexion, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and covering up minor imperfections. You’ll be left with your skin, but only better. Also, you won’t have to be worried about it creasing or looking cakey. Give this a shot for a natural and luminous finish. This video will provide you with added insights about the product along with a tester’s experience of using it.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Offers a radiant glow
- Blends easily
- Suitable for every skin type
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Faulty applicator
"I have found just the right product for my dark circles, and I am never looking beyond this. It feels weightless on my skin. It offers a sheer finish, and the product blends well. It even has a brightening effect that makes the skin under my eyes glow. I use it a little bit, and the effect is lovely."
A dab of cream blush that will leave you with a subtle hint of color is perfect for older skin. It will leave you with a “just-applied” look for hours. You need to take into account the shape of your face and apply the color at the height of the apples of your cheeks. Blend this upwards along your cheekbones to define and instantly lift your features. You’ll be surprised by how well this trick works to not only add radiance to your face but also to make it look livelier and youthful.
| NARS Smooth & Protect Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 50 | Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup | Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | All | AllColor | AllColor |
| Dimensions | - | 3.75 x 1.5 x 1.3 inches | 3.15 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches |
| Weight | - | 1 Ounces | 0.1 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 25 | 65 | 151 |
| Price | $28.69 | $37.99 | $40 |
This cream blush from M.A.C, a makeup artist-approved brand, has a beautiful texture. It is super easy to apply and blend and stays put all day long. You can also choose a color of your choice from its wide shade range. As per reviews online, the intensity of the color is buildable, so you can start out sheer, building up as you go. You need to try this blush for mature skin if you want to achieve a natural flush of color that really lasts.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Creamy formula
- Satin finish
- Buildable
- Blends easily
- Medium coverage
Cons
- None
One of the most notable areas where you develop fine lines is around the mouth. If you want to prevent your lip color from feathering and bleeding into these lines, all you need is dab a small amount of concealer around your lips and use a pencil lip liner to define them. This simple trick will add fullness to your mouth. Choose a color that matches your natural lip color for best results.
Jane Iredale Lip Pencil
You need to try this lip liner from Jane Iredale if you want a mineral pigment-based formula that’s soft and won’t tug at your delicate lips. It is one of the best moisturizing lipsticks for mature lips that won’t stain, feather, or dry your lips. It is available in 11 shades, and we recommend trying colors like peach, pink, rose, and spice. Reviewers noted that it blends beautifully and makes for the perfect base for your lip gloss or lipstick.
Pros
- Mineral pigment-based formula
- Moisturizes the lips
- Skin-loving ingredients
- Does not tug
- Blends easily
Cons
- Does not glide smoothly
"It glides smoothly on my lips, and I can use it as a lipstick. It makes my lips appear full and prominent. I like its deep pigment that goes well with my daily makeup looks. The liner stays in place and does not settle between my lip lines."
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 213 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
Choose a volumizing mascara to enhance and define your eyes. Mascara can be a great way to define thinning eyelashes, and it also makes you look more awake and your eyes more pronounced. Mascara is a quick and easy way to add not just to your makeup but also to your confidence to carry around your makeup comfortably.
Redken Hardwear 16 Super Strong Sculpting Gel
The Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara will lengthen your lashes and let you achieve a dramatic curl and extreme volume. This mascara has a buildable formula and a 4D amplifier wand that will give your eyes a lifted look all day long.
Pros
- Buildable formula
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Easy to remove
- Long-lasting
- Intense pigment
Cons
- May smudge
- May clump your lashes
"I use this mascara every day. It glides smoothly and helps me achieve long lashes. It is easy to remove and does not give me raccoon eyes! It defines and separates my lashes without clumping or creating any mess. I feel it is also adequate for the sparsest lashes."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 78 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
When it comes to aging skin, the skin on the eyelids can become loose and also descend over them. There are many ways you can combat this concern. Your eyeshadow can play a crucial role in the appearance of your eyes. Steer clear of very dark shades and overly glittery eyeshadows as these tend to recede things. Instead, use lighter colors without a lot of shimmers to bring your eyes forward.
This blendable multi-stick applies like a cream and can be used for your eyes, lips, and cheeks. The range features universal shades that complement all skin tones, and they are formulated in a way that they can be used anywhere on your face. If you want a long-lasting, weightless color, try a few shades from this range. You will not be disappointed.
Pros
- Long-lasting formula
- Corrects uneven skin tone
- Lightweight
- Easily blendable
- Soft-focus finish
- Non-drying
Cons
- None
As you age, your eyebrows tend to become thin and sparse and also lose their shape. Grooming your brows will help you bring your whole look together. You only need to add some color and brush them up to add definition, texture, and depth to your brows. It’s easier than it sounds!
This retractable brow pencil from Anastasia Beverly Hills, a makeup artist-approved brand, is perfect to fill in any sparse areas on your brows. It will help you create precise, hair-like strokes and comes with a custom spoolie to help blend the product out for a flawless finish. It is also long-wearing and smudge-proof and available in 10 shades. You can also add a transparent brow gel over this to enhance your natural brows and to keep them in place.
Pros
- Long-wearing formula
- Glides effortlessly
- Natural-looking finish
- Rich color-payoff
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- User-friendly packaging
Cons
- None
Love your eyelash curler, ladies! Curling your lashes makes you look a lot younger. It’s important to always curl your eyelashes before you apply mascara or else you risk breaking off your lash hairs and ruining your curler with mascara gunk.
This eyelash curler from Brilliant Beauty will help create the most voluminous curls. It does not cause any tugging, pulling, or broken lashes, so don’t be afraid to try! Reviewers who tested the product without using any mascara noted that it held their lashes to stay curled for a good few hours.
Pros
- Durable
- Long-lasting effect
- Comfortable grip
- Seamless eyebrow grooming
- Easy to use
- Does not tug, pinch, or pull
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive eyes or skin
Wearing black mascara that’s designed to create thicker, darker lashes will help define your eyes and leave you looking bright-eyed and youthful. Choose a product that’s designed for your needs – be it curling, volumizing, or lengthening – and apply it once you finish curling your lashes.
Dior’s Iconic Overcurl mascara is a must-try for thinning, sparse lashes. Two coats of this will instantly amp up your lashes, leaving you with a whole lot of volume and length. It is a high-end product with skin nourishing ingredients, so it’s a tad bit pricey but worth every penny!
Pros
- Contains premium-quality ingredients
- Long-lasting
- Volumizing effect
- User-friendly brush
- Suitable for casual wear
Cons
- Expensive
"It is just the product I need for my daily eye makeup needs. It lengthens my lashes and stays smudge-free all day. It takes just one quick swipe, and the effect is unmistakable! It does not sensitize my eyelids nor does it flake after drying. I love how my eyes appear as if they are sparkling right after I am done applying this mascara!"
Instead of a liquid eyeliner that may look too heavy on you, opt for a pencil eyeliner in a soft brown or taupe shade. Use it to subtly define your upper lash line and tight line your lashes. It’s a good idea to leave your lower lash and waterline alone because defining them can make your eyes look smaller and tired.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
This creamy eyeliner pencil is all that you need. It glides on smoothly without tugging or pulling at your skin. It is easy to use and will last all day long without smudging. Also, we can’t get over its creamy texture. It is available in around 40 shades.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Creamy formula
- Matte finish
- Hydrating ingredients
- Blendable coverage
- Glides on smoothly
- Does not tug or pull
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Faulty sharpener
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 890 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
Pronounced cheekbones will lift your face and draw attention to your eyes. Make sure you are light-handed while highlighting this area as you don’t want to look overdone during the day. Just a subtle glow looks truly flattering and can be done on a daily basis within a few seconds.
If you want a natural, lit-from-within kind of glow, this luminizer from RMS Beauty, a makeup-artist-approved brand, is perfect. This is one of the best cream highlighters and adds a healthy sheen to your face. Although its packaging is simple, and it comes without a mirror, its formula is what makes it a cult-favorite.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Camouflages dark circles
- Creamy formula
- Natural-looking finish
- Non-greasy
- Non-sticky
- Suitable for evening wear
- Non-GMO
- Soy-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for dry skin
Cons
- Expensive
"This highlighter does not have an overbearing finish on my skin. It provides just the optimum amount of shine and glow on my face. The best part is that I can use it as my eyeshadow, and a little goes a long way! My skin looks dewy after I apply this product."
How you finally take off your makeup at the end of the day is essential to your skin’s overall health. Coconut oil works as a wonderful makeup remover as it melts even the most stubborn makeup away. Also, it is good for your skin and acts as a natural moisturizer and protects your skin from sun damage. Apply it directly on your face as an oil cleanser, let it sit for a bit or gently wipe it off with a wet wipe. Then, wash your face with water and your regular cleanser. Thank us later for your glowing, beautiful skin!
Ladies, less is indeed more because nobody likes a plastered face. Use your makeup to highlight your best features and not to hide underneath its layers. As your skin matures, you need to be careful with your application technique because one wrong step can make you look older than you actually are (because makeup sometimes tends to accentuate wrinkles and fine lines). So, keep it simple!
Here’s what we recommend for lip makeup. It is a good idea to stick to moisturizing lipsticks or glosses that won’t bleed or feather into the lines around your lips. Choose lighter colors because they tend to make your lips look fuller and poutier than darker shades. If you have thin lips, don’t make them look thinner with dark lip colors. If you like a pop of vibrant color, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Finally, a dose of confidence is all we really need to let ourselves genuinely shine! Even if you’ve only just started out wearing makeup, wear it boldly and with confidence. Remember, you’re gorgeous either way, so why not flaunt it?
David Bowie once said, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” We couldn’t agree more! Don’t forget to embrace the process.
Infographic: 5 Common Makeup Mistakes To Avoid For Older Women
We all tend to make makeup mistakes. After all, fashion is all about experimentation. However, there are a few mistakes that you must avoid if you have mature skin, or you will end up looking tacky. Check out the infographic below to know these mistakes.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Makeup enhances the overall appearance, but it can be quite a task to create a flawless finish on aging skin. Such skin types require special attention and special makeup products that are expertly crafted for them. For example, the NARS Smooth & Protect Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 50 offers dual benefits of smoothing and sun protection, the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer promotes radiant coverage, and the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil has a smooth and long-lasting non-smudging application. So it would be great to invest in expert-recommended makeup products that can camouflage fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and other imperfections. And the products listed above prep your skin, add a base to your makeup, conceal the imperfections, define your features, and add a youthful glow to your face. However, focus on investing in products that offer long-lasting results and are allergy tested. And restrain from buying products that are not smudge-resistant.
The author, Esha Saxena, is a makeup enthusiast who knows the latest tips and tricks of the trade. She recognizes that as your skin ages, makeup techniques can make or break your look. She conducted a thorough investigation and compiled this list of makeup tips for older women that enhance your natural looks and make you love and embrace yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you apply makeup to mature skin?
Use makeup products that have anti-aging benefits. Start with a hydrating primer that covers fine lines and wrinkles and evens the skin texture. Next, apply a full coverage foundation and use a concealer to cover blemishes and age or sun spots. Avoid using glitters or shimmery products that can highlight fine lines on mature skin.
What kind of makeup should a senior woman wear?
Senior women may opt for a lightweight liquid foundation with full coverage and a dewy finish. This ensures that the wrinkles and fine lines are covered and the skin looks naturally radiant. Apply a cream eyeshadow for mature eyes for seamless application and do not extend beyond the end of the eye to prevent accentuating the jowls.
How do you make your foundation look good on older skin?
Tips and tricks to get a flawless foundation look on mature skin:
• Start with a hydrating moisturizer and an anti-aging primer to prep the skin for a flawless base.
• Next, choose a liquid or cream foundation in satin or dewy finish to get a radiant glow.
• Apply a little amount of the foundation with the help of a brush.
• Blend it well to get the best coverage.
• Opt for buildable formulas and layer on the foundations instead of using a thick formula.
Pro tip: Begin with a quick 5 min face massage using your fingertips, gua sha, or a jade roller. This improves the circulation and vibrancy of the skin.
Should a mature woman wear mascara on her bottom lashes?
No, mascara on the lower lashes makes your eyes droopy and tired.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
- Best Anti-Aging Serums For Mature Women
- Best Primers For Women Over 50
- Best Highlighters For Mature Skin
Read full bio of Abhilasha Singh
Read full bio of Esha Saxena
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Asmita De
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