Once you master how to apply makeup for older women, you’ll realize that caking your face with products to hide wrinkles, age spots, or fine lines is a thing of the past. Applying makeup on mature skin is actually all about utilizing products in such a way that they enhance your natural skin for a more glowing, youthful look.
“Lightweight, hydrating formulas tend to be more flattering because they blend in beautifully instead of settling into fine lines,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. Anyone over 40 knows exactly what she means—very heavy, full-coverage formulas or overly matte products can actually do the opposite of what you want them to, ultimately making mature skin look less natural.
We spoke with makeup artists for a step-by-step guide on applying makeup on aging skin. From finding the right gripping primer to applying a blurring foundation and cream eyeshadow, read on for tips on how to create a natural-looking, but still long-lasting makeup look on older skin.
What to look for when shopping for makeup for older women
The beauty aisles can be overwhelming if you’re not sure what works best for your skin. Shopping for makeup for an older complexion doesn’t have to feel intimidating—start by learning what doesn’t work for your skin. Avoid full matte formula products, as they can be very drying and grab quickly onto texture, fine lines, and wrinkles,” says Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City. Conversely, you also don’t want to go too glittery, metallic, or shimmery either. “Products with mica will settle into fine lines and accentuate texture instead of blur it,” he says.
There’s a nice space between those two extremes where you can work. Choose products with a bit more flexibility, a buildable finish, and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which will keep skin moisturized throughout your wear. Products with a satin or demi-matte finish create controlled light reflection, which will help skin look radiant instead of overly matte.
It’s also important to apply makeup in light layers—caking it on actually draws more attention to what you’re trying to hide. “Every wrinkle on the skin is essentially a small valley—the thicker the layer, the more makeup can migrate into that crease as the face naturally moves throughout the day,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. This is why thin layers consistently outperform thick layers, she says, even when the coverage is identical. Remember: You want to enhance what you like, not spackle over it.
How to apply makeup for older women
Step 1: Prep with a hydrating primer and moisturizers
The first step in a long-lasting makeup look for older women is creating a good base. “Skin prep is your most important step when working with a mature complexion,” says Spickard. He recommends taking a hybrid approach and opting for primers with skin-care ingredients in them, like niacinamide to help control redness and even out skin tone, layered over a light moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated. “For pore-specific concerns, use a silicone-based primer which can help fill pores and blur fine lines,” he adds. Primer will help even out rough areas, minimize discoloration, and plump skin so that it’s ready for makeup.
