Frequently Asked Questions
Should people with mature skin use highlighter?
Absolutely. Glowy skin isn’t reserved for Gen Z; the right highlighter can actually give skin a youthful glow, according to Bass. The key is choosing a formula that complements mature skin and starting with a well-hydrated complexion before you even reach for your brush. And skip the frosty, iridescent highlighting powders altogether.
Where should you apply highlighter on mature skin?
Apply it to the high points of the face, but aim slightly higher than you might have in the past. “Strategically placed highlighter adds a lift and radiance to mature skin,” says Bass. She recommends applying it to the highest points of the face—the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and brow bones, extending up toward the temples to create a lifting effect. A touch in the inner corners of the eyes can add brightness, too.
Technique matters just as much as placement. Bass recommends warming the highlighter on the back of your hand before applying it to your face: “This helps it melt a little and allows the product to blend seamlessly and evenly onto the skin,” she says.
What are common highlighter mistakes?
It starts with the formula. When choosing a highlighter for mature skin, “steer clear of overly glittery or powdery highlighters, as both can exacerbate fine lines, wrinkles, and more textured skin that comes with aging,” says Bass.
Then, reconsider where you put it. For instance, “don’t apply highlighter close to the under-eyes,” says Bhatty. Since the area is prone to fine lines and darkness, “you don’t want to draw so much attention there,” she explains. Bhatty also recommends skipping the Cupid’s bow, which can draw attention to lips that have become less voluminous with age.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best highlighters for mature skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
