What sets mature skin apart from younger skin? When it comes to applying makeup on mature skin, there are different guidelines to follow because of mature skin’s unique texture - thinner, older skin is easily overwhelmed with heavy products such as thick undereye concealer or mattifying foundation.

Read on to find out our best makeup tips for older women and how to choose the best makeup for mature skin!

1. Don’t Go Too Powdery - Cream Textures Are Better

Choosing the right products is key when it comes to makeup for mature skin! Working alongside what you’ve got is key to a flawless, ageless makeup look. The issue with too much powder is that it can often cling to skin texture - whether that’s fine lines or congestion - making things look a little more textured than they really are. Stick to cream blushes, concealers, and liquid foundations to avoid enhancing that crepey look. 

Inika Organic Lip & Cheek Cream
This two in one lip and cheek tint is perfect for bringing a natural flush to your cheeks and lips.

2. Prep Skin With Hydration and Moisture

This makeup tip technically applies to all skin types, but is extra crucial when it comes to makeup for mature skin. As we age, our skin does two things - it becomes thinner and has a harder time holding on to hydration. 

Ensuring that your skin is perfectly prepped with a nourishing moisturiser or primer before makeup infuses your skin with moisture, smoothing away any dry patches that might appear and providing a well-hydrated base.

Inika Organic Radiant Glow Primer
Give your skin glow from within with this naturally organic face primer from Inika.

3. Stick to Sheer Layers, Avoid Heavy Textures

When it comes to makeup tips for older women, less is more. Sheerer layers of foundation and concealer will enhance your glow without overwhelming your skin with product. A sheer foundation can be carefully dabbed on with a damp makeup sponge - the perfect beauty tool for blending in a soft layer of foundation for a skin-like finish.

La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
This sheer, liquid foundation from La Mer subtly perfects your skin with lightweight, buildable coverage.

4. Go With What Suits You - Not What’s Trendy

One of the best makeup tips for older adults has to be not to always follow beauty trends! Makeup trends come and go, but they also come with an uncomfortable truth - they don’t always suit everyone, depending on skin texture, eye shape, face shape, and even skin tone. Opt for looks and techniques that flatter your individual features, instead of following what everyone else is doing for a look that might not even suit you! 

La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF 15
Use the concealer part of this product to flawlessly pinpoint conceal imperfections, then blend in foundation for a flawless finish.

5. Use Eyeshadow Primer

As well as being one of the best makeup tips for older women, this tip is perfect for anyone with hooded eyelids or oily eyelids. Properly priming is key to preventing makeup from settling in skin creases.  

This especially rings true for the eye area! However, it’s easy to prevent this with one simple tip for mature skin - always prime your eyelids. An eye primer works hard to keep everything in place, preventing eyeshadow and eyeliner from smudging - or worse, settling in wrinkles and creases. 

Inika Organic Full Coverage Concealer
A thin layer of full coverage concealer set with powder works as an effective eyeshadow primer in a pinch!

6. Avoid Sparkle on Larger Areas 

If there’s one common theme in makeup tips for older adults, it’s avoiding emphasising texture. Certain skin care products and finishes make skin look more textured than it really is - whether that's texture caused by fine lines or from breakouts. 

Shimmery products, such as eyeshadow and highlighter are designed to draw attention to and well, highlight certain parts of your face. The thing is, this spotlighting effect can make skin look a little too textured, emphasising fine lines and wrinkles.

GA-DE Basics Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Opt for matte eyeshadows to create flattering eye makeup looks.

7. Nourish Lashes With Conditioning Mascara

Did you know that as we age, our eyelashes tend to become sparser and drier than they used to be? A two-in-one conditioning mascara helps to doll up your eyes, drawing the right kind of attention to them while at the same time providing moisturising your lashes and supporting healthy growth. Another option is to use a two in one eye serum and eyelash serum to hydrate that tricky eye area and treat your lashes at the same time!

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Eye & Lash Concentrate
This two in one eye serum and eyelash serum from Lancôme brightens and refreshes tired under eyes and conditions eyelashes at the same time.

8. Opt for Softer Eyeliner Looks Instead of a Sharp Cat Eye

Getting a sharp, Sophia Loren-esque cat eye makeup look isn’t as easy on mature skin - one of the top makeup tips for mature skin from almost all makeup artists is to leave liquid eyeliner behind in favour of pencil formulas. They’re much easier to control for a look that’s as dramatic or as subtle as you like! 

GA-DE Precisionist Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
 If you’re looking for an eye liner pencil that’ll last all day without smudging, try this waterproof yet creamy formula from GA-DE.

Do you have a makeup routine sorted, but not a skincare routine? Try our skin analysis!

Products Mentioned:

• Inika Organic Lip & Cheek Cream
• Inika Organic Radiant Glow Primer
• La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
• Inika Organic Full Coverage Concealer
• GA-DE Basics Matte Eyeshadow Palette
• La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF 15
• Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Eye & Lash Concentrate
• GA-DE Precisionist Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil