Plain Portion

Beauty is ageless, but makeup techniques should evolve as skin changes over time. Mature skin brings its own unique characteristics that call for specific approaches to enhance natural beauty. As professional visagistes, we often see clients struggling with outdated techniques that no longer serve their current skin needs.

Preparation Is Everything

For mature skin, makeup application begins long before the first product touches your face. A thorough skincare routine focusing on hydration creates the ideal canvas:

• Start with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid to plump the skin
• Apply a rich but fast-absorbing moisturizer
• Consider an illuminating primer that diffuses light and minimizes the appearance of texture
• Allow each layer to fully absorb before proceeding to the next step

This preparation ensures makeup applies smoothly rather than catching on dry areas or settling into fine lines.

Foundation Fundamentals

The cardinal rule for mature skin: less is more. Heavy foundation can accentuate texture and look aging, regardless of how premium the product may be.

We recommend lightweight, hydrating foundations with light-reflecting properties. Apply with a damp makeup sponge using a pressing motion rather than dragging across the skin, which can disrupt texture. Focus coverage on areas of discoloration, leaving naturally flawless areas with minimal product.

For areas requiring additional coverage, use a creamy concealer applied with a small brush, then gently patted with your ring finger to meld with skin.

Strategic Setting

One of the most common mistakes we see is over-powdering mature skin. While setting products are important for longevity, they should be applied strategically:

• Use translucent setting powder only in areas prone to shine (typically the T-zone)
• Apply with a small brush for precision rather than dusting all over
• Consider avoiding powder altogether on the outer portions of the face where dryness is common
• Setting sprays can provide longevity without adding texture

Embracing Color Thoughtfully

Contrary to outdated beauty advice, mature women can absolutely wear color—the key is in the formula and application technique.

For cheeks, cream blushes create a natural flush that appears to come from within. Apply to the apples of cheeks and blend upward toward the temples for a lifting effect.

Eye colors should generally lean toward matte or satin finishes rather than highly frosted options, which can emphasize crepey texture. Cream shadows that set are excellent choices for creating dimension without gathering in creases.

Defining Features Softly

As we age, facial features can lose definition. However, harsh lines rarely achieve the desired effect:

• For brows, use feathery strokes with pencil or powder rather than solid lines
• Define eyes with eyeshadow applied close to the lash line instead of liquid liner
• Consider brown or plum liner instead of black for a softer appearance
• Curl lashes before applying mascara to open the eye area

Remember that makeup should enhance your features, not cover them. Embracing the changes in your face while using techniques that highlight your unique beauty is the essence of age-appropriate makeup artistry.