10 Makeup Tips for Mature Skin

We’re firm believers in the age is nothing but a number motto, which means we think your skin and makeup should look just as radiant at twenty-five as it does at sixty-three. However, it’s inevitable that our complexion will change as we age—introducing new issues or dilemmas that we haven’t had to confront before. The best way to stay fresh and glowing? Switch up your skin care routine, the makeup you use, avoid common mistakes, and find new application methods that will better serve you as your face ages.

Check out our favorite beauty tips and tricks for mature skin below.

1. Put Skincare First
Good skin care should be the first step in your beauty routine at any age, but as you get older the health of your skin becomes even more important. Following a dedicated morning and nighttime routine—cleansing, exfoliating (2-3 times a week), and moisturizing—is an essential strategy for achieving a healthy complexion, especially over time. Adding a serum (like our Advanced Polypeptides Searum) and sun protection into the mix is also crucial. Cater your products to your skin type, always be sure to use a cream specifically made for eyes in that delicate area (try our Renewing Eye Cream), and add a facial oil into the mix if you have dry skin or want an even dewier youthful glow.

2. Make Primer Essential
Even if you don’t have particularly oily eyelids, using an Eyeshadow Primer can help reduce some of the visible signs of aging and keep your makeup in place all day. As we get older our skin becomes thinner—especially around our eyes—which can result in fine lines and uneven tones. Simply tap the primer onto your lids and you’ll have brighter peepers instantly, whether you choose to add eyeshadow or not. Finish by using our hydrating and nutrient-rich Face Primer on the rest of your face, focusing on areas with fine lines or dry patches.

3. Skip the Powder
A moisturizing cream foundation makes the perfect base, and will help to even out your complexion. It’s best to start the application process at the center of your face and work outward, which is where you’ll likely need the most coverage for redness, discoloration, and blemishes. Blend the product outward towards your hairline, ears, and neck with a brush or sponge to ensure even application and wipe away any harsh lines.

4. Conceal Wisely
Don’t go overboard with concealer, particularly under your eyes where your skin is delicate. To get the best coverage, choose a shade or two lighter than your skin tone for your under eyes and the inner corners—this will conceal dark circles and also brighten your eyes. Apply it with a brush to keep it from getting too heavy, and put it only on the dark areas and not under your entire eye. If your dark circles are major or you have other discoloration on your skin, reach for our Color Correcting Cream first and follow it up with our Cream Concealer.

5. Reach for Matte Finishes
We love sparkle as much as the next person, but so do any fine lines that you have on your face. Makeup that includes excessive amounts of shimmer and glitter (especially around your eyes) tends to settle into your wrinkles and accentuate them—simply restrict highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes, the centers of your eyelids, and on your brow bones. Reach for Eyeshadow (we have several stunning matte options) and Powder Blush, which should be applied solely on your cheekbones (not on the apples of your cheeks) in order to give your face a natural lift.

6. Don’t Forget Your Eyebrows
Focus on keeping your brows full naturally, so trim them instead of tweezing. To add definition to your face, make sure to fill in your eyebrows with a pencil or gel (try our Cream Brow Pencil). As we get older, our brows tend to thin out and even sprout the occasional gray hair—brush the product through in an upward and outward motion using very light strokes to beef up your arches without making them appear too artificial.

7. Play Up Your Eyes
As we age, our eyelids can begin to wrinkle and become more hooded which makes eyeliner difficult to get just right. For the best results and to make your peepers appear larger, select a color other than traditional black—like Charcoal, Chocolate Brown, Indigo, Slate, or even Pine. You should change up your method too—rather than drawing a line, dot the pencil along your upper lash line and fill it in neatly with a blender sponge. When it comes to your lashes, the key is to select the right type of mascara formula. As we age our eyelashes become more brittle, so super thick formulas will appear too clumpy. Our vitamin B-5 enriched Mascara is the perfect option because it nourishes while providing natural definition. For extra oomph, start with an eyelash curler. 

8. Add Some Color
Warm up your skin with our Mineral Bronzer to ensure that you don’t look washed out. Apply it using a Kabuki Brush on your cheekbones, down the sides of your nose, across your forehead, and under your jawline for a chiseled glow. Make sure to blend it well into your skin so that the color appears sun-kissed and natural. For a little extra color, add some cream blush à la our Multi Pot and tap it onto the high points of your face using your fingers—this will subtly lift your complexion. 

9. Even Out Your Lips
Our lips can become more asymmetrical as we age, but you can balance them out with a lip liner that closely matches your lip color. Our hydrating formulas are the perfect option because they glide on smoothly without tugging or pulling. To create symmetry, start from each of the four outer corners of your mouth and draw four separate strokes toward your cupid’s bow or to the center of your bottom lips. Apply your lipstick the same way, and finish by using our Lip Brush to slightly diffuse the edges for a softer look.

10. Use Setting Spray
You may notice that your makeup has begun to fade faster than it used to—using a setting spray will help keep it in place longer and add moisture to your skin at the same time. Just apply a few spritzes of our Sea Mineral Hydra Mist after your makeup application to finish your look. Bonus: this versatile product can also be used throughout the day to refresh and hydrate your entire body.