Face and Body

Is your make-up ageing you? Beauty tips for mature skin

6 November, 2023 . 0

Stuck in a rut with the same beauty routine you used when you were younger? Here are the big no-nos when applying make-up for mature skin.

As we get older, the tried and tested make-up routine you stuck with in your 20s or 30s might no longer be flattering.

Here, our experts reveal the biggest no-nos when it comes to make-up for mature skin.

Mature skin make-up blunders and how to fix them

Not prepping your skin first

Mature skin tends to be quite dry, so the right skincare routine is important to achieve a smooth and even base.

“Hydration is key; but before I apply an ultra-hydrating moisturiser, I always use a vitamin C serum to help firm and brighten the skin whilst helping to minimise fine lines,” make-up artist Julia Green says.

“I also like to prep the under-eye area with an age-targeting eye cream.”

If you want to deliver an extra dose of moisture, consider using a hydrating primer before you apply your base.

Trying to cover up the skin

With mature skin comes fine lines and wrinkles, but it pays to take a measured approach when applying your make-up.

Trying to hide fine lines and wrinkles can lead to overusing products and highlighting the areas you’re wanting to distract from, says Julia.

“It’s far sexier to keep things clean, fresh and dewy,” she says.

Make-up artist Kelly Bowman suggests opting for a lightweight, creamy formula when it comes to your foundation.

“A satin finish would be best,” Kelly advises, adding it won’t be too shiny, drawing attention to fine lines, nor too matte and settling into any lines.

Using the wrong type of make-up

It might be time to do an audit of your make-up bag to ensure you’re using the right kinds of products.

“Mature skin needs products that are hydrating, are light in consistency but have enough coverage for imperfections,” Julia says.

While there are some exceptions (a light translucent powder to set your make-up, for example), it’s generally best to stick to creamy formulas as opposed to powders, which can settle in areas and end up emphasising lines and wrinkles.

“I love using cream highlighters to enhance areas on the face,” Kelly says.

“When used in targeted spots, it can be such a flattering technique… (and) using cream blushes instead of powders can give such a youthful pop of colour to the skin.”

And check your mascara too.

“As the elasticity diminishes in the skin, eyelids can start to slacken – mascara that once worked well, smudges and leaves marks on the skin,” Julia says.

“Try a tubing mascara that prevents this from happening, and focus on the middle to outer lashes to lift the outer corner of the eye.”

Not updating your look

It’s inevitable that our faces will change as we get older, and so should our make-up routine.

Julia says that as we age, many of our features can start to appear smaller.

To combat this, you can “try slightly overlining the lips, or using eyeshadow further up the eyelid to downplay any creases and to open up the eye,” Julia says.

“Learning how to accentuate what you love about your face may take time, and even a make-up consultation or two, but you will find beauty again… (and) there’s always some fun to be had!”

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Written by Tania Gomez.