Who Wants to Look Younger?

Foundation Tips for Mature Skin

Of all the different types of makeup products available on the market, there is one particular thing that can make or break your look: foundation. The goal is to have this skin-tone matching creamy product enhance your complexion, but it should never look like another face has been painted on top of yours.

It is very easy to overdo it when it comes to foundation, and it is also difficult for some people to change their foundation strategies as their skin changes and ages. It can actually be quite difficult to find information on the best way to apply foundation on aging skin because most of the articles and tutorials are aimed at young beauties in the prime of their skin’s life.

However, an older face needs another approach because the nature of the skin is quite different with fine lines, wrinkles, and possible age spots. The application tips that give a 20-year-old a glowing complexion may not really transfer to a person in their 50s or 60s.

If you find that your face just doesn’t have the elasticity and youthful glow it once had, this article is for you. Finally, a solid bit of advice and foundation tips for mature skin!

What Should You Look for in a Foundation for Mature Skin?

If you have been wearing makeup for years and years, you probably have some tried and true products that are staples in your makeup bag. However, as you age, you will need to start swapping out the products that you used when you were younger and buy a few that are more age-appropriate.

Older skin has different requirements than younger skin, and your foundation needs are no exception. For instance, a thick and creamy foundation that offers full-coverage may not be the best option anymore because the excess of pigments can make the skin dry out. Drying is the bane of your existence as you age, and it should be avoided at all costs.

In the days of your youth, it is always recommended that you match your foundation to your skin as closely as you possibly can. However, that tip doesn’t always hold true as you age. For many people, the act of getting older leaves them with skin that is more pallid, and when you match the foundation exactly, it can actually leave you looking a little bit like a corpse.

Related: Eye Makeup Tips for Mature Skin

This doesn’t mean you want to start going heavy with the bronzer because that will look much to fake. The best solution is to buy a foundation that is an exact match for your skin, and the foundation that is one shade warmer. Then you will mix the two before application each day. This will keep you from looking like a cadaver while also still keeping thing natural.

Another key factor of your foundation should be its formula. You want to stick to hydrating formulas because the older the skin the drier it will become. Avoid matte formulas altogether. Plus, you want to make sure that your foundation also contains some level of SPF protection to ward off the damaging effects of UV rays.

There are several foundations that offer anti-aging formulas, and it may be a good idea to try a few of these out. They tend to be more moisturizing and offer smoother coverage. Those with oily or combination skin may find many anti-aging formulas have too much moisture, but generally, over the age of 50, these foundations will start to make sense.

Prepping Skin Before Foundation

The first in our series of foundation tips for mature skin is prepping. Now that you have found the ideal shade and type of foundation, you are ready to get to work. Just like any project, if you want stellar results, you have to spend a little bit of time on the prep work. Your face is no exception.

You always want to start your makeup session each day with a clean canvas. This means you need to wash your face. Whether you are the type of person that showers in the morning or the evening, you need freshly cleansed skin to get the most out of your makeup application. This may mean washing your face at the bathroom sink or while taking your morning shower. It is important to remember that your facewash should not be too harsh or drying on your skin.

After your skin is clean and free of dirt and oils, you are ready to moisturize. Your foundation will never glide across the face flawlessly if your skin is dry and flaky. You want to use a good quality moisturizer that isn’t greasy. If there is too much grease in the lotion, it can interfere with the texture of your foundation.

If your skin is particularly dry, using a face oil prior to foundation application may be in order. Some people even mix a little bit of their foundation with the oil for a silky smooth application. Another tip recommended by the pros is ensuring that your face has proper circulation. You can increase blood flow by giving a gentle massage to the face at night or using a jade roller.

After moisturization, there is one more step that needs to be taken in order to get your face ready for foundation application, your primer. There are two reasons why a primer is a good choice for aging skin. The first is that it helps blur some of the fine lines and give your skin a more youthful look, and the second is that it means you can use less foundation to get good coverage.

If you don’t love the idea of primer, you can stick to using it on the key areas of the face where there are the most lines and imperfections.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Primer

Best Application Methods for Mature Skin

Prepping the skin and having the perfect type of foundation are both extremely important, but it is also necessary to apply the foundation in the correct manner to achieve a truly flawless look. In fact, applying your foundation incorrectly can actually make you look older and more wrinkled than you are.

Many makeup artists recommend women over the age of 40 use a soft-bristled buffer brush to apply their foundation. The bristles will allow you to smooth the product over the skin’s surface, and it will help keep it from settling down into all the fine lines and wrinkles.

If you don’t like the bother of cleaning makeup brushes, you can opt to apply your foundation with a sponge instead. Using your fingers is not a great plan because it won’t create a natural and even finish. However, the brush or sponge method will give you a cohesive finish.

Foundation Tips for Mature Skin- Hiding Wrinkles

If you have deep lines on your face, it is inevitable that the foundation is going to settle in the crevices. Unfortunately, no amount of concealer and full-coverage foundation will ever cover up the fact that your face is lined. That’s okay, though. You should embrace your beauty at all stages of life.

Yet, even when embracing, you may not want a clump of foundation hanging out in the fine lines of your face. In order to disperse the product more evenly, you can blot the product with a cotton swab to remove the excess. Another technique involves using your finger to gently press against the skin and use a circular motion to spread the foundation evenly along the lined area.

Preventing Premature Aging

The absolute best way to hide your wrinkles is to not have any in the first place! While it is very unlikely that you will reach your twilight years without some bit of wrinkling popping up on your face, you can stave off the fine lines for longer by following a few preventative tips.

• Use your sunscreen religiously. If you leave your house, your face should be covered in SPF.
• Stop smoking, or better yet, don’t ever smoke to begin with.
• Drink copious amounts of water. This is will help so many systems in the body, but it will definitely help you maintain a more line-free face.
• Eat healthy foods. Everything that you eat will affect your body in some way. The plan should always be to put good stuff in.
• Use a good quality pillowcase. Skincare experts often recommend switching to a silk pillowcase to protect the delicate skin of the face.
• Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
• See your dermatologist on a regular basis for skincare evaluations and tips on maintaining a youthful glow.
• Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. This keeps your body and your skin healthy.
• If you need glasses, get them. Squinting all of the time will increase the fine lines around your eyes.

Foundation Tips for Mature Skin – Covering Dark Spots

Many people tend to start getting a little spotty as they age. These age spots can be caused by genetics, health conditions or UV damage, but that doesn’t mean you have to just live with them. There are ways to lessen the appearance of sunspots.

You will want to apply a bit of concealer to the darkened area, but it is important to use a very light hand to avoid a caked-on look. Using a concealer brush with a rounded head is one of the best ways to ensure that the product doesn’t end up looking like a clump.

Dark circles under the eyes can be neutralized with a color corrector in yellow. The rings under the eyes tend to have blue or purple undertones, and the yellow makes them disappear. Never attempt to cover your dark circles with a lightly colored concealer that is lighter than your normal skin tone. This won’t cover them and can actually make them look more noticeable.

If your dark spots are too severe or too numerous to be covered with your foundation and concealer alone, it may be time to talk to your dermatologist. There are topical treatments and non-invasive procedures that can help lessen the appearance of the dark spots.

If you notice that one or more of your dark spots are growing or changing, you definitely need to see a dermatologist to ensure that you aren’t dealing with something a little more serious than a cosmetic discoloration issue. Skin cancer affects millions of people, and it is always better to have something checked out. Catching skin cancer sooner always makes it easier to treat than waiting.

Related: How to Get Rid of Undereye Bags and Dark Circles

10 Quick Tips for Making Mature Skin Look Flawless

1. Exfoliate and moisturize the skin before attempting to apply any makeup products. This will ensure you have a good foundation for your foundation.
2. Primer is an essential part of your makeup routine. You may have been able to skip this step when your skin was youthful and completely smooth, but it is necessary as the skin matures.
3. Choose the foundation that offers the bare minimum of coverage. Try to avoid getting a painted on look by using foundation that is too thick or too pale.
4. Use a sponge or a makeup brush to apply the foundation in a more even method.
5. Stick to soft colors when applying blush.
6. Satin lipsticks are ideal because they do not accentuate the wrinkles around the lips.
7. Apply foundation around the lips with a little bit of loose powder to keep lipstick from bleeding into the lines around the mouth.
8. Switch from black eyeliners and mascaras to a dark gray or brown. These colors are less harsh on the face.
9. If your hands are unsteady or your eyelids are lined, switch from liquid eyeliner to a kohl pencil that can be smudged.
10. Avoid using cream eyeshadows and switch to powder only.

Related: The BB Creams Basics

In Conclusion

As you can see, the world of makeup needs to change as you age. All those tips and tricks you collected when you were a teen and in your 20s do not really apply any longer. To keep your skin looking more youthful, you will need to update your makeup practices to those that are described above.

These tricks will stop you from aging yourself prematurely with your current makeup techniques.

More Great Foundation Tips for Mature Skin Resources:

12 Makeup Mistakes That Are Actually Aging You

The 10 Best Foundations For Mature Skin And How To Apply Them

8 Beauty Tips From a Makeup Artist Who Works With Women Over 40