As a professional makeup artist for over 25+ years — and someone who’s about to turn 48 in less than two weeks — I see up close how our skin, priorities, and relationship with makeup evolve over time. My clients I work with are primarily women over 40, 50, and 60+, and the goal is always the same: use makeup that enhances, softens, and supports aging skin with minimal settling into lines or calling attention to texture.
Here are two truths I say out loud when I work with my older clients:
1. Be realistic about what your makeup can do. Makeup WILL MOVE around your face – around crows’ feet, smile lines, and forehead, eventually. There is no creamy makeup that won’t eventually crease a little over the course of the day – no matter how expensive it is. Our faces are mobile, which means products will travel, BUT you can minimize this traveling a bit with techniques and formulas.
2. Mature skin doesn’t need more makeup — it needs better formulas. I’m talking about globbing on thick layers of makeup, thinking you are “covering” your pores and lines. You are not; you’re probably making the texture more prominent. It’s all about smart light layers!
These are the five products I use repeatedly on my clients and on myself because they work well with our skin instead of causing problems. You can start making your shopping list now. These items have proven their worth through consistent results. I keep coming back to them because they deliver what they promise. Each product supports the skin’s natural functions rather than disrupting them. I recommend these based on real experience with many different skin types. They have earned their place in my regular routine through reliable performance. When something works this well you notice the difference quickly. My clients see improvements when using these products. I trust them enough to use them on my own skin too. That says a lot about their quality and effectiveness. The results speak for themselves over time. These are not products that sit unused on a shelf. They are the ones that get emptied and repurchased because they actually do their job.
The Products
1. Clarins Double Serum,$95
Skin prep matters a lot when you want your makeup to look good and not settle into lines. I have recommended this popular Clarins serum to my friends & clients for years now. The price is high but you will see why once you try it. This serum works on firmness and wrinkles while improving radiance and minimizing pores. When you use it regularly your skin becomes soft and smooth so makeup sits on top rather than sinking into your skin.
How I use it: I apply it before moisturizer/spf AND I use it about every other evening before bed. I use a lot of it too!! I find applying with this skincare brush, $22, makes it apply even better in a circular motion. If you have super oily skin, they came out with a lighter texture version just for you.
How I use it: I apply it before moisturizer/spf AND I use it about every other evening before bed. I use a lot of it too!! I find applying with this skincare brush, $22, makes it apply even better in a circular motion. If you have super oily skin, they came out with a lighter texture version just for you.
2. Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer, $42
This is one of those products I’ve used for over 2 years now on myself, and it’s got some kinda magic in it. This bb tinted moisturizer mimics a light foundation that helps you to truly achieve an almost flawless base with a super airy formula that feels weightless. This flexible formula is built with all sorts of skincare goodies (and spf 30), and is very long-wear.
The lumi matte finish works well for wrinkled or textured skin because it avoids being too shiny or too flat and dry. It strikes a nice balance that suits mature skin types. I use the light-medium shade.
How I use it: I apply it with a buffing foundation brush using stippling motions. Less is more, start with a couple of dots of foundation first — you can always add a little extra where needed. And when I want to thin it out, I’ll just squirt a dot of this on the back of my hand and mix in a little extra of just my moisturizer and then rub it in!
3. Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $48
When clients say they are afraid of powder I show them this one. It has a fine texture and creates a soft blur without feeling dry or looking cakey. The price of the full size bothers me for someone who uses makeup casually and might not go through it as quickly as I do in my work as a makeup artist. I am happy they offer a smaller size if you want to try it first. I promise you will love it though.
How I use it: I lightly press into the skin, with these Amazon triangle puffs, only where shine appears — under the eyes, around the sides of the nose, the center of the forehead, and the center of the lower chin — avoiding the cheeks and top of the nose to keep skin looking fresh. I’m wearing the shade “rose” here.
4. NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum, $11
Okay, listen closely, friends. I’ve tried countless concealers over the years, searching for the perfect formula. This NYX serum/concealer is relatively new to me, BUT I’ve already bought every color of it for my kit! It rivals most of the expensive brands I carry. It brightens and covers so beautifully, you’ll just have to see for yourself. My only complaint is I wish it had a wand instead of the pump, but oh well, I’ll deal.
How I use it: You only need a tiny pin prick of this product to make an impact!! I tap a small amount under the inner corner of the eye and blend outward just where I see the hollows of the eye with a combo of a concealer brush , $7.50 and my finger. If needed, I set it very lightly with powder. I’m wearing the shade “vanilla” currently.
5. Natasha Denona Shadow Palettes, varied pricing
Eyeshadow should add softness, dimension, and velvety pigments – not harsh lines or barely there color. These ND palettes offer wearable mattes and gentle shimmers that blend beautifully on textured lids – and come in minis or larger sizes from neutrals to the most fun out there shades! So you do you when it comes to picking one, but her shadows are some of my favorites.
How I use it: A soft matte shade through the crease, a lighter ivory tone under the brow bone, a multi-chrome purple-ish shade in the center of my lid, and the darkest shade along the lash line. Using the mini eye sculpt palette, $27 for the matte shades and ivory brow shade (if you only want to wear matte neutral shadows, you need to go ahead and get yourself this mini), then I added some fun shades from her very popular “My Dream Palette,” $69.
6. Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping blush Veil, $34
Nothing revives your complexion quite like blush when you get older. This cream formula blends seamlessly into your skin and creates an authentic youthful glow. The finish looks radiant without any glitter or shimmer. This product has a unique ability to make your cheeks appear plumper at a time when facial volume naturally decreases with age. It works perfectly for achieving that effortless bare-faced beauty look.
How I use it: Smiling when applying your blush so you can see where your eye crinkles happen is a great way to start! Then apply any blush directly under those bc they will amplify creases if that’s not your jam. I find a cream blush brush is a better delivery (shocker, right?!) and helps to push and spread out this formula of blush just right. I’m using the elf cosmetics putty blush brush, $6, and wearing shade “Berry Punch,” here.
Final Makeup Artist Tip
The main change I notice as women get older is that they learn to use lighter products with creamier formulas and focus on creating a natural glow instead of heavy coverage. Makeup should make you feel more confident rather than hide your face. If you want to try a full makeup routine that stays simple and manageable you can look at one of my recent popular posts about creating a polished look in seven easy steps.
The Rest of My Look Details
I wear my Emilie Gem initial necklace that costs $168 with everything I own. It is a quality jewelry piece worth the investment and I really like Sequin Jewelry products. I use Morphe Glazed Drip glass gloss in shatterproof mauve for $13 because it feels comfortable & contains squalane & vitamin E. My lilac sweatshirt is old but I enjoy wearing a soft sweatshirt in a feminine color during winter. You can find similar options like a lilac fleece for $20 or a Vineyard Vines quarter zip for $100 or an oversized Old Navy raglan for $25. These six products are the ones I trust most for achieving smooth and glowing skin regardless of age. I use them on my clients and on myself regularly. Do any of these interest you or do you own them already?
