Foundation Tips for Mature Skin: Everything You Need to Know

Many things change as we get older, and one of the major areas that is affected by change this is our skin.

How to apply foundation on mature skin

These changes can be everything from and including:

• Drier and increased texture
• Loss of elasticity (leading to lines and wrinkles)
• More transparency from the thinning epidermis
• Increased sensitivity

All these things play a role and will impact your makeup routine. These can make finding the right foundation and its application challenging.

These aging side effects sometimes lead to makeup making us look older than we are. With the foundations and powders settling into our wrinkles, they shine a spotlight on them for everyone to see.

In this post, we’re aiming to help our gorgeous older ladies with some tips and tricks on how to apply foundation on mature skin.

(By the way, if you’re looking for some great suggestions, check out our previous post on the Best Foundation for Mature Skin Over 40.)

Makeup Tips for Mature Skin

Before you get to the actual application of your chosen foundation, there are a few things that you should know. What we’ll mention will help ensure a flawless application and help your skin be as healthy as possible along the way.

Here are four of the most important steps to take before proceeding with the glam treatment:

Prep is Important

No matter what age you are, making sure to moisturize before putting on your face is vital.

Always make sure that you start the process with a good moisturizer that isn’t going to leave a film that could cause your foundation to cake and flake.

Lisa gives some tips on what to do to prep your face:

“I usually layer Vitamin C serum and a lightweight moisturizer on my face before applying foundation.”

Professional makeup artist Andrea stresses the importance of skincare:

“Skincare is definitely a step that a lot of women don’t think about when it comes to makeup prep. You need to start off with skin that has even texture that won’t compromise your foundation application. For example, a dry and patchy face equals your foundation looking patchy.

I prep my skin beginning with my double cleansing then serums, moisturizer and a primer before I apply my foundation.

I also get regular facials and have a religious regimen with my skincare.”

Primer Choice is Crucial

Finding the right primer is the start of creating an excellent base for all the layers to come.

That means finding a primer that is good at blurring lines while still feeling nice on your skin.

You will want to find one that has an SPF included to help protect you from further sun damage.

We Recommend

Becca Cosmetics First Light Primer

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Hydration is Key

Because your skin has lost elasticity, you’ll also find that you may have drier skin than you are used to.

When looking for a foundation, you may want to find one that has a hydrating formula.

Another great option when choosing a hydration formula foundation is to look for one with a hint of yellow undertones, which will warm up your skin tone a bit!

Use the Right Tools

Because the texture of the skin changes over time, there are certain needs your skin will have that only good tools can serve.

You will want to use a blending sponge or a brush rather than your fingers. Using your fingers may lead to uneven application.

Larissa gives us her expert tips:

“I apply moisturizer as a base, which I find helps to smooth any lines and dry spots since I tend to have dry skin.

I like to use a soft foundation brush to apply my foundation because I like how it blends. I’ll use a smaller flat brush to get under the eyes. Then, I’ll put loose powder on top to set.

If haven’t had a chance to clean my foundation brush, I dip my foundation brush in a little moisturizer first and apply the moisturizer on my face. This also lifts residual foundation off my brush serving like a primer.

Then I’ll go and apply foundation as I normally would with the brush.”

Amy also shares her tried and tested method:

“Sometimes, brushes blend right off the page. Sometimes it can dilute the consistency.

So I find it better to gently pat it on my skin with my fingers and just let it dry.”

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BeautyBlender

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Now let’s take a closer look at each individual type of foundation and how they should be applied to mature skin.

Applying Liquid Foundation on Mature Skin

Liquid foundation will be the answer for a lot of the more mature ladies, especially if you have a few blemishes and a semi-clear complexion.

You can layer it on to cover minor skin flaws and can even use it in place of concealer.

However, if you find yourself applying just one too many layers, you may want to consider a cream foundation instead (RELATED: Cream to powder foundation).

1. To apply liquid foundation, you will want to use a sponge and pour a little on the back of your hand.
2. Once you have that you will want to dab the sponge in it.
3. After getting the product in on the sponge, you will want to begin to blot (not drag) the sponge gently around your face.
4. Do this until your face is completely done and ready for the next step.

There are a lot of great options on the market, but you will want to make sure you look for ones specially formulated for older skin.

To help you in liquid foundation application, check out our post on liquid foundation brushes.

We Recommend

Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Hydrating Formula

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Applying Cream Foundation on Mature Skin

If you have more prominent age spots or other blemishes, you may consider a cream foundation.

This foundation often also offers more heightened hydration properties. This is great for our mature women with dry skin as well.

Amy, who works under the spotlight, shares:

“As you get older your face is more dry so its important to find the right foundations that won’t crease, or create cracks, and so on.”

The great thing about cream foundation is you can adjust the consistency to your liking. If it is a touch too heavy, water it down with a bit of primer.

1. With a cream foundation, you can still use a sponge.
2. Take your sponge and press it in the cream.
3. Starting with the forehead, gradually apply in soft, smooth motions the cream foundation until your face is completely covered.

Interested in learning more about cream foundation? Check out our posts:

• How to apply cream foundation
• Applying cream foundations with a sponge
• Cream to powder foundation

Don’t forget to clean your sponge so you won’t find pesky black spots on beauty blender!

We Recommend

CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation

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Applying Powder Foundation on Mature Skin

Now that we’ve covered liquid and cream, the next we’ll tackle for how to apply foundation on mature skin is powder-based foundation.

We’ve written in the past about whether powder vs liquid foundation for mature skin is better. The verdict is really up to you, but check out what Amy (50+ years old) to say.

Amy shares:

“I also rarely use powder. All that does is cake it on. The oil I truly believe is the saving grace and its not marketed widely enough”

Tough powder foundation may not be the best option for mature skin, although some ladies will want to keep using what they have always used

If that is something that applies to you, you will want to make sure that you look for a formula made for mature skin that doesn’t have any reflective particles. These particles can help enhance wrinkles and lines, so staying away from them is a good idea.

1. You will want to use a large powder brush or kabuki brush.
2. Dab from the top of your face to the bottom with as little re-dipping of the brush as possible.
3. When you’re done pat the extra powder of your face with a tissue gently.

We Recommend

IT Cosmetics Celebration Illumination Foundation

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Which Foundation Above All is Best for Mature Skin?

The final decision is, of course, up to your unique needs.

But looking at the three options, overall, the one that will lend the best coverage is a cream-based foundation. Its hydration, mixed with its ability to hide things like age spots, just gives it the most versatility.

Ultimate Best foundation for Mature Skin:

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream

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How to Apply Foundation on Mature Skin: Tips from Mature Women

Dr. Gayle Carson, 82 years young, shares her tips for foundation application:

“I’m 82 but on stage a lot so do wear makeup a lot. I also use a lot of highlights and shading. I have combination skin but tend to get oily, although drying up at my age.

Start with foundation and moisturizer. Then lighter liquid for under eyes and laugh lines, Cover those with foundation. Then powder and put rest of foundation over that.”

Susan Farese shares with us how she keeps her makeup in place:

“I use makeup remover wipes by Neutrogena pre makeup and to remove it.

I wash with various brands of liquid soap and water. But I have used Urban Decay’s ‘All Nighter Long’ setting spray on and off for about a year or so.”

Andrea lets us know her expert tip on application:

“I always start by applying my foundation to the centre of my face and blend out to nothing by the time I get to my jaw and hairline; this avoids the look of a ‘mask’.

I apply with a stipple motion to help press it in, versus sweeping and moving it around. I prefer setting sprays like Skindinavia vs powders since powders will accentuate fine lines.”

Amy shares with us the details of her skincare routine to base application:

“I love my routine. I wash my face with a non-drying cleanser of any kind. Then I put on oil, such as my Clarins Blue Orchid for dehydrated skin. Then I put on either a moisturizer or a serum or both. Then I put on sun protection.

And then the Chanel Le Blanc and then foundation or BB cream…. and lets not forget really great eye cream!

You really have to pat it in softly with clean hands and let it just dry naturally on your face. Its very natural looking!”

Check out related posts on our blog:

• Best Under Eye Primers for Wrinkles

To our older ladies out there! What’s your favorite foundation? Do you have tips for how to apply foundation on mature skin?