8 Best Makeup for Mature Skin Tricks (2025)

Just like we might make tweaks to our hair care and skin care routines as we age, our makeup routine likely needs some updating too. Thanks to changes in hormones, skin tone, bone structure and more, the colors, textures and techniques that once looked great on young, dewy, smooth skin can tend to exacerbate the fine lines, dull tones and sagging we are dealing with now. “These obstacles don’t mean makeup has to be any less fun or that there aren’t solutions,” insists Doris Dalton, DC, founder of Doll 10 Beauty, a makeup and skincare line created with mature skin in mind. “It’s about using the right techniques and formulas.” That’s why we polled makeup artists who specialize in mature skin for their best makeup for mature skin tips. Keep scrolling to learn how to look your most beautiful at any age.

The best makeup for mature skin tips and tricks

Dr. Dalton adds that “It’s all about adjusting to the changes that come with age and finding makeup techniques and products that work with your skin, not against it. It’s a journey of experimentation and embracing what makes you feel confident!”

Trial and error are key, but there are some techniques we’re doing or lacking that can backfire. “There are 2 big mistakes I see women over 50 making,” says Bobbi Brown, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty. “I see women that wear absolutely nothing; they don’t know what to do. They just have given up,” she explains. “The other mistake people make is when they think that putting on full-coverage makeup hides everything. It doesn’t; it makes it look worse.” Both are easy obstacles to overcome, says Brown.

Read on for the advice Dr. Dalton, Brown and other top makeup pros have for doing makeup for mature skin.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #1: Stay hydrated inside and out

“I don’t think people realize that often when you don’t look or feel you’re best, it’s because you’re just tired or dehydrated,” says Brown. So before even considering your makeup, make sure you stay hydrated and eat well throughout the day. “Drink water and eat some healthy fats,” she adds.

Also smart: “Look for base skin products containing hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture and helps skin appear more supple and less wrinkly,” says celebrity makeup artist and lash expert T. Cooper of Major Face, an on-location beauty service company. “Many foundations, BB creams and CC creams now include hyaluronic acid for an extra boost.” Another option is to incorporate a collagen-building moisturizer like Neutrogena Collagen Bank Face Moisturizer into your routine to help support skin’s elasticity. “It makes applying makeup easier and helps skin look less dull and more glowing,” says Cooper.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #2: Neutralize redness with green

One of the biggest changes we see in our skin once we’re past 50 is redness, whether from irritation, adult-onset acne or rosacea. “A green-toned corrector can help neutralize those pink or red areas,” advises makeup artist Laura Geller, celebrity makeup artist and founder of the eponymous makeup line. She likes CoverFX Correct Stick Color Corrector, which comes in 5 shades for different concerns, like redness to dark spots and more.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #3: Keep undereye concealer from settling in lines

Before even attempting to cover your dark circles, Cooper advises using an under-eye mask, like Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches, which can help hydrate and smooth the under-eye area, reducing the appearance of fine lines.

After under-eye skin is hydrated, Brown advises applying concealer. “If you’re properly hydrating under your eyes, the concealer shouldn’t smear or get in between the lines.” One to try: Jones Road Beauty The Neutralizer Pencil. The creamy formula glides on without leaving a cakey appearance and comes in nine shades to easily cover up any dark circles, no matter the cause of them.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #4: Choose your colors wisely

“The shades or colors you choose will affect your look,” attests Geller. For eyeshadow, she suggests opting for earthy tones like browns and taupes, which add depth without drawing focus to the hooded area.

As for blush and lip color, Geller recommends steering clear of darker shades, which can look harsh against mature skin. Soft pinks and rosy hues are perfect for adding a natural, radiant brightness to your complexion.

For eyeliner, stick to neutral shades such as charcoal, brown, bronze or soft black—these colors beautifully define your eyes without being overly harsh.

Besides makeup colors, formulas are equally as important. Dry, powdery makeup textures can emphasize lines and make already-dry skin look drier. Cream, liquid or baked formulas work well for mature skin as they are more hydrating and leave skin with a dewy glow.

“Laura Geller Beauty is made for women 40+ so every product is formulated with mature skin in mind—our signature baked makeup starts as cream pigments, which are then baked into a powder, offering the moisture of a cream or liquid with the ease of powder application,” says Geller. “It won’t cake or settle into fine lines, and it’s hydrating—making it ideal for mature skin.” One of her top picks is Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #5: Combat droopy, hooded lids with these 3 steps

As we get older, many of us struggle with droopy, hooded lids that cause the eyes to look tired and make it hard to apply eye makeup. Cooper’s 3 steps to eyes that pop:

1. Prime the lids: Using a primer, like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion helps minimize the appearance of the hood (the polymer technology fills in creases) so makeup glides on easily and stays put.
2. Line eyes this way: You can go either super thin or bold—both styles create the illusion of a lifted eye, explains Cooper. “Extending the liner into a wing, whether a little flick or dramatic wing, elongates the eye.”
3. Say yes to lashes: Hooded eyes can sometimes appear smaller, so a great pair of lashes opens them up beautifully. Cooper’s go-to falsie is Ardell Naked Lashes in style 421, they add just enough glamour without overwhelming or overpowering eyes.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #6: Counteract dullness with a subtle glow

Over time, our complexions can tend to look duller or sallow. But cream blushes and bronzers can be a lifesaver, explains Dr. Dalton. They blend more seamlessly into the skin and leave a more natural, dewy finish. “You can apply them with your fingers or a makeup sponge for a natural, flushed look.” We love Doll 10 Beauty Fresh Squeezed Vitamin Infused Solid Serum Bronzers. They provide a gorgeous flush of color and they’re infused with watermelon, blueberry and guava extract to protect and hydrate the skin and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

Another great option is Jones Road Miracle Balm. It offers a sheer wash of color, hydrates the skin and leaves a dewy glow. To apply: First, use your fingers to dig into the balm and break the seal on top so all the emollients mix into the formula. Then, put some on your fingers, rub them together and pat them onto your cheeks for a subtle glow and to add luminosity.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #7: Focus on enhancing brows

Hormonal changes can cause hair to thin with age—and we’re not just talking about the hair on the top of our head. Our eyebrows can also become sparser, which in turn causes the eyes to appear smaller or the face less defined.

“Filling in brows with the right product can help create a fuller, younger look to the face,” explains Dr. Dalton, who lost her brows after going through cancer treatments. She created the Doll 10 Beauty OverArchiever Brow Remedy Pomade as a one-step, waterproof and mistake-proof way to fill in, define and sculpt brows no matter how sparse they are.

Best makeup for mature skin tip #8: The tools you use matter

“When it comes to tools, I always remind my clients that they already own 10 of the best makeup tools—their fingers,” insists Cooper. The warmth of your body heat helps products melt into the skin for a seamless finish. “But if you’re reaching for brushes, a good dual-fiber brush is a must for blending like a dream, and a smudger brush is essential for effortless eyeliner application.” Cooper also loves using a velour puff since it’s perfect for setting makeup with powder and blending out creams seamlessly for a flawless finish. One to try: Sephora Collection Velour Makeup Powder Puff.