Quinn emphasizes that the most important tip for applying foundation to mature skin is the prep step right before foundation. "The skin needs to be hydrated before any foundation is applied. Massage in your face and eye creams, use a roller for added penetration, and follow up with a brightening primer," he says.
Apply Thin Layers
Starting with a small amount of product and building up coverage is a crucial step when applying foundation to mature skin. This leads to a more naturally glowy look versus overdone or cakey, and it can also help prevent your foundation from creasing or settling into fine lines.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
Best Application Methods for Mature Skin
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.
Mature skin or dry skin types should reach for a liquid foundation, as powder foundation can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
While our makeup artists agree the best foundations for mature skin should be more luminous and dewy rather than matte, you don't want to verge shimmery, and certain complementary products (such as bronzer) should always be matte.
The type of foundation you use can drastically change the look of your makeup, and experts agree that liquid foundation is best for mature skin because of its hydrating qualities.
Sponges work best, for instance, with lightweight liquid formulas or stick foundations. Creamy, thick foundations would be better served with a brush (so you can buff out the edges for a more natural finish).
Powder foundations that contain hydrating ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid can also work well for mature skin types. They'll help ensure that the formula won't crease or look dry and patchy at the end of the day.
I like to use brushes for application when I want to focus on a detail area, or when I want to use a sheer finish and give a wash over the skin. If the skin is really dry, I only use damp brushes when applying. Generally speaking, sponges can give more coverage, while brushes can be more sheer.”
If you've got dry skin, a beauty blender is meant for you. This is because the bristles of the brush can irritate your skin and make it look flaky. The smooth, soft surface of a beauty blender is much gentler on the skin, and can help you flawlessly apply makeup without leaving you with a cake face.
Use a sponge for best results
While using your fingers may seem like the easiest (and uh, free) way to apply your foundation, using a makeup sponge will ensure an even, natural finish.
Lines deepen on dehydrated skin, increasing the chance that foundation will settle in them. Find a hydrating serum and moisturiser to help counteract this. Additionally, a smoothing primer is your BFF! The primer will fill in lines and prevent your foundation from doing the same.
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
Westman Atelier's Vital Skin Foundation Stick is ideally suited for mature skin. This 2022 Best of Beauty winner is loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients like squalane for moisture and phytosphingosine for soothing and calming the skin.
Whether you're using a foundation brush (synthetic bristles are best) or your fingertips, apply foundation in a stippling motion, which means gently tapping it into your skin. Avoid any wiping or rubbing motions because that will only push the foundation around and cause streaks.
Using your own fingers to apply foundation gives you the most natural skin-like finish because you really need to massage makeup into your pores (sorry, but it's true) with the warmth of your hands to melt everything in every crevice.
Avoid Powder
Powder on mature skin can accentuate texture and dry out the skin even more. Many people use powder makeup to help their skin look more youthful. However, applying powder all over the face can actually age your skin faster.
Sadly, also yes. Since our skin naturally becomes increasingly dry and dehydrated as we get older, a powder foundation only makes things worse. It settles into all of your fine lines, and the matte texture finish instantly ages you.
A BB cream, also called a beauty balm or blemish balm, is designed to provide light to sheer coverage for your skin. Endowed with skincare benefits - SPF, antioxidants, hydrating properties - these creams correct your blemishes, and are ideal for a 'no-makeup makeup look'.