17 Beauty Tips for Older Women From the World's Top Makeup Artists

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Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the makeup you wore on repeat in your 20s and 30s is probably not going to cut it anymore once you've reached a certain age. As we get older, our face begins to subtly change over time. Fine lines and wrinkles are more prominent, skin craves more hydration, and elastin and collagen begin to decline. While the thought of having to start fresh again may sound daunting—and maybe even frustrating—finding the best products for your changing skin texture is easier than you think.

According to Chanel makeup artist Kate Lee, there are few key tips one can follow to streamline their new and improved routine, beginning with looking for products specifically formulated with anti-aging ingredients.

"A mistake maturing women make when applying their makeup that I see a lot is that they have been using the same product for 10 years or more," says the pro, noting that buying a new foundation is a great place to start. "Foundations are incredible these days—they change constantly and if you stick with one product for many years, you may miss the magic. I encourage people to try new products and techniques—that in itself is an act of youthfulness!"

Ahead, Lee, along with more beauty industry legends, share their insider secrets—and preferred products—for youthful-looking skin, regardless of age.

Go easy with the foundation.

"I believe using less makeup is best on mature skin, so I recommend focusing on the areas where you truly need the coverage and avoiding expression lines. Try using a lighter formula foundation and then building coverage where needed, or try using a concealer rather than 'blanketing' the skin and creating a blank canvas. Lean into smarter formulations and use less." — Kate Lee

VITALUMIÈRE AQUA Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

The fluid texture of this foundation goes on feather light and amps up skin's hydration with hyaluronic acid for natural wrinkle-softening dewiness.

Key Ingredients: "High Definition Light" pigments, hyaluronic acid

Coverage: Light to medium

Shades: 17

Future Skin Gel Foundation

This oil-free gel formula sinks seamlessly into skin for a "your complexion but better" look. For spots that needs some extra love, the coverage is buildable as well.

Key Ingredients: Aloe, Chamomile, Arnica

Coverage: Medium to full

Shades: 15

Double Wear transparent Long-Wear Foundation

For those who prefer a more matte finish, this foundation wears transparent, but won't leave skin looking shiny.

Key Ingredients: SPF & Antioxidants with Vitamin E

Coverage: transparent, matte

Shades: 15+

Define the lash line.

"I recommend using my 'invisible lining' technique. Pressing the liner in between each lash along the lash line adds definition, bringing the look of lush and full lashes even before mascara." —Trish McEvoy, makeup artist

1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner

A super-thin tip and smooth gel formula make this mechanical liner easy to use for subtle touches.

Formula: Gel

Shades: 5

Intense Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Bold color payoff and a long-wearing formula make this a great choice for all day wear.

Formula: Pencil

Shades: 7

Take time to prime.

"Adding moisture to the complexion and taking time to prep is important. Products that prime the skin should be a light, easily-absorbed and hydrating. Moisturizer or serum work well, avoid using a product with too much emollience as it can cause the make up to move around. Always wait a few minutes for the product to settle before moving on with makeup."— Kate Lee

Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original

Prevent creasing that can highlight fine lines with this eyeshadow primer that holds your favorite shade in place for hours on end.

Key Ingredients: Deep-Sea Extract, antioxidant rice extract

Compatible With: Cream, powder

The Liquid Silk Canvas

This silky liquid primer not only creates a smooth base for your other makeup, it also helps it hold on without creasing or smudges.

Key Ingredients: Fibroin, sericin, and silk powder

Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily

Brighten and even out the complexion.

"Apply a BB cream. If you don't have the time to totally prep your skin, BB is an all-in-one skin perfecter. Not only does it prime, brighten, and even out the skin, it protects from daily UV exposure. An even skin tone projects a more youthful look." —Trish McEvoy

Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30

The lightest hint of color gently evens out skin tone—the built in SPF 30 and antioxidants ward off UV rays and free radicals that can induce signs of aging.

Skin Type: Dry, combination, oily

Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

With nearly two dozen shades, this hydrating balm offers a wide array of options for every skin tone.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, olive-derived squalane, mineral-based sunscreen

Coverage: Light

Shades: 20

Beauty Balm Instant Solutions BB Cream SPF 35

This semi-sheer formula—available in four shades—leaves a velvety finish on your complexion, while peptides give skin a boost.

Coverage: Medium to full

Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily

Shades: 4

Exfoliating is the key to smooth application.

"Many women avoid exfoliating and end up looking like they’re wearing heavy makeup, because even the lightest application grabs onto dry patches (aka dead skin). " —Jenny Smith, makeup artist

Resurfacing Mask

Formulated with beta-hydroxy acid and pomegranate enzymes, this mask melts away dead skin cells to leave your skin looking smoother and brighter.

Key Ingredients: Pink clay, pomegranate enzymes, white willow bark

Skin Type: Dry, normal, combination, oily

Recommended Usage: 3x a week

More: The Best At-Home Chemical Peels

ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

A mix of chemical and physical exfoliants, this treatment tackles signs of dryness and dullness in two minute flat.

Key Ingredients: Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes, lactic acid, aloe

Skin Type: All

Recommended Usage: 1-2x a week

The Method: Polish Exfoliator

Get a dose of microdermabrasion at home with this fine-grit scrub that really sweeps away flakiness.

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes, magnesium crystals

Skin Type: Normal to combination

Recommended Usage: Once daily

Prep lips before lipstick.

"Scrub the lips, then apply concealer that’s the same color as your skin all over the lip with a foundation brush. Add a balm on top to set, which provides extra hydration. Outline with a liner, fill them in, and use a lip brush or your finger to apply the color."—Pat McGrath, makeup artist

Liplift Lip Primer

No more lipstick bleeding into the lines around your mouth, courtesy of this balmy primer that keeps lipstick right where you want it.

Finish: Shimmer

Lip Mask

Packed with a whole slew of botanical oils, this balm softens and smooths lips for a naturally plumped effect.

Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, evening primrose, black cumin seed

More: The Most Hydrating Lip Balms for Dry, Flaky, and Chapped Lips

Don't be afraid of a little shine.

"I like to add a little bit of a sheen on more mature skin. It helps to keep your complexion looking youthful." — Kindra Mann, makeup artist

Luminizer

The transparent pearlescent finish of this balmy highlighter (available in four shades) adds a natural looking gleam to skin—no wonder it's got cult status with beauty lovers.

Key Ingredients: Organic coconut oil, vitamin E, castor oil

Formula: Cream

Shades: 4

Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

Ultra fine shimmer particles ensure that all four shades of this powder highlighter leave you looking radiant, not disco-ready.

Formula: Powder

Shades: 4

Use cream blush instead of powder.

"Cream blushes add a glow to the skin. They're easy to use and can double on the lips as well. " — Kindra Mann

More: Our Favorite Cream Blushes

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

Designed to be worn on cheeks, lips, and eyelids, this blush (available in 6 shades) is a true multi-tasker.

Key Ingredients: Vitis Vita gape extract, ayurvedic oils, collagen, hyaluronic acid

Shades: 6

Phyto-Blush Twist

This rounded, chubby stick is easy to apply and wears for hours without rubbing off.

Key Ingredients: Camellia oil, shea oil, vitamin E

Shades: 6

Define the lips.

"Using a natural looking lip liner brings back the look of natural fullness of the lip." —Trish McEvoy

Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk Intense

The neutral shade of this creamy lip liner lends flattering fullness for many skin tones.

Formula: Pencil

Shades: 10

Brighten the under eye.

"One of the first areas to show signs of aging are the eyes. Begin by brightening the upper and under eye using the ‘Triangle of Light’ technique: create an upside-down triangle under each eye, gently pressing product into the skin. It makes the area look dramatically lifted." —Trish McEvoy

Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening Pen

This clickable highlighter/concealer hybrid pen has achieved cult status for its ability to brighten any complexion.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Coverage: Light

Finish: Radiant

Shades: 10+

More: The Best Under Eye Concealers for Dark Circles, Bags, and Beyond

There's an "order of operations" when it comes to product application.

To ensure that makeup glides on smoothly, "skincare products should be applied before SPF." —Jenny Smith

Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Serum PA+++

This hybrid skin protector gives you a two-for-on boost with vitamin C to erase dark spots and SPF 40 to keep them from coming back.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, kakadu plum extract, niacinamide

Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination

UV PROTECTION Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen

This mineral based sunscreen, mixed with peptides and antioxidants, fights off UV rays which can speed up skin aging (not to mention up your cancer risk.)

Key Ingredients: Peptides, white mucuna extract, sandalwood extract

Skin Type: All

Choose a moisturizing lip color.

"For older women, it’s important to choose a formula that’s more hydrating to ensure smooth, even coverage.” —Pat McGrath

Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick

This lippie is so supple and hydrating that you'll love slicking it on.

Key Ingredients: Mediterranean sea algea extract

Finish: Satin

Shades: 12

L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick

With nearly a dozen shades to choose from, there's a color of this balmy lipstick to suit every occasion.

Key Ingredients: Rose balm, hyaluronic acid

Finish: Creamy

Shades: 10

Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm

For a more transparent effect that still imparts color and shine, this editor-favorite hybrid lipstick provides shine and hydration.

Key Ingredients: Menthyl lactate, conditioning complex

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 15+

Warm up the face with a touch of bronze.

"Bronzer and blush bring back that radiant and youthful glow. Apply bronzer using a fluffy brush to the high points of the face. A touch of blush on the apple of the cheek worked downward imitates the look of a brisk walk." — Trish McEvoy

Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

This shimmering balm stick provides a transparent wash of color to cheeks, forehead, or anywhere else you need a touch of glow.

Formula: Cream

Shades: 5

Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Finish Bronzing Powder

This bronzer keeps things tame on the shimmer front, adding just a hint of shine to highlight your shade.

Formula: Powder

Shades: 6

Avoid sparkly shadows—opt for shimmer instead.

"For the eyes I always hear my older clients say they want to stay clear of anything with a shimmer or sparkle in it. While I agree with the sparkle part, a little bit of shimmer can be nice on the lid. Just avoid the brow bone area." —Kindra Mann

Les Phyto-Ombrés Eyeshadow

With 20 shades packed with subtly shimmering particles, there are plenty of options with this eyeshadow single.

Formula: Powder-cream hybrid

Shades: 15+

Use primers with hyaluronic acid and collagen to boost moisture.

"Murad's Invisiblur Perfecting Shield fills in fine lines and wrinkles. It blends advanced anti-aging treatment with SPF." —Kindra Mann

Skin Type: All

Ditch heavy foundation in favor of a good concealer.

"If you have discoloration or broken capillaries, the right type of concealer coverage, just where needed, will help not only in lasting throughout the day but also will prevent you from having to apply a heavy foundation all over." —Kindra Mann

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 27

This creamy, long-lasting concealer comes in a dozen shades so you can find your perfect match and blends seamlessly so you can spot-apply as needed.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, argan oil

Coverage: Full

Finish: Natural

Shades: 10+

Get involved with oil based formulations.

“One of the most flattering and youthful looks can be switching from matte and predominantly water based formulations and instead using oil-based ones. The subtle light reflectivity creates a diffused glow which is youth enhancing. And oils in multi-purpose solid moisturizing balms always deliver natural radiance that looks like it comes from within.” —Amanda Bell, makeup artist

Magic Beauty Balm with Fruit & Seed Oils

Simply dab on the top of the nose, cheekbones, cupids bow, and brow bone for a subtle dewiness that screams "youth."

Key Ingredients: Coconut, olive, argan, and jojoba oils

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