Makeup for Older Women That Works With Your Skin, Not Against It

20 Top-Rated Makeup Products for Older Women

1. Best Primer for Mature Skin: 

BAREMINERALS Prime Time® Hydrate & Glow Primer

Fabian tells us that “most skin types and ages have a better outcome if a primer is used.” So even if you don’t have mature skin, you should never skip primer. If you don’t want your makeup to settle into fine lines or fade quickly, reach for the BAREMINERALS Prime Time® Hydrate & Glow Primer. It plumps skin's hydration and extends makeup wear up to 24 hours, with one Ipster sharing, “I notice the difference when I forget to start with this primer. The foundation goes on much more smoothly when I start with [it].” Moral of the story? Don’t forget the primer.

2. Best Powder Foundation for Mature Skin: 

LAURA GELLER Double Take Baked Full Coverage Foundation

Some may say that powder foundation is a no-no for mature skin types. But that is simply not the case, especially as far as LAURA GELLER is concerned. The brand creates products for older women to feel confident in their mature skin, including this powder foundation. One Ipster raves about the “lightweight feel of” the product, and notes that “it covers so well without feeling like I'm wearing a mask.” Because who wants to feel like they’re wearing a second skin with their makeup on? No one, that’s who.

3. Best Liquid Foundation for Mature Skin: 

WANDER BEAUTY Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation

From redness to dark spots, this medium to full-coverage foundation covers everything—without settling into fine lines or wrinkles. Ipsters rave that this is one of the best foundations for mature skin. “Great coverage without being heavy or cakey. Smooth finish, even on more mature or textured, and lasts all day without separating,” says one. Another shares, “I have trouble with so many foundations because of my dry, textured skin. This one stayed smooth all day and never got cakey.”

4. Best Concealer for Mature Skin: 

COVER FX Skin Discovered Longwear Concealer

Ideal for blemish-prone skin, discoloration, mature skin, dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, redness-prone skin, and dull skin, this concealer covers up redness, dark circles, and everything in between. “This is the best concealer I have ever used,” says one Ipster. “It did not transfer, melt off, and one application was enough all day long. It conceals all skin issues, blemishes, sun or age spots, and dark under-eye circles, while not building up in my fine lines and wrinkles.”

5. Best Mascara for Mature Skin: 

BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara

Don’t want clumps? This is the mascara for you. “Lengthens and thickens lashes without leaving them looking clumpy,” notes one Ipster who swears by the mascara for their mature eyes. With the unique Hook ‘n’ Roll™ brush, it grabs even the shortest lashes to curl and lift for lashes that pop. Formulated with provitamin B5, your lashes will also be conditioned with each swipe.

6. Best Eyeliner for Mature Skin: 

CALIRAY Surfproof Pencil Black Waterproof Eye Liner

An eyeliner that doesn’t tug or pull is ideal for older women, as it prevents it from settling into creases and ruining your eye makeup look. Ipsters love how creamy this eyeliner is, swearing by its ability to glide on smoothly. One Ipster loves that it stays put through anything, even on their waterline. “Not all eyeliners are created equal when it comes to our waterline...this is A+++! Stays in my waterline through the day when I typically have to reapply.”

7. Best Eyeshadow for Mature Skin: 

FENTY BEAUTY Shadowstix Eyeshadow Stick Matte

As far as the best eyeshadows for mature skin go, matte finishes are the best option because they last longer and don’t fade on mature eyelids. We love the FENTY BEAUTY Shadowsticks because they’re easy to apply for beginners and pro makeup artists alike. One Ipster “loves the wear” and notes that it “lasted hours” on their eyelids. You don’t have to worry about this eyeshadow smudging throughout the day.

8. Best Eyebrow Product for Mature Skin: 

BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS Precise 24-Hour Ultra Slim Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil

Fill in sparse or uneven brows with this waterproof eyebrow pencil. The ultra-fine tip offers effortless detailing and buildable color that lasts up to 24 hours. Whether you're going for soft and natural or bold and defined, this pencil’s got you covered without all the smudging or fuss. “I got this eyebrow pencil in cool brown and cannot believe how easily it goes on and stays on,” says one Ipster.

9. Best Contour for Mature Skin:

MISCHO BEAUTY Contour Stick

This easy-to-use applicator allows you to sculpt your face and create a more natural finish. Plus, the cream formula blends seamlessly into your skin, enhancing your features with ease. Ipsters appreciate how creamy and easy to blend this product is, with one sharing, “I love this contour stick. It goes on creamy and smooth, and blends out nicely.” You don’t need to be a pro makeup artist to apply this product.

10. Best Powder Blush for Mature Skin: 

JASON WU BEAUTY Wu Blush

One mature Ipster loves this blush, swearing by its pigmentation. “I can lightly apply for a kiss of color, or I can relive the ‘80s with just a second swipe.” This long-lasting blush also features vitamin E and hyaluronic acid skincare ingredients to hydrate and brighten your cheeks all day.

11. Best Cream Blush for Mature Skin:

LAWLESS Pinch My Cheeks Soft-Blur Cream Blush

For those who prefer cream to powder, this weightless, velvety-soft texture delivers a long-wear, buildable color. “This is such a good blush,” says an Ipster. “It’s not super pigmented at first, but it is easily buildable.” Start with a little bit, then add more if you want a more pigmented finish. You can even use this blush on your lips or eyes for a monochromatic look.

12. Best Tinted Moisturizer for Mature Skin:

PURLISSE BEAUTY Sheer Glow Strawberry Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer

Featuring vitamin C from strawberry and sea buckthorn extracts, this lightweight tinted moisturizer helps brighten and even out your complexion. One Ipster swears by using this skin tint for the start of their makeup routine, saying, “I loved how it has vitamin C and strawberries to give your average moisturizer a tinted pink color. It kept my face refreshed to start my makeup routine. It's the perfect shade for my complexion and has great pigmentation, too.”

13. Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: 

GROWN ALCHEMIST Regenerating Face Moisturizer

Firm and plump your complexion while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with this anti-aging moisturizer for mature women. Powered by natural ingredients like polypeptide, rambutan, and white tea extract, this luxurious moisturizer delivers intense hydration and a youthful, radiant glow. Before you apply your primer, use this moisturizer to help with makeup application. “It dries lighter, does not pull, and makeup (of any type) glides over this moisturizer extremely nicely,” shares one Ipster. This helps smooth your aging skin to leave you with a wrinkle-free base.

14. Best Color Corrector for Mature Skin: 

KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY Undercover Hoe in Universal Corrector

Whether you want to mask dark spots, uneven skin tone, or acne, this color corrector palette contains every hue you need. We’ll let this Ipster explain how to use it: “I was really excited to try the Undercover Hoe corrector pallet. “It works [well] and has multiple uses. The palette comes with six colors; the color you would use would depend on what you are trying to cover. The orange works well when concealing dark circles under the eyes. The other colors can be used for highlighting or other blemishes. The makeup itself has a creamy consistency, and it is long-lasting. The concealer washed off in the shower with no issues. Highly satisfied with this product, I look forward to trying more products in the future.”

15. Best Bronzer for Mature Skin: 

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Cream Bronzer

Create a sun-kissed, glowy complexion with a little help from this cream bronzer. The great thing about this makeup product for mature skin is that it is “buttery and blends out like a dream,” according to one Ipster. Whether you apply makeup with your hands or a brush, you’ll easily be able to layer this product to make your skin look radiant.

16. Best Lip Liner for Mature Skin: 

LYS BEAUTY Speak Love Lip Liner Pencil Duo

These creamy, long-lasting pencil lip liners smoothly glide across your lips to line your pout. Ipsters swear by this product’s smooth application. One even says, “Love these colors, and they are very creamy, and they last for a decent amount of time.” We love that the formula is enriched with castor oil, candelilla, and hyaluronic acid to also hydrate your lips with every wear.

17. Best Lipstick for Mature Skin: 

FLYTE.70 B+B.Lip Blot Matte Lipstick

Made for mature skin, this semi-transparent soft-matte lipstick lends a gentle, stained look with soft edges. The unique, buildable formula is feather-light and feels cushiony on the lips, with a satisfying, non-drying velvety texture. One Ipster says, “Think of this color like the famous Black Honey from CLINIQUE: Looks super dark in the tube but goes on like a berry.” They continue, “The best part of FLYTE.70’s lip products (Blot or Lacquer) is their buildability, which is second only to their lasting power. These are lip products made for ‘mature’ faces, so the pigment never settles into lines or bleeds outside the lip line if you’re like me and don’t tend to use liner. I’m in love with everything I’ve ever bought from this fantastic team of women, and would highly recommend this color for any shade of skin (I’m fair!).”

18. Best Setting Powder for Mature Skin:

MORPHE Jumbo Bake & Set Soft Focus Setting Powder in Brightening Pink

Talc-free setting powders are ideal for mature and dry skin, so they don’t settle into fine lines, wrinkles, or dry patches. One Ipster loves this specific setting powder for their mature skin because it “doesn’t settle in my fine lines/wrinkles.” Offering up to 16 hours of wear and up to 24 hours of shine control, this talc-free, lightweight, finely milled, silky loose powder sweeps on with an imperceptible, soft, natural finish, while smoothing pores.

19. Best Setting Spray for Mature Skin: 

GERARD COSMETICS Slay All Day Setting Spray

For those who like to pair a setting powder with a setting spray, or those who prefer the spray over the powder, this product contains anti-aging ingredients (hello, niacinamide) to preserve your skin and deliver a natural-looking finish.

20. Best Sunscreen for Mature Skin:

BEAUTYSTAT Universal C Skin Refiner Broad Spectrum SPF50

The ideal skin prep for the rest of your makeup routine, this sunscreen pairs SPF 50 with vitamin C to brighten and protect your skin from harmful UV rays and environmental stressors while reducing and preventing dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Your Most Common Questions About Makeup for Older Women, Answered

What’s the Difference Between Cream and Powder Makeup for Older Women?

The difference between cream and powder is the formulation. Powder foundations are made of pigments and minerals pressed into a pressed powder or loose powder formula. Cream foundations often come in a stick and a more moisturizing consistency that can leave a radiant, dewy finish. They are more often recommended as the go-to formula for mature skin than powder foundations, as those can sink into fine lines and wrinkles, emphasizing them rather than concealing them.

Fabian stresses that the type of foundation you choose is all dependent on you. “I think it's more of an individual choice on which you choose. Both types of foundation work. Cream or powder, the choice is yours.”

How Can I Prevent Makeup From Settling Into Fine Lines?

If you want your makeup for mature skin to last, it all comes down to skin prep. “Always start with hydrated and well-moisturized skin,” says Fabian. She notes that “using a silicone under-eye primer can help” as well. We like the CIATÉ LONDON Extraordinary Brightening Under Eye Perfector. Fabian says to “use light layers of concealer (less is more)” so you have more control, building up to coverage that works for your skin.

How Can I Make My Makeup Last All Day on Mature Skin?

Fabian says it’s pretty simple. All you need to do is “use a makeup primer, set makeup with powder, and use a setting spray.” That’s it.

Are There Specific Ingredients to Look for in Makeup for Older Women?

Fabian recommends focusing on your skin type, rather than your age. “Someone can be 50 and have oily skin and large pores, or they could have dry skin. Choose makeup based on your skin needs.” Focus on creamy, moisturizing products for dry skin. For oily skin, look for more powder-based products.

How Can I Make My Lips Look Fuller and More Youthful?

Fabian isn’t a fan of the word “youthful”, saying, “Youth isn't the goal. Looking great doesn't mean looking young.” She does, however, recommend the ROC® SKINCARE DERM CORREXION® Lip Volumizer for any age to plump your pout.

What’s the Best Way to Enhance Thinning Eyebrows?

“There are great products that encourage hair growth for brows by GRANDE LASH and REVITALASH,” says Fabian of the GrandeLASH-MD and RevitaBrow® Advanced. “I also love ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Brow Wiz® to fill in brows, as it has such a fine point, mimicking brow hairs. I then use the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Eyebrow Glue Instant Brow Styler to set and keep it in place.”

Final Thoughts: Makeup Doesn’t Have an Age Limit

Makeup is what you make it, no matter your age. “Beauty and glam do not stop at 40,” Fabian reminds us. “Rules are boring and are made to be broken.” We agree, and we have all the products you need in the IPSY Shop to maintain your beauty routine at any age. Find what works for your skin and run with it.