Makeup is a kind of skill that takes practice and guidance. While we can’t train your hand ourselves, what we can offer is a guide to which makeup is best for older women.
I know, “older women” sounds so 1940. But what is important to hear in that statement is all makeup is not created equal, nor are all trends appropriate for women over (or nearing) 50. Don’t expect anything boring here, though. Spring is a great opportunity to showcase color and healthy, glowing skin.
This year, Pantone’s color of the year is Living Coral, and that’s good news for everyone! Coral is a color that looks great on any skin tone, in everything from blush to eye shadow or lips and nails. This is a great color to perk up the skin in the winter, and one that flatters in summer, as well, with it’s juicy, tart essence.
A great trend right now, that utilizes the corals and pinks of this season is monochromatic makeup. Your blush, eye shadow, and lips are all bejeweled in the same color (sometimes, like with NARS’ Multiple Stick, even a single product).
We’re going to breakdown which brands offer the best makeup for older women are worth the hype (and the time spent perfecting them). Note that this list does not include concealers or foundation, which we shared our faves in our List of Best Foundations for Mature Skin.
Lancome is a great brand for women over 50. Their formulas are luxurious and moisture-laden. Cream blushes are fantastic for maturing skin, as powers can set into creases and wrinkles and we don’t want that. Plus, as aging skin dries out, the cream blush helps maintain a bit more moisture, which leaves skin looking more youthful. Buy it Here.
As mentioned above: This is your one-stop-shop makeup product. It’s great for overnights, vacations, pool-side and more. There’s such a wide variety of shades, that any skin tone can be complemented, with a few to choose from. Considering the price, it’s a great opportunity to grab both a warmer coral (pictured above) and a soft pink like “Luxor” to use as an accent or highlighter. Buy it Here.
This ultra-luxurious, cream-to-powder formula goes on really easily, and prevents the “Oh no, I now look like a Star-Child” oops of spilling your highlighter all over you and your bathroom. (Am I the only one who’s done this….about 5 times??) While a little highlighting goes a long way, you don’t want to end up showcasing your wrinkles, so a cream stick is really the best option.
Pro-Tip: Apply a tiny bit to your collar bones and decolletage during swim and cocktail seasons for a little more vavoom! Buy it Here.
Hot, hot pinks and magentas were all over the runways, and we’re not surprised. After so much “millennial pink”, we’re ready for a pop of power-color. Dior’s latest addition to their lipstick collection is the perfect place to start. Teeming with essential oils and aloe vera, it’s guaranteed to keep your pout perfectly moisturized during its long-wear-athon. But it Here.
Chanel is a must-have lipstick for your makeup bag. Here, this new sheer formula offers all of the luxury of a Chanel lipstick, including their “Hydratendre complex” that helps hydrate and softens your lips, giving them a healthier and fuller appearance but without the heaviness of a non-sheer formula. Poppy Orange fits nicely into the trend towards coral tones, as well. Buy it Here.
This lipstick also helps maintain the shape of your lips through plumping hydration via hyaluronic acid. This has a nice satin-finish that isn’t too shiny, and is just shy of a completely opaque finish. But it Here.
Yes, Urban Decay is a silly name for a cosmetic company, but don’t let that fool you. They’re #1 in the pigment game, and their products last forever as a result. The product I truly can’t live without, Sin, is actually a great color for 16-year-olds or 60-year-olds. It’s the perfect kiss of brightening and shimmer. Typically, women over 50 are advised against a lot of ‘shimmer’, and while we agree with that, generally, Urban Decay uses “micro-pigments”, which means that the shadow won’t settle into creases in the typical way many shimmer eye shadows do. Buy it Here.
You might be thinking, “Isn’t this a bit dark for Spring”, but think about Mother Nature’s standard Spring palette: LOTS of greens, accented beautifully by the pinks, roses and corals of flowers. This product is layer-able, meaning one layer is only a sheer coating, or you can apply another coat for more color. A coral or bright magenta lip will pair with this nicely. This new offering from Laura Mercier is a liquid formula, which is a bit easier to apply than a cream. Plus, this formula is water-based, meaning easy to remove, and perfect for people sensitive to other products on their lids. Buy it Here.
Color eyeliner has been a trend for nearly 10 years now. It’s no wonder since makeup has found its minimalism moment, as “no-makeup” looks flood the magazines, social medias and social conversation. Urban Decay has never let me down. It never runs or bleeds, and it truly glides on so easily. (Because of this it is my go-to black eyeliner. My other favorite is shown here.) If you prefer your color pop to be super low-key, then colored eyeliner is a win on all accounts. If you’re one of those amazing women who can do the perfect cat-eye, this is a great place to inject some color into your day looks. These tricks are great for older women, as it brings the focus to the eyes, and opens the eye a bit. Buy It Here.
This eyeliner is great for women who prefer a waterproof formula, or for hot days on the golf course, or beach days when you need the staying power of waterproof. It’s packed full of Vitamin E and C, and glides on like a cream. Having a nice chocolate-shade in your makeup bag is great for defining eyes without the weight of a black liner. Brown is also stunning layered under a gold eyeliner, like the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide Eyeliner above. Buy it Here.
