9 Highly Practical Beauty Dos And Don’ts For Mature Skin

I would describe my approach to makeup as largely pragmatic, because I tend stick to my usual routine. For special occasions, I might veer slightly out of that routine in favor of a more dramatic eye, but that’s about as “experimental” as I get!

I suspect that many of you are also pragmatic in your approach to makeup and beauty. But even the most practical makeup wearers among us can benefit from learning (or refreshing our memory of) basic beauty “dos and don’ts”, particularly those that are specific to aging skin!

And that’s exactly what you’ll find in this post — 9 practical makeup tips for mature skin that are useful, but not beholden to current trends. Check out these 9 “dos and don’ts” below!

Have a makeup tip you’re dying to share? Post it in a comment at the bottom of this post!

9 Practical Makeup Dos And Don’ts For Mature Skin

1. DO Use The Right Concealer

There are a lot of different types of concealers out there, and while many work for most skin types, others are formulated to cover up blemishes in particular. For more mature women, blemish concealers can actually draw more attention to fine lines, rather than making them less noticeable, so be sure to read concealer labels closely so you can get one that works for your skin type.

2. DO Use Moisturizing Foundation

Mature skin needs more moisture than younger skin, so it’s smart to find a lightweight foundation with added moisturizers for regular use. There are plenty of good options out there in a range of different shades and coverage levels. Some of them also contain SPF, which is always a plus!

3. DON’T Use Powders

Powder products are great for people with oily skin, but mature skin usually needs more moisture, not less! Powder-based formulas can make mature skin look lifeless and washed out, so opt for cream or liquid formulas instead.

4. DO Moisturize

Before applying foundation or even a primer, you should be applying a good moisturizer. I can’t say enough good things about my favorite Ideal Daily Moisturizer — it’s lightweight, not greasy or oily, and keeps my skin soft and hydrated all day.

5. DON’T Wear Dark, Matte Lipsticks

Matte lipsticks in dark shades are the most likely to feather or bleed. Instead, opt for pink, mauve, or rosy lip colors for a more youthful look. There are plenty of non-matte finishes to choose from too, from ultra-shiny glosses to tinted lip balms.

6. DO Use Black Mascara

Mascara comes in all sorts of shades and colors today, but black mascara is a classic for a reason! It’s universally flattering and really makes your eyes pop.

7. DON’T Use Eyelash Curlers

Those clamp-style eyelash curlers aren’t very user-friendly, and can easily tug on your lashes or even thin them out over time. You’ll be much better off in the long run if you retire that mean old clamp, and your lashes will thank you!

8. DO Use A Cream Blush

Cream blushes are ideal for mature skin because they’re more moisturizing than powder blushes. They’re easy to apply and blend as well, so you can create a rosy and youthful glow in no time. I’ve recently been using this cream blush that comes in a tube like a lipstick, which I find really convenient!

9. DO Fill Your Brows

Our eyebrows tend to thin as we age, but that’s why brow pencils were invented. (Not really, but they do make it easy to give a fuller look to sparse brows!)

Use a light hand with your pencil to achieve a more natural look, and don’t forget to blend! A regular blending brush can work in a pinch, but the best tool for the job is a spoolie brush, which is like a mascara wand minus the mascara.

BONUS: Try New Brushes

If you’re still using the same old makeup brushes you’ve been using for years, you may be missing out! There are so many different styles of makeup brushes out there nowadays, and you never know which ones might be real game-changers unless you give them a try.

For instance, I decided to give these oval foundation brushes a try a while ago, and now I can’t imagine living without them! They make it easy to get the coverage I want with an effortlessly smooth finish.