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The Best Makeup for Mature Skin of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

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Forget what you’ve heard—there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup. Makeup is meant to be used as a form of expression and to boost your confidence. However you choose to use it is entirely up to you. But the truth is, product selection and application techniques can impact the overall look, especially as our skin changes with age. “For mature skinI recommend light, luminous hybrid products that hydrate and blur,” says makeup artist Lucy Burt. Makeup artist Buster Knight agrees, saying, “Light reflective products are the holy grail for mature skin, not to be confused with glittery products. Dewy, balmy textures really help the skin to appear more youthful.”

After testing hundreds (yes, hundreds) of products across categories on mature testers and considering expert recommendations and insights, we’ve landed on these best makeup items for mature skin. These picks smooth the appearance of lines, add extra hydration, and remain budge-proof on mature skin.


Credit: Sephora

Knight recommends lightweight foundations for mature skin, as heavier formulas can settle into fine lines. This one has long been recommended by MUAs and Byrdie editors, thanks to how light it feels on the skin, how easily it blends, and how naturally radiant it looks. Our tester loved how well it blurred imperfections, noting she could build it up to nearly full coverage when desired, making it ideal for special occasions or more glamorous makeup looks.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation

Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
Credit: Sephora

Tinted moisturizers are great for everyday wear because they tend to be hydrating, lightweight, and comfortable. This one from Hourglass checks those boxes and more, making it our favorite tinted moisturizer for mature skin. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, plant-derived squalane, both powerhouse hydration ingredients that help keep skin moisturized throughout the day. It blends effortlessly and gives the complexion an even, but natural-looking finish, and our tester loved how it lasted throughout the day without emphasizing dryness or uneven skin texture.

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  Sephora Armani Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer
Credit: Sephora

Surprise, surprise: We love the concealer version of our favorite foundation for mature skin. It features a lightweight, liquid consistency that blends easily and offers medium, buildable coverage. It’s formulated with vitamin E and glycerin to add hydration and help reduce puffiness, which is especially ideal when used under your eyes. Our tester appreciated its buildability, that it didn’t settle into fine lines near her eyes, and how nicely it brightened her under-eye area.

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Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter
Credit: Sephora

A great makeup primer for mature skin adds hydration and glow without feeling heavy or looking greasy. We highly recommend this one from Saie because it has a gorgeous, luminous formula that’s loaded with nourishing glycerin, squalane, and rosehip seed oil. You can apply a light layer all over your complexion after moisturizer, or use it in targeted areas, like your cheekbones, to add more radiance.

Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder
Credit: Sephora

People with mature skin often avoid powder because it can be drying and ultimately accentuate dry patches and texture. But if you pick the right formula, like this one from Kosas, it can blur the skin beautifully and lock your complexion makeup in place. A light layer of this stuff removes excess shine without completely stealing your glow, and helps extend the wear of your foundation.

Merit Sheer Lip Liner
Credit: He deserves it

There are two schools of thought on which type of lip liner formula suits mature lips best. Knight recommends using a waterproof formula that resists bleeding into lip lines, though he cautions against a fully matte lip, which he says can make the lips look smaller. Burt leans on hydrating, blendable products, like this lip liner from Merit. She recommends using it to define the Cupid’s bow and center of the lower lip to create the illusion of fullness. While this liner won’t necessarily last through eating and drinking, we love that the sheer formula is blendable, easy to reapply, and super forgiving on fine lines.

MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick
Credit: MAC

Knight recommends opting for a creamy or balmy lipstick, which can make the lips appear plumper and more hydrated. This classic MAC lipstick formula is just that. It’s creamy, glides on smoothly, and never feels heavy or sticky on the lips. We love that it contains hydrating ingredients, like camellia seed and rosehip oils, comes in dozens of shades, and offers buildable color payoff.

Makeup by Mario Cream Blush
Credit: Sephora

Both Knight and Burt love using cream products on mature skin because they’re easy to work with and add a dose of radiance. This cream blush from Makeup By Mario has a sheer but super-buildable formula, allowing you to achieve a subtle flush or a more vivid look when layered. It applies beautifully with your fingertips, a makeup sponge, or a blush brush, and creates a radiant finish that never crosses into greasy territory.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow
Credit: Sephora

“Cream eyeshadows are amazing for loose skin on the eyelids as they can soften the appearance of lines and create a reflective element that makes the skin look more supple,” says Knight. We adore this one from Charlotte Tilbury because it has a mousse-like texture that blends evenly with minimal effort. The shades are wearable and feature a bit of sparkle without being glittery or chunky.

Our tester appreciated how buildable this shadow is, so you can apply one light layer for a subtle wash of color or add more for greater impact. While the formula isn’t fully crease-proof, it’s so forgiving that you can simply tap out any creases with your fingertips.

Site Loop: Person’s skin after using Charlotte Tillbury Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow.

Fenty Beauty You Mist Setting Spray
Credit: Fenty Beauty

The best setting sprays for mature skin are those with a fine, even mist that lock in makeup and offer a natural, radiant finish, and this one does just that. It applies evenly, extends the longevity of your makeup, and is infused with hydrating and soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide.

What to Look for When Buying Makeup for Mature Skin

  • Formula: Our skin gets drier as we age, which is why both Knight and Burt recommend looking for complexion products with lightweight, breathable textures that offer hydration and radiance. They also recommend opting for cream products, which can create a smoothing effect and add another layer of luminosity. When it comes to eye makeup, Knight recommends waterproof formulas and tubing mascaras that won’t smudge on hooded eyes with loose skin.
  • Shade Range: Finding makeup that’s available in a wide range of shades is ideal, no matter your age. When it comes to makeup for mature skin, Knight and Burt recommend choosing soft, neutral hues that enhance your natural features. Knight says for eyeshadow specifically, he tends to avoid dark, matte colors on mature lids as they can make extra skin look more prominent.

FAQ

  • The best makeup for mature skin is what makes you feel most confident. However, makeup artists recommend opting for hydrating, cream formulas with radiant finishes to give mature skin an extra boost of luminosity.

  • “For mature skin, the mantra is little and layered,” says Burt. “Start with good prep, use hydrating, future-facing formulas, and always apply in good light with the right tools; quality brushes and a magnifying mirror make all the difference for a flawless, natural finish.

    According to Buster Knight, your fingertips are your secret weapon. “Blending cream eyeshadows, blush, and lip products with your fingers is great on mature skin as it allows the warmth of your [fingertips] to melt the product into the skin,” he says. “This helps diffuse any edges, which is great when you have tricky extra skin to work with.”


Meet Our Experts

To find the best makeup options for older women, we consulted the following experts:

  • Buster Knight is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with clients like Priyanka Chopra, Selma Blair, and Kris Jenner.
  • Lucy Burt is a professional makeup artist whose work has been featured on the covers of Vogue and Elle.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an editor, an experienced writer in the beauty industry, and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. For this story, she combined insights from multiple makeup tests for mature skin and consulted with two makeup artists with extensive experience working with mature clients.

Michelle Obama Shares the Meaning Behind Her Braids

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Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Michelle Obama says she’s “more confident about who I am.” The 61-year-old former First Lady sat down with People ahead of her upcoming release of The Looka coffee table book that traces her evolution through fashion, beauty and identity. Co-written with her longtime stylist Meredith Koop, it’s the first time she’s peeling back the curtain on what it meant to be one of the most scrutinized women in the world—and how she’s learned to care a little less about the noise.

Here are some of the most inspiring takeaways from her interview about the new release, which is available now for pre-order ahead of its November 4 debut.

On Self-Confidence and the Power of Standing Tall

“With each decade, I’ve grown wiser,” Obama tells People. “I think I’ve become more confident about who I am. This version of Michelle probably cares less about what other people think.”

That inner strength was instilled early. “Being a tall girl—I’m 5’11”—and my father was very clear about standing straight and owning my height,” she says. “It was like, ‘You do not slouch. You are tall, you are beautiful.’ I think it started there.”

Even now, self-love is an intentional act. “I’m still working on, every day, waking up, looking in the mirror and telling myself that I am smart and beautiful, and kind and worthy,” she continues. “I don’t think that work ever stops for women, particularly women of color.”

On Beauty, Image and the Double Standard

As First Lady, Obama says she was hyperaware of the criticism that came with being visible. “I purposefully did not talk about fashion and beauty during the eight years in the White House,” she admits. “I was afraid it was going to take over everything.”

Her approach to style was deliberate. “I took the role as first lady very seriously. I was a famous person, but I wasn’t a starlet. And so that meant that the clothes could never speak louder than anything I had to say.”

Still, her choices made headlines—and sold out racks. “I liked the fact that, in hindsight, people identified with what I was wearing,” she reflects. “Because if I wore something and it could sell out, that meant that most women could afford to buy it. And I thought that’s a good thing.”

Criticism didn’t shake her, even when her bare arms sparked debate. “I took it for what it was, pure hypocrisy,” she says. “I could pull up pictures of Jackie O in a second and see this fashion icon in sleeveless dresses as first lady. So at a point you’re like, ‘Oh, this is politics.’”

On Hair Freedom and Representation

Today, Obama says she’s loving the freedom of her go-to hairstyle: braids. “Braids allow me to get them done, and then that’s one less thing that I have to think about,” she shares. “When I’m out of the public eye, I am swimming, I am playing tennis and braids represent that kind of freedom for me.”

Back in the White House, she wasn’t sure America was ready for it. “The Crown Act hadn’t been passed yet, and just like fashion, I didn’t want my hair to become a distraction,” she explains. But her decision to wear braids for the Obama portrait unveiling was deeply intentional. “I wanted to send a message, add to the discourse of Black women in places of power, saying, ‘This, too, is an appropriate and beautiful way to wear your hair.’”

On Health, Aging and Staying Vibrant

“I’m not wincing at my gray hairs, but I am coloring them!” she says. “My mother was the same way. She dyed her hair until the day she died.”

While she may credit genetics for her glow (“black don’t crack,” she jokes), she’s also consistent about taking care of herself. “My health has always been paramount—what I eat, working out, regular doctors’ visits, all the things that allow me to enjoy this time.”

And enjoy it she does. “I’m as vibrant as I’ve ever been,” she says. “My kids are grown and launched, they are healthy and happy. My husband is doing just fine. We are the former president and first lady, and so I feel like this is the first time in my life that when I say and do something, here in this interview, writing this book, these are my choices. That is freeing.”

The Sézane Spring Edit – The Anna Edit

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…and why I’m adding the Wills Jacket in suede to my wardrobe.

This post contains ad affiliate links (denoted by a ‘*’) & gifted items (denoted by ‘ad – gifted). You can read my full disclaimer here.

*This post contains a collaboration with Sezane & gifted products

I have really taken my colour anaylsis on board and I’m trying to find a way to tranisition my ‘rich, deep and muted‘ colour brief into spring in a way that still feels like me but gives a nod to current season. Mustard yellow! Deep chocolates! And of course a sprinkling of animal print. You’ll find it all here in my latest edit. Sézane is such a good place to head for a spring refresh because whilst they have all the floaty silhouettes and floral fits, they also have a great range of muted colours that can ease even the most neutral loving amoung us into embracing just a bit of colour. So here I’ve put together an edit of my favourites from their new-in page and the standout pieces that I’d recommend adding to your shopping list…

SHOP THE SÉZANE SPRING EDIT

THE SPRING ESSENTIALS

Will Jacket* – I’d been banging on about this jacket since I saw it online in two new suede colourways. I’ve been a fan of the original jacket in washed black denim for a while, but the suede is where it shines. Wear it buttoned up as your shirt or over the top of thinner layers. It was a toss-up for me between the khaki and the mustard, but the buttercream yellow just edged ahead for the fact that I don’t own anything like it in my wardrobe. If you’re like me and love a neutral, this is a good way to ease yourself into colour because the tone is muted and rich it feels neutral-adjacent plus it looks so classic with a cream trouser or light-wash denim. I’d recommend going a size up from your usual for a more jacket-like fit, or go for your normal size if you want to wear it as more of a shirt.

Mateo Trousers* – Another area where I’ve been lacking in my wardrobe is in the trouser department. I don’t like anything with too much volume on the front as I feel like they swamp me, but sometimes it’s nice to have a more formal trouser to turn to. Sézane do this genre of trouser SO WELL. If you’re in need of a bottom-half option that could work in an office, or for a nice evening event, but could be thrown on with flip-flops and an oversized jumper at the weekend then look no further. And I cannot even begin to tell you how perfectly they fit (I went with the sizing advice on the website to size down and they were so right!). I really like the formula of wearing them with something more casual on top like the Will Jacket. OBSESSED with this combination.

Ciara Trousers* – If you’re a Substack girlie then you would have seen all the flared cropped trouser discourse, and these are such a great option if you’re in the market. The fit is close but the fabric has a nice amount of stretch to it, whilst still being thick making them another good work option. But they are also comfy enough for a working-from-home day too. I love the Audery Hepburn feel of them with a ballet flat (why not make it fun with these leopard print ones*?) and an oversized shirt. But I can seriously vouch for just how comfy they are, and that we love to see.

Kyle Cardigan* – How cute is this!? Sometimes it’s just nice to have something with a bit of feminine flair for spring, especially when you don’t fancy doing the whole floral thing. I’ve worn it buttoned-up here, but on the Sézane site it’s styled in a more relaxed way, unbuttoned with baggy trousers, and it looks just as cute. I could see me wearing this well into the warmer summer months, unbuttoned a little, but with a pair of linen wide leg trousers with the Romie bag thrown over my shoulder (see below!).

Romie Basketball* – Now this bag isn’t pictured here as I spotted it after I’d shot everything, BUT, I’m a big fan of the original Romie bag (seen below in the snakeprint), and now it comes in natural raffia?! Sign me up. I love a bag in a structured shape with a loose and summery texture, and this just ticks all those boxes. And don’t just reserve it for the height of summer. Wear it now with a navy trench, white jumper and jeans. The contrast of something heavier and more wintery, with the lightweight feel of the bag creates a beautiful balance. I’ve loved wearing my more classic ‘summer’ bags all through winter. It helps to spice up your hefty coats once you start to get bored of them, so think of this as a more year-round purchase.


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Photos by Mark Newton