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19 Beauty Products I Love for My Mature Skin

It’s common knowledge that I take skincare seriously. I’ve shared my morning and evening routines and all the products I use and love countless times.

My philosophy is to focus on skin health; I embrace aging gracefully, with a bit of help, and want to look as happy and healthy as I feel.

Regarding makeup, I’m not looking to cover up with layers of foundation and contour.

Instead, I use the high-quality products I can afford, with a light hand.

I want to look like myself, only better, freckles and all.

There are also many amazing products on the market right now, made with good-for-you ingredients for a range of skin tones.

So, I wanted to share what has worked for me and my over 40 skin.

These are my go-to’s, allowing me to create a natural, healthy, pretty face in only 5 minutes.

Please note, I am showing the shades that I personally use but all of these products come in full range of inclusive skin tones. 🙂

My Favorite Makeup for My Mature Skin

I have fair, freckled, sensitive, normal-ish skin.

I used to deal with cystic acne, but using Vintner’s Daughter religiously over the last seven years has been a total game-changer for me.

However, I deal with redness around my nose and my cheeks. I get red so easily.

Most days, I go make-up free.

I fully take advantage of working from home and slather on products to keep my skin hydrated.

But to bring some life to my face, here’s what I do.

Skin

brush, $10 | skin tint, $48 | concealer, $35 | beautyblender, $20

I recently tried the Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 from Ilia, which is glorious.

It combines niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic serum with SPF 40 in a tint that provides enough coverage without masking the skin.

Shake well, dab a few drops around your face, and blend, paying attention to your chest and neck.

It’s a 10/10 for me. It’s wonderfully hydrating, not heavy, and doesn’t feel like you have anything on your skin.

TIP! I recently heard that game-changing tip from a makeup artist. If you are over 40 and using a hydrating foundation like the one above, DO NOT DAMPEN YOUR BEAUTYBLENDER. Instead, use it dry; it will settle into your skin better rather than just sitting on your skin and moving around. I tried it, and it makes such a difference!

Then I go in with a bit of concealer, only where I need it.

TikTok influenced me to buy the RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up Concealer, and it’s a winner.

I hate it when concealer is cakey, like you can feel it sitting on your skin. “Un” Cover-Up, however, is hydrating and glides on smoothly. It doesn’t crease or sit in your wrinkles.

I used two colors, 00 and 11. Both are for fair skin, but the 11 has a yellow undertone that reduces redness.

RMS also offers an inclusive range of skin tones.

Sometimes, I skip this part, but most of the time, I cover any imperfections and redness and hide shadows around my mouth, nose, and under my eyes.

I also always hide a stubborn age spot by my right eye.

You only need a small amount. And I use this inexpensive brush to help distribute the product only where I need it.

Try to get comfortable letting your skin breathe. 

Then I let that sit and do my eyebrows.

Eyebrows

brow gel, $26 | brow pencil, 426

This is important because our brows are the “frame” of our face. And, at least as I’ve aged, mine have thinned out.

I used to have amazing eyebrows, so I try to recreate their natural shape.

This will be different for everyone, but one universal trick I’ve learned is to “fill in up.”

Meaning I take my pencil, the Anastasia Beverly HillsBrow Definer 3-in-1 Triangle Tip is the best, and with barely-there strokes, I fill in the top of my eyebrows and extend them out and up, following their natural line.

I also use Benefit’s Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel to “set” my brows. It’s a fantastic product if you still have full brows but need an infusion of color and depth.

Lips

lip stain: $8 in berry and nude | lip pencil: $21 | lipstick: $25 | gloss in clear and pink: $21 | gloss in red: $26 | cream gloss: $22

Then I line my lips. I shared this tip a while back.

To give your lips some natural dimension, I use this $8 lip stain by Palladio in nude and run it around the line of my lips. Then I go in with their berry stain. It pulls out the natural tint of my lips, and I’ll top it with a sheer gloss.

When I want to add more color or drama, I absolutely adore the Fenty Beauty lip glosses. I have this one in several shades, including clear and “shimmering pink,” a few of their “Gloss Bomb Cream” in colors Fenty Glow and Fruit Snackz, and their lip plumber called Fenty Heat in Fussy (sheer pink) and Hot Cherry (sheer red).

The Palladio liner gets mixed reviews. But I like it;-I’m on my fourth or fifth one. Because it’s a stain, the trick is to use it on dry lips and then add a gloss.

However, if you want a traditional liner that doesn’t bleed, I also love the Huda Beauty Lip Contour in Muted Pink (wear something close to your natural lip color), and I top it with the Clinique Almost Lipstick in the iconic Black Honey Shade.

Cheeks

cream blush:$30 | duo: $36 lip and cheek: $36

For my cheeks, I rotate between the Ilia Multi-Stick for Lips and Cheeks. I love a double-duty product, which is my favorite. I wear it in “A Fine Romance,” which has a deep, blue-based berry tone.

The Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush is lovely. I like it in “Cheeky” and just ordered their new color, “Rouge.” It’s light and makes you look healthy and slightly flushed.

And for fun, I just tried the Patrick Ta Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo in color “She’s a Doll.” It’s a serious blush, more appropriate for a full face, but it’s wonderful. You get a cream and powder, so use the cream first and finish your look with the powder.

Finally, I added some dimension and depth with two different bronzers.

Bronzer

sculpting bronzer, $30 | cream bronzer: $35

I use the MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer as a subtle contour; it’s gorgeous, simple, and natural.

I swipe right below my cheekbones, around my hairline, under my chin, and blend out. 

And kudos to Merit for offering an inclusive range of bronzers. I wear “quince” for fair skin, but it goes “monarch” for the most deep skin tone.

For some depth, I add a touch of Fenty Cream Bronzer (in Butta Biscuit) and put it on where the sun would naturally hit, and it just gives a little warmth.

Mascara

the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions™ Mascara, $25

Finally, I keep my everyday eyes simple and swipe on a few coats of the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions™ Mascara.

Hands down the best mascara I’ve ever used.

And because I use cream-based products, my skin is a little too dewy.

Set

powder: $47| puff: 6 for $6|setting spray: $36

I use the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder to remove some of the shine around my T-zone and under my eyes.

Tip: Use this triangle puff to apply the lightest powder to the areas you need to mattify. I buy them on Amazon.

They are so much better than a brush because they press the powder into your skin, leaving it looking almost like it has a filter on it.

Finally, for maximum staying power, I spritz on the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.

And that’s it!

When I feel like adding some oomph, I’ll spend some time on my eyes and add some shadow and a bit of liner, but most of the time, I keep them bare and let my brows and lashes stand out.

19 Beauty Products I Love for My Mature Skin
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MEET THE AUTHOR

Megan Kristel

Megan Kristel is an entrepreneur, working mom, and former personal stylist. Tired of the one-dimensional portrayal of women online, she founded The Well Dressed Life as a resource for other professional women.

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Jen

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

I already use a few of these products and plan to try others as my current products run out. I do have a question about the skin tint. Does it last all day. Foundation/CC Creams/Tinted Moisturizers don't seem to last on my skin (even with powder and setting spray).

Megan Kristel

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

Hey Jen, From experience, I'm happy with the staying power of the Ilia Tint and It Cosmetic CC Cream, keep going back to both of them even after trying more expensive, trending products.

Julia

Friday 16th of February 2024

Over the past years there have been numerous posts on skin care products suchI am left somewhat confused. Should this list replace all the others or is this list in addition too. I know this is very important to you and perhaps not so important to me so I haven't quite figured out how to manage all the many recommended products. Thanks

Megan Kristel

Friday 16th of February 2024

I don't really know how to answer this, because I feel like I repeat the same product recommendations constantly. I guess I would just keep in mind that beauty is a huge category, part of my job is to test products, especially popular ones, and I use and recommend the ones I like.

Kim

Thursday 15th of February 2024

You have mentioned you use spray tans. Do you have them done or do them yourself? If you DIY, what product do you use?

I am 69 with very fair skin, and my legs are fish belly white without nylons. I usually wear pants and flats, but there are times a knee length dress and heels feels more appropriate. I'm looking for an affordable option since the bare leg look is fashionable. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Megan Kristel

Friday 16th of February 2024

Hey Kim. I do both, special occasions and vacations I get a professional spray tan, but when I want something less involved, especially in the warmer weather I use the Loving Tan 2-hour Self Tan, it's on Amazon for $38 and you'll get several applications out of it - use a mitt to apply, and follow all the best practices like exfoliate the night before, etc.

Kathy

Thursday 15th of February 2024

Perfect timing. My makeup needs an overhaul. I need help with the lengths of pants. I am 5’9”. I’m never sure where the hem should fall for different styles. I love your blog!

Elizabeth

Monday 25th of September 2023

Yes, a video tutorial would be great! Thank you.

Linda

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes. That would be great. Love your keep it easy method.

Tammy

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

I'd love to see a tutorial.

Nikki Smith Chu

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes, please do a makeup application tutorial!!

Beth

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes…a video would be awesome!

CS

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes please, a video

MB

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes, would love a video. Thanks!!

Emily

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Yes I would appreciate you doing a video on your eyebrows!

Mireille

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Being fair skin, I also have redness on my nose and cheeks and I blush easily, so I would love to see how I could hide the redness a little bit!

Suzanne

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

I'd also love to see a video!

Mary

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

I have sensitive skin too, and tried the ilia super serum skin tint and it made me break out in a fine itchy rash. Anybody want a nearly full bottle? I took the plunge and ordered vintners daughter, cant wait to try it.

Gina

Thursday 23rd of February 2023

Would love to see a video!!