Makeup for Mature Skin

If the foundation you loved in your thirties has started settling into fine lines, gathering around your nose or quietly disappearing by three in the afternoon, nothing has gone wrong with you. Skin gets drier, a little thinner and less even over the years, and most foundations are still built for the skin you had two decades ago.

This is the edit for the skin you have now. Finely milled minerals that sit on top of texture rather than sinking into it, buildable so you can keep things light where you want light, and made without the talc, bismuth oxychloride and fillers that tend to emphasise fine lines.

If your skin leans dry, start with the Liquid Mineral Foundation for a softer, more luminous finish. If you want something that lives in your handbag for touch ups, the Pressed Mineral Foundation is the one. Both build from sheer to full, so you are never stuck with more coverage than you asked for.

Not sure of your shade? Samples are $3 and the shade matching is free. Written by a makeup artist with sensitive skin, made in small batches on the Sunshine Coast.

Makeup only lies as well as the skin underneath allows, so for the hydration, peptides and eye cream that make a real difference to how a base sits, see Skincare for Dry and Dehydrated Skin. For the full story on choosing a base, read The Best Foundation for Mature Skin in Australia.

Frequently asked

Which foundation is best for mature skin? Usually the Liquid Mineral Foundation, because mature skin is often drier and a dewier finish reflects light rather than flattening it. If you have oilier or combination skin, the Pressed Mineral Foundation gives the same coverage with a soft matte finish. Both are $62 and both build.

Will mineral foundation settle into my lines? Mineral powders sit on the surface rather than sinking, which is exactly what you want over texture. The two things that cause settling are applying too much in one go and skipping moisturiser. Build in thin layers and let your skincare absorb for a minute first.

Do I still need a primer? It is the step that makes the biggest visible difference to how long a base lasts. If your foundation separates around the nose or fades by the afternoon, the Mattifying Primer sorts both. If your skin is very dry, moisturiser alone may be enough.

Can I wear this on dry or crepey skin? Yes. Moisturise, wait a minute, then apply with a light hand. A little face oil pressed in first also helps powder sit smoothly rather than clinging.

How do I get my shade right without seeing it? Three ways, two of them free. Take the Shade Finder Quiz, order $3 samples and wear them in daylight, or send a selfie in natural light with a bare face and Cher will match you herself, usually within a day.