Have you been using the same makeup and appli­cation techniques for years? Just like our skin­ care regimen changes as we age so, too, should our makeup routine. Revolutionize your foun­dation application with these makeup artist­ approved tweaks and tips for mature skin.

Prep & Prime

The perfect makeup application starts with properly prepared skin. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week to help buff away dead cells for a more even texture. Keep skin hydrated with a moisturizer, which also facilitates an easy application and prolongs the hold of makeup. Finally, apply a primer to create a smooth canvas for your cosmetics. Choose a primer that aligns with your needs to ensure flawless all-day wear (think a matte formula for oily skin, or a moisture-locking variety for dry skin).

Our Product Picks

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick

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Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer

Enriched with botanical ingredients, this weightless gel delivers a beautifully radiant finish.

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Jouviance Glow+ Illuminating Booster

Blend this booster into your foundation or moisturizer for a lit-from-within radiance.

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Application

When it comes to applying foundation, the secret is a light hand. Thick layers of product are more likely to crease or settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Applying buildable formulas in thin layers can achieve your desired coverage level while keeping the look natural and lightweight. “If you’re looking for full coverage, apply foundation to the centre of the face and blend it outward. For a lighter finish, you can apply the product only to the areas you want to correct and blend gently,” says makeup artist Nathalie Dodon.

Formulas

“Mature skin glows in hydrating and luminous foundations that boost the natural radiance of the skin,” says Dodon. Skin tends to become drier with age, which can be exacerbated by matte or powdered foundations that cause the complexion to look and feel even more dry. Cream or liquid formulas in dewy, natural and satin finishes can help by infusing your skin with the extra moisture it craves.

For a more natural and lightweight look, try a BB cream, tinted moisturizer or tinted serum. These products provide a more sheer effect and often come enriched with skin-loving ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils.

Our Product Picks

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Hydra Glow Undetectable Skin Booster Foundation

Inspired by skin-care sheet masks, this medium coverage foundation hydrates, smooths and visibly plumps the skin. 

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Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Swap out both your foundation and concealer with this multiuse stick made with fatty acids to lock in moisture.

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Clarins Tinted Oleo-Serum

Expect a radiant glow and deep nourishment from this super blendable tinted serum.

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Undertones

With so many foundations on the market, and some lines with more than 50 shades, it can be a challenge to find a match for your skin. For the most accurate shade, visit your nearest cosmetics counter for a professional colour match. But if you're in a time crunch or buying your foundation online, knowing your undertone is the best way to narrow down your options. While not an exact science, these easy techniques can help give you an idea of whether your undertone is warm, cool or neutral. 

Warm

• The veins on your wrist look green.
• You look best in gold jewellery.
• Next to a white piece of paper, your skin appears more yellow.

Cool

• The veins on your wrist look blue.
• You look best in silver jewellery.
• Next to a white piece of paper, your skin appears more pink.

Neutral

• The veins on your wrist are a mix of green and blue.
• Gold and silver jewellery are equally flattering.
• Next to a white piece of paper, your skin appears neither more yellow nor pink.

Tools of the Trade

Whether you stick with one technique or bounce back and forth, foundation is typically applied in these three ways:

Sponges deliver a natural, skin-like finish and blend makeup beautifully, but can absorb some of your precious product in the process and are often difficult to clean.

Brushes come in tons of shapes and sizes to suit all areas of the face and offer a precise and full- coverage application, but it can take skill to achieve a streak-free finish.

Fingers are the most budget- and eco-friendly option. The warmth of your fingers can help blend your foundation, but they’re less precise and can spread bacteria if not totally clean.

Our Product Picks

QUO Beauty Blending Sponge

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NYX Cosmetics Pro Flat Foundation Brush

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Fenty Beauty Foundation Brush 145

Applying your foundation with this ultra-dense brush guarantees an airbrushed finish. 

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Keeping Your Tools Clean

Regardless of the tool you choose, it’s important to keep it squeaky clean. This means washing sponges and brushes after every use with a mild shampoo or a cleaner that’s specially designed for your makeup tools.

Vandelac X Musst Brush Cleaner

 

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Beauty Blender Blendercleanser Liquid Lavender Scented Sponge & Brush Cleanser

 

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Shopping

Now that you’re armed with your undertone and have an idea of what formula you want to try, it’s time to shop. When heading to a brick- and-mortar store, “you’ll want to test the colour exactly where you want to use it,” says Dodon. This means arriving with your skin bare and free of makeup so you can apply the foundations directly to your face, ensuring a better match than you’ll get swatching the shades on your arm or hand.

Next, allow the foundation to dry and take a look at the final result in natural light so you can see and feel the true colour and texture. If possible, it’s always a good idea to ask for a sample to take home and experiment with for a few days. This gives you a chance to see how the formulation lasts throughout the day and how your skin responds before committing to a full-size container.

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