The best make-up for mature skin and why you don’t need an expensive mascara
When it comes to discovering the best beauty products, professional make-up artists are always in-the-know. They get to try-and-test all the latest products on a range of skin tones and types and hence have a great overview. One of my favourite artists to work with, Lindsey Poole, is highly respected in the industry and has a lovely, laid-back manner. She is known for her impressive roster of clients, producing looks for Vogue, Elle, Red and the Guardian, and working with high-profile names such as Sophie Ellis Bextor, Sharon Horgan, Sadie Frost and Lucy Bronze ( I was most excited about the latter).
I can always trust Lindsey to make me look presentable (!) Her make-up is natural and never caked-on, and when she’s worked her magic I feel like myself but on a very (very) good day.
Here Lindsey shares her top beauty products, the make-up she uses on herself, and her clients; together with expert tips on application. From the lipstick that will see you through lunchtime to the under-£10 mascara, here are her recommendations:
Lindsey’s skincare and make-up recommendations
For mature skin, hydration is key – as is a consistent routine. One of my recent discoveries is Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream. It creates a lovely soft canvas for makeup, and the formula doesn’t flatten or matt-ify skin. This cream feels quite luxurious when you’re applying it and smells lovely. I also like the Vitamin Enriched Face Base at Bobbi Brown, which is great under makeup, primes the face perfectly and keeps skin hyrdated. Another product that’s always in my kit is Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre.
During the summer months, a tinted moisturiser creates a great base. The Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser at Chantecaille glides on, adds an instant glow, and also includes SPF. Hourglass Veil Skin Tint is another brilliant option, which is lightweight, fuss-free and very moisturising. For more of a satin finish, the Seamless Skin Tint at Lisa Eldridge is really good (though it is quite sheer.)
Hourglass Veil Tint (photo via Facebook)
If you have redness on your face try the the Erborian CC Red Correct. When you apply the product, it feels like it melts in and takes any redness away. The consistency is really lovely and doesn’t look ‘chalky’ on the skin. The concealer I use most often is Secret Camouflage from Laura Mercier, which comes in two shades so that you mix them together to create a bespoke colour for your complexion. Apply with a little brush to conceal dark spots and soften darkness under-eyes. If done correctly, foundation and concealer shouldn’t be seen, and it should help give the illusion of a flawless complexion (even if you haven’t got one). There is really no need to apply foundation all over, just to the places that need it.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer (bottom of pic)
For a soft glow I love Chanel’s Baume Essentiel translucent highlighter stick, applied to the tops of cheekbones. The balm doesn’t contain any sparkle so it’s the most natural and won’t highlight fine lines. I also rate the Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter which can be used prior to foundation for natural radiance. You can also pop some in the corner of eyes for a bright-eyed look.
Megastar make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has loads of fantastic products that can be found in my kit bag. Please don’t be put off by the full faces of dramatic, shimmery make-up shown in her adverts! You can use the range in a subtle, less-is-more way. Hollywood Flawless Filter is a primer and highlighter (some people even use this instead of a foundation). I gently brush the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder on the temples, forehead, chin and nose to help filter out large pores and reduce shine. Another product that has a permanent place in my kit is The Sophisticate – a palette of four of matte eyeshadows in chocolate, taupe, tan and cream that I use to add a little colour and depth to the eye-line (and there’s no shimmer). These tones suit most complexions. Simply apply all over the eyelid with fingers or a brush.
Velveteen Lip Colour by Lisa Eldridge (photo via Facebook)
For the lashes, I love Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie mascara. I’ve tried so many different ones over the years, but always come back to this. I don’t think you need to spend much money to find a decent mascara that performs well, and will give your lashes length without clumping or flaking. There are lots of good options at Boots and Superdrug; I also rate Maybelline’s Sky High mascara.
On the cheeks I like using the blush sticks from Westman Atelier. They are expensive but they do last, so I think they’re worth splashing out on. The texture is not too shiny or matte, but adds a nice glow. The blush also stays put and doesn’t slide around your face, even in hot weather. The colours are really natural and enhance your complexion. Creme blushers and bronzers are much easier to apply than powders, and hard to get wrong. They can be built up, look more natural, and they’re also incredibly useful when you’re on-the-go.
For the lips, Lisa Eldridge has a fantastic range of products. Often liquid lip colours feel awful, they smudge and dry out your lips, but the Velveteen Liquid lip colour feels really moisturising and hydrating and is super long-lasting. You can buff it on a bit, or apply with your own lip brush, rather than directly from the tube if you want a more sheer and subtle look, with no hard lines around the edges. Her lipsticks correspond with the Velveteen colours, and again aren’t drying. She’s very skincare lead, so her products treat and look after the skin as well. The Charlotte Tibury Iconic Lip Cheat Liner is another product that many artists in the industry swear by because it works on lots of skin tones. I personally use it and love it.
Find out more about Lindsey Poole HERE and follow her on Instagram HERE.
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Discussion (31 Comments)
Adele Geras says:
I second the Erborian Red Correct recommendation! All their make up is fabulous! But I use Murad SPF 50 after moisturiser and it makes a very good primer!
Sarah Cleverdon says:
May I recommend Eyeko limitless mascara? Cheap with no undereye smudge on my deepset eyes and it comes off with warm water.
No sensitivity after healed cateract surgury and no animal testing. Lisa Eldridge stuff is also great but bought as a treat.SI’ve had to stop using both eyeliner and mascara because it always migrates and I have panda eyes within an hour. Is there any solution to this? And is it an age thing? I have noticed that some friends also have migrating eye make-up although it seems to hold in place for many. I wore eyeliner and mascara for decades and would love to get back to it. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Hi Alexandra, I have some advice for you from Lindsey the make-up artist:
I would say firstly, its a very common issue as we age, as the skin around our eyes can change and perhaps eyes become more hooded so an eyeliner transfer can occur. To prevent this I would first prepare the eye area before using an eyeliner or mascara. Natural oils (or makeup that hasn’t been set) may cause migration and panda eye. Applying some micellar water on a cotton pad over eyelids will ensure you have an oil-free base on which to apply the liner and mascara.
Make sure the eyeliner you use is waterproof something like the Estée Lauder Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Pencil would be perfect as it really doesn’t budge once applied and shouldn’t transfer. To make extra sure you could apply the same coloured eyeshadow with a small brush and press this over the liner.
Stay away from kohl pencils as these tend not to set as they are designed to be smudged.
I use Max Factor 2000 Calories Mascara on my clients of various ages and I have found that this has little to no transfer after a long day. I use the regular one but it may be worth trying the waterproof one which has better staying power and less transfer.
Hope that helps!
nicola s says:
Hi – you need a tubing mascara – boots no 7, or eyeko, or my current fave ruby hammer. I promise this will completely solve the issue!
Mrs Tonia says:
For Alexandra and others I like to wear eye liner and highly recommend Clinique High Impact Easy Liquid Liner. I’ve used this for a long time. It’s non irritating and stays put even after sweating and swimming. Easy to remove with Clinique Take the Day off remover. Another good one I’ve bought recently from Space NK Rare Beauty brand. Perfect Strokes Matt Liquid Eyeliner. Both products are the felt tip type.
Another new discovery I’m keen on is Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener. Shade Goldeneye. I use a wand concealer, usually Clinique over eye cream. The eye brightener cream in a pot applied with a sponge later in day really helps refresh appearance. Non irritating again.
Thanks for all these mascara recommendations I need a new not too expensive one.
This season I’m using Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing powder. Second one I’ve bought plus various rouges in layers. Pleased with this classic too.Angela Blair says:
Thank you for this- love these occassional beauty posts and got lots of ideas. My current base is the Ilia Skin Rewind complexion stick which I find ridiculously easy to use. I also recommend their Limitless Lash Mascara – like the person commenting above I also always suffer from panda eyes- but this one stays put.
Thanks, Angela. That’s good to know – I love getting expert advice from make-up artists!
Anne says:
I’m a recent convert to Jones Road Beauty a make up line suited to mature skin. The online help is excellent. Your skin but much better, subtle and beautiful.
Frankie says:
After years of eye make-up creasing, happy to discover Trinny London. Total convert to TL make up & skincare & highly recommend.
Sierra says:
I’ve been relieved to read that it’s not only me struggling to find a mascara that doesn’t smudge under my aging 70 year old heavily lidded eyes. I have a drawer full of used once mascaras with a string of ingredients on each. What a waste of money! I also struggle with the huge brushes in mascaras these days. It’s impossible not to get mascara everywhere when you’ve got small eyes.
Please, if anyone has a recommendation for a true mid grey (not charcoal) eyebrow pencil, I’d be most grateful. Jones Road do one, but have been sold out for ages. ThanksI use the grey Jones Road eyebrow pencil. Expensive and tiny but excellent. I would say it is charcoal not mid grey.
It is the only one I have found that does not have ‘ginger’ tones but it is dark. Perhaps a grey powder eyeshadow might do?Thanks Sarah. The one I’m using is described as grey, but if I’m too heavy handed my brows look black, so I end up using a cotton buds to remove some. I’ve found the best way is to apply the pencil just to the brow hairs, not the skin underneath. I just run it backwards and forwards, over and under the hairs to coat them. Honestly the things we do for vanity!
The ruby hammer mascara has a really thin brush and is a tubing mascara which = no panda eyes! I personally don’t like the brow gel on the other end but like the mascara so much I have repurchased regardless!
Thank you Nicola. I will give it a try x
SamP says:
Hello everyone. I love Victoria Beckham eye pencils – gorgeous colours, soft, blendable, but they also set so tend not to migrate once you’ve smudged and done. They can also be used to fine line top lid and waterline (although you need to use the non-shimmer only I think on the waterline). I used to swear by Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie but am not happy about some of the ingredients as I try to avoid parabens so now use Lancôme and although they obviously cost more, they last and the quality is excellent
Cindy from Canada says:
Another great article – lots of information for those who wear make up.
I stopped wearing make up – outside of a lip tint/balm, a few years ago. I had my make up done at that time for a fashion show I took part in, and the makeup artist wouldn’t show me the final look. I passed by a mirror, and I was in shock – I looked like a circus clown, heavily applied foundation, eye makeup and lipstick. I couldn’t say anything to the organizers of the event. When I got home, it took about 30 minutes, and lots of makeup remover, to get rid of everything on my face/lips/eyes. I decided from that point on to go for a makeup free look. The only thing I put on my face, besides moisturizer, is sunscreen as needed. I go for a haircut every 6-8 weeks, and I keep my brows groomed. I feel confident when I go out.
Goddessinthedetails says:
My mascara problem is not smudging but finding a wand small enough that it doesn’t dot black on the edges of my eye sockets during application. I’m Eurasian and the size of my features, as well as shape, is slightly different to Caucasian. Before the NHS kindly gave me new lenses I had a perpetual battle to find glasses that didn’t swamp my face — I’d be directed to the children’s section sometimes. Any suggestions on the mascara gratefully received.
margiemi says:
Try using Clinique “Bottom Lash” mascara. It’s a small tube with a tiny brush. I don’t always repurchase the mascara because it really is a small tube. I do take the brush and dab it onto my larger mascara brush to pick up some additional mascara because the tiny tube seems to not last very long. Hope this helps.
Sorry if this is a repeated comment. Wasn’t sure if it would be a direct reply to “Goddess” or “That’s Not May Age.”
Catherine says:
I just about gave up on eye makeup as my sight deteriorated, but had lens replacement surgery last year and have been experimenting since then.
I was delighted to discover eyelash primer, it makes such a difference, definitely worth trying.Helen Long says:
Thank you so much for the Erborian Red Correct CC recommendation. Bought it after reading this article and it’s a complete game-changer!
Have suffered from rosacea, broken veins and dry, sensitive skin for years. This makes my complexion look so good it’s all I wear now (after my usual moisturiser and SPF50). No need even for a concealer. Thank you!Clinique has a “tiny” brush mascara; it’s call “bottom lash.” It works well but there isn’t much mascara in the little tube. Sometimes I will take the brush and dab it onto my regular mascara brush to get some mascara on the bottom lash brush. I don’t keep purchasing the Clinique mascara….just reuse the brush (but I do keep the brush in the original tube). Hope this helps.
Sarah Tinsley says:
Thank you for this article and all the helpful comments. I have just discovered Lisa Eldridge skin tint – glides on and gives a light coverage – and her lipsticks. Will now try the Max Factor mascara too as sick of thick clotting!
Laurie Robinson Hay says:
This is so helpful. I’m in my early 60’s and have not updated my makeup selection in years.
Dee says:
Thank you so much for the lovely article and useful comments – I have blepharitis, a long term inflammation at the base of the eyelashes and it is stopping me from using any eye make up….definitely no powder allowed… and the last time I used a stick eye shadow the edge of the eye lids went swollen ( the professional-boxer-after-a-fight look ) . Any suggestions?
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I’d also like to recommend NYX Lip Primer. This prevents feathering of lipstick on mature skins. You turn it at the bottom as you use it which I prefer to having to sharpen a pencil – Boots No7 one is like this. They both work well.