How to Apply Foundation to Mature Skin, According to Pro Makeup Artists

When it comes to creating a flawless makeup base, we’re often inclined to stick to the routine that works. But learning how to apply foundation to mature skin might make a world of difference—especially if your go-to products and techniques aren’t delivering the same results they used to.

“Since our skin changes as we age, our makeup should, too! Meet your skin where it is now,” says Laura Geller, whose namesake makeup brand Laura Geller Beauty caters specially to mature skin. If you’re dealing with new or difference concerns, especially with foundation on changing skin, you’re certainly not alone.

“One of the biggest client frustrations with mature skin is that foundation often highlights what you’re trying to diffuse,” celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno tells Glamour. That can mean product settling into expression lines on the face, making them appear deeper, or draining the skin of moisture, which highlights dryness and texture. But for every new concern, there’s a simple solution.

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Whether it’s a technique adjustment, a new formula, or a little extra skin prep, small tweaks can help you get the most out of your favorite foundation on mature skin. Ahead, you’ll find expert-backed insight on…

How to choose a foundation for mature skin

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when selecting a foundation for mature skin in particular. Chief among them is retaining moisture: “As we get older, our skin craves hydration, not heavy, drying formulas,” Geller says.

When choosing a liquid formula, Briceno recommends prioritizing the following attributes:

• Light to medium buildable coverage. Heavy coverage options can be drying, and might exaggerate texture on the skin.
• A satin or radiant-natural finish. Flat matte options tend to settle into fine lines, while dewey options can highlight dryness or texture.
• High water content. Water-rich foundations sink into thinner surface skin seamlessly, and prevent cracking.
• Skincare support. Hydrating skincare ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants can help smooth the skin’s surface and improve wear time.
• Gentle mineral or hybrid formulas. If you have sensitive, thinning, or reactive mature skin, these tend to be less irritating and often feel weightless.

If you prefer a solid foundation to a liquid, Geller advises opting for a baked formula. “Baked products start as creamy pigments, then are baked for 24 hours to lock in moisture, leaving you with a silky, lightweight finish that glides right over fine lines,” she says. Geller’s Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation is a good example: “It evens tone, brightens dullness, and never looks heavy on mature skin,” she says.

How to apply foundation to mature skin, step-by-step

Step 1: Moisturize.

Any makeup routine—at any age—should begin with clean, hydrated skin. “Mature skin loses water faster than it loses oil,” Briceno says. He recommends prepping the skin with a moisture-locking serum, like the Andalou Life Boosting Serum, “to plump the surface so that the foundation has something to grip onto.” Follow that with a non-greasy moisturizer, which helps to smooth texture in addition to hydrating.

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Face Moisturizer

If you’re still seeing signs of dryness, Briceno recommends adding a light layer of emollient, like a thin ceramide cream, only to “high movement zones” like your smile lines and the corners of your eyes. “This keeps the foundation from cracking later. Let everything absorb fully as rushing this step guarantees slip and separation,” he says.

Skintifix 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel

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Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream

Step 2: Apply a primer.

“If there’s one step you never want to skip as your skin matures, it’s primer, primer, primer!” Geller says. “Primer creates a gorgeous, smoothing barrier between your skin and your makeup so foundation doesn’t seep into wrinkles, look cakey, or break apart midday.” She also notes the the right primer can be your ticket to richer color payoff and longer wear.

Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Hydrating Primer

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Lancôme La Base Pro Makeup Primer

Briceno emphasizes the importance priming with precision. “Use a hydrating primer on dull or dehydrated areas (cheeks, under-eye perimeter), and a smoothing or blurring primer very lightly on pores and smile lines,” he says.

Step 3: Apply your foundation.

If you’re using a liquid formula, Briceno recommends pumping a small amount onto the back of your hand first. Use a dense, flat brush to pick up a minimal amount of product, and start to apply it to your skin. Geller recommends using “light, sweeping or buffing motions,” while Briceno suggests “light circular motions to sheer the foundation out and stretch it toward the hairline.”

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Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush

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Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge 100

Both experts advise against applying a heavy layer of foundation all over your face. Instead, dot it strategically onto the areas where you want more coverage, evening, or brightening. Briceno says to “avoid loading crow’s feet, deep lines, and the outer jaw” with more foundation; these are areas where the product might settle in and draw more attention.

Step 4: Remove excess product.

To avoid a cakey finish and product settling into fine lines, it’s a good idea to remove the excess foundation from the surface of your skin. Briceno’s pro tip: “Take a damp makeup sponge and press—don’t drag—over the skin. This pushes pigment into texture and lifts off extra product.”

Step 5: Set and finish.

If you prefer to set your foundation with powder, Briceno recommends only setting the areas where your face moves the most (smile lines, sides of the nose, and under the eyes if needed). Use a small, fluffy detail brush or a puff press to very lightly, gently tap powder into these areas.

As a finishing touch, both Geller and Briceno recommend using a fine, hydrating setting mist. This will help prevent the product from drying out on your skin.

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Laura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra-Blur

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Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray

What are some common mistakes when applying foundation to mature skin?

Common pain points when applying foundation to mature skin include product creasing and buildup in fine lines, visible or exaggerated texture, and stiff, drying finishes. Choosing the right products with intention can help resolve these concerns, but your application techniques are just as important to get right. Here are some common mistakes to avoid in your routine, according to experts.

Skipping proper hydration.

By now, you know that retaining moisture is key when applying foundation to mature skin, but we’ll say it one more time. “Dry skin clings to pigment, leading to cracking, patchiness, and dullness,” Briceno says.

Applying an even layer of foundation all over your face.

“Mature skin looks fresher when coverage is focused on the center of the face rather than the entire perimeter,” Briceno says. Geller agrees: “Focus on areas where you want more brightening or evening, rather than applying one heavy layer everywhere.”

Using too much product or too heavy a formula.

“As cliche as it sounds, this is where ‘less is more’ really becomes the rule,” Geller says. “Heavy foundation can settle, crease, and make us look older. A lighter hand with a buildable formula gives the most youthful result. ”

Dragging product with a brush.

One way to ensure product buildup in fine lines is to ‘paint’ your foundation on with a heavy hand. Instead, use light, upward sweeping or circular motions to blend the product with your brush, and tap or press foundation into areas that need more coverage.

Layering products too quickly.

To reap the full benefits of your skin prep, you have to give it time to take hold before applyinf foundation. “Not giving skincare time to absorb leads to slipping and streaking later in the day,” Briceno says. If there’s time in your routine, it’s also a good idea to let your foundation set and settle for a few minutes before applying the rest of your makeup.