I'm the kind of person who'll spend an extra minute making sure my eyeliner is even and my blush is perfectly blended. But as soon as I step outside on a steamy summer day, I wonder why I even bothered.
Sometimes even extra finishing powder doesn’t help; my makeup still moves, and my fine lines become more obvious. (Though I have been extra grateful for the Megababe Coldies that absorb body heat to help keep me cool, translating to less makeup melt.) As if that isn’t enough to deal with, my mature skin isn’t as easy to deal with as it used to be.
That’s why Bobbi Brown, makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty, says that summer is the perfect time to simplify your makeup routine. “As we get older, our skin naturally becomes drier and more textured, but in the summer we're also dealing with heat, humidity, sweat, and sun exposure,” she says. “Heavy makeup that may have worked in cooler months can start to feel uncomfortable and actually make skin look less fresh.”
Laura Geller, veteran makeup artist and founder of Laura Geller Beauty, agrees. “In the summer, less is more and mature skin needs hydrating makeup formulas that include SPF,” she says. (But remember that SPF-infused makeup should be treated as a bonus and a separate base layer of sunscreen daily is a must.) We asked Brown, Geller, and more makeup artists everything women over 40 need to know to update their makeup routine for summer.
For face
“I always look for a foundation that gives me a natural finish,” Geller says. “You want enough coverage to even out your complexion, but not so much that it hides your skin. My tip is to focus on lightweight, breathable products and let your skin shine! Always prep your skin with a primer and finish with a setting spray. Don't forget your shade might need a little tweak too, as we get our summer tan—what worked in January probably won't match come July!”
Geller starts with a small amount and blends it in with her fingertips or a brush, then only adds a little extra where she needs it. The same goes for concealer in the summer—heavier formulas are more likely to settle into fine lines, especially when it's hot outside.
When it’s steamy outside, instead of finishing powders that can clump, use a setting spray at the end of makeup application to lock everything in. This one has seawater minerals to nourish skin and smells like a beach vacation. Mature skin is prone to feeling dry, and this can also be used mid-day to refresh the complexion and hydrate skin, since it’s infused with skincare ingredients.
This longwear formula will stick around even on hot, humid days. Though the lightweight formula is buildable, it won’t feel heavy or settle into fine lines, making it look natural. To prevent creasing, apply a small amount in the inner corner under the eye and gently tap it in with your ring finger. The less you use, the less likely it is to crease.
“It has buildable medium coverage with an all-day natural-matte finish that controls shine and matches seamlessly,” says Makeup Artist Carolina Dalí. “It's an excellent choice for mature skin in the summer, but its lightweight feel and natural-looking results make it a versatile foundation that works beautifully for all ages.”
For cheeks
Blush and bronzer will help play up that summer glow—or at least fake one. “In the summer, I want a bronzer that looks like skin, not makeup,” Brown says. “Bronzer would never look like bronzer; it should look like you just spent an afternoon outdoors. It should add warmth, not shimmer or obvious color. The goal isn't to look tan—it's to look healthy.”
For mature women, Brown recommends focusing on hydrating, skin-like formulas that leave skin looking glowy rather than dry or cakey. Choose lightweight blushes and bronzers that create a fresh, effortless look instead of a heavily sculpted one.
“I prefer a matte or soft satin bronzer that's the right tone for your skin, not too orange and not overly shimmery,” Brown says. To apply, sweep a little bronzer where the sun naturally hits—across the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin—to warm up the face. For blush, start with the apples of your cheeks and blend it up into the hairline to help it look as natural as possible.
Practically foolproof, you can apply this directly to cheeks and lips with fingers, using hands to warm and soften the blush, before diffusing it in tapping motions. It also works well on bare, foundation-free skin when you want a quick, long-lasting lift.
Ideal for mature skin thanks to its hydrating properties, the lightweight and silky cream-gel glides onto skin and has a velvet-matte finish for a natural looking sun-kissed glow.
For eyes
“I love a creamy pencil eyeliner for mature eyes because it gives you the definition you want without looking harsh,” says Wende Zomnir, founder of Caliray and co-founder of Urban Decay Cosmetics. “As we get older, the skin around the eyes changes, so formulas that glide on easily are much more forgiving than anything that pulls or skips. I also prefer a waterproof, long-wearing formula that stays put without smudging or disappearing throughout the day. Soft black, rich brown, bronze, or deep olive can all define the eyes beautifully without feeling too severe. The goal is definition that still looks effortless.”
While “no mascara summer” is trending for Gen Z, Zomnir believes most women need it. “I think the solution and the secret to that for all ages, but especially those over 50, is a brown mascara and a tubing mascara,” she says. “Brown can look a little more soft for summer days and those casual moments. The other thing is you really want to use a tubing mascara.” Tubing formulas tend to have more staying power and are less likely to smudge.
To keep eye makeup in place on hot days, follow Geller’s hack: “Dust translucent powder or eyeshadow over the lid before your liner. It absorbs sweat and oil so your liner adheres longer and won't smear.”
Available in both black and brown, this tubing mascara has major staying power (a must on sweaty days), plus lifts and lengthens lashes. The formula is safe for sensitive eyes and the small brush makes precise application a cinch.
Designed for eyes over 40, this eyeliner moves with skin to prevent creasing thanks to the brand’s Cream-Gel Matrix technology. Offering a wide shade range, the hydrating formula contains ceramides to nourish the delicate skin and soothes with allantoin.
Creasing is a common problem when it comes to mature skin and eyeshadow, but these easy-to-apply sticks are formulated to prevent just that. No brushes are needed
to apply the self-priming shadows that have major staying power.
For lips
“Hydrated lips are the foundation of any great lip look,” Dalí says. “Start with a moisturizing lip treatment, then lightly dust loose powder around the natural lip line before applying lip liner, lipstick, and gloss. This technique will help the lip color last longer and prevent it from bleeding into lines around the mouth area.”
Pamper your pucker with hyaluronic peptides that simultaneously plump and hydrate, while seaweed extracts and ceramides firm and smooth. All 12 shades offer sheer, buildable color with a soft glow.
Boasting the best of both worlds, this hybrid delivers the color of a lipstick and the hydration of a serum. The blend of oils and hyaluronic acid plump too, and it comes in satin and matte finishes in 16 shades.
Fake a fuller pout while majorly moisturizing lips with mango butter and marula oil. The versatile pencil can be used for both precise lining or smudged out with fingertips for a more casual blurred look.
