Pro-age must-haves: Makeup staples for ageing skin

Makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially when your skin’s telling a few more stories than it used to. What worked in our thirties (or even last year) doesn’t always play nicely with fine lines, changes in texture, or that sudden obsession with hydration.

But ageing skin doesn’t need fixing. It requires understanding—and a little cleverness. With a few smart swaps and the right tools, you can dial up the glow, sculpt what you’ve got, and still be out the door faster than your coffee brews.

These are the staples I reach for every single day. 

1. A Proper Brush Makes All the Difference

You wouldn’t paint a masterpiece with a mop, would you? 

The tools you use matter—especially when skin becomes more delicate. Mature skin needs a gentle touch and precision, not heavy-handed dragging or patchy blending.

My go-to is the Double Ended Vegan Cheek Brush. It’s dual-ended (one for blush, one for contour), ultra-soft, and designed to blend cream or powder seamlessly. It gives that natural, lifted look that wakes up your whole face. 

2. Cream Formulas Are Your Friend

If you’ve been loyal to powders since your twenties, now’s the time to rethink things. Powder tends to sit on the skin, exaggerating texture and fine lines. Creams, on the other hand, melt in beautifully and bring back that plump, dewy freshness we all love.

Look for cream blushers, bronzers and highlighters—formulas that hydrate while they add colour. Apply them with your fingers for warmth or use a soft brush to blend (guess which one I recommend…). 

You’ll be amazed at how alive your skin looks.

3. Foundation: Less Is More

A full face of foundation might have worked once, but these days it often does more harm than good. Thick, matte formulas can flatten the face and emphasise everything you’d rather they didn’t.

Instead, go for a lightweight base that evens out your skin tone without covering up your natural radiance. Apply only where needed—around the nose, chin, maybe a little across the cheeks—and blend outwards. You want skin that looks like skin, just smoother and more even.

Top tip: if you’re using a brush, tap—don’t drag. 

Patience and pressure make all the difference.

4. Setting Smarter, Not Heavier

Yes, you can still set your makeup—but go easy. 

The goal is staying power, not dullness. Focus on areas that tend to crease or shine—the T-zone, under the eyes, around the nose.

Use a finely-milled translucent powder and press it in gently with a puff or brush. It’s not about mattifying everything—it’s about strategic touch-ups that help you feel polished, not powdered.

Makeup for mature skin isn’t about hiding—it’s about highlighting what makes you you. 

A few clever tweaks, quality tools, and cream-based staples can make a hell of difference.