Best For Flawless Finish: Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation
- Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, £75 from Cult Beauty – buy here
Chantecaille is a luxury brand, and with that comes a luxury price tag. But we had to include this for its fresh, lightweight texture that we’ve not seen in other foundations.
Future Skin is oil-free and has a gel texture that blends lightly over skin, smoothing as it goes. Not enough coverage with one layer? Feel free to build it up to the coverage you’d like.
Light-reflecting pigments mean skin looks glowing but natural without settling into wrinkles or fine lines. We love it.
Best Overall: Pat Mcgrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
- Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, £61 from Pat McGrath – buy here
Lightweight and buildable, this foundation from Pat McGrath is a winner. It builds from sheer to medium coverage meaning you can adjust depending on how your skin feels each day.
It comes in an impressive 36 shades and lands at a satin finish that lasts all day.
In fact, this exact product was chosen by Bridgerton season 2’s lead make-up artist, Erika Okvist, to be used on all the cast members in the show, to give them fresh, romantic skin.
It hydrates skin while smoothing and illuminating for a natural, radiant finish.
It’s an excellent all-rounder and we love it.
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
With nearly 4,000 five-star ratings, this foundation is ideal for anyone with dry or mature skin. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, plump skin, and fill in wrinkles. The water-gel formula ensures your skin appears fresh and dewy for 24 hours, is made free of oil , and is non-comedogenic . Reviewers also love how it doesn’t build up in fine lines and still looks great hours later.
“I’m 39 and don’t wear a ton of makeup. I have some fine lines and wrinkles and my skin can be dry. This foundation goes on so smooth. It doesn’t settle into fine lines. Leaves my skin dewy and smooth. I really like it. Highly recommend,” said a fan.
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Would I Recommend The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Yes and no. This is very expensive and if I werent reviewing makeup as a side job, I am certain I would find this far too expensive. However, on a sale it can be worth the splurge especially if you are someone who doesnt own much makeup. I feel this is a great foundation for people looking for a good everyday foundation that you can just wear time and time again and really see you through everything and then some.
Have you tried the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation?
How To Shop For Foundation Online
Now, when you’re shopping for a foundation online, there is of course the obvious issue of selecting your correct shade. The solution? Try the genius Findation website, where you can simply input your shade in your current brand, and it’ll show you your closest match to hundreds of others. Similarly, some brands now offer excellent shade-matching tools on their website: Charlotte Tilbury and MAC really excel here. Especially as your skin matures, it’s important to find the right foundation that works for you, so these online tools are great to lean on for help.
In a bid to find our own holy-grail formulas, we’ve tried endless bottles. Here, see the Prima team’s verdict on the very best foundations for mature skin, from budget heroes to a luxury icon worth splurging on.
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Holy Grail Foundation For Covering Up Large Pores On Mature Skin
This foundations has a buildable medium coverage foundation. It is said to minimize the look of pores and imperfections, offer all-day hydration and wear with a natural radiant finish. It promises to be suitable for all skin types, infused with hyaluronic acid for moisturizing, aloe vera extract for calming, plus its got vitamins E and B5.
It even claims that your skin actually will look better after two weeks of wear. I definitely sense the hydration in this product with the hyaluronic acid. Id say out of all of the ones that I have used, this is probably the most hydrating!
IT Cosmetics Your Skin Better Foundation
There are forty shades to choose from fair warm to deep cool. I use shade Medium Neutral, number 33, which is a pretty decent match, maybe just a hair lighter than what I would normally wear, so keep that into account when youre choosing your own shade the colors run a bit lighter.
If hydration is something thats really important to you, then I think the IT Cosmetics and the Futurist by Estee Lauder will be your most hydrating, although the IT Cosmetics ones is offering the most coverage.
Its formula is very silky, and not sticky at all, despite its hydrating properties. The skin feels silky, but yet it sort of a dewy look to it, and the coverage is great. I really, really like the way this foundation wears and the facts that its supposed to make the skin better in two weeks!
Shop it here:
First A Little About My Skin
Ill be honest with youI dont like wearing foundation. Maybe its my fine lines and budding wrinkles, but foundation makes me look like a faded film star desperately trying to recapture her youth . In other words, foundation enhances my dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, ever-expanding pores and makes me look much older than I am. For this reason, I only like to use concealer on a day-to-day basis . Afterward, Ill dab on some creamy blush, brush on some setting powder to control my oily t-zone, swipe a nude lip, and Im good to go. But lets face it, my forty-something skin needs a good amount of coverage. It needs a foundation that makes me look like a straight-up snack and less like Norma Desmond uttering, All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up. I also need a foundation that gives me a subtle dewiness and combats the dry patches around my nose. With all this in mind, I was eager to delve deeper into Armanis Luminous Silk Foundation.
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Here Are Some General Marketing Makeup Terms That Dont Actually Mean A Darn Thing
Lets begin by understanding how cosmetic companies use general marketing terms and what they really mean.
Water based foundation
All liquid foundations require water as an ingredient. Water is necessary for the product to be liquid. For this reason when you see water as number 1 or 2 in the ingredient list it does not mean the foundation is water based. If that were the case, all liquid foundations would be considered water based and they are not.
The term water based normally means that there is less silicone in the foundation formulation.
Silicones are known to sit on top of the skin and they provide a more dewy, youthful skin finish.
Silicone AKA: Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone copolyol. Basically any ingredients you see with cone at end of them.
When you see water based on a foundation label assume it will give the skin a more matte or flat finish.
Oil free foundation
Oil free foundation simply means there is no actual oil within the ingredients. It doesnt mean there wont be moisturizers or other emollients in the formulation which can mimic the exact same effect that oil has on skin.
Women often feel that by choosing an oil free foundation they are guaranteed a lighter finish when thats not always the case. Some oil free foundations can be medium to full in coverage and may cause more oiliness to skin because of the addition of emollients.
Hypoallergenic
The Best Holy Grail Foundations For Mature Skin From Drugstore To High
Choosing the right foundation for your skin can be tough, but choosing the right foundation for *mature* aging skin is even tougher! There are plenty of products out there, but how do you know what to look for when choosing an effective foundation?
As we age and mature, our skins needs change, the texture changes, and what wears well on it changes. We tend to get drier as we get older whether thats being over 40 or 60, fine lines and wrinkles settle in fast. So the last thing you want is makeup thats really going to impact and show the dryness and the lines and the wrinkles in the skin.
So here are a couple of reviews of different foundations: were going to talk about the best drugstore and high-end foundations, and which ones are great for full coverage, dry skin or to cover large pores. These are foundations that have been widely reviewed as best rated, popular, effective, tested, liked!
These reviews are not sponsored and all products shown were purchased.
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How Do You Keep Foundation From Settling Into Wrinkles
First, prime your skin properly. Choosing the right skincare is key. I have been using serums under makeup for normal to combination skin and skipping moisturizer, as it seems to be the perfect balance. But drier skin types can benefit hugely from the layering of skincareespecially during colder months, says Baker.
Then, give your serums and moisturizers a few minutes to sink in. Youll be pleasantly surprised that your makeup will last longer, finds Baker, who also recommends applying a primer to even out the surface and fill in any creases. Sisleys Double Tenseur gel primer is an absolute go-to in my kit, as it creates an invisible mesh layer all over your face, she says. This step helps any base last longer and stay put with a flexibility and firmness you cant get with a regular moisturizer.
Finish Choose A Foundation That Provides A Flawless Finish Of Your Choice
Foundation formulations offer different finishes.
-Matte finish Matte foundations offer a dull finish and are often a good choice for oily skin or a foundation when being photographed. A matte finish is not ideal for older mature skin because it can be very drying. Matte foundation can always highlight the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture, which is not ideal for older skin.
Natural, sheer finish- Sheer finish foundations look natural on the skin and feel ultra lightweight. They even out skin tone and minor imperfections while allowing the skin to shine through, enhancing your skin rather than masking it.Dewy, luminous finish-A dewy and luminous finish offers a healthy look that is lightweight and glowing. This finish can be a fantastic choice for older skin types but may require powder to knock down the shine on some skin types or when used in humid climates.
Radiant finish- Similar to a dewy, luminous finish, a radiant finish offers even more shimmer. Like a luminous finish, its a great choice for mature skin.
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Shades When Choosing The Best Foundation For Aging Skin Its Important To Find The Perfect Shade Match
While its always important to find the perfect match no matter the skin type, its even more important when talking about older, more mature skin because skin tone can be more uneven and, therefore, more difficult to match. Its a good idea to know what your shade range is when choosing a foundation.
If you dont know, I suggest visiting a beauty counter like Sephora or Ulta to get color matched by a beauty expert. Choosing a foundation that offers several different shades in your skin tone is an added bonus making it easier to get the perfect match for a flawless look.
What Should I Look For In A Foundation For Dry Skin
Amid the cereal aisle of dry skin products, the worst feeling is applying a foundation and having the areas around your nose and chin look crackly .
So, most of all, you want a foundation thats both hydrating and moisturizing and ones that promote a glow .
Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid increases the skins moisture and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Stephen adds.
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Best Skincare Hybrid: Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Foundation
- Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40, £51 from Look Fantastic – buy here
Bobbi Brown never disappoints with its make-up and skincare and the Intensive Serum Foundation is a mix of the two.
Merging skincare into its foundation, this product glides smoothly over skin, hydrating and perfecting as it goes.
It contains Vitamin E, deep sea ferment and hyaluronic acid to protect against sun damage and plump skin.
With a good 23 shades and SPF 40, this product is as much about caring for your face as it is about creating flawless and radiant-looking skin.
What Is The Coverage Like
I already mentioned this having a buildable coverage. I however, really like a natural look so I only wear a very thin layer of foundation. So I just go in with one pump, no more, and then I get this effect. As you can see, before I apply the foundation my skin is quite red especially in the middle of my face. Once the foundation has been applied, all of that redness has disappeared, but this never looks strange or overly makeuppy. It really has a great lightweight coverage that seems very pliable and really adapts to your skin. I would say though that on very dry skin this may not be the best. As the formula is quite thin, I find it can accentuate very dry patches so this isnt the most hydrating of formulas.
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Best For Natural Sheer Coverage And Dry Skin
Neutrogenas Healthy skin anti-aging perfector tinted moisturizer is said to even skin tone it has retinol, antioxidants, vitamins and a dewy finish. This one wears a little bit more like a BB cream than a foundation.
Theres six shades, with a blendable sheer coverage. The shade I used was 40, neutral to tan. Its $11.22.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector Tinted Facial Moisturizer
This foundation is definitely lighter and more sheer, no doubt about it. The sunscreen in it, which is the titanium dioxide, does give it just a little bit of a lighter cast to it. So you may want to go a bit darker when choosing your shade than you normally would.
To me, this is something that I would wear on the weekend if I have really a no-makeup look or Im going off to a yoga class, have some errands to run and I just want a little bit of coverage and a little bit of sunscreen. This is not going to give you the kind of coverage of a full-on foundation per se.
In terms of foundation coverage, I find it to be incredibly light, so if youre in the market for this type of foundation, it would be one the best.
Shop it here:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector Tinted Facial Moisturizer and Retinol Treatment with Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen https://amzn.to/3usUZDO
Pat Mcgrath Sublime Perfection Foundation
Offering buildable coverage to hide blemishes and minimize the appearance of fine lines, this foundation leaves you with seriously younger-looking skin. The formula features a signature complex designed to help fight the formation of wrinkles by preserving the hydrolipidic film barrier of the skin on top of that, the complex boosts hydration by activating the natural production of hyaluronic acid and ceramides. As an added bonus, it contains diamond core powder, which works to smooth imperfections, blur fine lines, and reflect light for a more radiant complexion.
“I have redness, acne scars, and age lines. I’ve been wearing tinted moisturizer because foundation has accentuated my wrinkles. Decided to try this foundation. feels light, covers my scars, and covers my uneven skin color. I love this foundation,” .
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Once You Have Answered The Questions Above You Can Eliminate The Foundation Formulations That Arent Ideal For Your Skin Type And Concentrate Only On Those That Are
For example, here is how I would answer the questions above:
- dry mature skin
- humid heat in the summer and very cold winters
- I prefer a dewy or satin finish to my skin
- skin should look like skin even with makeup on so I prefer light to medium coverage foundations
- my foundation should ideally last about 8 hours
Therefore these are my foundations choices are MAC Studio Face & Body and Estee Lauder Double Wear.
Do you have a holy grail foundation that works wonders for you? We would love to hear what it is and why you chose it. Let us know below and as always, Vicki will do her best to reply to all comments personally.
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Best Clean & Vegan Foundation For Full Coverage
This is the famous KVD Beauty Lock-It Tattoo foundation. It costs $38 and its terrific. Theres a concealer as well, reviewed in our list of the best concealers for mature skin, here on the blog.
The formula is free of parabens and phthalates. It is also vegan and cruelty-free, and most importantly, it promises to be transfer-resistant.
KVD Beauty Lock-It Tattoo foundation
As shades go, there are 26 available in their range, and Ive got actually two to combine, because sometimes my skin is a little bit more on the peachy side, sometimes it has a little more of a golden tone, and it can be hard to find the perfect fit. So, what I do is, Ill buy two foundations and Ill blend them to get the right color. The two that I have are medium number 58, and medium number 57. Fifty-seven has a bit more of a golden tone, fifty-eight a little bit more of a peachy tone.
The coverage on this is absolutely tremendous, and it does work well on events or when you have to take photos it performs well with the high-definition cameras and the lights. Sometimes you may have a function or an event where you just want a more full coverage look, and youre looking to conceal things, especially if its evening, or some formal attire. I think this type of a foundation is perfect for that. We all have those events in our lives when we just want to cover every little bump, and pimple or red mark, and brown spot all these fun things that you pop once you get over 40.
Two thumbs in my book!
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