A sponge, a brush, or clean fingertips are all perfectly acceptable for application. “I always recommend that people use whatever tool they feel most comfortable with,” Aharon says.
Ilia
Super Serum Skin Tint
Skincare, makeup, and SPF 40 converge in a lightweight skin tint that can soften fine lines and adds a dewy finish to an everyday makeup look.
Giorgio Armani
Luminous Silk Foundation
Beloved for its luminous, skin-perfecting finish, the oil-free foundation is a longtime favorite for mature skin.
Chanel
No 1. De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation
Infused with red camellia oil, Chanel’s moisturizing foundation “really looks like skin and gives that youthful luminous glow,” says Barose.
Clé de Peau
Beautė Concealer
The hydrating formulation offers weightless coverage for dark spots and under-eye circles—plus, it has SPF 27.
Eyes & Brows
For women over 50, “I like to really work the lashes,” says Swift. “That includes curling, and my preference is always black mascara. As we get older, the black gives so much more brightness to the eyes. Brown mascara can make the eyes look tired and even slightly yellow. ”
When it comes to eyeshadows, “those with a matte or satin finish look smoothest and most flattering,” Aharon says. “If used up to the crease, a cream shadow can also be very flattering.”
Moving upwards, “I do not like a gray brow,” Swift admits. “ I like to go back to the color of your original eyebrows. The contrast adds brightness and opens and frames the face.” And when it comes to shape, roundness rules.
“Do not square off your eyebrows,” Swift cautions. “All that does is make you look stern and hard. It pulls the eyes together and creates darkness.” Instead, she recommends softening and rounding the shape. “If brows need to be drawn in, use a pencil with a very fine head to mimic brow hairs,” she says. “You can draw in a very realistic brow where hair is missing.”
Hourglass
Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
The lifting, ultra-black formula fans out lashes for dramatic effect, all while refusing to smudge.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eyewear
The buttery stick shadow—which provides eight-hour wear—is infused with collagen to smooth and firm the eyelids.
RMS Beauty
Back2Brow
“I work with powders for the brow,” says Swift. “It looks slightly softer, and better visually.” This finely milled iteration has a slight hint of luminosity to mimic real hair.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Brow Wiz
A cult classic for realistically drawn hairs, Anastasia’s ultra-slim pencil glides on easily and has a smudgeproof finish.
Add Color & Shimmer
Color comes next, and it provides a significant payoff. “Cream blush is fabulous for mature skin,” says Swift. “It adds hydrating color to make the skin look more youthful.” To apply a cream blush, “I like to tap on the blush with my fingertips and then blend out with a brush or sponge,” Aharon says.
Just be mindful where you tap and blend. “The placement should be more on the apples of cheeks to add that fresh flush,” says Barose. “Avoid putting blush on the side or using it like a contour—that will instantly age you.” Likewise, “do not use bronzers for contouring,” Swift says. “Bronzer should be applied to the areas where the sun kisses the skin.” She recommends applying bronzer horizontally across the forehead, the cheeks, and the bridge of the nose, and using it lightly along the jaw.
As for added glimmer, “anything with shimmer is out” for women over 50, Swift insists. “Shimmer accents skin problems and aging of the skin. However, I do like products with a subtle luminosity as they attract light. That light-reflecting property makes the skin look dewy, moist, and most of all, youthful.”
Jones Road
Miracle Balm
The multitasking balm—which brings easy color to lips and cheeks—has jojoba seed oil to hydrate the skin and impart a beautiful sunkissed glow.
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
The creamy blush stick stimulates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid while delivering a natural flush of color to lips and cheeks.
Charlotte Tilbury
Beautiful Skin Glow Bronzer
This creamy bronzer has a blurring effect on skin—plus, since it’s infused with hyaluronic acid, it’s also plumping and hydrating.
RMS Beauty
Luminizer
Youthful-looking skin is “all about the light,” says Swift. “You want to add a subtle luminosity to elevated areas of the face. That includes brow bones, cheek bones, bow of lips, and the corner of the eyes near the tear ducts. Nothing beats this product for dewy, sensual skin.”
The Finishing Touch
Powder can also add a pristine final touch, if applied judiciously. “A light powder through the center of the face can leave you with a beautiful finish,” says Aharon. “Just use it sparingly, and skip it altogether if you lean dry.”
