Nervous about powder settling into fine lines and wrinkles? Don’t count out the best powder foundations for mature skin yet. While traditional wisdom holds that lightweight liquid foundations are the ticket to a cake-free, crease-free makeup base, they’re not the only option.
“When you choose the right formula, powder foundation can actually look incredibly smooth on mature skin,” says makeup artist Alexa Persico. “It helps even out tone, reduces shine in the T-zone, and gives that soft-focus finish that photographs beautifully.” Plus, Persico adds, modern formulas are the opposite of heavy or cakey; instead, the best of the bunch are “breathable, smoothing, and buildable.”
Vogue’s Favorite Powder Foundations
Best DrugstoreMaybelline Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-FoundationJump to review$16 $10 (38% off)
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Of course, it helps if you know how to apply them—especially when texture or discoloration is a concern. “When using a powder foundation on more mature skin, make sure you hydrate the skin fully,” says Jennifer Lopez’s makeup artist Scott Barnes. “Once the moisturizer has absorbed into the skin and is not tacky to the touch, I use a face brush for the most even application.”
Speaking of brushes, heed Barnes’s advice on this: “I know a lot of brands give a free puff with powder foundations, but you can go ahead and save that for touch-ups or for setting the eye area,” he says. “Using a brush for full-face application gives the best coverage and prevents too much product from settling into lines.”
But which exact foundations are worth swirling your brush through? Take it from the pros. Ahead, find the powder foundations they swear by for a smoothing, blurred finish on mature skin—and the same formulas they use on over-50 clients like Jodie Foster and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Happy brushing up!
In This Story:
- The benefits of powder foundation for mature skin
- What type of powder is best for aging skin?
- What to look for in a powder foundation for mature skin
- How to keep powder from settling into fine lines
- How we tested
- Meet the experts
Best Overall: Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten
Laura Geller
Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder
$36
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- Why We Love It: “This one has been long hailed as the holy grail of mature skin powder,” Johnson says. “It has a nice mix of colors, so it won’t appear too flat on the skin, and it will brighten where you need it to.” She notes that the formula, which is baked on terra-cotta tile, is “creamy and lightweight,” dusting onto the skin like a dream (even for a novice). Johnson isn’t alone in her love of the product. Makeup artist Brett Freedman, whose clients include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jodie Foster, and Lisa Kudrow, calls this his “favorite powder foundation, hands down.” He notes that the marbleized formula swooshes on with a natural, demi-matte finish.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, white tea extract
- Finish: Demi-matte natural
- Coverage: Buildable light-to-medium
- Shades: 9
