Bargain vs Bougie: The 6 Best Foundations For Mature Skin in Australia
Amanda Ramsay is an award-winning professional makeup artist who specialises in makeup content and education for mature skin. Known as your over 40s makeup expert, Amanda has worked with thousands of Aussie women, including celebrities and personalities like Julia Gillard, Sophie Monk, Delta Goodrem, Collette Dinnigan, Jackie O, Miranda Kerr and Mia Freedman.
One of the biggest makeup mistakes I see working with over 40s clients is people using the wrong foundation for their beautiful mature skin.
And by 'wrong', I mean only wearing ultra thick, full coverage foundations because you think you have to.
When did we get so obsessed with “coverage”? What on earth are we trying so hard to cover anyway?
As an over 40s makeup expert and professional makeup artist, the most common foundation complaint I hear is that your foundation, well... it’s "making my wrinkles more obvious."
The solution? Change up the foundations you're using, and wear less of it.
Moving into the mature chapter of life means embracing a new attitude to foundation, and mature skin makeup in general.
Let’s break down the best foundations to flatter your mature skin in Australia.
And yes, there’s a suggestion for every skin type, and every budget.
Mature Skin Foundation Tips.
First, the hard truth...
The more product you put on your skin, the more likely it will gather and sit in your crinkles and wrinkles.
This is where the saying “less is more” really applies.
It’s time to move awayyyy from the matte-finish, full coverage, layers and layers of foundation, and towards thinner layers, and lightweight, light-reflecting formulas.
Why? Because at this stage of life, our friends collagen and elastin are swiftly leaving the building, along with the plump layer of fat sitting underneath your skin.
(Probably, very rudely, relocating around the belly.)
Matte, powdery textures and opaque, full coverage formulas can really flatten you and make you look, well, a little one-dimensional.
And heaven knows, we mature-skinned beauties aren't in the slightest!
Instead, choosing foundation formulas that give the skin vitality, life, dimension and luminosity will deliver a radiant and more youthful appearance.
In my mind, plumper, healthier-looking skin is the goal. Not “coverage”.
Get more of Amanda's mature skin foundation tips in this YouTube video below.
How to Apply Foundation For Mature Skin.
To answer the question above: You can’t - like, you really can’t - cover wrinkles.
In fact, the more you try, the more pronounced they will look.
Getting the best foundation for mature skin in Australia comes down to strategic placement.
Take a look in the mirror; where are the zones you’d like more coverage? It’s probably a very small percentage of your face.
Build coverage in these zones only, because the rest of your face does not need it. You want your skin to look like skin.
And can I be frank? When you do load up on coverage all over your face, the makeup begins to wear you. It can look more like a “mask”.
Rather, apply a thin layer of a light-reflecting, lightweight formula first. Then, put your brush down.
Step back, take a look at the zones that might need a little more coverage, and just build it up in those targeted areas.
Best Foundations for Mature Skin in Australia.
OK, now let's move onto the best foundation for mature skin in Australia.
I'm talking foundation for over 40, over 50 foundations and beyond. Foundations that make your mature skin shine, rather than try to hide it.
From $20 to $105, these are the mature skin foundations in Australia I always recommend.
Plus, I've included some before and after photos to show you how they look on my mature skin.
1. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $105.
Fast facts:
- Lightweight, light-reflecting liquid formula foundation that delivers beautiful luminosity.
- Feels weightless on the skin and gives a lovely ‘lit from within’ finish.
- Suited to most skin types.
- A medium coverage foundation you can build up to a fuller coverage, without it ever looking cakey.
- Downfall, seriously, there isn’t one! Maybe the price tag?
Why it's so good:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has lived in my kit for as long as it’s been alive.
It's a best-selling foundation on Adore in Australia (and around the world) for a reason. Honestly, it's really hard to beat.
Perfect for enhancing mature skin. Yes, it's not cheap, but it's worth it.
2. Designer Brands Hydrating Luminous Foundation, $19.99.
Fast facts:
- Medium coverage liquid foundation with a dewy, luminous finish.
- Apply a thin layer with your fingers, then use a densely-packed foundation brush to stipple product on where you need a little more coverage, then buff the foundation into your skin.
- Great for dry skin. Not one for oily skin.
- Packed with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
- Downfall is, it does transfer.
Why it's so good:
Another best-selling foundation, Designer Brands Hydrating Luminous Foundation delivers an Armani finish, on a budget.
It makes dry, mature skin look fresh, luminous and healthy. Gives amazing coverage without looking heavy.
It’s a brilliant, Australian-owned, bargain, vegan and cruelty-free option.
3. Nude by Nature Mineral Cover Foundation, $39.95.
Fast facts:
- 100 per cent natural, Australian made, lightweight formula best suited to combination or oily skin.
- Great for those going through The Menopause (can confirm it’s pretty darn sweat-proof).
- The mineral powder foundation cleverly mops up excess oil and perspiration, without going too powdery.
- Long-wearing formula applies matte, but swiftly works with your skin's natural oils to deliver a more radiant finish.
- Totally weightless with a buildable sheer to medium coverage.
- Downfall, it’s a bit drying for normal skin types. Definitely not suitable for dry skin, unless you prep with a thick cream underneath.
Why it's so good:
Nude by Nature Mineral Cover Foundation is an oily skin foundation favourite you can buff into your skin, delivering this almost airbrushed finish.
It’s especially magic for those with enlarged pores and oily skin because it won’t leave your skin looking flat. You feel like you’re wearing nothing at all.
4. Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, $21.95.
Fast facts:
- Lightweight, liquid formula that leaves skin looking luminous.
- Comes in Global Shades, with an inclusive range of shades to suit most complexions.
- Suits all normal to dry skin types.
- Sheer but buildable coverage.
- Downfall is it’s fragranced, which isn’t ideal for sensitised skin.
Why it's so good:
I'm calling it, Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid Foundation SPF 18 really is another great budget dupe for Armani Luminous Silk.
Does exactly what it says it will, providing a dewy and smooth finish.
Probably not as glowy as Luminous Silk or DB Hydrating Luminous Foundation though.
5. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising BB-Gel, $30.
Fast facts:
- A skincare/makeup hybrid that's wonderful for all skin types, but particularly those with combination to oily skin.
- The gel texture transforms when massaged into your skin, and cleverly adapts to your skin tone.
- It delivers just a hint of colour that I find evens out my skin while still looking light.
- For some, the downfall is that it only delivers barely-there coverage.
Why it's so good:
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing BB-gel 50ml is really cooling on the skin, which works wonders for those menopausal moments.
The formula feels totally weightless on, and leaves a luminous glow to your skin. Great sheer coverage or tinted moisturiser for mature skin option.
6. Ella Bache Superfluid Great SPF50+ Skin Tint, $55.
Fast facts:
- Sheer coverage, super lightweight, light reflecting and non-sticky.
- Leaves all skin types looking luminous, might be a bit dewy for very oily skin types.
- SPF50+ broad spectrum sun protection, also four hours water resistant!
- Packed with skin-loving antioxidants like green tea and kakadu plum to combat damage from the sun.
- More of a reminder than a downfall: Tinted sunscreens don't provide you with enough SPF protection on their own. Always apply over your sunscreen.
- And of course, SPF is only one part of sun protection! Always seek shade, and wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Always read the label. You know the drill.
Why it's so good:
Ella Bache Superfluid Great SPF50+ is the ultimate multi-tasking, all-in-one complexion lifter, fixer and protector!
It’s the perfect everyday base product if you're time poor.
Finally, if you love your current foundation, and it doesn’t fit the above guidelines, please just keep doing whatever makes you feel fabulous.
That is what makeup is all about. You do what makes you feel amazing, and know I’m here to help you every step of the way to makeup confidence.
For more info on mature skin makeup tips, check out my online makeup masterclass series The Shine Sessions.
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