There’s no better way to embrace the holiday season than with glamorous makeup. Glittery eyeshadow, flushed cheeks, a red lip—or a combination of all three—always feel right this time of year. But on mature skin, a less-is-more approach tends to look the most modern. That doesn’t mean dialing things down to boring, though. “Holiday makeup for mature skin is all about enhancing your natural beauty and letting your best features shine,” says celebrity makeup artist Desireé Delia. Bold lipsticks in shades of crimson, plum and wine can make a stunning statement when paired with the right finish, and the same goes for blush tones and eyeshadow looks. Ahead, we tapped Delia and makeup artist Tamara Boyd to share their best tips for holiday makeup on mature skin.
Featured Experts
- Desireé Delia is a celebrity makeup artist
- Tamara Boyd is a professional makeup artist and Black Radiance Brand ambassador
How to Do Holiday Makeup On Mature Skin
Skin prep is the key to achieving holiday makeup that lasts—and looks fabulous. But the idea goes beyond your typical routine. According to Delia, a hydrated base can be the difference between makeup that appears radiant or cakey. “A rich moisturizer or primer with hydrating ingredients creates a smooth surface for your base and gives your skin a healthy glow,” she says. “Then follow with a lightweight foundation or skin tint.”
skin tint.”
The application method is just as important as the formula itself. Starting with thin layers allows you to build flexible coverage that “lets the complexion breathe and creates a more intentional glow,” adds Tamara Boyd, professional makeup artist and Black Radiance brand ambassador.
The final step is setting your makeup to ensure it stays put throughout the night. While setting powders can be considered less than ideal for mature skin, Boyd has a trick for getting the benefits without the cakiness. “Only set where necessary,” she says, adding that it allows you to maintain a truly natural finish.
Best Holiday Makeup Looks for Mature Skin
Naturally Enhanced Eyes
Instead of loading down your lids with chunky glitter shadows, the pros recommend applying a wash of shimmer in neutral tones. A soft matte shadow with subtle glimmer brightens the lids while remaining natural. “It can also open up the eyes without emphasizing texture or fine lines,” adds Boyd. To round out the look, both artists mention avoiding overly dark liners and opting for a richer tone applied close to the lash line.
Sculpted Blush
For blush, Boyd recommends a strategic application to lift the face and draw the eyes upward. “Placing the blush at the height of the cheekbones gives you more control of the color to softly sculpt the face,” she says.
Formula choice matters, too. Opting for a cream formula over powder is another game-changing move. “This format blends seamlessly into the skin while also adding a natural glow,” says Delia. However, if you prefer a bold pop to a luminous look, she shares that liquid formulas can be useful. They typically offer a deeper color payoff than cream blushes and have a soft diffused finish that Delia says translates into a youthful flush.
Bold Lips
From scarlet to bordeaux, there’s no better time to don a holiday red lip. But you want to make sure your lips are the star of your look for the right reasons. Matte formulas tend to be drying on mature lips, so your best bet is a creamy bullet with a soft-matte or satin finish. According to Delia, these formulas hydrate the lips and keep the color looking polished rather than settling into fine lines.
Products to Try
Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
True Complexion Creme Contour Palette
Satin Liquid Lipstick Pen
