The best makeup for women over 50 in 2024 | members only

Shopping for makeup used to be fun. At 50, it can be daunting, confusing and even a little insulting if you consider the photos of youthful models wearing the cosmetics we’re buying. Sure,

there’s plenty of technical product info about ingredients and how many hours a lipstick will hug your lips before smearing — but there’s no mention of which eyeliners and shadows are best

for crepey lids, which concealers keep brown spots a secret or why cream blush is the best antidote to post-menopausal skin. Well, perk up! This year a game-changing category of

problem-solving cosmetics that riff on our favorite skin care products is focusing on mature consumers. Here’s what’s new and worth it now. (Left to right) Revlon Illuminance Serum Tint SPF

15; Almay Skin Perfecting Hydrating Tint; L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation SPF 50; No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation SPF 15 Photo Collage: AARP;

(Source: Target; Walgreens (2); CVS; Ulta) 1. NO-FUSS FACE MAKEUP THAT FEELS LIKE SKIN CARE Cakey. Mask-y. Drying. Heavy. Uncomfortable. Those words define everything women dislike about

face makeup. However, souped-up tinted moisturizers, skin “tints” and serum-inspired foundations are changing that. They all emphasize hydration, luminosity and blurring capabilities powered

by the same ingredients you’ve learned to love in skin care — hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane and antioxidants. Think of these face makeups as the sheer stockings of your beauty kit as

opposed to opaque tights. Which are best for you? Here’s what’s what. TINTED MOISTURIZER/SKIN TINTS. They’re essentially the same thing with a different name. If you prefer a healthy,

my-skin-but-way-better look, these typically 50/50 mixes of color and hydration do it, though some are more sheer than others. Choose a brand with a wide shade range of skin tones and

wrinkle-plumping hyaluronic acid or squalane and to expand the multitasking benefits pick a formula with a built-in SPF. GOOD CHOICES: IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS SPF 30 5-IN-1 TINTED

MOISTURIZER ($48, sephora.com), REVLON ILLUMINANCE SERUM TINT SPF 15 ($15, target.com), ALMAY SKIN PERFECTING HYDRATING TINT ($17, walgreens.com) SERUM FOUNDATION. If you prefer a polished

look, with a little more coverage and a lot more glow, choose a serum foundation in a dewy or satin finish. These silky formulas have the same non-greasy slip we’ve learned to layer under

moisturizers. They give even the driest, most textured complexions a fresher look and absolutely refuse to settle in expression lines. Note that though most say “serum” right on the label,

other serum-like foundations are not as clearly defined, so look for words like glow, illuminating and radiance as tip-offs. GOOD CHOICES: MAC STUDIO RADIANCE SERUM POWERED FOUNDATION ($46,

ulta.com), NO7 LIFT & LUMINATE TRIPLE ACTION SERUM FOUNDATION SPF 15 ($18, walgreens.com), L’ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT RADIANT SERUM FOUNDATION SPF 50 ($21, cvs.com) BEAUTY EDITOR TIPS: No

matter which formula you choose, try going a shade warmer or deeper than usual to counteract sallow, ashy, ruddy or fatigued skin. Always start application in the center and blend outward

to concentrate color and coverage around the T-zone where redness and discolorations are most obvious. (Left to right) Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and

Hyaluronic Acid; Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Concealer; NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Concealer; Milani Conceal + Perfect Concealer Photo Collage: AARP;

(Source: Kohl's; Ulta (2); CVS) 2. SEPARATE CONCEALERS FOR EYES AND DISCOLORATIONS Concealers that blend more easily on crepey, crinkly skin and pigmentation spots are another

don’t-miss update. All of them feature improved textures and applicators. You need two — a super-moisturizing luminous serum concealer for the eye area (yes, serum is big in concealers too)

and a creamy, more opaque concealer in a slim roll-up design or wand for targeted coverage of brown spots, redness around the nose and the occasional blemish. Look for formulas with those

favorite skin ingredients — wrinkle-smoothing hyaluronic acid and peptides, brightening vitamin C and my favorite, de-puffing caffeine for eyes. BEAUTY EDITOR TIPS: The right texture and

shade of concealer will melt into your bare moisturized skin, a tinted moisturizer or foundation. Err on the light rather than dark side if deciding between two shades. For dark circles,

lean into peachy-toned under-eye concealer to cancel out purple and blue undertones. GOOD CHOICES FOR EYES: KOSAS REVEALER SUPER CREAMY + BRIGHTENING CONCEALER WITH CAFFEINE AND HYALURONIC

ACID ($30, kohls.com), LANCÔME TEINT IDOLE ULTRA WEAR CARE & GLOW SERUM CONCEALER ($29, ulta.com) GOOD CHOICES FOR THE FACE: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP PRO FIX STICK CONCEALER ($9,

cvs.com), MILANI CONCEAL + PERFECT CONCEALER ($9, ulta.com)