Makeup often plays a bigger role in creating a youthful appearance than we realize. According to makeup artist and beauty expert Elise Marquam-Jahns, one simple habit can instantly add years to your look, even when using expensive products or the trendiest techniques.
As skin changes with age, the rules of makeup change too. What worked beautifully in your 30s can look harsh or unflattering in your 60s. Marquam-Jahns, who specializes in makeup for mature women, says that understanding how texture, placement, and tone interact with aging skin is key. Here, we’ll cover the biggest makeup mistake that ages mature skin, along with other common missteps and what to do instead.
The biggest mistake for mature skin: using too much powder
The top aging mistake, according to experts, is overusing powder. It might have been a must-have product in your 20s and 30s, but powder doesn’t serve mature skin the same way. As skin loses moisture and elasticity, powder tends to settle into fine lines, emphasize dryness, and dull the natural glow that gives your face life.
Marquam-Jahns points out that heavy powder can make makeup look like it’s sitting on top of the skin instead of blending in. The result is a textured, patchy finish that exaggerates age-related changes, like uneven tone and thinning skin.
The solution isn’t to skip powder altogether, but to use it strategically. Apply a light touch only where you truly need it—typically the T-zone or areas prone to shine. Choose finely milled, translucent formulas that blur rather than mattify, and avoid pressing the product into the skin.
Hydration is another factor. Skin that’s properly prepped with moisturizer or a hydrating primer will hold makeup better and require far less setting. Marquam-Jahns often recommends glowing primers or lightweight foundations, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation, for a luminous, natural finish that brings vitality back to mature skin.
Other makeup mistakes that make you look older
Experts say these common habits can also add years, but they’re easy to fix once you know what to watch for.
- Harsh brows. Filling in sparse eyebrows too heavily or with a shade that’s too dark can create a severe, unnatural look. Softer tones and lighter strokes make the face appear lifted and more approachable.
- Unblended eyeshadow. Harsh edges draw attention to the texture on the eyelids. Blend until the color transitions smoothly.
- Black eyeliner overload. Lining the entire eye in black can make eyes look smaller and tired. Opt for softer browns or taupes, and focus color on the outer corners.
- Matte or powder blush. Powder blush often accentuates dryness and fine lines. Cream or liquid blush blends seamlessly into the skin, adding hydration and a natural flush.
- Flat, pale lips. As lips lose definition, a matching lip liner helps restore shape. Choosing a lipstick shade that complements your skin undertone—rather than an overly nude or cool tone—adds contrast and warmth to the face.
Refreshing your routine doesn’t mean abandoning what you love. It’s about adapting your techniques to what your skin needs now. Makeup should enhance your features, not fight against them. With the right products, placement, and a little restraint, your skin can look radiant, not masked.