How to Keep Your Makeup from Settling into Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Upon finishing our makeup, you look in the mirror for a final check and there it is: the annoying problem that many of us deal with as we get older. Rather than looking smooth and flawless, our makeup has managed to settle into a number of fine lines which makes those wrinkles look all the more noticeable.

But thankfully, there are some tips and techniques that can come to our rescue, and I’ll share them with you today. Maybe incorporating just one of these tips into your makeup routine will help prevent products from settling into your fine lines and wrinkles. Or maybe you’ll need to incorporate two or three of these tips into your makeup routine. Since we’re all different, it’s necessary to experiment to determine which of these tips will help you the most.

Tip #1:Start with a Clean Moisturized Face

If your skin isn’t well hydrated, no amount of face primer or expensive foundation will prevent your makeup from settling into fine lines. In fact, foundation is more likely to cling to any dry patches and settle into wrinkles.

Making sure your skin is well hydrated not only prevents the production of excessive oils that push makeup into wrinkled skin, but it also helps prevent our skin from absorbing the makeup products we’ve used.

Be sure to let the moisturizer fully absorb into the skin before applying makeup; this usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you forego this tip, the makeup products will absorb into your moisturizer which can then accentuate fine lines and wrinkles even more.

Tip #2: Make Sure to Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly

Exfoliation is a must unless you have rosacea. Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells which creates a more even surface for makeup application. It helps prevent foundation and concealer from clinging to dry, flaky areas which can accentuate fine lines. Removing those dead skin cells also means that we’ll have brighter looking skin which is a huge positive.

Tip #3: Use Face Primer

Face primer can play a crucial role in ensuring that our makeup stays smooth and flawless throughout the day since it creates a silky canvas that helps makeup glide over fine lines rather than sink into them. Look for pore-blurring or line-filling formulas for mature skin.

Here are some good high end and drugstore face primer options: Hourglass Veil Mineral primer, Benefit POREfessional Face Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer, L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer and Revlon PhotoReady Prime Plus Perfecting + Smoothing Primer.

Tip #4:Choose the Proper Foundation Formula

Foundations that are too heavy or matte can accentuate lines and wrinkles. Powder foundations absorb oil but can make our skin look drier and exaggerate texture. Instead, opt for a lightweight, moisturizing foundation with a satin or dewy finish that has buildable coverage. Liquid foundations with light-reflecting pigments can also soften the appearance of lines.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Tip #5: Applying Foundation

Applying less foundation is ideal. Apply a small amount in thin layers rather than one thick application. Thin layers allow makeup to look more natural and adhere better to the skin. If you need or want more coverage, use a concealer rather than more foundation and use it only where needed.

The way you apply your makeup can significantly impact how it interacts with your skin’s natural creases. Whether you use your fingers, a brush or a sponge, you want to first press the foundation into the skin rather than swiping it on. Use gentle patting motions and pay extra attention to areas prone to creasing. That’s because the pressing motion allows the foundation to adhere more effectively to the skin.

If you like to apply your foundation with your fingers or a brush, it’s very helpful to next take a slightly damp sponge and tap it over the entire face – especially where the foundation is most likely to crease. This will pick up any excess product that can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to create a soft-focus effect that minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.

Another application technique that prevents foundation from settling into fine lines and wrinkles is to apply it with a damp makeup sponge. Put a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand and spread it out a bit. Then dip the dampened sponge into the makeup and tap it onto the back of the hand to get off any excess product before tapping it onto the face. This application technique creates the most airbrushed finish and allows you to build your coverage without creating a cakey look.

The under-eye area is where most of us struggle with concealer creasing and where fine lines usually appear first since there aren’t oil glands under the eye. The wrong concealer – and/or too much of it – can emphasize fine lines. So opt for a lightweight hydrating concealer rather than a thick full coverage concealer under the eyes. Apply sparingly and make sure to wipe excess product off the applicator before pulling it out of the tube. Blending with your fingertips allow the concealer to meld into the skin seamlessly or use a slightly damp sponge to press it in.

Some great under eye concealers for mature skin are the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer. Another highly-rated option is the hydrating Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer. Key features to look for include creamy textures, skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and buildable coverage.

Tip #6: Finishing Touches

Our foundation setting techniques can make or break your final makeup. That’s because they lock your makeup into place preventing various makeup products from migrating or shifting into fine lines and wrinkles. You can set your makeup with either a powder or spray – or with both.

Powder can end up being your best friend or worst enemy depending on the product you use and where and how you apply it. You want to use a finely milled translucent powder that is hydrating or luminous and to apply it only where you absolutely need it. My suggestion is to apply powder only to your T-zone – not all over the face – unless you have very oily skin.

Tap a little powder onto the back of your hand or into the cap of the powder, pick up small amounts with a puff or brush, tap off the excess, and tap on just a very small layer.

Here are my recommendations for some first-rate setting powders for mature skin: Hourglass Veil Translucent, Laura Mercier Translucent loose Ultra Blur powder, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Brightening Powder, Wet and Wild Photo Focus Setting Powder and Maybelline Fit Me setting powder.

Some of the best setting sprays are Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, Urban Decay’s All Nighter Hyaluronic Acid Setting Spray and Tatcha’s Luminous Dewy Skin Mist.  

Tip #7: What About the Rest of Your Face?

For dry or combination skin, opt for cream based or liquid products. Cream based and liquid products such as blushes and bronzers or contours blend seamlessly with the skin and provide a more natural finish that’s less likely to emphasize fine lines. Cream formulas are more forgiving and can be layered without looking cakey so you can get a subtle flush of color that looks beautifully natural. If you have oily skin, go with liquid products which meld into the skin more easily and seamlessly than powder products and look more natural.

If you follow these tips and focus on hydration, light layers, smart product choices and the right application techniques, your skin will look beautifully soft, natural and alive.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are some products you’ve found that help prevent your makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles?