Makeup Artists Explain Why Putting Foundation ‘All Over’ Your Face Is The Worst Mistake You Can Make Over 50—Plus, Where To Place It

As we grow older, our skin often becomes drier, making it more likely to highlight wrinkles and fine lines when using powder foundation. To gain expert advice and understanding on this issue, we consulted professional makeup artists who explained why powder foundation might not be the best choice for women over 50.

They pointed out a common mistake: applying too much foundation across the entire face when a minimalist approach works better . Instead, they suggest opting for cream or serum foundations to achieve a radiant, dewy finish. You might be making these mistakes unknowingly, which is why it’s crucial to identify and avoid them. Keep reading for valuable tips from makeup experts on how to maintain a flawless look while preserving your radiance.

Tips from Pro Makeup Artists: Powder Foundation Mistakes That Age You

1. Using Too Much Powder

The main mistake mature beauties often make when it comes to makeup, professional makeup artist Jen Cayle Gaum says, is wearing a foundation, most notably, a powder one that is too heavy and cakey. "A heavy foundation will settle into fine lines, making them more noticeable and exaggerated and will only emphasize wrinkles," she warns.

While powder can make a great coverage choice for those of us with oily skin, it dries more as we age. Using too much of it and applying it "all over," experts say, is important to avoid. This, fellow MUA Lindsay Kastuk notes, means that anyone with dry skin won’t see the same results as those with oily skin who use powder.

2. Not Prepping The Skin Enough Beforehand

Before applying any makeup to your face, it is vital to start with a clean slate, makeup artist and expert Mandie Brice says.

This means adequately washing and moisturizing your face before adding anything else. If you apply makeup to dirty skin, you risk clogging pores, and an older, crustier look. She explains that the main issue is using a foundation product that is drying.

"Skin with texture (wrinkles) works best with a cream or serum foundation, as anything drying can accentuate the wrinkles," she continues, stressing that "skin prep" (cleansing and moisturizing before application) can also help the foundation last longer.

"Also, many people are in the habit of using powder as a last step, and they may not need it. Our skin produces less moisture as we age, so we may not need powder to mattify and set anymore," she goes on. "We could be unnecessarily applying it, again accentuating the wrinkles."

Instead of powder, Guam suggests mixing together a "moisturizing face tint and face primer , and then apply it directly to the face with a foundation brush." This, she concludes, will give you a well-blended, even (and youthful-looking) complexion with a warm, natural glow.

The Bottom Line

Most people apply "way too much foundation than they really need to get their desired look," celebrity MUA Margina Dennis concludes, regarding mature beauties over 50. "The best way to apply foundation is to start with a penny-sized amount and apply to the center of the face and then blend out to the hairline and jawline," she advises.

She then instructs to "apply more when you need additional coverage, as your foundation will last longer and will look fresher." Another mistake that some make with foundation  is "not matching their facial shade to the rest of their body," Dennis continues. "They can look like a floating head because of the disconnect from the face and the body," she warns.

The solution is to "match your foundation to your neck, or if your body possesses a drastically a different color, to then match to it to your body and blend the foundation onto the neck."

"I like to take 3 shades; warm, cool and neutral, and put them along my jawline and then blend them to see which one melts into the skin," Dennis notes. She adds that the one that "disappears the most is the match." The more you know!