Makeup Artist–Approved Foundations for People 50-Plus

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($48)

We’ll stop talking about Joni Mitchell’s Grammys’ debut some day—but today is not that day. Coming in a close second to that performance, the super popular ILIA Skin tint, which makeup artist Molly Greenwald says she applied to Michell’s beyond-glowing face using her fingers, as you would a serum.

BUY NOW – $48

Polite Society More Than A Pretty Face Foundation ($42)

Jerrod Blandino, co-founder and CCO of Polite Society made his new foundation ridiculously hydrating for a reason: “My More Than A Pretty Face Foundation is a complexion-perfecting foundation that works wonders on mature skin! This weightless skincare-hybrid is packed with skin-loving ingredients like vegan hyaluronic acid for a boost of plumping hydration, niacinamide for minimizing pores, and willow bark for brightening!”

BUY NOW – $42

Tom Ford Beauty Traceless Matte Foundation ($90)

Long-time celeb makeup artist Sandy Linter says this one is, in a word, a “must” because it “stays on, softens pores, has a soft finish they call ‘matte,’ yet is non-drying and good for all skin types.” A bonus: “You will definitely find your color. I have never worked with a foundation that matches up to skin as well.”

BUY NOW – $90

ciele tint & PROTECT SPF 50+ ($44)

Co-founder Cerre Francis purposely added allantoin to this weightless tinted serum (it also has SPF!) to help add a boost of moisture for more mature skin types. “Our tint & PROTECT is perfect for mature skin,” she says. “We formulated it with allantoin to help moisturize and sooth, as well as bisabolol to help brighten and calm mature skin.” Dry skin types also agree: “This foundation is a MUST if you have dry skin,” says one Sephora reviewer. “I absolutely adore everything about this foundation (apart from the long dropper). It is truly fantastic. It has medium coverage, buildable. Goes on soooooo creamy and smooth. I use retinoids and in the winter my skin is constantly flaking.”

BUY NOW – $44

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation ($69)

Part of the #ABassettTeam, makeup artist, aesthetician and NewBeauty Brain Trust member D’Andre Michael used this always-solid skin-perfecter to prep the age-defying, 64-year-old Angela Bassett for her Emmys look in 2022. “My inspiration was romance, elegance, sophistication, style and class,” he shared with us. And it’s safe to say, he more than nailed it.

BUY NOW – $69

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)

For medium coverage and a luminous glow, celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon reaches for this cult classic, which now comes in a whooping 40 shades. “This foundation delivers a radiant, luminous finish that helps to blur imperfections without settling into fine lines. It’s lightweight and provides buildable coverage, making it suitable for mature skin.” Celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina, who has been Carla Gugino’s main makeup magician for many years, agrees: “This liquid foundation is one of my favorites, because it’s moisturizing and light texture, this foundation glides easily on the skin,” he says. “Almost right after application, this foundation adapts to your skin’s warmth, making it look hydrated, soft with a beautiful velvety finish.”

BUY NOW – $69

Iris and Romeo Best Skin Days ($48)

For someone seeking light coverage and a healthy dewy glow, Aharon says this pick takes tops. “It’s loaded with anti-aging skin-care ingredients that also help to hydrate and firm after continued use.”

BUY NOW – $48

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Tech Cream-to-Powder Foundation ($42)

It might have been developed in the 1990s, but this solid staple still gives what Linter describes as supermodel flawlessness. “If you are needing color and coverage—as in, red-carpet perfection that will last till the next morning—this is it. I use this on my red-carpet beauties, including Christie Brinkley and Elizabeth Hurley.”

BUY NOW – $42

Mineral Fusion Liquid Foundation ($33)

Aharon likes this one anti-ager because it’s infused with hard-hitters like peptides and antioxidants. “These ingredients can help to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging over time, making the foundation a skin-care makeup hybrid. It has lightweight coverage that is buildable from sheer to medium. I love the customizable coverage that doesn’t settle into fine lines or emphasize texture, for a more youthful and radiant complexion.”

BUY NOW – $33

Clé de Peau Radiant Cream Foundation SPF 25 ($138)

Ospina says with its deeply hydrating ingredients, this cream foundation is, in his opinion “skin care with colors shades to match your skin tone.” He also loves it for its dewy finish, and the fact that it resists creasing and caking. “It even leaves skin moisturized after you take it off,” he adds. “It is ideal for makeup lovers of all ages, but especially for those over 50.”

BUY NOW – $138

Mally Beauty Stress Less Performance Foundation ($38)

For Mally Roncal, founder of Mally Beauty, she says it’s all about hydration, hydration, hydration. “A hydrating liquid foundation is great for 60-plus skin. My Stress Less Performance Foundation has niacinamide in it, which improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, we often lose moisture and gain texture, so you want to add as much hydration as you can. This foundation has a beautiful, calming effect and looks very natural on the skin.”

BUY NOW – $38

Laura Geller Double Take Liquid Foundation (originally $36, now $22)

While Laura Geller stresses not to be afraid (at any age) of a powder foundation—her popular Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation actually starts its life as a cream—her new Double Take Liquid Foundation takes tops if you’re a fan of a liquid formulation. “We are all living on our phones these days…I know I start and end my day looking at my phone and that doesn’t include all the times I’m looking at it in between. This formula includes a special cell oxygen booster that protects your skin from damaging blue light and promotes cell regeneration for healthy-looking skin. It’s a great option for my liquid-lovers.”

BUY NOW – $22

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ($47)

“This foundation provides a luminous, dewy finish that enhances the skin’s natural radiance,” says Aharon. “It’s hydrating and offers sheer to medium coverage, perfect for minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

BUY NOW – $47

MAKE Beauty Diffusion Dew Foundation ($32)

Carrie Barber, MAKE’s owner and creative director, considers her star product more of a “skin tint” (she recommends applying to skin with fingers to get the most skin-like finish) and less of a foundation. “It’s a radiant, flexible coverage skin tint formulated with skin-mimicking pigment and hydrating skin-care ingredients that blur, smooth and brighten complexion. It’s very blendable, making it great for textured, dehydrated or mature skin.”

BUY NOW – $32

CHANEL Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch ($70)

Linter is a fan of both the foundation and blush version of this product from Chanel. “Both are in such a practical container. The foundation blends so artistically into the skin. I never read directions, but use the little stubby brush they give you to apply it all over my face. Then, I very easily tap it into my skin. When you apply the blush, you really get a natural glow going.”

BUY NOW – $70

Chantecaille Future Skin ($89)

Aharon says this is a great option for an “incredibly lightweight” and oil-free formula. “It leaves a gorgeous, natural finish and is amazing for more sensitive skin types.”

BUY NOW – $89

Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Concealer ($15)

Myiesha Sewell, Sephora beauty director recommends concealer in lieu of foundation is a great complexion option when you want to keep things simple and counts this store pick as perfection. “It allows the skin to shine through and takes less time. Place and blend a bit of concealer around the tear ducts, the nostrils, and the mouth for an easy, polished look. This is also a good routine if you’re prone to hot flashes, as there’s less to touch up and blot.”

BUY NOW – $15

Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick ($49)

This easy-to-use stick foundation is creamy, high coverage and melts flawlessly into skin. “The foundation’s formula also looks great over areas of the face that tend to have more texture like around the eyes and mouth,” Sewell notes.

BUY NOW – $49

Fashion Fair Crème to Powder ($39)

The legend that is Fashion Fair is back! “This forgiving powder formula softly mattifies deeper skin tones that can appear oily or shiny even when they’re not,” Sewell says. “This product starts as a cream and sets as a powder, making it very flattering even for those who don’t typically enjoy a matte finish.”

BUY NOW – $39

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation ($30)

According to Sewell, this light formula is best described as a “serum foundation” that lays beautifully on skin. “It works throughout the day to hydrate the skin which helps to prevent patchiness and cracking.”

BUY NOW – $30