As innovation in the beauty sector continues to skyrocket, we’ve come to expect a lot from our makeup especially when it comes to those formulated with mature skin in mind.
No matter its level of coverage, from buildable to barely there, a mature-age foundation should hydrate, plump and restore radiance to skin, without taking up residence in creases, wrinkles or fine lines.
Many serve dual-purpose as skincare, meaning they’re infused with the same age-defying ingredients found in your favourite serums or moisturisers think hyaluronic acid, peptide complexes and vitamin E.
When it comes to textures, a radiant or satin finish is often the most flattering on ageing skin. A matte finish can appear flat, while a luminous formula can leave skin looking “too glowy” (yes, we just said it) and may highlight areas you’d rather conceal.
Ahead, discover 10 of the best foundations for mature skin there’s one for every budget, skin type and texture preference.
Best Full-Coverage Foundation: Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, $80 Think of this buildable foundation as a triple threat. It features Shiseido's own Light-Adjusting Technology to address the three biggest obstacles to skin radiance: fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and loss of hydration. The unique formula is brimming with a blend of humectants to hydrate skin for up to 24 hours, while mandarin peel extract restores luminosity to the complexion. Available in 30 shades from selected department stores and pharmacies, or online at Shiseido.co.nz.
Best For Blurring: Chanel Sublimage L'Essence de Teint Foundation, $239 Think of this lightweight, instantly illuminating serum foundation as your very own beauty filter it harnesses light-reflecting particles to slip into creases, banishing shadows, blurring imperfections and diffusing light. Skin-loving antioxidant and emollient ingredients shield skin from free radicals and also hydrate and plump the surface of skin. Available in 13 shades from Smith & Caughey's or online at Smithandcaugheys.co.nz.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Best Moisturising Foundation: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Makeup SPF45, $78 Fusing high-performance skincare with lightweight makeup comes this moisturising foundation which helps to defend against pollution while covering redness, dark spots and imperfections for a more even-looking complexion. Plumping ingredients like chia-seed extract, probiotic technology and Estée Lauder's own Ion Charged Water Complex provide mature skin with a healthy, radiant glow and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Available in 16 shades from selected department stores or online at Esteelauder.co.nz.
Best Mineral Foundation: Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation, $99 Beauty nerds will fawn over this techy take on mineral foundation. Here, pearlescent pigment liposomes are suspended in a hydrating serum to prevent the active ingredients contained within from degrading over time. The light-reflecting formula lends a sheer to medium coverage, and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. Available in 13 shades from selected day spas and independent retailers or see Psb.net.nz.
Best Lightweight Foundation: YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint, $102 Featuring everything you love about the iconic YSL Touche Eclat but now in foundation form, this weightless liquid option gleans a healthful sheen to skin. Rare ingredients like marigold and mallow extract are harvested from the YSL Beaute Ourika Community Gardens in the rugged Moroccan Atlas Mountains before being blended into a skin-loving complex which evens out and illuminates the complexion while protecting against environmental aggressors. Available in 17 shades from selected department stores.
Best Longwearing Foundation: Sisley Paris Sisleÿa Le Teint Anti-Aging Foundation, $230 This fluid foundation twins breakthrough technology from its signature Sisleÿa skincare formulations with skin-smoothing makeup for a foundation that's said to firm the appearance of skin and fade wrinkles after four weeks of consistent use. Sisley Colour Expert technology ensures foundation won't shift of budge for up to eight hours, while micas and ultra-pure pigments offer a radiant finish. Available in nine shades from Smith & Caughey's or online at Smithandcaugheys.co.nz.
Best Refillable Foundation: Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation, $217 Missing Moisture Mist? Try this cushion compact on for size. Chantecaille's water-based gel formula promises to blur imperfections for a flawless finish thanks to the addition of smoothing and anti-pollution skincare ingredients. Available in eight shades from Mecca or online at Meccabeauty.co.nz.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Best Foundation Under $20: Wet N Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation, $14 Drier skin types will find their makeup match with this wallet-friendly option. Wet N Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation perfects and brightens while minimising the appearance of pores and fine lines for a smooth and dewy complexion. Easily buildable and never cakey, this budget buy has proven popular with women of all ages. Available in seven shades from Farmers department stores or online at Farmers.co.nz.
Best Serum Foundation: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF25, $115 Blurring the line between serum and foundation comes this relative newbie from Bobbi Brown, which is charged with the brand's own Active Skin Energizing Complex, to help defend against collagen damage while combatting the visible signs of ageing. The unique complex contains cordyceps mushroom and artemia, alongside Argireline Peptide to fend off environmental stressors. Available in 14 shades from selected department stores.
Best Luxury: La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF15, $405 Dark under-eyes getting you down? This caviar-infused, concealer-foundation hybrid offers natural-looking colour, camouflaging under-eye darkness and imperfections, while lifting and firming skin. It acts as the extension of La Prairie's famed Skin Caviar skincare line, which is known for its ability to boost skin firmness and elasticity, further proving that age is just a number. Available in eight shades from selected department stores.
