Powder Room
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Makeup is about expression, enhancement, and embracing how our skin evolves. Fine lines, dryness, and texture changes are all normal parts of ageing—but your makeup routine might need a few smart tweaks to work with your skin, not against it.
To find out what those tweaks are, we turned to celebrity and bridal makeup artist (and one of our expert panellists), Tanvi Marathe. From formulas that melt into the skin to shades that bring warmth to the face, her approach is simple, effective, and all about enhancing what you already have. “Mature skin often just needs the right prep and textures,” she says. “It’s all about hydration, subtle definition and letting the skin glow through.”
Whether you're refreshing your routine, rediscovering makeup or figuring out what actually works—this is your expert-approved guide to making it feel as good as it looks.
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“Mature skin often faces issues like dryness, fine lines and uneven texture,” says Marathe. “To combat these, focus on hydration and use products that offer a luminous finish.” Basically, the stronger your skincare routine is, the longer and more natural your makeup will look.
So, don’t skip three steps and dive straight in with your foundation. Start at the beginning—with a deeply hydrating serum to replenish moisture levels, followed by a rich moisturiser to lock everything in and an eye cream to smooth and plump the under-eye area. This helps to create a supple, cushioned canvas that makeup can glide over, rather than cling to. Think of it as setting the stage for everything that comes next.
“Good prep can make or break the final finish,” adds Marathe. If your base is well-hydrated, your makeup is more likely to sit beautifully throughout the day, rather than catching on dry patches or settling into fine lines.
When it comes to makeup for mature skin, your base should feel like second skin. “Avoid heavy matte foundations as they can accentuate wrinkles,” warns Marathe. “Instead, opt for lightweight, hydrating formulas with medium coverage.”
Look for foundations that are infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides or squalane—these not only offer coverage but also nourish the skin. Apply them with a damp sponge or buffing brush to blend them seamlessly into the skin.
Marathe also recommends using concealers that are creamy and moisturising. These won’t dry out or crack throughout the day and are less likely to crease in areas like under the eyes or around the mouth. As for powder? “Use lightweight, translucent setting powders sparingly,” she says. Over-powdering can add years to the skin. A small dusting on areas that tend to get oily—like the T-zone—is more than enough.
“Mature skin achieves a youthful, natural glow with cream-based blushes and highlighters,” says Marathe. These formulas melt into the skin and blend without emphasising dryness or texture.
Cream blushes in peachy pink or warm rose tones add a fresh, lit-from-within flush that lifts the face instantly. Dab them on the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards for a natural lift. Similarly, cream highlighters provide a dewy, radiant finish without any harsh shimmer or glitter. “Think of it as glow-from-within instead of glitter-on-top,” she adds.
Powder products, especially those with shimmer, can settle into lines and make the skin appear older, so it's best to stick with creamy textures that move with your skin.
When it comes to eye makeup, the goal is to define—not overwhelm. “Use a gel eyeliner to define the lash line subtly,” Marathe advises. Gel formulas glide on easily and are less likely to tug or skip over mature skin.
Instead of a dramatic wing or thick lines, try tightlining—the technique of applying eyeliner to the upper waterline—to create the illusion of fuller lashes. “It enhances the eyes without tugging on delicate skin or sinking into crow’s feet,” she says. Pair it with a soft neutral eyeshadow and a coat of lengthening mascara to open up the eyes and brighten your gaze.
As we age, our lips can become thinner and drier, which makes hydration key. “Avoid matte formulas that can be drying,” Marathe suggests. Instead, she advises using “hydrating lipsticks or glosses in shades that complement your skin tone.”
Look for lipsticks with a satin or creamy finish, which add moisture and make your lips appear fuller. “Think creamy roses, warm nudes and soft berry tones—anything that adds fullness and freshness, not flakiness,” she says. A touch of gloss in the centre of the lips can also add volume and a youthful sheen.
Bold colours can overwhelm mature skin, especially if there’s unevenness in tone or texture. “Soft, neutral tones tend to be most flattering,” Marathe advises. “Shades like warm browns, peaches and rose hues add warmth and vitality without overpowering the complexion.”
Earthy, easy-going shades not only complement most skin tones but also offer a more polished, natural look. Think taupes on the eyes, a rose blush on the cheeks and a caramel or mauve lip—these tones bring balance and brightness without harshness.
Contouring doesn’t need to be intense to be effective. In fact, less is definitely more. “Use shades just slightly darker than your natural skin tone for a subtle contour,” Marathe explains.
Opt for cream contour sticks or balms that blend easily and move with your skin. Apply them just under the cheekbones, along the jawline or at the temples for soft, natural-looking definition. Highlighting should also be minimal—just enough to add lift to the high points of the face like the tops of the cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow.
“Highlight the high points of the face sparingly,” she adds, “steering clear of textured areas to keep the skin looking smooth and radiant.” The end goal? A sculpted, glowing look that feels and looks effortless.
“Mature skin often faces issues like dryness, fine lines and uneven texture,” says Marathe. “To combat these, focus on hydration and use products that offer a luminous finish.” Basically, the stronger your skincare routine is, the longer and more natural your makeup will look.
So, don’t skip three steps and dive straight in with your foundation. Start at the beginning—with a deeply hydrating serum to replenish moisture levels, followed by a rich moisturiser to lock everything in and an eye cream to smooth and plump the under-eye area. This helps to create a supple, cushioned canvas that makeup can glide over, rather than cling to. Think of it as setting the stage for everything that comes next.
“Good prep can make or break the final finish,” adds Marathe. If your base is well-hydrated, your makeup is more likely to sit beautifully throughout the day, rather than catching on dry patches or settling into fine lines.
When it comes to makeup for mature skin, your base should feel like second skin. “Avoid heavy matte foundations as they can accentuate wrinkles,” warns Marathe. “Instead, opt for lightweight, hydrating formulas with medium coverage.”
Look for foundations that are infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides or squalane—these not only offer coverage but also nourish the skin. Apply them with a damp sponge or buffing brush to blend them seamlessly into the skin.
Marathe also recommends using concealers that are creamy and moisturising. These won’t dry out or crack throughout the day and are less likely to crease in areas like under the eyes or around the mouth. As for powder? “Use lightweight, translucent setting powders sparingly,” she says. Over-powdering can add years to the skin. A small dusting on areas that tend to get oily—like the T-zone—is more than enough.
“Mature skin achieves a youthful, natural glow with cream-based blushes and highlighters,” says Marathe. These formulas melt into the skin and blend without emphasising dryness or texture.
Cream blushes in peachy pink or warm rose tones add a fresh, lit-from-within flush that lifts the face instantly. Dab them on the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards for a natural lift. Similarly, cream highlighters provide a dewy, radiant finish without any harsh shimmer or glitter. “Think of it as glow-from-within instead of glitter-on-top,” she adds.
Powder products, especially those with shimmer, can settle into lines and make the skin appear older, so it's best to stick with creamy textures that move with your skin.
When it comes to eye makeup, the goal is to define—not overwhelm. “Use a gel eyeliner to define the lash line subtly,” Marathe advises. Gel formulas glide on easily and are less likely to tug or skip over mature skin.
Instead of a dramatic wing or thick lines, try tightlining—the technique of applying eyeliner to the upper waterline—to create the illusion of fuller lashes. “It enhances the eyes without tugging on delicate skin or sinking into crow’s feet,” she says. Pair it with a soft neutral eyeshadow and a coat of lengthening mascara to open up the eyes and brighten your gaze.
As we age, our lips can become thinner and drier, which makes hydration key. “Avoid matte formulas that can be drying,” Marathe suggests. Instead, she advises using “hydrating lipsticks or glosses in shades that complement your skin tone.”
Look for lipsticks with a satin or creamy finish, which add moisture and make your lips appear fuller. “Think creamy roses, warm nudes and soft berry tones—anything that adds fullness and freshness, not flakiness,” she says. A touch of gloss in the centre of the lips can also add volume and a youthful sheen.
Bold colours can overwhelm mature skin, especially if there’s unevenness in tone or texture. “Soft, neutral tones tend to be most flattering,” Marathe advises. “Shades like warm browns, peaches and rose hues add warmth and vitality without overpowering the complexion.”
Earthy, easy-going shades not only complement most skin tones but also offer a more polished, natural look. Think taupes on the eyes, a rose blush on the cheeks and a caramel or mauve lip—these tones bring balance and brightness without harshness.
Contouring doesn’t need to be intense to be effective. In fact, less is definitely more. “Use shades just slightly darker than your natural skin tone for a subtle contour,” Marathe explains.
Opt for cream contour sticks or balms that blend easily and move with your skin. Apply them just under the cheekbones, along the jawline or at the temples for soft, natural-looking definition. Highlighting should also be minimal—just enough to add lift to the high points of the face like the tops of the cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow.
“Highlight the high points of the face sparingly,” she adds, “steering clear of textured areas to keep the skin looking smooth and radiant.” The end goal? A sculpted, glowing look that feels and looks effortless.
“Mature skin often faces issues like dryness, fine lines and uneven texture,” says Marathe. “To combat these, focus on hydration and use products that offer a luminous finish.” Basically, the stronger your skincare routine is, the longer and more natural your makeup will look.
So, don’t skip three steps and dive straight in with your foundation. Start at the beginning—with a deeply hydrating serum to replenish moisture levels, followed by a rich moisturiser to lock everything in and an eye cream to smooth and plump the under-eye area. This helps to create a supple, cushioned canvas that makeup can glide over, rather than cling to. Think of it as setting the stage for everything that comes next.
“Good prep can make or break the final finish,” adds Marathe. If your base is well-hydrated, your makeup is more likely to sit beautifully throughout the day, rather than catching on dry patches or settling into fine lines.
When it comes to makeup for mature skin, your base should feel like second skin. “Avoid heavy matte foundations as they can accentuate wrinkles,” warns Marathe. “Instead, opt for lightweight, hydrating formulas with medium coverage.”
Look for foundations that are infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides or squalane—these not only offer coverage but also nourish the skin. Apply them with a damp sponge or buffing brush to blend them seamlessly into the skin.
Marathe also recommends using concealers that are creamy and moisturising. These won’t dry out or crack throughout the day and are less likely to crease in areas like under the eyes or around the mouth. As for powder? “Use lightweight, translucent setting powders sparingly,” she says. Over-powdering can add years to the skin. A small dusting on areas that tend to get oily—like the T-zone—is more than enough.
“Mature skin achieves a youthful, natural glow with cream-based blushes and highlighters,” says Marathe. These formulas melt into the skin and blend without emphasising dryness or texture.
Cream blushes in peachy pink or warm rose tones add a fresh, lit-from-within flush that lifts the face instantly. Dab them on the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards for a natural lift. Similarly, cream highlighters provide a dewy, radiant finish without any harsh shimmer or glitter. “Think of it as glow-from-within instead of glitter-on-top,” she adds.
Powder products, especially those with shimmer, can settle into lines and make the skin appear older, so it's best to stick with creamy textures that move with your skin.
When it comes to eye makeup, the goal is to define—not overwhelm. “Use a gel eyeliner to define the lash line subtly,” Marathe advises. Gel formulas glide on easily and are less likely to tug or skip over mature skin.
Instead of a dramatic wing or thick lines, try tightlining—the technique of applying eyeliner to the upper waterline—to create the illusion of fuller lashes. “It enhances the eyes without tugging on delicate skin or sinking into crow’s feet,” she says. Pair it with a soft neutral eyeshadow and a coat of lengthening mascara to open up the eyes and brighten your gaze.
As we age, our lips can become thinner and drier, which makes hydration key. “Avoid matte formulas that can be drying,” Marathe suggests. Instead, she advises using “hydrating lipsticks or glosses in shades that complement your skin tone.”
Look for lipsticks with a satin or creamy finish, which add moisture and make your lips appear fuller. “Think creamy roses, warm nudes and soft berry tones—anything that adds fullness and freshness, not flakiness,” she says. A touch of gloss in the centre of the lips can also add volume and a youthful sheen.
Bold colours can overwhelm mature skin, especially if there’s unevenness in tone or texture. “Soft, neutral tones tend to be most flattering,” Marathe advises. “Shades like warm browns, peaches and rose hues add warmth and vitality without overpowering the complexion.”
Earthy, easy-going shades not only complement most skin tones but also offer a more polished, natural look. Think taupes on the eyes, a rose blush on the cheeks and a caramel or mauve lip—these tones bring balance and brightness without harshness.
Contouring doesn’t need to be intense to be effective. In fact, less is definitely more. “Use shades just slightly darker than your natural skin tone for a subtle contour,” Marathe explains.
Opt for cream contour sticks or balms that blend easily and move with your skin. Apply them just under the cheekbones, along the jawline or at the temples for soft, natural-looking definition. Highlighting should also be minimal—just enough to add lift to the high points of the face like the tops of the cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow.
“Highlight the high points of the face sparingly,” she adds, “steering clear of textured areas to keep the skin looking smooth and radiant.” The end goal? A sculpted, glowing look that feels and looks effortless.
