When I wrote about warming up concealer before using, I received a very interesting comment from reader Donna who had her question in a comment:-
I am 70 yrs old, i like to use a little foundation to even out color but everything I have tried, looks cakey……..And I look worse then if I use nothing at all……at my age it seems that everything I use shows my wrinkles and flaws more…..I know I cant hide them, but would like to minimize them if possible thank you
First off, I’m terribly flattered that someone so much more experienced in years is leaving a comment on my blog! :D
Secondly, I realized I had no idea how to respond.
In general terms, to even out skin tone light foundation is sometimes sufficient. You can either use a very light sheer foundation like the Lancome Maquiliquide UV Infinite foundation or the new Diorskin Nude foundation. Both are light on the skin. The I Nuovi Gelbase foundation too is quite impressive being both light and lasting.
One can also use liquid foundation with illuminating qualities which can diffuse the look of wrinkles and flaws. If you find your liquid foundation too thick, an option is to mix it with moisturizer – it thins it out and sheers out the colour. Another alternative is tinted moisturizer which is again light and sheer.
Personally, I think the trick is not to use anything too thick because older skin tends to be dry and thick textures will sink into lines and accentuate them or worse, crack. I personally am a fan of 2 way powder foundation but it must be applied on moisturized skin or flakies can be enhanced.
That’s the extent of my knowledge – over to you.
How would you help Donna minimize the look of wrinkles without her foundation getting cakey?
On an aside, I hope that at 70 I’m still online and caring about my looks as Donna is at 70! :D
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Maybe with the help of a primer to smooth things out..?
Warm the foundation first before applying a really thin layer.. Try to go as light as possible.. Don’t aim to cover but to even out things..
Try using those Wrinkles filler on your deep wrinkles first then a primer before applying a light layer of foundation of your choice.
Do remember to give the Wrinkles filler & primer sometime to set-in before applying your foundation.
For primer, you may want to consider using silcon-based type as they have the abilities to fill-in sunken lines/pores. As silcon-based products tends to clogged our pores, therefore deep-cleansing of your face regularly is a must.
Hope this helps
There is this Cover Girl foundation which has Olay moisturiser infused in it. I don’t exactly remember the name but I’m pretty certain it’s catered for mature skin and it’s meant to moisturise as well as cover.
Alternatively, use tinted moisturiser for the coverage and the moisturiser will act to hydrate the skin as well.
Yes, I agree that the skin has to be well moisturised. Very important to make the skin look plumbed in the first place.
I hope there’s no offence. But the foundation shouldn’t be used to hide wrinkles. Cosmestics can enhance looks but cannot really hide all the flaws. If one loads on a lot of foundation enthusiastically to hide. Hence, it will accentuate instead.
I have a lot of acne scars which I used to try to hide with concealers last time. But its a disaster. How, I just accept my acne scars as they are. Although I put on foundation, but its just a light layer to give me a glow. Thats all.
I find that the glow can make my pores seem larger. But well…the act of putting on cosmetics makes me feel more confident about myself. So, for me, thats just its purpose. And now that I’m more confident, I receive more compliments. :)
Hi Paris B! i am over 50, so I do have a bit of experience with these things,lol!
1. Moisturize.
2. Prime, not just in the face, but under the eyes and on the nose too, with specialist primers like Sisley Instant perfect. Older skin needs more primer help.
3. Tinted moisturizer, like Laura Mercier. Older skin doesn’t need heavy foundation.
4. Skip the powder!
5. Stick with matte, cream shadows, and gel liners.
hope this helps!
Hi Jamilla
I’m so happy you responded! :D Thanks so much for your tips and no, you don’t look like you’re over 50!
Use a face mist (or just plain mineral water in a spritzer bottle/atomizer). Apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid (like Eucerin Hyaluron-Fiiler, L’oreal Derma Genesis or ZA’s Future Defense line if you’re looking for a cheaper version). Give it a min or 2 to sink in. Apply your foundation using a damp foundation sponge (place sponge under water, squeeze tightly to get rid of excess water) and using stippling motions (i.e. gently pat the foundation on with the flat side of the sponge — technique used for applying makeup for television). You might want to skip the powder part if you’re skin’s dry.
i agree with all your points. and i would say use a glowy natural foundation. i find avoiding matte foundations and going for those with a dewy finish makes the skin look smoother and plump. and use light-reflective powers also makes skin look smoother – eg. guerlain’s meteorites.
Mature skin should only use matte colours (this applies for eye shadows, lip sticks, blush foundation, EVERYTHING). No shimmer AT ALL. This just emphasizes the lines.
hi gals
how do i conceal fine lines under the eyes?thanks!:]