All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
In her 75 years, Sandy Linter has lived many lives as a makeup artist—and, surely, knows a thing or two about makeup for women over 50. In 1969, the Brooklyn-born, Staten Island–bred visionary began her career working for famed celebrity hairdresser Mr. Kenneth Battelle in New York City, his clients Jackie Onassis and Barbara Walters serendipitously ending up in her makeup chair. In the ’70s, she struck out on her own, landing high-profile editorial work with photographers such as Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, and Arthur Elgort while embodying the era’s work-hard-play-hard mentality and becoming a dazzling fixture at Studio 54. And by the ’80s, she was regularly painting the faces of supermodels Iman, Cindy Crawford, and Patti Hansen for major campaigns and in the pages of Vogue. Since then, Linter hasn’t slowed down. In fact, with age, her skillset has grown, as she’s continued to work with a laundry list of famous faces including Christie Brinkley, Elizabeth Hurley, Debbie Harry, and Rita Wilson.
“I can remember being ‘young Sandy the makeup artist’ and then middle-aged and then further on than middle-aged...” she laughs, in reference to her personal evolution over her decades-long career. At a time when the fashion industry is, at long last, celebrating women above a certain age, Linter believes there’s no time like the present for older women to not just embrace makeup, but have fun with it. “There are no rules!” she insists, with just one addendum: “Wear the makeup, don’t have it wear you. Instead of trying to hide flaws, enhance what you’ve got.”
Our Top Picks
- Best Foundation: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, $68
- Best Moisturizer: Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Face Primer, $35
- Best Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, $16
- Best Lipstick: Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick, $11
- Best Brow Pencil: Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil, $23
- Best Blush: Jones Road Miracle Balm, $38
- Best Concealer: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen, $40
- Best Brow Prep: Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, $60
From natural-looking coverage to subtle tricks that make the eyes pop, here is Linter’s guide to makeup for women over 50.
Create a Glowing Base
Needless to say, following a dedicated skin-care routine—cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating—is an essential strategy for achieving a healthy complexion, especially over time. Before applying makeup, spread on a veil of a hydrating yet weightless moisturizer on clean skin. “Heavy moisturizers are just not compatible with makeup,” says Linter. According to the pro, La Mer Moisturizing Cream strikes the right balance between nourishing the skin for a dewy finish, without compromising the layers that follow. After the moisturizer sinks in, you can target areas with fine lines or dry patches with a quick-absorbing primer, like Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Face Primer with its smoothing gel texture, as desired.
La Mer
Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
Long regarded as the crème de la crème for deep hydration, the rich formulation uses the patented ingredient Miracle Broth to perform a few of them—firming, lifting, and rejuvenating the skin.
Dermablend
Insta-Grip Jelly Face Primer
On its own, the lightweight jelly hydrates and tightens; when layered under makeup, it forms a solid base for lasting, crease-free wear.
iS Clinical
Reparative Moisture Emulsion
Formulated with top makeup artists, this potent moisturizer uses pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and antioxidants to prep skin the for ultra-smooth makeup application.
Avène
Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion
Powered by thermal spring water, this French pharmacy staple restores luminosity while delivering deep hydration.
Cover Up Conservatively
“You can’t hide wrinkles, so don’t try to, because you’re only going to draw more attention to them,” says Linter. To even out skin tone, she suggests using a moist sponge or foundation brush to apply a sheer, hydrating foundation, like Kevyn Aucion The Etherealist formula, so that it “doesn’t look plastered to the face.” Then, use a robust yet lightweight creamy concealer that blends easily—Giorgio Armani High-Precision Retouch Concealer is her go-to—on the more ruddy or hyper-pigmented areas. For the eyes, concentrate on the under eyes and inner corners to effectively counteract dark circles. “Most women get darkest on the inner corner of their eye as opposed to the outer corners where you smile and have the laugh lines,” she explains.
Kevyn Aucoin
The Etherealist Foundation
Moisturizing and lightweight, this satiny foundation has light-diffusing particles and high-definition pigments to give the skin an airbrushed appearance.
Giorgio Armani
Power Fabric Concealer
A pointed tip allows for targeted application, while the flat side brings soft matte coverage to other areas of the face.
Westman Atelier
Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Breathable, radiant coverage is delivered in drops that mimic an effortlessly dewy, bare-skin appearance. Since it’s debut, it's been an instant hit for women over 50.
Yves Saint Laurent
Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
The sheer and brightening formulation—adored by celebrities and Vogue editors alike—is the secret behind famous glows like J.Lo’s.
Warm Up the Skin
When choosing a foundation or concealer shade, one might be inclined to seek out an exact match, but Linter suggests going a shade or two warmer to ensure you don’t look washed out. “If it’s too matchy-matchy, it can age you,” she says. And in that case, it’s especially important to extend coverage beyond the visage. “After the face, take a foundation brush and blend very slightly around the neck so it doesn’t look obvious,” instructs Linter. Then comes bronzer—and not just for the cheeks. “I use it on everyone over 50 because it warms up the skin in a natural way,” she explains, adding that she’ll sweep under the cheekbone, down the sides of the nose, across the forehead, and under the jawline for a chiseled glow.
Bobbi Brown
Bronzer
With a silky feel, the buildable formula delivers a just-back-from-the-beach flush. Just use your favorite makeup brush, dust on the powder, et voilà.
Westman Atelier
Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
With a plant-based butter base, the shimmer-free powder glides on weightlessly for a lit-from-within effect—brand founder Gucci Westman recommends swiping it on horizontally, under the eyes, for a hyper-natural effect.
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Bronzer
Packed moisturizing hyaluronic acid, the matte bronzer delivers Tilbury’s signature magic touch—a blurred, soft-focus skin appearance. It’s no wonder it has a long list of fans.
Physicians Formula
Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer
Formulated with three Amazonian butters, this satiny bronzer imparts a tropical sun-kissed glow that pulls double duty as a contour.
Sculpt and Lift Subtly
Smiling while you apply blush has long been cited as a universal, tried-and-true technique, but it’s one that’s not as effective as you age, says Linter. “Instead of on the apples of the cheeks, I like to apply blush at the top of the cheekbone and then blend inward,” she explains of the best sculpting makeup for women over 50. “You want to point the attention up to enhance.” As for shades, she prefers muted rosy shades like MAC Powder Blush in Prism. “I’ve been using it since the ’90s!” she says. For extra impact, Linter will layer—first with a cream formula, like Stila Convertible Color, and then finish it off with a powder. “Sometimes just the cream is enough,” she says. As for setting powder, it’s a step Linter usually skips, but looks to Dermablend Banana Powder if necessary.
MAC Cosmetics
Powder Blush
A ’90s legend, this enduring favorite comes in five finishes, ranging from matte to sheer-tone shimmer.
Jones Road
Miracle Balm
Creamy and buildable, this moisturizing skin enhancer can be tapped onto the cheeks or pressed into lips for a radiant wash of color.
Dermablend
Illuminating Banana Powder
Apply the brightening powder over makeup for two minutes, then buff off for a blurred, skin-perfecting finish.
IT Cosmetics
Bye Bye Pores Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The loose, translucent powder forms a smooth veil over visible pores. For light coverage, gently tap it in with a brush.
Play Up the Eyes
“You want to open up the eyes and make them look as big as possible because it’s more youthful,” explains Linter. The first step? Curl the lashes with an eyelash curler, starting right at the root. Next, you have to pick the right mascara, which requires a fair mount of trial and error. “There are very thickening formulas that don’t work on older women whose lashes have become thinner and more brittle,” she explains. “When they don’t work, the lashes start to clump and there’s nothing more aging than clumpy lashes on a woman over 50.” Currently, Chanel’s long-wearing Inimitable Mascara, which boasts a flexible pronged brush and provitamin B5-laced jet-black formula that nourishes the hairs while providing natural definition, is her favorite when working with relatively older clients. As for liner, Linter makes a point of debunking a long-held myth. “In the old days, they used to say only use brown, but it’s a falsehood that women over 50 can’t use black,” she insists. “You need to create a contrast between the eye color and liner. Brown can make you look tired if it’s not the right brown.” Shade-wise, no woman can go wrong with Lancôme’s Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee. “Absolutely anyone can use it!” she insists. While mascara and eyeliner are basic steps, eyeshadow is more of an accessory that plays up your personal style if you want it to. But proceed thoughtfully “Don’t take a shadow and just plop it on the center of the lid,” she instructs. “Using a small eye brush, start from the outer corner of the eyes and work inwards, so that the color gets gradually lighter. It’ll give you a bigger, wide-eyed look.”
Chanel
Inimitable Mascara
Packed with provitamin B5, the lengthening formulation also hydrates the lashes whilea bespoke blend of waxes adds volume and shine.
Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Made with lash-softening floral oil, the drugstore-aisle hero lengthens and separates in a single stroke.
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Infinite Waterproof Eyeliner
With a built-in sharpener, the long-lasting liner has a smudgy brush tip that makes for easy blending or an ultra-precise line.
Lancôme
Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee
Universally flattering, the smudgy pencil delivers smoky definition for the eyes. For daytime wear, opt for the brand's chocolate-y brown hue.
Take It Easy on the Brows
First, focus on keeping the brows full naturally. “You want to save every eyebrow hair you have, so instead of tweezing, trim them,” says Linter, adding that Revitabrow and Revitalash are incredible growth formulas she uses on herself. To fill in arches, Linter is partial to featherlight hair-like strokes of Troy Suratt Expressioniste Brow Pencil. “It’s thin enough for drawing on a hair here and there without looking too artificial,” she says. “[The shades] are so natural-looking.”
Revitalash
Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner
When applied daily, the physician-developed conditioner can lead to healthier-looking, thicker brows.
Surratt Beauty
Expressioniste Brow Pencil
The precise pencil tip draws on meticulous hair-like strokes, while the attached spoolie brushes them into place.
Makeup By Mario
Master Blade Brow Pencil
Use the slanted blade tip to outline, define, and shade—the emollient-rich formula glides on like a dream.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Perfect Brow Pencil
Available in eight shades including taupe and auburn,the pencil brings long-lasting, natural-looking definition to the brows.
Balance Out the Lips
“As you get older, the lips can become asymmetrical and it can be aging,” says Linter. You can balance out the mouth by using a lip pencil in a your-lips-but-better shade, but the formula must have the right amount of slip. “You want it to be so soft that the minute it touches the skin, it glides on,” she explains, adding that NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils are the best in this regard. To create symmetry, Linter recommends drawing on four separate strokes, always starting from each of the four outer corners and drawing towards the Cupid’s bow or to the center of the bottom lips. “That way your lip is going to be more balanced,” she says. Apply lipstick in the same fashion, then use a lip brush to slightly diffuse the edges for a softer look. After painting on a matte lip, Linter will sometimes add a gloss on top to add shine and definition, but never one that’s too heavy or sticky. This part of the process is up to the wearer, Linter emphasizes; “the finish is purely taste.”
NARS
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
True to its name, the pencil’s lipstick-like application offers velvety color in richly pigmented shades.
Maybelline
SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick
With a built-in sharpener, the drugstore gem lines or fills the lips with matte pigment that stays put for hours.
Hermès
Matte Lipstick
The moisturizing matte hues glide on easily, settling onto the lips with a weightless finish that lasts and lasts.
Dior
Rouge Dior
Formulated for 16 hours of weightless wear, the French import harnesses floral extracts to hydrate and soften the lips.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
YouChat, Makeup Enthusiast and Expert
As a makeup enthusiast and expert, I have a deep understanding of makeup techniques, products, and trends. I keep up with the latest developments in the beauty industry and have firsthand experience with various makeup products and application methods. My knowledge is backed by extensive research and a passion for helping others enhance their natural beauty through makeup.
Makeup for Women Over 50
Sandy Linter, a renowned makeup artist with a career spanning over 50 years, has shared valuable insights and recommendations for makeup for women over 50. Her expertise and experience have led to the development of a comprehensive guide to makeup application and product selection tailored to the needs of mature skin.
Glowing Base and Coverage
- Hydrating Moisturizer: Sandy Linter emphasizes the importance of using a hydrating yet weightless moisturizer, such as La Mer Moisturizing Cream, to achieve a dewy finish without compromising subsequent makeup layers [[1]].
- Primer: A quick-absorbing primer, like Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Face Primer, can be used to target areas with fine lines or dry patches [[1]].
- Foundation and Concealer: She recommends using a sheer, hydrating foundation and a lightweight creamy concealer, such as Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Foundation and Giorgio Armani High-Precision Retouch Concealer, to even out skin tone and address specific areas [[1]].
Warmth and Sculpting
- Bronzer: Sandy Linter suggests using bronzer to warm up the skin and recommends applying it beyond the cheeks for a natural glow. Products like Bobbi Brown Bronzer and Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer are highlighted [[1]].
- Blush: Muted rosy shades, such as MAC Powder Blush in Prism, are recommended for subtle sculpting and enhancing the cheekbones [[1]].
Eye Makeup
- Mascara and Eyeliner: Choosing the right mascara, like Chanel Inimitable Mascara, and using a black eyeliner, such as Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee, are essential for opening up the eyes and providing natural definition [[1]].
- Eyeshadow: Sandy Linter advises a thoughtful approach to applying eyeshadow, starting from the outer corner of the eyes and working inwards for a wide-eyed look [[1]].
Brow Care and Lip Balance
- Brow Products: Emphasizing the importance of full brows, she recommends growth formulas like Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner and natural-looking brow pencils such as Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Pencil [[1]].
- Lip Makeup: Balancing asymmetrical lips with a soft lip pencil, like NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, and applying lipstick with a lip brush for a softer look are key techniques for lip makeup [[1]].
Sandy Linter's expertise and recommendations provide valuable guidance for makeup application and product selection tailored to the specific needs of women over 50. Her insights emphasize enhancing natural features and embracing makeup without strict rules, empowering women to have fun with their beauty routines.
I hope this information provides valuable insights into makeup for women over 50! If you have any further questions or need additional details, feel free to ask.