Westman adds a caveat: Powder blush can work on mature skin types, but only if the skin has been properly prepped—and that’s particularly true for those with moisture loss. “If your skin is very dry to the touch, you would need to add some sort of radiance, whether that be from your moisturizer or a skin enhancer, to ensure the skin feels a bit more alive,” she says. “If skin is prepped, it will ensure the products are blending seamlessly together for a softer finish.” That soft finish is key to Westman’s general makeup philosophy for aging skin. “Less is more, especially with mature skin,” she notes. “You don’t want to overdo it.”
What color blush is best for mature skin?
Though the best blush color will vary by skin tone, Westman cautions that mature skin types prone to redness don’t should steer clear of pinks. “You won’t want to add more pink or red shades,” she says. “If there are any sort of discolorations on the skin, you’d want to offset that. Generally speaking, I would suggest bronzy, taupe, and/or tawny shades.” Not only can these hues complement one’s natural skin tone—as someone very dear to Westman can attest, peach and bronze hues also have a contouring effect that can enhance facial features in a flattering way. “My mother looks much better with a peachy bronzy blush that follows her cheekbone, since she has more of a round face,” she says. (Her mother’s blush of choice? It’s actually Westman Atelier’s tinted highlighter, Super Loaded, in Peau de Pêche.)
Where should you apply blush for mature skin?
“Your face changes a lot as you age,” Westman notes. “If your face is rounder, I would suggest creating more definition and shape. If it’s hollower, you’d want to create a softer, oval application.” To achieve this, Westman recommends putting the edge of a blender brush directly under the cheekbone, then using the brush to follow the cheekbone’s natural curvature, while creating a horizontal oval. “Sort of like how you do contour, but make it soft for a rounder face,” she says. “This gives you warmth, radiance, and definition all in one.”
Celebrity makeup artist Mia Hawkswell whose worked with Pamela Anderson and Rose Byrne also previously told Vogue that the classic application technique of applying blush on the apples of your cheeks doesn’t work as well after a certain point, as the apple “has fallen.” Haskell’s top tip? Instead of placing the product where you normally would, she suggests applying it under the eye, on the top of the cheekbones, and close to your contour if you use it. Then, she says, use a brush to blend the blusher upwards towards your temples.
Meet the experts
- Gucci Westman is the co-founder and creative director of Westman Atelier and a celebrity makeup artist for the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Hathaway.
- Jenny Patinkin is a makeup artist and the founder of Jenny Patinkin Eco-Luxe Beauty Tools.
