Splurge-Worthy Makeup Starter Kit For Mature Women
I grew up in a household with an artistic mother who is an amazing oil painter. She was also a woman who would not even walk to the mailbox without a full face of makeup on! Needless to say, she was my first inspiration when it came to exploring the art of makeup. We both find that doing our daily makeup routines, even to this day, to be cathartic. But also a way to dig into our artistic and creative side.
Below is a pic of me and my beautiful mother back in the early 1980’s. You can definitely see her makeup skills!
However, I know plenty of my friends did not grow up with a mother who showed them the makeup ropes. I realize I owe her a lot for showing me how to implement the basics of applying makeup as a young girl and teenager.
TL;DR
Jennifer shares how to put together a splurge-worthy makeup kit for mature women
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
Splurge-Worthy Makeup Starter Kit For Mature Women
What is a Splurge-Worthy Makeup Kit?
I know I speak a lot on this blog to affordable makeup dupes here and some of my favorite drugstore makeup products here, but today we are doing a 180. It’s time to give some love to the PRESTIGE category of products! Although I do enjoy saving money on makeup, there is something special about a more luxury product that can make a gal feel like a queen!
I thought it would be fun to show you what a “Splurge-Worthy Makeup Starter Kit” would look like if I were to build one for my friends in their 40s and upward.
These kit suggestions could be for a newbie who is just dipping her toe into makeup and needs a place to start. OR this could be for the gal that prefers department store makeup, but has been stuck in a rut using the same stuff from that one makeup counter for awhile.
This was honestly one of my favorite combos of makeup I’ve done in a while and I think it all came together so beautifully!
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Check out this complete shopping list of all the essentials any beginner could use to kickstart a love affair with makeup…
Foundations
Moisturizer: Paula’s Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer, $45. One must “prep the canvas” before they start painting! A moisturizer is key before applying any makeup to a mature face. This is a fairly new moisturizer for the PC family and I love that it is not only hydrating, sheer, but also has SPF 50 protection. It helps with a multitude of issues like dark spots, uneven texture, and dullness. And if you’re over the age of even 30, you should be including Vitamin C into your skincare routine along with SPF to protect against environmental stress, help your skin’s collagen building processes, and prevent rapid skin aging.
Primer: Natasha Denona HyGen Energizing + Hydrating Primer Serum, $48. I can’t stop telling everyone about this innovative primer serum. It has a moisturizing but lightweight texture that delivers a natural-looking, transparent, glass skin effect. It includes a special peptide that provides energizing effects on the skin and brings it to life while also making sure your foundation, put after it, stays locked in!
Foundation: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation, $45. This foundation set TikTok on fire when it launched in 2022, and has won the 2023 Allure Clean Beauty award. It gives a beautiful finish, is medium coverage, and is a clean foundation with fermented arnica that helps reduce redness and is safe for sensitive skin. It took me a few times to find my right shade, but I finally landed on the shade #175, light neutral.
Concealer: Dior Backstage concealer, $32. One of my very favorite things about this concealer is the innovative makeup brush applicator for precision - it’s incredible! And for Dior, I don’t think this is a bad price honestly. This formula is caffeine-infused and delivers a hydrating, waterproof and crease-proof full coverage. I’m wearing shade 3C. No gal at my age should be without a great concealer for spot treating age spots and brightening the under eye area.
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Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting powder, $48. I always come back to this micro-fine pressed powder. It truly gives an immaculate complexion and doesn’t cake or sit in fine lines. It contains rose wax and almond oil to hydrate and smooth skin which makes it ideal for my dry mature skin. I wear shade “medium” in the summer. Even though I don’t use a ton of powder, applying a light veil of this in the center T zone of my face and to set my concealer is ideal.
Eyes
Eyebrow pencil (or powder): Anastasia Beverly Hills Ombre Effect Long Wearing Brow Powder duo, $23. If you have sparse brows, you should definitely fill them in a little bit to add some youthfulness to the face. A brow powder like this one that is a finely milled formula allows for seamless blending, and looks super natural even for a makeup beginner to use. The smooth velvety texture allows the product to adhere to the skin with ease. I wear shade “medium brown.”
Eyebrow gel: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze gel, $26. Now this could be a “take it or leave it” product for some, but for me and my course wild brows (what are left!) I love using this product to freeze my brow products and hairs into place. Once I swipe this through and press into my head with my finger, it almost gives me an instant eye lift effect when my brows are forced upwards!
Eyeshadow primer: Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Shadow Base, $26. You all know by now that this is my favorite for priming my eyelids. If you’re going to take the time to do your makeup, you don’t want it fading or sliding around your face throughout the day. Apply a layer of this on bare eyelids, let set for 30 seconds, then move on with your eye makeup application.
Neutral eyeshadow palette: Urban Decay NakedBasics 2 palette, $33. This is a wonderful starter because it’s only 6 shades and not a huge palette to get overwhelmed with. Urban Decay is best known for their eyeshadow combos and formulas that glide on easily and this taupe-hued palette can create everyday looks or more dramatic smokey eyes.
Eyeliner: Victoria Beckham Satin Kahal eyeliners, $32. These VB liners are my new fave. I’m wearing shade “Ash” here which is a graphic gray shade. I love that each liner comes with its own eyeliner sharpener so you know it’ll work and not eat up your pencil! They glide on like a dream and don’t tug on aging eyes. And the color options are exquisite and so pretty!!
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Mascara: it Cosmetics Superhero mascara, $28. This is a lengthening and volumizing mascara in one - and it gives DRAMA lashes. It’s not super pricey for a prestige mascara, so I would certainly give it a try if you’re in the market for a new mascara.
Finishing Touches
Bronzer/Blush/Highlighter palette: Smashbox Halo Sculpt + Glow palette “Pink Saturation,” $45. I adore multi-use palettes and this one has been used every day!! Apply bronzer first, then sculpt with the darkest blush, then pop on the lightest pink color blush, followed by highlighter. See my quick Instagram reel tutorial here showing this palette in action and how I use it if you’d like to check it out.
Lip liner: Buxom PowerLine Plumping Lip liner, $22. I am a big fan of these roll-up liners that never need sharpening and have an included lip brush on the end. It makes for ease of blurring the edges of the lipliner. This shade is “Hush Hush Henna” and is a gorgeous cinnamon shade that goes with a lot of my rose and nude lip colors.
Lipcolor: Jones Road The Lip Tint, “Nude Rose,” $26. For those just starting out with makeup, this is the perfect hybrid between traditional lipstick and lip care. I have enjoyed this lip tint because it can be swiped on lightly for a hint of color, or layered for a more traditional lipstick look. It’s not sticky, feels hydrating, and oh so sophisticated! Comes in beautiful shade options.
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Don’t forget a cosmetics bag to store all of your new makeup in! I have this large capacity checkered bag from Amazon, $23, seen in this post, and then there is the cutest highly rated checkered bag from Walmart here that feels like a Louis Vuitton dupe print!
The rest of my outfit details: Similar leopard print dress vibes from Tuckernuck here and Reformation mini dress // My gold and silver stackable bracelets I wear ALL the time from Etsy - even to the pool! Totally worth every penny. // My Bauble Bar mother-of-pearl initial dainty necklace.
I’d love to hear if you enjoyed this post or have any topics you’d like top see me cover here on SAACA. Please feel free to leave me a message in the comments below!
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared Red, White, and Blue Jeans on Fridays with Oscar. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Your eyes are so dramatic and well done. I’d love to have learned about your eyeshadow and eyeliner.
Nicole – somehow my blurb on the shadow and eyeliner recommendations didn’t make it into the post, but we will go back and fix it, So thank you for bringing this to my attention! I used all 6 shades of the Urban Decay Naked Basics mini palette and the Victoria Beckham Satin kajal liner in “Ash” to create my look however.
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Yesssss! It Superhero Mascara has been my go-to for years now! Finally someone giving It the love it deserves! :0)
Ha! YES Jess! It does deserve the love I agree 🙂
This was very good. I also had a mother who was very interested in makeup. I can still remember my first attempt at wearing makeup, with her help of course. I’m now 73 and I still like new ideas. Thanks. I’m also going to check out what you recommended for drugstore brands.
Love hearing that you continue to enjoy the art of makeup past 70 and learning new ideas and ways to use it! That will most definitely be me too! Thanks for the comment Paula and for taking time to read my beauty posts.
This is so helpful! I can’t wait to try some of these products. Did I miss eye shadow and liner (challenges for me to look natural with aging skin)?
Hey Laura! The blurbs about my shadow and liner suggestions accidentally got left out when posting, but we are going to fix it! I suggested the Urban Decay naked 2 Basics mini palette and I’m also wearing the Victoria Beckham satin kajal liner in shade “ash” which is a beautiful deep graphite gray shade and draws on like a dream. https://bit.ly/3WSRKGl