Affordable Beauty Solutions: Top Makeup Options for Mature Skin

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There are so many makeup options on the market that it can be overwhelming to decide what to purchase. From high-end selections offered at specialty stores to more affordable brands that you can find in your local drugstore or market, makeup choices are daunting. 

When it comes to beauty solutions, you want makeup that not only does an excellent job covering the age spots that are forming but also won’t cake up in the delicate areas around your eyes. This is a common concern for those with mature skin, and finding a solution that doesn’t break the bank can be a challenge. 

As someone who is fast approaching 50 and noticing an increase in unwanted wrinkles, I decided to look into options for aging skin that are not only affordable but provide the best coverage and make your face glow.

Foundations

A good foundation is essential to evening your skin tone, covering any age spots that have begun appearing and giving you that perfect glow reminiscent of our youth. Perhaps the brand you’ve been using for the last decade or two is no longer working for you, or you’re looking to upgrade or save money. 

Either way, the following three options might just be what the aesthetician ordered, and they all cost less than $13.00.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Perfector 4-In-1 Glow

The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Perfector Foundation has become my new go-to product in the last six months. After trying multiple options, some good and some not, I’ve settled on this one, at least for now. 

True to its name, this foundation is a multitasker—it primes, conceals, highlights, and covers, all while delivering a luminous finish that stands out. My favorite thing about this product is its serum-like consistency and how easily it goes on. It provides sheer coverage, which is perfect for that “no makeup” look we all try to achieve. It’s ideal for days when you want your skin to breathe but still desire that sunkissed glow. 

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-In-1 Foundation

The Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation is designed especially for mature skin. Infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, this foundation brightens and moisturizes the skin, giving it a healthy, hydrated appearance. It also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful look. 

Despite its lightweight formula, it offers impressive coverage, easily concealing concerns like melasma without feeling heavy or looking unnatural. Its blendable nature ensures seamless application, leaving the skin flawless and comfortable all day.

L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

Last but certainly not least is the L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation. This exceptional formula is perfect for mature skin, featuring SPF 50 protection and a blend of serums and antioxidants. It moisturizes, hydrates, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles while offering buildable medium coverage. 

Its serum base ensures smooth application, delivering a radiant, natural, and long-lasting finish that will keep you looking fresh all day. Although this particular product is more challenging to find in actual stores, it’s readily available online for about $12. 

Setting Powder

Setting powders come in either a loose or pressed formula and range in price from inexpensive to exorbitant. However, there are reasonably priced options that provide the look you want while still ensuring you can buy groceries that month. Setting powder prevents complexion products from rubbing off, reduces shine, and increases makeup longevity. 

L’Oreal Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock Loose Powder

The L’Oreal Infallible Pro Sweep and Lock Loose Powder is fantastic for a great budget-friendly pick. This loose-setting powder is excellent for oil absorbency and the overall finish we all strive for. 

The universal translucent shade blended beautifully and didn’t make my skin appear chalky or cakey. Ultimately, my skin maintained its usual hue with a better texture overall. And last but not least, it also kept my makeup in place.   

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder

The Wet n Wild brand might bring you back to your high school and college days, but they still come out on top for select items in their drugstore makeup line. This includes their Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder. 

For the low price of just $7, this powder is a knockout for oil absorption and control. My skin still looked natural without feeling thick. It didn’t cake in the fine lines around my eyes, either, and properly mattified the overly shiny spots. 

Blushes

Mature skin tends to be drier and prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Due to this, I prefer to use a liquid or cream blush formula; however, that doesn’t stop me from using a powder one on occasion. Remember that cream and liquid blushes tend to have more pigment, so you don’t have to use as much as powder blush. Here are the top drugstore blushes that work well with mature skin. 

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Blush

Coming in five different shades, ranging from saucy mauve to beachy peach, Murumuru Butter Blush is a fantastic powder blush that you will love. Its hydrating formula ensures it doesn’t feel chalky or build up in fine lines or wrinkles.   

I particularly appreciate that it makes the skin feel soft and is more of a mix of powder and cream blush. Murumuru butter blush is available at CVS for less than $15. 

e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick

For only $4 at Target and most national chain drugstores, e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick blush will pleasantly surprise you with its quality. Marketed for eyes, lips, and cheeks, it’s a multi-use product; however, I’ve only used it for my cheeks. 

It comes in six different shades that complement any skin tone, but I purchased the Dazzling Peony, which is a fabulous shade for those with fair to light skin. 

Maybelline Cheek Heat

Maybelline’s Cheek Heat has a thin gel-like consistency that blends easily. A little bit goes a very long way. When applying, put a small amount on the back of your hand and sparingly dot it onto your cheek. 

This blush is inexpensive, goes on smoothly, and provides a dewy look that keeps you looking fresh and young. The only drawback is that it doesn’t last as long as I would have liked. I have to reapply it at least once throughout a long day. But it comes in a small, handy tube that is easily transported. 

Eye Shadows

The secret to a polished eye look is an eyeshadow that applies smoothly and blends seamlessly. While cream eyeshadows are known for their easy application, powder eyeshadows are more suitable for mature eyes. They are less likely to move across the skin or settle into fine lines, providing a more flattering finish. However, there are some cream eyeshadows that work very well. 

e.l.f. Bite Size Eyeshadow Palette

Once again, the makeup line by e.l.f. Cosmetics produces an affordable eyeshadow palette that only costs $3 at your local drugstore and is an excellent addition to any makeup drawer. What I love most about this line is that they typically offer a quad of three neutral shades in matte. The 4th is usually a shimmer, which provides just the right amount of sparkle and glam when applied correctly and used sparingly. 

Revlon Colorstay Creme Eye Shadow

Choose from jewel tones, neutrals, dark hues, highlighting tones, mattes, and shimmers in this budget-friendly range, all featuring a waterproof formula that can last up to 24 hours. Depending on how much product you apply, they can create a sheer wash of color or a bolder look. 

No need to use your finger—the cap includes a hidden brush, a thoughtful touch for those with longer fingernails. However, the cap can be challenging to unscrew; if you have mobility issues or arthritis, you might need assistance opening it for the first time. I’ve been unable to locate this particular Revlon item in my usual store, but it can be purchased at Ulta or Amazon for $10 or less. 

Lipsticks

I’ll be honest with you. When it comes to lipsticks, I splurge a little more because I want a pigment that will stay on for a very long time, and I don’t have to reapply it every couple of hours. However, there are a few choices that fall under $30 that I swear by and you might love. 

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lipstick

The Burt’s Bees moisturizing lipstick comes in 14 shades and retails for $9. It’s a great value, and the pigment is gorgeous. 

The brand is a drugstore hidden gem, offering vibrant color and maximum hydration. With full coverage and eight hours of moisture, this satin lipstick strikes the perfect balance between sheer and solid, making it ideal for everyday use. Save the bees, and give this lipstick a permanent spot in your purse.

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Creme

You know those lipstick formulas that provide impressive color payoff upon application and then fade gracefully to an effortless, lived-in look? That’s precisely what the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Creme offers. 

This multipurpose lipstick features a maracuja superfruit complex that hydrates lips for hours. It has a satin-gloss finish and medium coverage. It costs $26 at Ulta and Sephora. 

Clinique Almost Lipstick

If lipstick isn’t your cup of tea, but you still want some color on your lips, Clinique offers a beautiful alternative lip balm called “Almost Lipstick” that can be bought at Ulta or Nordstrom. This line of lipstick magic has been around since 1971, and for good reason–it’s truly fabulous!

Its sheer coverage and ultra-comfortable formula, enriched with emollients like castor seed oil, candelilla wax, and vitamin E, provide exceptional hydration. It is available in two shades: the iconic Black Honey, a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner, and Pink Honey. You can wear it by itself or under a gloss to give your lips that perfect pout.