As a 47-year-old wife, mom of 3, and makeup artist for 20+ years, my beauty aesthetic is certainly more variety is the spice of life than a minimalist beauty routine. I’d also say that my closet definitely leans heavily toward “more is more and less is a bore!”
So the idea of “curated” without “clutter” isn’t really in my DNA (my blush drawer – currently has 43 different shades in it if that tells you anything – yes I have a specific drawer per category!).
That being said, as a makeup artist who also offers private makeup lessons, I’d say I’m in the minority when it comes to being open to playing with different looks + products on a daily basis.
Most of the women I work with, want me to provide them with just the necessities they don’t have to think about each morning, and what products/shades/formulas will suit them no matter what they wear on a specific day. They want to rinse and repeat their makeup routine…but look as fabulous as possible while doing so!
This is where building a capsule makeup collection comes in! These can be best described as: A simplified, curated collection of essential makeup products that can be used daily to create a polished look with minimal effort. Just like a capsule wardrobe, it focuses on versatility, quality, and efficiency, ensuring you have everything you need without clutter or excess!
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This brings me to today’s topic of what it would look like, if a makeup maximalist, and pro makeup artist like myself, built a CURATED MAKEUP CAPSULE FOR A MATURE WOMAN.
So if you’ve been needing/wanting to declutter your makeup drawers, throw out old stuff you’ve been using for years that seems “dated”, and start with fresh new products for spring, then here are some of my suggestions of what you should have in your makeup bag for 2025.
These product suggestions I’m sharing are if I had to pick my very best, most used products of the moment for my clients (and myself) in their 40+ and above. You’ll see some high-end products alongside their drugstore counterparts, so a nice realistic mix of price points.
*It should be worth noting, that if you aren’t checking out Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Steals that are going on until March 27th, you should check Ulta DAILY for their 50% off picks! I’ve gotten so many great things at half the price. They have a calendar listed so you can look ahead to each day and know what will be priced at 50% off.*
What Makes a Capsule Makeup Routine?
Base Products
Lightweight Foundation or Tinted Moisturizer – Evens out the skin while keeping it as natural as possible.
Go with the brand new Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Skin Tint, $36. I want to wear and use it on all my clients because of its ability to stay put without using an additional primer and makes the skin just look so healthy and even! I wear shade 6 for reference. It doesn’t include SPF which is a bummer, so just add it beforehand to clean skin.
I layer mine with the Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Sheer moisturizer with SPF 50, $46, bc you get the sun protection PLUS the anti-aging ingredient of brightening vitamin C!
Concealer – For brightening under-eyes and covering imperfections.Everyone can benefit from a touch of concealer!! Trust me. I’d go with the Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Hydrating Concealer, $30, no doubt about it. It’s just a beautiful product and a pointed doe foot applicator that is great for applying in small areas or to age spots and blemishes. I flip-flop between shades P2 and N2 for reference.
Setting Powder or Spray – Helps makeup last longer and controls shine where needed.
A loose powder seems to work better, but can get messy. So I’d say for a pressed powder that keeps things portable, go with the inexpensive Maybelline Fit Me powders, $10. They’re fab for cheap, and you only need a dab of this powder for it to blur! And if you’re okay with loose powder and how it’s a little more work, I’d go Huda Beauty Easy Bake powders, $38.
If you’d rather not deal with a powder, then a makeup setting spray in the aerosol versions are easiest to apply IMO and I’d go with One Size On Til Dawn Waterproof setting spray, $32 for prestige – it smells delightful. Or if you don’t use a setting spray that often and want to go cheaper, the L’Oreal Infallible Setting Spray, $11, smells a bit more like a true hairspray (ha!) but it does make it stay like nothing I’ve used before. *Here’s a quick tutorial on really locking in your makeup using a setting spray on my Instagram reel here.
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Capsule Makeup
Cheeks
Bronzer or Contour Stick – Adds warmth and dimension to flat aging faces.
The easiest, most realistic-looking way possible to contour and warm up your face is with the Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer sticks, $28. They are truly the best, blend in like a dream, and the stick just rolls right up so you can draw directly on your face where you want to contour. I find these sticks kinda fun to use honestly! I’m wearing the shade “Happy Sol” here.
Blush (Cream or Powder) – Every aging complexion needs some extra pick-me-up color-wise and blush is the key. Pick a peachy-pink shade for light to medium skin or a true berry or red blush for darker skin tones.
If you’re older, chances are your skin is getting drier (unless you’re my 75-year-old mom who still has oily skin!!) so a cream or liquid blush will probably look the most natural on you. I’ve been going back to my roots with the Benefit “Floratint” cheek and lip stain, $24, for my cheeks because it’s desert rose shade is just so darn wearable and just looks so pretty on my cheeks! (use this cream blush brush, $23, to keep it diffused – fingers get streaky).
Highlighter (Optional) – Gives a natural glow without looking overdone.
I’m a devoted fan of the original Dior Backstage Glow palette quad, $48. It will forever be my go-to if I had to pick one highlighter. It gives 4 different shades in one palette (so that breaks down to $12 a shade, which is a STEAL for Dior in my opinion). I use these for cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and even as eyeshadows! I used the bronze shade along my lower lash line in this look, a mix of white and champagne gold for my eyelids, and the pink shade on top of my rosy cheek stain. It’s just mega versatile.
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Capsule Makeup
Eyes
Neutral Eyeshadow Palette or Stick – A few shades for day-to-night versatility.
This was a hard one to pair down, but since I have my trust highlighter palette I could supplement into my eyelids when I want shimmer, I chose an all matte palette by tarte (that I just realized is now sadly discontinued). But a similar option to the tarte, is this Morphe 18CT Matte Essentials palette, $20, or you know I’m a Makeup by Mario fan and his Master Mattes “The Neutrals” Palette, $52, is exquisite.
Eyeliner – A must for bringing the lashline to life.
When in doubt about what color to buy, always go for a deep dark brown – not too light not too black. The Pixi Beauty endless silky eye pencil in “black cocoa,” $12, is perfect for this. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve bought this pencil that is soft and easy to apply on thin wrinkled eyelids.
Mascara – Essential for defining and lifting lashes.
No need to go super expensive on mascara since it should be replaced every 3-5 months. The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, $12, is a top-rated drugstore mascara for great reason! It gives limitless length and volume and doesn’t get clumpy.
Eyebrow Pencil – Shapes and fills in brows naturally.
A super thin-tipped brow pencil will always be the best way to fill in sparse brows and create realistic hairs. I really like my Morphe Dual Ended Micro brow pencil, $10, in shade “cold brew.” It’s the much cheaper dupe to the $25 Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencils, with the exact same ounces of product! Since I’m “medium brown” in the ABH one, the cold brew is almost identical. Tip: Always go for neutral or ashy in your brow shade, orangey warm tones tend to look fake.
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Capsule Makeup
Lips
Nude or MLBB (My Lips But Better) Lipstick – A go-to shade for everyday wear.
This is a newer product for me, but I already want to buy more shades! The Maybelline Super Stay Matte Teddy Tints, $12, give lips a very long wear, soft blurred, tinted stain-like look, and feel legit weightless. I apply mine, rub it into my lips with my finger, apply a 2nd coat, and rub it in again. It stays PUT. I’m wearing the shade “Petalcore” here which is a warm pink, that I find very versatile!
Lip Balm or Gloss – For hydration and a fresh, effortless finish.
I like options with glosses and currently, I own 5 shades of the NYX Fat Oil Lip Drips, $9, and find that shade “Sprinkle Sprinkle” is a wonderful deep neutral rose shade that I can wear with anything! And they’re incredibly plush and hydrating on the lips.
Lip Liner (Optional) – For defining disappearing lips or transitioning shades of neutral lipsticks or glosses
I would pick two liners here – one red and one neutral. I’d have a red one on hand to use in a pinch as a matte red lipstick or to manipulate my gloss or everyday lip color into a different shade! I like the Makeup by Mario pencil, $26, in “Neils” because it is a neutral shade of red AND it has a dual-ended lip brush so you can blur your pencil into your lips or other lip products! My neutral lip liner go-to right now is the elf cosmetics creamy glide pencil, $2, (yes you read that price correctly) in the shade “pinky swear” that I’m wearing with my teddy tint here. “Baddest Beige” is also one of my other faves that leans less pink.
The Rest of My Look Details
It’s officially spring, and I’m all about fun FRUIT prints like my lemon print dress. Similar ones are this Anthropologie Somerset one, $168, this Boden linen shirt dress (includes cherries too!), $275, or it comes in just a collared shirt if you prefer here $175, and a super affordable maxi version from Shein, $14. // I’ve been so thrilled with the new progressive frames I just got. They’re the Prada PR 17ZV frames, $320. // Similar gold beaded stack bracelets here on Amazon, $13.
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So why should you choose a capsule makeup routine? Well, it can do the following for you:
- Saves Time & Money – No more rummaging through excessive products.
- Travel-Friendly – Less to pack, but still versatile.
- Minimalist & Chic – A clean, refined approach to beauty.
- Encourages Skin Health – Fewer products = less irritation for some.
How about you? Do you prefer more variety and choices in your makeup routine, or does a curated capsule routine more your style? I’d love to hear! If you need more help with your eye makeup routine, be sure to check out my mini tutorial here on SAACA for aging eye beds!
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