The Ultimate Makeup Bag Essentials for the Mature Woman
When was the last time you revamped your makeup bag? Be honest 😉 Has it been over 2+ years since you switched up your products, shades, and brands? Or are you still wearing the same ole stuff, day in and day out?! Or, are you one of those women who has wanted to dabble in makeup to see what it could do for your face, but has never really known what to buy or in which direction to go...ultimately ending up with an empty makeup bag!? Well, today I am sharing The Ultimate Makeup Bag Essentials for the Mature Woman.
If you fall into either of these categories, then this post is for you! I want to make this as straightforward as possible for the mature woman who wants to refresh her makeup bag AND for the woman who needs a clear roadmap to get started.
Below are my top suggestions for building up that makeup bag ladies. Our faces deserve to be decorated just like we decorate our bodies with a variety of tops, denim, and shoes!
TL;DR
Jennifer shares the Ultimate Makeup Bag Essentials for the Mature woman
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
The Ultimate Makeup Bag Essentials for the Mature Woman
TOOLS + BRUSHES
You simply cannot start a makeup routine without some great makeup brushes and a well-lit mirror! I am a big fan of this lightweight, foldable, and portable LED and HD makeup mirror, $30, from Amazon which makes it super easy to see exactly what you’re doing when it comes to applying your makeup. It’s also the perfect travel companion. In terms of brushes, if you need a starter kit, this 9 piece brush set from Amazon has all of the essentials for just $21.
If you want luxury brushes, this Hourglass 17 piece set comes with its case, $650, which will give you every brush you’ll ever need. And these types of brushes will last a lifetime. Literally.
And of course, you’ll need a bag in which to store these products and brushes. Might I suggest this mega cute checkered Amazon cosmetics bag, $25. This bag has gone VIRAL – it’s that good and it looks expensive. It comes in 7 different color options (this is a great holiday gift idea).
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MOISTURIZING PRIMER
Never start by putting makeup on bare dry skin. As we mature, most of us have skin that is starting to dry out. I love putting moisture back into the skin with the iconic French product, Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, $29. It also doubles as a skin primer, so you don’t have to bother with that extra step. If you are in the oily skin category, give the ever-popular La Roche- Posay Mat Oil Free Mattifying lotion, $35, a try.
FOUNDATION, SKIN TINT, OR CC CREAM
Depending on whether you want to be a minimalist, moderate, or maximum makeup wearer, will determine what face makeup to buy. Everyone has a different comfort level so I’m giving my suggestions in each category.
If you’re in the minimalist category, start with the Maybelline 24 hr. Skin Tint, $13, that contains Vitamin C. It’ll give you a realistic skin-like finish but help even out that complexion just enough - and you can rub it in with your fingers. (I wear shade 220 currently for reference)
If you want to fall into the moderate coverage category, you know I’m always going to suggest the It Cosmetics CC cream w SPF 50, $45. It color corrects, goes on like a dream with very good coverage, and feels lightweight. ( I wear shade medium now)
And if you’re a full coverage gal (like myself!) I go back to the Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation, $45. You can take their online quiz to get your perfect color match right from the comfort of your own home and they mail it to you. If you’re not in love/like with it - you can return it or exchange it for free!! Win-win. (I wear shade 70 currently)
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CONCEALER
No woman over 40 should be without a great concealer. It’s good for spot-treating blemishes, and covering up darkness and/or hollow-looking under eyes. Read the most recent post I did on age-defying best tips, tricks, and products for disguising dark circles! You’ll get all the juicy details and product recommendations there.
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Brow Product
If you are blessed with full perfect eyebrows, you can skip this part! But if not, you’ll need something to fill them in. One of the easiest products for this is from the queen of brows herself, Anastasia Beverly Hills. Her Dipbrow Pomade, $21, is well-loved and easy to use with an angled brow brush to simply swipe through sparse brows to fill them in seamlessly (I wear shade soft brown).
EYESHADOW + LINER
This category is similar to foundation - are you a maximum, moderate, or minimal makeup gal? If you like options, then give this Lawless Dreamy Dozen Talc Free shadow palette, $40, a try! It contains warm and cool neutrals that every skin tone can wear, plus a good balanced mix of shimmer and matte choices.
If you are a mega minimalist, just spend a little and try the Milani Gilded Minis, only $7 each! They come in a variety of color palettes that contain 5 shades, but don’t be fooled by the price. The pigments are spectacular and blend like a dream. I’m wearing the “Whisky Business” palette in this post.
For eyeliner, everyone can pull off a deep brown liner and it works for every occasion. My very favorite at the moment is the GXVE Beauty Line it UP liner in “Settle Brown,” $20, for it’s rich deep coffee brown shade. And it’s easy to blend out without tugging on your eyelids and does not dry out!
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MASCARA
No surprise here. Grab yourself a new mascara every 4-6 months which is when you should be switching them out, tossing, and getting a fresh tube. With so many options out there and everyone having such different needs and wants when it comes to their lashes (full, longer, clump-free, etc) I’d say try the Benefit Major Mascara Minis, $28, set of 3. This is a trio of their most popular and well-known mascaras in mini sizes. Then you can figure out which one is best for your lashes and buy the full size.
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BLUSH
You have to put color back into that face after the foundation has made it all one shade! One of the best ways to inject a pretty flush of color back into the skin, I recommend any of the Patrick Ta Double -Take Creme and Powder blushes, $34. This duo gives you the option of cream OR powder OR both to layer! And the mirror included is huge! (I’m wearing “She’s That Girl” in this post)
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LIP COLOR
I would recommend every woman own at least one good nude lipstick, subtle pink gloss, and a statement red lip color. Or you can choose which of the 3 best suits you and start with that (but I like options of course). My top picks in these categories are :
NUDE lipstick: Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick in “Secret”, $10 (better than Charlotte Tilbury “Pillow Talk” IMO)
PINK gloss: Haus Labs Lip Oil in shade “Primary”, $24. My friend that hates lip color, is obsessed with this shade of healthy pink! I own 2 of these - one for my purse and one for my bathroom
RED lip: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink liquid lipstick in “Pioneer”, $12. This is the ultimate stay-in-place statement red lip I’m wearing in this post
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Honorable Mentions
These could be left out, but do truly elevate a look if you’re up for incorporating them into your routine. I’m wearing both in this post just FYI so yes, I like them.
HIGHLIGHTER: For highlighter, you just can’t get any better than the Dior Backstage Glow Face Illuminating palette, $48, in 001 Universal. It’s always sold out on Sephora, but I’ve linked it to Dior’s actual site where you can usually get a hold of it!
This is a celebrity makeup artist staple, but I think the average woman can really benefit from its shades of white, gold, pink and bronze that can be swirled together or used separately on the eye beds, cheekbones, and nose!
BRONZER: You could use bronzer to contour the face - cheekbones, nose, forehead, or just to give the face a boost of warmth that your skin might be lacking. The easiest way of all, is with the Merit Bronze Sheer Balm stick, $30. I’m wearing shade “Seine.” It’s been a makeup bag staple of mine for a couple of years now.
Now, your makeup bag should be complete with ALL you need to get a well-balanced and beautiful face! Which pieces do you need to add to your collection?
The rest of my look details are here: V-neck Nordstrom sweater, (on sale!) $38 shade: rust pecan | Gold braid necklace, $14 | Sequin Jewelry create your own necklace
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In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth shared a welcome to November. Click the title or image below to read the article.
The makeup bag and mirror are great gift ideas for a few people on my list. I might just get one of everything for my gym bag. Merry Christmas to me. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
You’re so welcome for the inspo Deanna! Honestly, the makeup bag AND mirror are spectacular gifts for the beauty lover that will also not break the bank!
Thank you! I’m that lady who gets free stuff and never updates….ouch! These are terrific ideas and I really appreciate the affordable options. I’ve spent loads before then get home and realize the colors are all wrong.
Rhonda, I used to work for Estee Lauder many many years ago, and I remember many women falling into that similar trap of just using their repeat freebies we would give out! I’m glad you like my affordable option recommendations – most people do love a good budget beauty product that performs like a prestige.
So glad you mentioned my favorite foundation from Il Makiage! I love this product and hope others discover it from your post 😊.