Three makeup artists reveal why cream makeup is a must for dry or mature skin, plus L360 editor Mattie Lacey-Davidson shares her top products.
Cream makeup is often hailed as a must-have for mature skin. But as someone with dry skin who likes a dewy finish, it’s also my go-to formulation.
Mature skin tends to be dry, especially in women due to changes caused by the menopause. As women age, their skin slowly becomes thinner and drier — and unless they’ve had a full face of Botox for most of their adult lives, their skin will wrinkle and appear more ‘crepey’
as elasticity loosens. This can cause issues with how makeup sits on the skin.
Another issue with dry skin, that I battle on a daily basis, is that as your skin dries out over the day so too does your makeup.
Heavy or powdered makeup in particular will likely crease within fine lines and dry up over the day leaving makeup looking a little, well, crusty.
Cream makeup, however, has been hailed as one of the best performers on dry and mature skin. I spoke to three makeup artists to find out what makes it so good.
Aimee Connolly, makeup artist and brand founder
The woman behind Irish makeup brand Sculpted by Aimee, that recently launched in London’s Selfridges, has plenty of cream makeup products in her range. She tells me: “Cream products are the dream on more mature skin because of the bounce and plumpness they deliver.
“They don’t set into areas, but rather create a gorgeous light reflective feel and add instant radiance and freshness.”
Florrie White, celebrity makeup artist
With plenty of experience working with mature skin, and having done makeup for the likes of Gillian Anderson, Uma Thurman and Meg Ryan, Florrie explains: “Skin and complexion are the most important features of any makeup I do.
“I always want to create healthy, clean, plumped up skin, which promotes health and vitality. I find cream textures glide onto prepped skin and add to its dewy plumpness, giving an added dimension of health and glow while not looking at all flat; modern formulas, on the other hand, stay in place. I feel that creams also reflect light well, adding to the illusion of elasticity of the skin.”
Yolanda Dohr, resident makeup artist at BEAM
A beauty service dubbed ‘London’s go-to makeup destination’, you can find Yolanda working her magic at Beam. She tells me: “I prefer cream products as they connect with and sit better on the skin. Since the skin contains natural oils and moisture, cream products appear more natural.
“For mature skin, they’re particularly beneficial as they often have additional skincare benefits built into the formulations, so they can help to retain moisture. This means skin appears healthier and more glowing, which in turn makes it look more youthful. Also, cream formulations can help by plumping up fine lines and wrinkles.”
5 of the best cream makeup products
1. Jones Road Miracle Balm
This light reflecting cream base products comes in a variety of shades that can be used before foundation is enhance luminosity, in place of foundation or on top of foundation – it comes in a variety of shades so you can either match your skin tone or pick colours for blush and bronzer. Buy it here for £36.
2. Odylique Cream Foundation
Formulated with dry and mature skin in mind, this cream foundation promises natural ingredients as well as skincare benefits, such as extracts of organic pomegranate, rosemary and chamomile that offer antioxidant and soothing benefits. Buy it here for £31.
3. Ilia Multi-Stick
Coming in a variety of shades, some with shimmer too, the cream multi-stick can be used on the cheeks, eyes and lips with 12 shades to choose from and is buildable to you can choose the depth of colour according to your skin tone and preference. Buy it here for £36.
4. Sculpted by Aimee concealer
Cream concealer are a rare find. This one promises an oil-free cream-to-powder finish that blurs the skin. Sculpted by Aimee also has cream blush, bronzers and highlighters. Shop the range here.
5. Made by Mitchell Colour & Curve Case
Once reserved for makeup artists so they could mix shades to colour match different clients, Made by Mitchell has made cream makeup palettes popular with everyday users. The Colour Case (£35) has 12 that can be used anywhere on the face including the eyes to lips, coming in either The Essentials (with white, black and shades of beige and brown) or The Electrics (an array of bright colour). There’s also the Curve Case (£30) with four bronze shades and four blush shades, with five options to choose from so you can choose the set of tones best suited to your skin colour. Made by Mitchell has an array of other cream makeup products too, shop the range here.
