The ‘Perfect’ Foundation, According to Those in Their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s
September 27 | 5 minute read
Words by Ana Eksouzian-Cavadas
Some things are eternal: a timeless scent, the goes-with-everything red lipstick, the classic mascara you’ve been bulk buying for decades in fear of the day it may be discontinued. But those few constants aside, there are a few key components to our kits that just simply stop serving us.
One such product that requires regular appraisal over time is foundation. Don’t get us wrong – it’s not that we age out of foundations, but rather our skin’s needs change, so the formulations that once seemed like magic stop seeming so miraculous. In fact, some – including MECCA Store Manager and Skin Specialist, Jo – believe that selecting foundation’s solely based on age can sometimes be an “outdated” way of approaching the category. “What’s more important is looking at the condition of the skin, skin type (for example, their level of oiliness versus dryness), desired coverage level, environment, and personal preference,” Jo tells The MECCA Memo.
Having said that, there are major skin changes over the decades that absolutely have to be accounted for when choosing the best formulation for you. “Foundation in your twenties is often either about covering blemishes or imperfections, whereas mature skin is looking for much more,” says Jo, who is now in her fifties. “We are past the age of breakouts (or sometimes not!) and looking for something to even out skin tone, provide a healthy luminosity, and smooth texture, all while remaining colour true and long-lasting.”
And if you want to simplify the foundation selection, and you keep just one consideration front of mind, it should be this: “As a rule, heavy powders will look unflattering on more mature skin types, whereas those who are younger can get away with pretty much anything,” Jo explains. “The more texture your skin has – pores, fine lines, breakouts – the thinner the texture of your foundation should be.”
To speed up your search for your perfect foundation fit for right now, we've called in MECCA experts of all ages. Whether you're in your twenties, thirties, forties or fifties, scroll on to find your match.
20s
Mason Whitton, MECCA Beauty Board
“Compared to other age groups, it’s extremely important to cover all bases in your twenties by choosing products that have a flexible finish and coverage and are non-comedogenic (AKA they don’t clog the pores).”
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Le Teint: “Dry skin types can often feel dehydrated and dull. This foundation has a hydrating, glowy, light-diffusing finish and offers a flexible medium to full coverage. It’s also great for those who are acne-prone.”
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation: “For those wanting a light to medium coverage foundation packed full of skin care, NARS’ Light Reflecting Foundation is perfect. Given that it’s 70% skincare, it’s great at hydrating and soothing the skin, leaving it looking radiant for hours.”
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation: “For someone with a combination skin type that’s looking for a medium to full coverage, long-wear formula, I would recommend Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation. This has an amazing hydrating, smoothing, and oil-controlling formula that wears amazingly from morning to night. It’s also rich in Mandarin Peel extract to help support the skin’s radiance – even after removal.”
30s
Hannah Daniel, MECCA Beauty Board
“For me personally, I think my needs for complexion products have changed – I steer more towards skin tints and tinted moisturisers as I really want hydration and something that gives a youthful glow to the skin. I love when complexion products offer some skincare benefits too, whether that’s hydration, vitamin e or niacinamide.”
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation: “This foundation is more of a medium coverage with a sophisticated glow and impeccable wear time. This is a super hardworking foundation with a really innovative formula, it applies beautifully with fingers, and a little goes a very long way.”
M·A·C Cosmetics Strobe Dewy Skin Tint: “This is a go-to when I need my skin to look radiant and fresh but I don’t need a lot of coverage. This is a hybrid of the original Strobe Cream and a tinted moisturiser. I add a little concealer under the eyes and this product has me out the door looking like I’ve just had a facial, 2 litres of water and a full 8 hours of sleep.”
40s
Liz McCarten, Head of Makeup, MECCA
“I also find that I am more confident to use less foundation (matte, full coverage foundation was my best friend in the ’90s, but not so much now!), and I’ve built a complexion wardrobe that includes light coverage options for the weekend and foundations with fuller coverage during the week when I need longevity. A great tip I picked up from MECCA’s Head of Artistry, Jen Horsley, is to apply your foundation in thin layers with a foundation brush, starting in the middle of your face and working out from there. Your skin should look like skin – less is often more particularly in your 40s!”
Hollywood Flawless Filter, then go in with the NARS foundation.”
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops: “If I want a fuller coverage, i’ll replace the Light Reflecting Foundation with either these drops or the NARS
Sheer Glow Foundation, and built up the product up in layers.”
NARS Radiant Creamy Colour Corrector: “This is my secret weapon under the eyes – applied before my foundation, this works to remove all dark circles like magic!”
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer: “I use this to spot cover. The brush is amazing and the skincare ingredients are an added benefit in the places that need it the most.”
50s
Jo, Store Manager and Skin Specialist, MECCA
“Matte, transfer-proof foundations can end up looking dull and lifeless, whereas overly glowy foundations can slip off the skin and enhance texture – it’s that perfect sweet spot of smoothing, a skin-like finish, and longevity that we are all looking to find. A foundation unicorn!”
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation: “Beautiful Skin is incredibly hydrating and gives a dreamy, skin-like finish. It’s particularly great for thirsty skin with its light whipped texture.”
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup: “The cult classic! This truly unique foundation lends itself to long wear at its finest, offers adaptable coverage, and a finish that can be tailored to create your version of dreamy skin.”
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation SPF30: “Offering a whisper-light texture that smooths and perfects while skimming over texture, this foundation creates the smoothest base you could ever imagine.”
