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19 hours ago
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As I've been learning how to deal with all of the changes my skin and face have been going through in my forties (hi, gravity and drier skin), my makeup routine has been undergoing its own transformation. I've retired from my strict matte foundation devotion and exchanged it for dewier formulas or use BB creams that are more compatible with my menopausal complexion. My go-to red liquid lipstick is also no longer a daily requirement. Instead, I switch things up with neutral shades with lightweight finishes and even lip glosses. And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
As a longtime beauty editor, I take product testing seriously. Beyond my own experience, I dig into ingredient research, consult reliable studies, scan hundreds of reviews and speak with makeup artists, dermatologists and other experts. For every product, I weigh key factors: formula texture and feel, wearability, shade range, ingredients and value. I keep in mind whether it suits a specific need or is the kind of product that almost everyone can use. Finally, I decide if it's something I'd personally buy again —or one I'd happily skip. (And trust me, plenty fall into the latter category.
I'm tough to impress, but here are the best makeup products I discovered this month. These are made up of brand-new launches, reformulated versions of old classics and new-to-me finds.
I’m a sucker for a multipurpose product. This dual-sided concealer is great for travel or quick touch-ups and a win for mature skin. On one end is a liquid formula that covers blemishes, spots and dark circles; on the other is a lipstick-shaped balm stick that blurs pores and smooths out texture. The ingredients are also on point and skin-friendly, as it contains a plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid complex that leaves behind creamy, crease-proof coverage with a dewy appearance.
I've been using the balm stick specifically on my nose and cheeks, where my pores are more pronounced. While I always like to use a face primer before any type of base makeup, this concealer works well on its own without highlighting any of my skin texture. One swipe and they are way less apparent, so if I'm in a rush and just want to quickly cover up some spots or dumb down my pores a bit, it works great. Then, I'll use the liquid side to diffuse redness around my nose and darkness underneath my eyes. Like the brand's Mask Fit Red Cushion (a hydrating, dewy foundation that I've also been using a lot), this concealer has a decent shade range — 20 to be exact. It also promises 72-hour coverage, and while I don't think I'll need that (unless I transform into a vampire), I did wear it all day long without any noticeable fading or need for touch-ups.
Compared to full-coverage mattes, dewy foundation formulas, which typically contain hydrating, skin-forward ingredients, are much friendlier to mature skin. Too Faced recently revamped its iconic Born This Way Foundation — a mid-to-full coverage formula — so it has better hydration and more staying power. I compared the new version to my old bottle, and the change is pretty apparent. The new one has a thinner consistency, making it much more moveable and easier to blend. It has that dewy, natural-looking finish I prefer these days, since it plumps up my skin and makes fine lines less noticeable (exactly what I need since menopause is trying to zap away every drop of moisture I have left). Even without primer, it didn't settle into my pores or draw out any of the rough and textured spots I have on the side of my cheeks, either.
As for skin care in the formula, it has your always-reliable hydration helpers, like HA, glycerin and vitamin E. I think this is perfect for mature skin like mine that needs hydration in everything.
Now, this find was a surprise. First of all, Noodle & Boo is a baby and mama skin care brand, and as a strictly "cool auntie," baby brands aren't typically on my radar. These wipes are a hidden gem! The brand focuses on sensitive and eczema-prone skin (it is for babies, after all), so these wipes are formulated to be super gentle. However, the best thing about these is how a single wipe took all of my (heavy) makeup off! I was seriously impressed.
Sarah Creal's M.O. is formulating makeup specifically for mature skin. I'm a fan of her products, so I was really excited for this liner, which was created for over-40 eyes. This means that it has a flexible pigment that easily moves with aging skin, especially hooded Asian eyes like mine, with skin on my lids that isn't as firm as it was 20 years ago. The color stays locked in place, so transfer isn't an issue. The ingredients are also legit: ceramides to keep the lash line from drying out and allantoin to soothe and moisturize. It also has a cute, tiny blending brush on the end for soft smudging.
This pencil truly glides like buttah. It lays down color without skipping or tugging my eyes, so I can trace a tight line at the roots, flick a subtle wing and press it into the undereye waterline without looking like the poster child for indie sleaze. (Though, what am I saying, I'm more than fine with that.)
This mascara caught my eye (NPI, no pun intended) because it's also a buildable treatment gel, packed with really good skin-and-hair-friendly ingredients. Olive oil esters keep lashes soft instead of brittle, panthenol helps lock in moisture and Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is proven to support keratin, so it has the potential to stimulate growth. There's also rich bran in the mix, which can help boost length, volume and fullness.
Aside from the formula, I really like the brush. It's both fluffy and defining, allowing it to separate the lashes while building up the glam. You'll get that fluttery look that still looks natural and give your lashes love at the same time.
If you like a soft-blur lip look, meet the Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint. It comes in a ton of shades and the formula is cushioned with vitamin E, cottonseed oil, green tea oil and mango oil, so it locks in a ton of moisture. The color payoff is ink-level from the get-go (true to the name on the tube), and once it sets, it lasts through, in the words of my friend who first recommended it to me, "eating, drinking, making out and doing my life without reapplication." I'll dab on one thin layer for a just-bitten look or add a second when I want something bolder. (P.S. If you want more transfer-proof options, the new Peripera Ink Peel Off Lip Stain is also worth checking out.)
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