(TZR Beauty Heroes)

The 19 Essential Makeup Products You Need In Your 30s, 40s, & Beyond

Meet your new routine.

2 hours ago

Courtesy of Brands

TZR Beauty Heroes are vetted products out of the dozens that land on our editors’ desks throughout the year. This month, TZR’s beauty team and a handful of our celebrity makeup artist friends share the timeless makeup essentials everyone in their 30s and beyond needs.

You’re not the same person at 35 as you were at 25, so why would you still have the exact same makeup routine? The reality is aging gracefully is about embracing change — both spiritually and physically. So that means adapting your makeup looks to continue to complement and enhance your features rather than work against any newfound uneven texture and dryness. The key is making the switch to formulas that contain skin care additives like emollients, humectants, and antioxidants to further hydrate, smooth, and brighten skin. These ingredients don’t just address concerns common with aging complexions; they’ll also help maintain a flawless finish. But with a vast number of options out there, what are the best makeup products to use when you’re older than 30?

To help guide your journey to finding your new core makeup lineup, TZR editors and a few celebrity makeup artist friends have cherry-picked the best products that’ll take you through your 30s and beyond. What’s more, there are shades and finishes for each and every makeup style, from natural dewy skin to dramatic smoky eyes.

Ahead, you’ll find everything from a full-coverage foundation that doesn’t crease to a setting powder that won’t settle into uneven texture.

The Luminous Skin Tint

Lancôme

Skin Idôle 3 Serum Supertint Skin Tint

$45

This skin tint by Lancôme is a true hybrid product, which is exactly why celebrity makeup artist Genevieve Herr prefers using it on clients not in their 20s anymore. “[It] feels like skin care, and it also feels like a treatment. It’s hydrating [and] creaseproof, and I love the natural luminous glow finish,” she says. Herr also notes it’s super easy to apply, and you can use your fingers, a brush, or a damp sponge.

The Creaseproof Full-Coverage Foundation

Estée Lauder

Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation

$52

In this day and age of beauty launches that are viral today, forgotten tomorrow, it’s an impressive feat that Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation has stood the test of time. Here’s what makes it so special: The matte formula comes in 55 shades and offers medium-to-full coverage that lasts up to 24 hours without getting cakey or streaky, or settling into fine lines and wrinkles. What’s more, it’s sweat- and humidity-resistant and controls oil to help maintain its flawless finish.

The Concealer That Cancels Out Everything

Sarah Creal

Face Flex Concealer

$58

Like its name implies, Sarah Creal’s concealer moves with your skin, meaning it’ll stay smooth over your smile lines, for example. Better yet, celebrity makeup artist and Tatcha Global Director of Artistry Daniel Martin says it’s a must-have two-in-one product. “The perfect product for balanced, buildable coverage for when you don't want a foundation and separate concealer,” he shares.

The Viral Cream Blush Worth The Hype

Rhode

Pocket Blush

$25

It’s not often that makeup products made social media famous live up to the same level of hype offline, but ask anyone who’s tried Rhode’s Pocket Blush if it’s worth adding to your cart, and they’ll give it rave reviews. Because of the brand’s foundation in skin care, the cream blush is super hydrating so it stays smooth on your skin – even if you have some texture.

The Bronzer For A Post-PTO Glow

Nars

Laguna Bronzing Cream

$42

With limited PTO, basking in your postvacation sun-kissed glow is probably a rare occurrence. That’s why bronzer exists. In theory, the product is simple enough — sweeping some onto your cheekbones, forehead, and the bridge of your nose will add warmth to your complexion. The caveat? Many bronzers make you look like, well, you’re wearing bronzer. Enter Nars’ Laguna Bronzing Cream. Infused with Monoï de Tahiti Oil to help lock in moisture, firm, and tone, this blendable cream melts into skin for a natural look that won’t get chalky or streaky.

The Highlighter For Glass Skin

Chanel

Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick

$48

This moisturizing balm glides effortlessly onto skin, adding a dewy (not shimmery!) radiance to wherever you apply it. Along with the transparent option, there are seven shades to choose from, ranging from pearly pink to golden bronze.

The Setting Powder That’s Like Seamless Underwear

Saie

Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder

$32

There’s a fine line between glowy and greasy, and a setting powder helps you toe it. If you’re in the market for one that will set your makeup without settling into fine lines, getting cakey, or making your finish look too matte, Saie’s baked powder is your best bet. It has a natural radiant finish that goes on undetected, blurs, smooths, brightens, and locks makeup in place for up to eight hours.

The Longwear Cream Eyeshadow

Trinny London

Eye2Eye

$26

While cream formulas are ideal for textured skin because they won’t emphasize any emerging wrinkles and fine lines, they don’t necessarily have the same staying powder. These Trinny London pots are an exception. The unique cream-based shadow blends effortlessly, any errors can easily be buffed away, and it offers the same color payoff as a powder without any of the fallout. Better yet, there are more than a dozen shades available to create a range of looks, from a subtle wash of color to a sultry smoky eye.

The Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Of Eyeliners

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Satin Kajal Liner

$34

Leave it to Victoria Beckham to create the most foolproof and luxurious liners on the market. The waterproof gel formula glides on without any pulling or tugging, and it offers enough playtime for smudging or diffusing depending on the look you’re after — you can even wear it all over the lid like an eyeshadow. But once it sets, it doesn’t budge or fade. The color range is also noteworthy — there are your staple shades like jet black and rich navy, but there are also statement hues like seafoam green and shimmery eggplant.

The Everyday Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup By Mario

Master Mattes Palette

$56

Simple yet effective is how celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno describes Makeup by Mario’s demographic-defining cult-favorite eyeshadow palette. “The shadows are super fine and soft, so they blend right into the skin without clinging to texture or creasing,” he says. “The colors are pulled from real skin tones, ensuring they always appear natural and never chalky or harsh. You can do anything with it, a little crease work, a soft day look, or even build a smoky eye, and it still feels lightweight. What I like most is that it’s basically foolproof; you can’t mess it up.”

The Smoothing Lip Liner

Merit

Signature Lip Liner

$24

Just like thick, chalky matte lipsticks, lip liners can also emphasize already dry, textured skin. For those who related to this struggle firsthand, Merit’s Signature Lip Liner deserves a spot in your makeup bag. It’s infused with pomegranate and jojoba complex to help reinforce the skin barrier for soft and smooth lips. You can use it as a traditional liner or apply it all over for a sheer veil of color.

The Hydrating Lip Color

Laura Geller

Jelly Balm Hydrating Lip Color

$24

$18

On those days when you want a little something more than the average lip balm to finish off your no-makeup makeup look, swipe on one of Laura Geller’s hydrating glossy lipsticks.

The Statement Lip Color

Tom Ford Beauty

Lip Color

$62

Those who love a lip no longer have to choose between color payoff or comfortable wear. Tom Ford’s lipstick is super pigmented but also packed with meadowfoam seed and tsubaki oils to help lips retain moisture, which in turn keeps your mauve pink, classic red, or deep berry hue looking just-applied fresh.

The Flake-Free Voluminous Mascara

Lancôme

Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara

$30

Because hooded eyes are a common concern as you get older, celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo recommends using a more substantial mascara that’s less likely to smudge, aka a voluminous waterproof formula. “This formula is no joke — it truly does not budge — so be sure to have a waterproof remover on hand,” he says of Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara. “That said, waterproof mascaras can be a little tougher on the lashes, so I always suggest conditioning and treating them between uses to keep lashes healthy, strong, and resilient.”