The ultimate guide to mature make-up for Christmas — with expert tips

Make-up artists Aimee Connolly of Sculpted by Aimee and Lisa Shannon of Poco Beauty share their top tips

Welcome to the mature woman’s guide to beauty for Christmas

As I have aged, I’ve switched things up in my skincare and make-up routine, and festive glam is no different.

For the mature woman, it can be less about OTT glitter liner and more about adding glow and radiance back into the skin.

It’s about enhancing what we’ve got, rather than masking it, and adding definition where it has been lost.

To provide you with the ultimate guide to mature make-up this festive season, I’ve drafted in make-up artists Aimee Connolly, of Sculpted by Aimee, and Lisa Shannon, of Poco Beauty.

The prep

At any age, it all starts with prep. Skincare is the foundation, and hydrated skin is healthy skin. Moisture is a mature woman’s best friend. Moisturise morning and night with products rich in hyaluronic acid. Light layers, like mists and essences, will be key to plumping and smoothing the skin.

Exfoliate gently a few times a week to remove dullness and prevent make-up from sitting in fine lines. Let your skincare absorb fully before make-up for a smooth, glowing base that doesn’t pill. And spritz with a hydrating mist throughout the day.

Lisa Shannon says: "Festive occasions are the perfect time to embrace a little sparkle."

“As we age, our skin can become drier and lose its radiance,” Lisa Shannon, make-up artist and creative director at Poco Beauty, says.

“Start with a gentle cleanser that hydrates; I adore SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing, followed by a hydrating toner like Poco Beauty Skinflood. Then apply a rich moisturiser like Clinique Moisture Surge, which allows make-up to glide on beautifully. Look for hyaluronic acid or ceramides to help restore the skin barrier.”

The foundation

Once your skin is prepped, apply a hydrating primer to blur fine lines and create a smooth canvas. Follow with a lightweight, moisturising foundation, and avoid heavy or matte formulas that can be drying and accentuate texture. Sheer finishes look natural and radiant. Layer if you need extra coverage but only where required, and conceal sparingly under the eyes or around the nose.

If you set your make-up, do so lightly with a finely milled or light-reflecting powder just on the T-zone or under the eyes to disguise hollows without dulling the skin’s glow.

“Skin-wise, we want to keep it plump and radiant,” Aimee Connolly, founder of Sculpted By Aimee, advises.

She suggests trying liquid or cream formulations in place of powder. These products blend more easily and are less prone to settling in fine lines.

The brand’s latest foundation, Cream Cushion, makes mature skin “look fresher and more youthful”, she says, while the compact format makes it ideal “for touch-ups during the festive season”.

A pop of cream blush on the apples of the cheeks will also “look more youthful on mature skin”, she suggests. Soft peach or warm pink tones are universally flattering and youthful, and create that healthy, lit-from-within glow.

The eyes

For the eyes, keep shimmer subtle and strategic. Use softly shimmering eyeshadows in flattering neutrals, taupes, or golden tones to brighten and lift but avoid heavy glitter or dark shades that can make hooded eyes appear smaller.

Lisa advises: “Festive occasions are the perfect time to embrace a little sparkle; it’s all about placement and confidence. Apply shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and the centre of your eyelids instead of all over. Opt for cream shadows like Bobbi Brown Moonstone or Golden Bronze sticks; they glide on smoothly and don’t settle into fine lines.”

Prime your lids first to prevent creasing, then line gently with brown eyeliner close to the lash line for soft definition. Aimee recommends using shadow or kohl liner and avoiding harsh liquid liner, especially on the lower lash line.

“Diffuse, soften, and smudge the liner with your finger or a brush as, if it’s too defined, it can be ageing.”

Expert Aimee Connolly says lip liner “should be your best friend”.

Finish with a lengthening mascara. Brown is softer and more flattering than black for most mature complexions, especially fair skin tones. Tightlining (applying eyeliner to the upper waterline) can help make lashes appear fuller too — a useful tool if you found your lashes have depleted with age.

Don’t neglect your brows, as fuller, softly defined brows can fake a facelift and beautifully frame your face. Use light, feathery strokes of a pencil or powder to fill sparse areas (we’ve all overplucked) and brush upward to lift and shape.

The lips

For lips, hydration and definition are essential. As we age, lips shrink and lose volume, so start with a balm or primer to smooth fine lines, keep colour fresh, and prevent feathering. Overline slightly with a lip liner in the same colour as your lips to subtly plump and define.

“Some of us can be nervous of lip liner but it should be your best friend,” Aimee says. “Line and shape to restore the volume and definition we lose with age, then fill in with a lipstick, balm, or gloss of your colour choice.”

Choose creamy, hydrating lipsticks in shades one tone deeper than your natural lip, or go bold with a festive red for instant glamour. Avoid matte or frosted formulas, which can emphasise lines, and instead choose cream, gloss, or oil textures that add moisture and shine. Dab gloss in the centre of your lips to add fullness and a youthful glow.

Lisa also swears by a nourishing night lip treatment. “Before bed, hydrate your lips with a good mask; the By Terry Rose Lip Mask is an indulgent treat and worth every penny.”

For festive tones, she recommends rich berries, deep plums, or classic reds, and shares her favourite lip combos: Lisa Eldridge Velvet Duchess Lipstick with MAC Brick-O-La Liner, Estée Lauder Pinkberry with MAC Plum Liner, and Charlotte Tilbury Love Liberty with Savage Rose Liner.

Above all, remember that less is more. Light, well-blended layers create a softer, fresher, and flattering look that’s more youthful.

As Aimee beautifully puts it: “Although I don’t believe age has a limit or a set of rules, I do believe certain tips can elevate, refresh, and go a long way to helping the mature woman look her best during the festive season.”