An Expert Guide To The Best Foundations – Especially For Mature Skin

Make-up artist Kathryn O’Neill shares her top foundation tips …

Foundation is getting a serious upgrade this spring. Bases have developed hugely in the past 15 years and now, inbuilt skincare benefits are a given. It’s like lingerie – your make-up is on your skin all day, so it should feel good as well as look good. The key is finding the base that suits your skin. I think beauty companies are missing a trick by not giving clients small samples to take home and try out, in good light, before committing to a pricey full bottle.

Backstage at the Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture Fall Winter 25/26 show.

I asked make-up artist Kathryn O’Neill, fresh from the couture catwalks, for her tips on wearing foundation, especially for mature skin. “My focus is always skincare first: well-hydrated skin is key. Regular exfoliation will brighten the skin and help foundation to sit well and last longer. Use a small amount of foundation where you need it and blend well with your fingers or a brush, whichever you are more comfortable with.”

“A colour corrector used before concealer will brighten dark under-eye shadows (Nars Radiant Creamy Colour Corrector is a staple in my kit). Use concealer sparingly to cover any blemishes or discolouration.”

For mature skin, Kathryn recommends Dior Forever Glow Star Filter and Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation. “Also, I had the opportunity to test the newly reformulated Armani Luminous Silk backstage at the Privé Couture show and loved it. The coverage is a little lighter than the original but it builds beautifully.”

Look at Clarins’ Double Serum Foundation (€55, in 37 shades), which marries light radiant coverage with a built-in exfoliant to boost luminosity. The gua sha-inspired brush is also excellent – it supports lymph flow.

Hermès’ new Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation (€125) looks like a promising investment if you’re after expensive-looking, couture skin. I’m impressed with Bobbi Brown’s Weightless Skin SPF15 (€52) too – it creates a properly glowy finish.

Haus Labs foundation is a pro favourite (£42stg, at Sephora Belfast), and we also swear by Lisa Eldridge’s Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint (€45) for a lighter finish that’s ideal for spring.

For handbag and pocket, evolved cushion and stick formats are surprisingly successful; Merit Beauty’s The Minimalist Complexion Perfection Stick (€42) is sleek and handy, and doubles as concealer. We’ll soon be seeing other brands following suit and going the stick route.

SEE MORE: The ’90s Are Back – Why We’re Wearing CK One Again