My joy as a makeup artist comes from helping those of us over 50 realize the potential of our best selves. We absolutely deserve to look and feel our best, and – with the right products and techniques – we absolutely can. Makeup can be a wonderful expression of our spirit, and it can also be just plain fun – especially when we use our favorite “best of the best” makeup products that never fail us.

So, in today’s article and accompanying video, I’m going to focus on a wonderful array of really outstanding makeup products which I feel are particularly top notch products for those of us over 50. Before recording the video I did my skin prep and my brows with my ABH Brow Powder Duo and Dip Brow gel. And I used my Sigma Eye Base in the color “Ignite.”

The Best of the Best Eyeshadows

There were three eyeshadow palettes that were in contention for the top spot as the “best of the best” today, but I have to go with a combination of my Natasha Denona Biba palette and my palette of single Sydney Grace eyeshadows to add some color.

I love the versatility of the neutral tones and colors of the Biba palette and the absolutely stunning shimmers that complement the neutrals. And the Sydney Grace colorful mattes are of equal quality and also stunning. The third palette that was in the running was my Transition palette from Dominique Cosmetics.

Two Great Face Primers Help Mature Skin

For face primer, I’m using my Benefit POREfessional Hydrating Primer on my nose and on either side of my nose along with a new favorite from Hourglass – their Vanish Primer – on the rest of my face. The Benefit primer does an excellent job of minimizing the appearance or larger pores, and the Hourglass primer helps to create a really lovely, blurred, airbrushed finish.

This Foundation Is Truly Special

And I’m more excited about the foundation I’ll be using than I’ve been about any foundation in a very long time. It’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation which provides a medium coverage, hydrates and helps smooth and blur pores. But I feel the biggest benefit of this foundation is that it brightens the skin – noticeably – which is a huge benefit for those of us over 50.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Drugstore and High End Concealer

To help cover dark circles under my eyes, I’m using Elf’s Hydrating Camo Concealer in Light Peach as a corrector and will tap Fair Beige over it. Clinque’s Even Better Concealer in “Alabaster” is my “go-to” concealer for my age spots.

A Contour that Makes All the Difference

Originally, I thought I’d definitely be using EM Cosmetics’ contour stick in “Terra” as my contour which works beautifully because it’s a very soft formula. But, I recently tried another new contour which I like equally well – if not just a little bit better: Huda Beauty’s Tantour contour in the shade “Light.”  

I’ve found that it works best to stamp it on – which I’ll be doing with my Essence buffing brush – and then blend out the edges with my sponge.

This Blush Is Unique and Stunning

For blush I’m using a product which I’ve absolutely fallen in love with: makeup artist Patrick Ta’s Double Take Crème and Powder blush combination in “She’s a Doll.” I have this color in his limited edition palette that came out earlier, but all the colors in this palette are now sold separately.

Patrick Ta recommends applying the powder shadow first and then applying the crème blush over it. Layering the crème on top of the powder really melts the blush into the skin.

It’s gorgeous. Because the powder is so pigmented, I like to apply it with a light, fluffy brush and then pick up the crème blush with my damp makeup sponge and simply pounce it over the powder blush. Since I need to put a light dusting of translucent powder in my T zone area, I’ll do that next with my Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder.  

This Highlighter Is Unique

Choosing a favorite highlighter is like choosing a favorite child! But there’s just something about the color of the highlighter I chose – and the amount of glow – that really draws me in. It’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Highlighter Wand in “Spotlight” which is a rose gold color with silver light. The color is absolutely unique.

Finishing Powder Makes

Before applying lipstick, I’ll apply my Hourglass Ambient Light Finishing Powder, blush and bronzer. In the video I’m going to apply the Hourglass Ambient Light Finishing powder just to one side of my face first to see if we can tell the difference between the side with the finishing powder and the side without the finishing powder.

Then I’ll apply the finishing powder to the other side of my face. And my final step before lipstick is to go over every part of my face with a dampened sponge.

Lipstick for the Final Touch

Before applying my lipstick, I’m applying my Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer around the edge of my lips first, then my L’Oreal Age Perfect Lip liner (to prevent feathering) followed by my lipstick and gloss, which, unfortunately, are no longer available. We now have the finished look.

Using our “best of the best” products which never fail us is a wonderful way to give us an added boost of confidence throughout the day!

What are your top “best of the best” makeup products that never fail you? Are they long-time favorites or have your products been purchased more recently? What’s your most recently purchased favorite product? Have any of your favorite products gone out of sale? Do you miss them? Have you found replacements?