By Michele Hartwig
Age 59
Out exploring the Salt River in AZ. My makeup choices need to fit with my active lifestyle.
Active Outdoor Lifestyle | Business Owner | Race Director
It's almost time for the Sephora Savings Event, and I've been putting together my shopping list!
I'm pretty particular about my makeup and skincare these days. At 59, I want products that look beautiful on mature skin, don't emphasize dryness, and hold up through my very busy days. Between running a business, directing trail races, traveling, and everything else life throws at me, I need beauty products that actually work.
Some of these recommendations are my tried-and-true holy grails. Others are products I think are worth considering. And, of course, there's one little Dior splurge that's caught my eye!
A little something extra! 💄
I also have five early-access Sephora shopping codes for 20% off to share with my Glam & Grit community! I'll tell you how to get one at the end of this article.
Now, let's talk about the products I love!
My Skincare Holy Grails: Two Moisturizers I Keep Repurchasing
When it comes to skincare, I have two products that I absolutely love and have repurchased multiple times. Both have earned permanent spots in my routine, and I buy the jumbo sizes because I know I'm going to use every last drop!
Hydration has become one of my biggest skincare priorities. I want my skin to feel comfortable, look healthy, and have that plump, hydrated appearance that makes makeup look better, too.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base: My Daytime Favorite
This is one of those products that makes such a difference in how my foundation looks.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a hybrid moisturizer and primer, which is exactly why I love it. It hydrates my skin while creating a beautifully smooth base for makeup.
As I've gotten older, I've learned that sometimes the secret to beautiful foundation isn't the foundation itself. It's what you put underneath it.
This is my daytime moisturizer, and I've repurchased it multiple times. I buy the jumbo because it's something I reach for every single morning.
Dieux Instant Angel: My Favorite Nighttime Moisturizer
Shop Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Moisturizer at Sephora
If Bobbi Brown is my daytime favorite, Dieux Instant Angel is my nighttime love.
This is a beautiful, rich moisturizer that feels perfect for my mature skin. I apply it at night as the final moisturizing step in my skincare routine.
I love how nourishing it feels without being overly heavy. My skin tends to need that extra moisture, especially when I'm using active skincare products.
What I love most is how my skin looks and feels when I wake up. It feels soft, hydrated, and plumped up. Exactly what I'm looking for in an overnight moisturizer.
I've repurchased this one multiple times, too, and I buy the jumbo size.
Eyes
Armani Eye Tint: My Holy Grail Eyeshadow
Shop Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow at Sephora
If you've followed my beauty recommendations for a while, you know how much I love Armani liquid eyeshadow.
I've repurchased Armani Eye Tint five times! That should tell you how much I love it. And the best part? These little tubes last an incredibly long time.
I have green eyes, and warm, earthy shades work beautifully with my coloring. I love how easily this formula blends, and once it sets, it does not budge!
That's especially helpful during my long days of race directing, when I need my makeup to last from early morning until late at night. And during my 100-mile race events, sometimes that means well into the next day!
My favorite shade for a base is 25M Sandalwood. It gives me that soft, natural eye look I prefer, but I can build the color when I want a little more definition.
For a little sparkle, I love 44S Blush. I use just the tiniest amount right in the center of my eyelid.
Here's my trick: I put a little on the back of my hand, dip my BK Beauty N23 Detailer Brush into it, and gently tap, tap, tap the shimmer onto the center of my lid.
This gives me much more control over how much shimmer I'm applying. Just a touch adds a beautiful brightness to my eyes without looking overdone. And yes, I still love a little sparkle at 59!
When I want a little more depth, I'll add some powder shadow to the outer corners of my eyes on top of the Armani base.
Charlotte Tilbury's Luxury Palette in Exaggereyes pairs beautifully with these Armani shades. It's another favorite I've purchased twice! I use it to add a little definition while keeping the overall look soft and natural.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes at Sephora
I love makeup that enhances my features without looking overdone. A beautiful neutral base, a little definition at the outer corners, and just a hint of shimmer in the center of the lid. That's my kind of everyday eye makeup.
These are products I would happily recommend again and again.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils
My shades: Whiskey and Rockstar
Shop Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils at Sephora
I love a good eyeliner, but I don't always want the harshness of black.
Two beautiful alternatives are Whiskey, a rich brown, and Rockstar, a deep plum-purple.
With my green eyes, I especially love the idea of using these softer, richer colors to add definition. Brown is wonderful for an everyday natural look, while plum can really bring out green eyes.
Urban Decay's 24/7 pencils have a creamy formula that makes them easy to apply and blend before they set. They're a great option when you want a little definition without making your eye makeup look too dramatic.
Sometimes a simple change from black eyeliner to brown or plum can make such a difference.
My Favorite Complexion Products for Mature Skin
I love a little warmth on my face, especially when I want to look fresh and healthy without wearing a lot of makeup. This Gucci bronzer has a beautiful, silky formula that gives my skin a smooth, natural, sun-kissed finish. The shade is a perfect match for my complexion.
Gucci makes one gorgeous compact! It's one of those little luxuries that makes putting on makeup more fun.
Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Crème
My shade: Soleil Parfait 1
I love cream makeup, especially on mature skin. There's something about a creamy formula that gives the face a softer, more natural appearance.
What I love about this Westman Atelier bronzer is that you get two shades in one compact. The shade on the left adds a beautiful bronzy warmth, while the shade on the right is perfect for contouring.
I use the bronzing shade on my cheeks, across my nose, and along my forehead near my hairline. Then I use the contour shade to add a little definition to my nose and just beneath my cheekbones.
My goal isn't to create dramatic contouring. I simply want a little warmth and dimension that makes my skin look naturally sun-kissed, as though I've spent a beautiful day outdoors.
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
Shop Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick at Sephora
Dior really knows how to make beautiful complexion products.
My shade: 2.5 N
I love the idea of foundation that makes your skin look better without looking like you're wearing a thick layer of makeup. The Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick has a creamy, buildable formula with a natural, blurred finish.
What I especially appreciate about foundation sticks is the control. You can apply a little where you need coverage and blend it out rather than covering your entire face with a heavy application.
That's exactly the kind of makeup approach I prefer these days.
Dior Forever Skin Glow Liquid Foundation
Shop Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation at Sephora
My shade: 2.5 N
Another reason I love Dior complexion products is that the brand offers beautiful options for different finishes.
Dior Forever Skin Glow is the liquid foundation option for anyone who loves a more radiant complexion. It's designed to provide buildable coverage with a hydrated, glowing finish.
I'm drawn to foundations that let my natural skin show through while evening everything out. I want my skin to look fresh, not covered up.
Dior Forever Nude Matte Filter Setting Powder
Shop Dior Forever Nude Matte Filter Powder at Sephora
My shade: Light
Finding the right powder for mature, dry skin can be tricky. I want something that helps smooth the appearance of my skin without leaving it looking flat or overly matte.
Dior Forever Nude Matte Filter is designed to blur and set makeup while giving the skin a soft, luminous-matte finish.
I think the secret with powder, especially as we get older, is using a light hand. I want to take down a little shine where needed without losing the healthy glow I've worked to create with my skincare and foundation.
My tip for mature skin: Be especially careful with powder around your eyes. I apply it to my T-zone first, then use whatever powder is left on my brush to gently set the area under my eyes. Just the tiniest amount! Too much powder can emphasize fine lines, and that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
Beautiful Skin Is Still the Goal
One thing you'll notice about my makeup choices is that I'm not trying to cover up my skin. I'm trying to make it look its best.
A good moisturizer, a beautiful foundation, a little bronzer, soft eye definition, and a touch of shimmer. That's the kind of makeup I love.
And when I find products that work with my mature skin rather than against it, those are the ones I want to share with my Glam & Grit friends.
Finishing Touches
ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray: My Long-Day Favorite
Shop ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn Big & Bitty Duo at Sephora
Price: $36
I spend a lot of time outdoors, and there are plenty of days when I'm running around, working at races, or sweating.
That's exactly why I love ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray.
When I know I have a long day ahead and need my makeup to stay put, this is the spray I reach for. It's designed to help resist sweat, water, and transfer.
I especially like this holiday set because it includes both a full-size spray and a smaller travel version.
The little one is perfect for tossing into my travel bag.
I do have mature skin that tends to be dry, so I don't necessarily want a super-matte finish every day. But for those long, busy days when makeup staying power matters, this one earns its spot in my collection.
Dior Forever Glow Maximizer: My Little Splurge
Shop Dior Forever Glow Maximizer at Sephora
Shades I'm considering: Nude and Bronze | Price: $47
Now for something I haven't tried yet!
I've been looking at Dior Forever Glow Maximizer, especially the Nude and Bronze shades. I'm still deciding which one I want to try!
I love a beautiful, healthy glow on mature skin. I don't want chunky glitter or anything that makes my skin look overly shiny. I want that soft luminosity that makes skin look fresh.
This Dior product caught my attention because it's a liquid highlighter that can be used to add radiance to the complexion.
Is it a splurge? Absolutely.
But this is exactly the kind of product I like to try when Sephora has a sale. If I'm going to spend a little extra on something luxurious, I'd much rather buy it when I can get a discount!
I haven't tested it yet, so I can't call it a favorite. I'll share what I think once I've had a chance to wear it.
A Little Beauty Advice From Me
I love adventure!
I've learned that I don't need every new beauty product that comes along.
I want makeup that makes me feel good, works with my skin, and fits my lifestyle.
I love beautiful things. I love experimenting with makeup and skincare. But I also want products that can keep up with me, whether I'm headed out for dinner or spending a long day at a trail race.
That's why my Sephora basket is a mixture of products I already trust, a few practical sets, and one fun splurge.
And that's what I'd encourage you to do, too. Stock up on what you love, try something new if it excites you, and don't feel like you need to buy everything just because it's on sale.
I Have 5 Sephora 20% Off Shopping Codes to Share!
Here's a little something fun for my Glam & Grit friends!
As a Sephora Rouge member, I get to share my 20% discount with five friends during the Sephora Savings Event. That means you can save 20% on eligible purchases from October 30 through November 2, before the sale opens to other Beauty Insider tiers on November 3.
This is especially exciting because popular beauty products and holiday gift sets can sell out quickly. Who doesn't love getting first dibs AND saving 20%?
I have five invitations to share with my Glam & Grit community!
There are free areas of the community to explore, so you don't need a paid membership to join the conversation.
Want one of my five codes?
Head over to the Glam & Grit community page and send me a private message asking for a Sephora code.
I'll share the invitations with the first five people who message me through the app.
Each invitation is valid for one-time use from October 30 through November 2. You'll also need a free Sephora Beauty Insider account to redeem it.
And I'd love to know what's going into your Sephora basket! Are you stocking up on your holy grails, shopping for holiday gifts, or treating yourself to something new?
I'm always looking for another great beauty recommendation, too!
None of the product links in this article are affiliate links. These are simply products I genuinely love or am excited to try. Thanks for reading!
Love your now.
~Michele
