With the privilege of aging comes skin changes, and the makeup that once worked for you in your 20s and 30s might now be settling into fine lines and exaggerating texture. While there’s no shortage of mature-skin foundations out there, this one powder seems truly unique in its formula and potential to temporarily conceal the typical signs of skin aging — and it’s heavily discounted today for almost 40% off.
Whatever you may think about powder foundations, the Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten formula is likely vastly different. Rather than drying out skin and accentuating flakes or texture, this impossibly lightweight “powder” functions and feels closer to a cream, which real users assure us is never cakey and resistant to settling into fine lines.
“I am 37, fair-skinned, and have fine lines around my eyes, and this is the area where makeup can sometimes make me look like I have deeper wrinkles,” one Amazon customer writes. “This powder blurs those fine lines just a little, but definitely does not enhance them like most makeup products do.”
In terms of coverage, it claims to camouflage imperfections using color-correcting and brightening pigments, rather than operating as a heavy layer of opaque makeup. According to one reviewer from Amazon, “it instantly neutralizes redness and brightens up sallow skin without needing a separate primer or corrector.”
The brand claims that this “balance and correct” approach works for concealing dark spots, hyperpigmentation, redness and rosacea.
“I wouldn’t say it’s [a] full coverage foundation, but more of a balancing foundation. It balances out my skin tone and gives a soft finish,” an Amazon reviewer explained.
Another user describes it as a buildable-coverage foundation that somehow manages to impart great coverage that simultaneously appears sheer, “so it makes me look like I just have really even skin, and up close, you can’t detect that I am wearing any powder,” they said.
It’s also made with ingredients that are not as commonly found in most traditional powder formulas, like hydrating jojoba seed oils and soothing plant extracts that stave off irritation, calm redness, and offer antioxidant protection. It also features dimethicone, a cosmetic ingredient that is known for giving skin a blurred, silky finish.
The Balance-n-Brighten powder comes in nine flexible shades that self-adjust to skin tones and feature multi-dimensional swirls of pigment to help wearers achieve a true skin-like result.
I can’t speak from personal experience about the worth of this miraculous powder foundation, however, the abundance of enthusiastic reviewers below can. Or you can snag a compact for yourself right now, while it’s on sale for just $22 on Amazon.
Promising Amazon reviews:
“A Total Game-Changer for a Natural Glow! If you’re tired of heavy, cakey liquid foundations that settle into fine lines by lunchtime, you need to try the LAURA GELLER Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder Foundation.
Effortless Color Correction: Unlike flat, one-dimensional powders, the swirls of different pigments (baked on terracotta tiles in Italy!) do all the work for you.
It instantly neutralizes redness and brightens up sallow skin without needing a separate primer or corrector.
This is one of the few powder foundations that doesn’t emphasize texture or wrinkles. Because it starts as a cream and is baked into a powder, it retains a hydrating quality that keeps the skin looking luminous rather than dusty.” — Kathleen Fairbanks“I like the coverage this product give me without feeling like I am “made up”. The application I use is a brush and it looks mostly natural and doesn’t settle into my lines like foundation does. My skin tends to be oily but dry in the fall and it works well all the time. It is definitely light and I use a moisturizer and primer underneath. Highly recommend for women over 50 who want to look natural and beautiful.” – Mama TP
“I love this stuff. I have been using it on and off for years. Now that I am in my late 30′s this works better for my skin. I have large pores and oily skin, when I wear foundation it tends to cake up (even my favorite foundation) now that I am older. Using this powder does not dry my skin out, my skin does get oily throughout the day but I use blotting paper for that. This powder does not settle in my pores and does not make me break out. It’s not 100% coverage but it makes your skin tone blend. I also have milia under my eyes and this helps decrease the prominence of them.” — Jmom
“This is my daily driver, my ride or die, my squad partner, my bestie. This stuff isn’t cakey at all. I don’t need heavy foundation, I just color correct my cheeks and this is perfect. Can you build it, yes! Would I recommend it for heavy coverage, no but it could do it.” — Stephanie Harris
“Glides on smoothly with a light, silky feel to it. It didn’t seem to have any scent to it either. Love the way the colors are swirled together to make it a good match for your skin tone. I got a shade lighter because some reviews say it runs a bit darker and I wanted a good match (which I got). Nice compact but I wish the mirror was full sized and not just half of that, as it would be easier to see yourself and apply powder. All in all, it’s very nice and does seem to glide over my wrinkles (I’m 65). Bought it on an amazing Amazon sale too! I think I’m going to try the highlighter next, to brighten up my complexion even more!” – CC in Wisconsin
If you want to keep shopping for more foundations, take a look at these reviewer-beloved options for dry skin that senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe previously covered.
Amazon
A hydrating tint for under $25
Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, this skin tint is formulated to help moisturize dry skin, leaving skin looking and feeling its very best. It has a lightweight, radiant finish that is ideal for people who love a glowy appearance, though it provides a nice amount of even, natural coverage. It’s available in ten shades and is. non-comedogenic, so you can enjoy that hydration without worrying about it clogging pores.
Promising review: “Truly my favorite tinted foundation. I have dry skin and this doesn’t cling to dry patches and keep my face feeling hydrated. Even after a 10 hour day it doesn’t feel dry and stiff like other tinted foundations have.” — Samantha
Glossier
A cult-fave skin tint that is perfect for mature skin
If you think Glossier is just for young people, think again. This skin tint is actually beloved by people 40+. It has just the right amount of coverage without weighing down the skin, and it beautifully hydrates and leaves skin soft and smooth. I’ve been using it since it first came out, and it’s held up over time despite the various ways my skin has changed, including through pregnancy, postpartum, aging and various skin issues. Glycerin keeps the skin moisturized and plump while diamond powder helps to minimize the look of pores, leaving skin looking bright and with a photoshop finish. It’s available in 12 shades. Think of it as your skin, but better.
Promising review: “i have very dry problematic skin and am cool toned pale and its hard to find shade matches that also work on my skin type. this does!! actually am able to get a bit of a dewy look and it does not emphasize dry areas or lines. the only thing is it is super super light coverage. like first layer you question if anything went on your face, but its very buildable so you just keep layering and then its perfect.” — myxy
Sephora
A skin-improving foundation tint
Get a skin like finish with this cult-fave foundation. Just like Kosas’ beloved concealer, it will leave your complexion looking better than ever. It has a comfortable texture that doesn’t cake or look heavy, while niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, arnica, vitamin B5, peptides and hyaluronic acid amp up the formula and take it from makeup to skin care territory. It even provides sun protection with SPF 25.
Promising review: “I LOVE this foundation! I’ve used quite a few different foundations over the years, this one will forever be in my makeup bag! I have pretty dry and sensitive skin, but this is somewhat hydrating while still having medium coverage. Best of all, it did not irritate my skin! I’m just in love!” — PinkyBee23
Sephora
A dermatologist- and makeup artist-beloved luxury foundation
Luminous Silk foundation by Armani Beauty is one product in particular that has been suggested to us by several experts, one of whom called it a “never cakey, lightweight and dewy” foundation that leaves a skin-perfecting, natural-looking finish. A large part of its popularity probably has to do with the fact that this foundation works well for many skin types, including acne-prone, dry and aging skin. Its hydrating, glowy-finish formula has the ability to blur imperfections without settling into fine lines or wrinkles.
Available in 40 shades, this medium-coverage and buildable foundation uses what the brand refers to as “micro-fil technology” to allow color pigments to lay flat for seamless blending and layering. The long-lasting formula also claims to improve the look of irregular skin texture while maintaining that lit-from-within glow.
Promising review: “I have been using this foundation now for three weeks and I have to say I am in love! I have super dry skin with some texture (keratosis pilaris) and this made my skin look flawless. Will definitely be repurchasing.” — msjaay
Amazon
A blurring skin tint that can help to fight blue light and pollution
I was skeptical that this Ilia tint would feel oily, but I’m pleased to report that not only does it dry down really nicely, but it leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated. My wife and I both have very different skin types (mine is oily and acne-prone, hers is dry), and we both love this foundation. It feels lightweight and invisible but gives a great amount of coverage, evening out the skin beautifully and giving a natural-looking glow. It has an award-winning serum-like formula infused with niacinamide, squalane and hyaluronic acid, so you know your skin will look and feel gorgeous. There is also a pretty extensive shade range to choose from. Best of all, it has SPF 40.
Promising review: “My entire life I have had acne and super sensitive skin. Foundation always made it worse, but I was too embarrassed to go bare. Sad face. Menopause cleared up the acne, but now I have dry skin! I’m 48 and I was clueless about skin care. I decided to try ilia. I’m so appreciative that someone developed this! My neice uses this, and she swears it cleared her acne! Her skin looks gorgeous now! Where was this when I was growing up? I am in awe of how good this makes my skin look. I’m a special needs mom and there are many nights that I don’t wash my face before passing out and I swear I wake up with beautiful hydrated skin! It’s seriously my favorite thing to put on. The smell was a little weird at first, but I understand that the ingredients combined are responsible. The ingredients are amazing by the way. The scent goes away within seconds. The results are worth it! It’s spendy, but it saves you money in the long run. It’s skin care, sun screen and ACTUALLY works so you won’t need to buy other products. I bought other ilia products now and I threw out my other cosmetics! Thank you Ilia!!! I’m eyeballing the eyeshadow today…. lol” — Michelle
Sephora
An editor-beloved buildable foundation
I will never stop raving about the Westman Atelier Vital Skincare complexion drops. It looks like makeup, feels like skin care and leaves you with the dewiest complexion. This liquid foundation has a thin, lightweight and serum-like consistency — almost like a tinted moisturizer – with light-to-medium buildable coverage that looks just like my own skin, but way better. It blends beautifully with both brushes or a sponge and, somehow, it manages to blur my breakouts and cover redness and dark circles without looking or feeling heavy. I’ve gotten compliments almost every time I’ve worn it from people who think it’s my natural, makeup-free face. It is so feather-light that I was certain it wouldn’t even be visible, making the results all the more thrilling.
It’s gentle and hydrating, doesn’t clog pores and gives my skin an overall healthy glow. Another reason I am obsessed with it is that while it does have a dewy finish, it doesn’t leave my skin looking slick or oily. It dries down to an almost powdery consistency that leaves my skin velvety smooth and stays put all day long.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this foundation is that it’s packed with serum-style ingredients like squalane, tsubaki oil, ginseng extract and more. These work together to improve the look of skin texture, reduce redness, soothe irritation, hydrate and brighten the complexion. I regret to inform you that it’s worth every penny.
Sephora
A deliciously hydrating, lightweight foundation from Hourglass
Get everything you love about the Hourglass stick foundation in a lightweight tint with a dewy finish with this feathery foundation. It provides sheer buildable coverage that lasts all day long while ingredients like meadowfoam sea oil, hyaluronic acid and squalane replenish the moisture barrier, plump the skin and protect against moisture loss. It’s a hydration powerhouse. You can get it in 18 different shades.
Promising review: “I’ve used this a few times since purchasing and I’m so glad I got it it gives a great finish and surprisingly doesn’t cling to my dry spots just smooths them over” — minionlaur7
Amazon
A hydrating gel-like skin tint foundations
Milk Makeup’s skin tint is great for people who want a buildable foundation that provides real coverage but won’t fade, cake or weigh you down. It has a hyaluronic acid and niacinamide-rich formula that is hydrating and lightweight and leaves the skin with a lovely dewy finish. It’s available in 15 different hues.
Promising review: “The smooth consistency and coverage of this makeup is very complimentary on my mature skin it isn’t drying and it doesn’t sit in fine lines at all it gives a nice glow and it lasts all day I don’t have to reapply during a 7 hour work shift surprisingly it looks the same at the end of the day most makeup starts to disappear on my skin by noon This makeup saves the day! It’s a great foundation !” — Renee Hudson
Amazon
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