
Hey there, beauty lovers! If you’re anything like me—hitting the fabulous 40s (or beyond) and still chasing that effortless, radiant look without settling for cakey or heavy vibes—you know the struggle is real. Mature skin demands a little extra TLC: hydration, subtle coverage, and techniques that enhance rather than highlight every fine line. That’s why when I stumbled upon celebrity makeup artist Samer Khouzami’s viral mature skin makeup tutorial (shoutout to Smitha Deepak’s spot-on recreation on YouTube), I had to try it. Samer, the “King of Contouring” who’s transformed icons like Kris Jenner, focuses on building a smooth, dimensional canvas that celebrates your natural beauty.
Inspired by Smitha Deepak’s step-by-step follow-along in her video “I Followed a MASTER Makeup Artist’s Mature Skin Makeup Tutorial!”, I rolled up my sleeves (and grabbed my brushes) to recreate it on my own skin. Spoiler: The results? A fresh, sculpted glow that lasted all day without a single creasing mishap. If you’re ready to level up your routine, here’s the full breakdown—products I used (mirroring Smitha’s picks where possible), pro tips from the tutorial, and my honest takeaways.
Why This Tutorial is a Game-Changer for Mature Skin
Samer’s approach is all about prevention over correction. No heavy powders or shimmers that settle into lines—instead, it’s layers of glowy hydration, strategic contouring for lift, and soft definition. Smitha nails this in her video, adapting it seamlessly for everyday wear. Perfect for busy mornings when you want to look polished but not “done up.” Pro tip from Samer (via his timeless advice): Opt for talc-free powders and soft foundations to avoid emphasizing texture.
Step-by-Step: Recreating the Look
I started with clean, prepped skin (duh—skincare is 80% of the magic). Total time: About 20 minutes. Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Hydrate and Protect (The Base Layer)
- Product: IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Moisturizer
- How-To: Pat a dime-sized amount onto damp skin, focusing on dry patches like cheeks and around the eyes. Let it sink in for 1-2 minutes.
- Tip for Mature Skin: This cream is a hydration hero—packed with hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump lines without greasiness. Smitha emphasizes massaging upward to boost circulation and that instant “lifted” vibe.
- My Take: My skin drank it up. No more midday tightness!
Next, layer on SPF because sun protection is non-negotiable for ageless glow.
- Product: Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 (in Glow)
- How-To: Apply a sheer layer all over with fingers for a subtle sheen.
- Tip: The tint adds warmth without full foundation commitment, blurring imperfections like a dream.
Step 2: Prime for Perfection
- Product: Milk Makeup Cloud Glow Foam Brightening Primer
- How-To: Foam a pea-sized blob between fingers and press into skin, avoiding the T-zone if oily.
- Tip for Mature Skin: Primers like this create a “velvety” base that grips makeup without pulling on dry areas. Samer swears by glowy formulas to mimic youthful dewiness—avoid mattifying ones that can accentuate flakes.
- My Take: Instant brightness! It made my foundation glide on like silk.
Step 3: Conceal Smart, Not Heavy
- Product: MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover Concealer (in Fawn)
- How-To: Dab under eyes and on spots with a brush, then tap-blend with a damp sponge. Build only where needed.
- Tip: For mature eyes, place it slightly higher than your dark circles to avoid dragging down the lid. Smitha shows how to feather edges for seamless blending—no harsh lines here.
- My Take: Covered my under-eye shadows without creasing by noon. Game-changer.
Step 4: Foundation with Flair
Following Samer’s contour-first philosophy (adapted in the tutorial), I went light.
- Product: A hydrating tinted serum like Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation (medium coverage)
- How-To: Mix with leftover moisturizer on the back of your hand, then stipple on with a dense brush. Focus on the center and blend outward.
- Tip for Mature Skin: Skip full-face coverage—let your natural skin peek through for authenticity. Samer recommends blending downward to prevent tugging at fine lines.
- My Take: Even tone without the mask effect. My pores? Invisible.
Step 5: Contour and Highlight for Dimension
This is where Samer’s genius shines—subtle sculpting that lifts without looking obvious.
- Products: Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand (cool tone) + Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (for highlight)
- How-To: Sweep contour under cheekbones, jawline, and nose sides with a fluffy brush. Dust highlight on high points (brow bone, cupid’s bow).
- Tip: Use cream formulas for blendability on textured skin. Smitha demos feathering the edges softly to avoid muddy looks.
- My Take: Suddenly, my face had cheekbones! The glow made me look rested, not rested-on.
Step 6: Cheeks and Eyes—Soft and Sultry
- Blush: Cream blush in a rosy peach (e.g., Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush)
- How-To: Smile and tap high on apples, blending up toward temples.
- Eyes: Neutral shadow trio (matte taupe in crease, soft shimmer on lid). Line waterline with brown pencil, mascara on top lashes only.
- Tip for Mature Skin: Skip heavy liner or glitter on lids—opt for inner-corner highlights to open eyes. Samer advises curling lashes pre-mascara for that wide-awake effect.
- My Take: The blush gave me that “just-vacationed” flush. Eyes looked defined but not dragged down.
Step 7: Lips and Set
- Product: Hydrating lip tint (e.g., Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color)
- How-To: Outline slightly over your natural line for plumpness, then fill.
- Final Set: Translucent powder (talc-free, like Laura Mercier) only on oily zones.
- Tip: Overlining subtly combats thinning lips. Smitha finishes with a spritz for dewiness.
- My Take: Lips stayed juicy all evening—no feathering.
Before and After: The Transformation
Before: Tired, uneven tone from a long week. After: Sculpted, luminous, and me—but better. The key? Building from hydrated skin outward. It held up through coffee runs and Zoom calls, fading gracefully by bedtime.
[Insert Image Here: Before and After split image—left: natural, slightly dull skin; right: glowing, contoured face with soft smile. Use WordPress media uploader to add.]
Final Thoughts: Worth the Hype?
Absolutely. Samer Khouzami’s techniques, as brought to life by Smitha Deepak, prove that mature makeup isn’t about hiding—it’s about illuminating. If you’re over 40 and feeling stuck in your routine, start with hydration and subtle contour. Head to Samer’s Instagram for more inspo, or book a virtual session with Smitha for personalized tweaks.
What’s your go-to mature skin hack? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to try! Until next time, keep glowing. 💄✨
*Products linked are affiliates—thanks for supporting the blog! All opinions are my own.*


