Timeless Beauty Awards: The Best Beauty Tools for Mature Women

Red light therapy is one of the most talked-about innovations in at-home beauty of the past decade. The latest devices emit safe, low-level wavelengths that have been clinically proven to boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and enhance the skin's cellular energy. In other words, regular use can help tighten skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. But these devices aren't all equally effective, and the market is flooded with options. “There are so many LED products on the market and some of them are gimmicky, but I like the Shark CryoGlow,” says Michelle Henry, board-certified dermatologist, surgeon, and clinical instructor at Weill Cornell. It can give you skin-boosting benefits, but “you also get instant gratification from the cooling technology while you're waiting for the treatment to work.” That tech isn't only great for de-puffing your face: It'll be a lifesaver if you're experiencing a hot flash.

A classic hairbrush isn't a flashy plug-in tool, but brands are still finding ways to innovate in the space — and designing models tailored for mature hair. Says Tiffany Jow Libby, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, “Many women start to notice decreased hair density, finer strands, and increased shedding in their 40s and 50s; up to 40 percent of women experience visible hair thinning by age 50. Hair fibers also become more fragile with age, so gentler tools like wide-tooth combs or softer brushes can help minimize breakage.”

That’s why we love the Bonne Brosse No. 3 Brush, which contains a mix of soft nylon and boar bristles. It gently detangles while distributing your natural oils throughout your strands for shinier, healthier hair. If you're looking for an affordable alternative that lacks boar bristles, the $9 Wet Brush is another winner.

While heat tools like blowdry brushes can be harmful, especially if you have shedding or thinning hair, you can prevent damage via how you use them. “I recommend limiting any high-heat styling or at least using lower power settings, along with heat protectants,” says Dr. Libby.

Our staffer Diana says her favorite tool, the Revlon One-Step Volumizer, dries and simultaneously styles her hair in minutes, thanks to the built-in brush. And compared to similar tools on the market, it far outperforms its competitors in price. As Diana explains, "My weekly wash day never ends in disappointment."

The TYMO Airhype went viral online, but that alone wasn't enough to convince us it was worthwhile. Then we used it. Not only does it perform on par with pricier hair dryers, in many ways, it's so much better: It dries faster than other ionic hair dryers we tested, but is also surprisingly lightweight. Clocking in at under one pound, it also didn't tire out our arms as we styled. Plus, this dryer suits all hair types; reviewers with everything from fine gray hair to natural 4A curls rave about it.

T3’s recent launch, the 2-in-1 Curling Straightener, is made with safety and style in mind. With revolutionary wrap-around heated plates and nine different heat settings, it can curl and straighten all hair types. Think long-lasting ringlets or a pin-straight style in a single pass, without the smoke. As one reviewer said, “Worth every penny: The only tool that finally beat my frizz.”

One of our testers was apprehensive that the rounded edges would heat her hair effectively, but her bouncy waves made it all through her date.

Eyelash curlers have a tendency to damage lashes, especially if those hairs have become brittle over time. That’s why we recommend the Shiseido tool for mature eyes. It has an edge-free design with a soft rubber cushion so it won’t pinch or pull at your eyelids, as many curlers tend to do. It also has a broader curve, accommodating a wider range of eye shapes, including hooded or sagging lids.

"I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is my favorite item in my makeup bag," says our producer Emily Pinto. "My eyelashes are stick straight, and I've tried every curler out there. This one is hands-down the best." And she has a great tip: "If you give it a quick hit of heat from your blowdryer before using it, the curl will last all day!"

There are thousands of makeup brushes on the market, and many of them are truly great. But if you’re looking for a set that can do it all, look to KJH Beauty, a brand launched by celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. Unlike some massive, unwieldy face brushes, these are the perfect size. Made from synthetic fibers, each one has a different density, so you can use them for everything from cream to powder products.

To turbo-charge an already robust skincare routine, consider the Medicube Booster Pro. It's a 6-in-1 device that truly does it all. The original version already helped skin better absorb any products, but the latest upgrade also features LED, microcurrent, and EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) technology. It's one of the most advanced items on our list, and regular use of this tool can help firm, brighten, and tighten skin.

Licensed aesthetician Lucia Miranda highly recommends the Medicube — and might have even lost a few clients because of its efficiency. “We hosted the U.S. launch in our office, and I got all my clients hooked. Some aren't coming in as often, because their skin looks so great from using it.”

Facial hair may increase as you age, and go through perimenopause. If shaving feels like a bridge too far, try the Flamingo Dermaplane, which is highly recommended by our commerce editor, Katie Pittman: “As someone with elevated testosterone levels due to PCOS, I sometimes grow a mustache faster than my boyfriend. Even though my hair is blonde, nothing irks me more than having thick hair growing on my upper lip and chin," she says. "I tried waxing, shaving with a traditional razor, and even hair-removal creams, but they all left me with ingrowns and irritated skin. The only thing that's worked? A dermaplaner. I love that this one has replaceable blades, and that it gives me tons of control over where I want to remove hair. It also gently exfoliates wherever I use it, which is a bonus.”

If you don't have a tweezer in every purse for an unexpected chin hair, what are you waiting for? This is our team's favorite tweezer — made of stainless steel, it provides just the right amount of tension when you really need to grab an errant whisker. You'll be able to easily pluck to your heart's content without straining your hands, which can be especially handy if you're struggling with osteoarthritis.

"Tweezerman is the only brand I'll use," says Pinto. "I don't know how they do it, but these tweezers are so much sharper and more precise than anything else out there."

It may not be as technologically advanced as some of the other items on this list, but given the inevitable way eyesight changes with age, a magnifying mirror is a must. Do yourself a favor and grab this $25 tool to avoid squinting at that little dot (a blackhead?) on your cheek. The LED light mimics natural sunlight, so you'll get an accurate peek at what you're dealing with.

One of our staffers highly recommended the Fancii Pocket Mirror, which she bought after her eyesight got worse during menopause.

Want shinier hair and better skin? Try switching your pillowcase. Swap your cotton ones for silk, which not only helps prevent your face from scrunching during sleep and deepening wrinkles, but it also allows hair to slip and slide, not tangle and break.

We already shop for almost everything at Quince, so we were glad to see that the brand (of course) offers a silk pillowcase for an excellent price. It's made from 100 percent mulberry silk, and more durable than some costly alternatives.