Eva Longoria’s Makeup Artist Reveals Her Top Beauty Tip for Women Over 40

Photo credit: Araya Doheny - Getty Images
Photo credit: Araya Doheny - Getty Images


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  • Eva Longoria’s makeup artist, Elan Bongiorno, shared a video explaining her top makeup tips for women over 40.

  • Bongiorno revealed some of her favorite primers, including MAC Strobe Cream, and why they are so important for mature skin.

  • “You’re going to have a beautiful canvas for your makeup, and your makeup is going to last longer.”


When it comes to professional makeup, you can guarantee that celebrities work with the best of the best. Now, thanks to social media, we’re getting a front-row seat to makeup tutorials from some of the greatest, like Elan Bongiorno (Eva Longoria’s go-to makeup artist) who recently posted a TikTok video (watch here!) revealing her top makeup tips for creating a flawless complexion for women over 40. Namely, she shares the must-have product she says every woman should use: primer.

“A primer helps your makeup glide on beautifully. It’s going to fill in any of those pores, any fine lines, and wrinkles. You’re going to have a beautiful canvas for your makeup, and your makeup is going to last longer,” said Bongiorno.

The beauty expert revealed a few must-have options for every skin type, along with a detailed explainer on how and where to apply makeup primer. Ahead, we’re breaking down everything Bongiorno wants you to know about mature skin and the powerhouse product.

Primers are essential

“You got to prep your skin...you got to use a primer,” said Bongiorno in the video. “So after you put on your potions, your lotions, your oils, your sunscreen...after you put that all on, you let it seep into the skin, and then you have to use a primer.”

Primers are a crucial product for makeup application, though many choose to skip this step. They are designed to help extend the wear of your makeup and reduce common skincare concerns. “Face primers serve as a base for foundation and other makeup products,” said Ronald Moy, M.D., one of the leading cosmetic and facial plastics surgeons at Moy Fincher Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology, in a previous interview for Prevention. “They allow it to go on smoother and last longer throughout the day without any creasing or fading.”

Consider your skin type

“I have dry skin so I’m going to use a luminizing primer...if you have problematic skin, if you have large pores, if you have oily skin, you’ll want to use a mattifying primer,” Bongiorno advises. She recommends using the Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Face Primer, which works to blur irregularities, fight shine, and create a smoother base.

Mattifying formulas are essential for oily skin types because they work to absorb oil. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), oily skin can cause clogged pores and lead to acne breakouts, so you should opt for oil-free primers.

“If you have some redness, you’ll want to use a neutralizing primerit has a nice and minty green tone to it, so it’s going to neutralize all that redness in your skin,” said Bongiorno. Her favorite primer for canceling out red hues? The COVERGIRL Trublend Base Business Face Primer and it’s only $7.

How and where to apply primer

In the video, Bongiorno applies three dots of the MAC Strobe Cream to her cheeks and forehead and then massages the product into her skin using her fingertips. While this isn’t a typical face primer, Bongiorno enjoys using this product because it works to moisturize and brighten up the skin (similar to traditional primers), thanks to its green tea ingredient. Many makeup artists recommend applying primer to areas where makeup might need a bit of a boost.

If you haven’t added a primer into your beauty routine yet or are in need of an upgrade, now’s the perfect time to grab one.

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