Not using a blurring primer
As you age you may notice new texture and colouration on your skin. It’s completely natural but if you’re looking for makeup tricks that will help hide your age or help you appear younger then you need to be using a blurring primer. Not only will it help your makeup last longer and look more flawless but it will give you a perfect base.
Using the wrong products for your skin type
Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin you need to use the right products for your skin type. Using a foundation designed for oily skin when you don’t need it will just highlight your dry patches and show signs of aging. Ideally, you’ll find a foundation that matches your skin type with a dewy finish to allow your skin to glow.
Using a brush to apply your foundation
It’s only been in the last decade that makeup sponges have become the primary tool for applying foundation, but if you haven’t made the switch yet, you need to right now. Brushes will usually apply more product, making a mask-like effect that can age you. They’re also more likely to leave marks and creases on the face, intensifying the look of wrinkles.
Highlighting dark circles
You may have been advised in previous years to use a light concealer under the years to brighten them and give you a more open and youthful appearance. However, too light of a concealer can enhance the look of dark circles. Instead, try color concealing under the eyes and using a small amount of a skin-matched concealer.
Using a foundation that is too heavy
Finding the right formula for a foundation can be hard, especially because there are so many on the market now. But even if you favored a full coverage matte look in years gone by, if you’re looking for a more youthful approach to makeup it may be time to switch it out for a serum foundation instead so it won’t settle into cracks or emphasize textured skin.
Applying too much concealer
With age, you may notice that dark circles become more apparent or that your under-eyes look puffier. The instant reaction is to reach for our concealer to cover them up. Too much concealer can make the problem look worse though, as the concealer can settle into the lines and creases under the eye, making them seem more apparent.
Using eyebrow products that are too dark
Eyebrow trends come and go with the years so it’s important to keep up with them if you don’t want your makeup to look dated. Whether you’re still trying to emulate Cara Delevingne or you’re just grabbing the wrong eyebrow pencil shade, it’s time to lighten up those brows if want to look your age. Natural, lighter brows will always make you look younger, and they’re so trendy at the minute.
Thinning your eyebrows too much
The late nineties was the height of pencil-thin eyebrows but gone are those days. Your hair naturally thins as you age so ensuring that you’re growing your brows out to their fullest potential, filling them with a small bit of product, and brushing them upwards will give you the most youthful look possible. If they’re refusing to grow back, you can try lash serum or castor oil to encourage growth.
Only choosing dark lipstick
Even if you had the most perfectly plump pout in your early twenties, your lips lose fullness as you age. Darker shades will just accentuate this. If you want to ensure a youthful look, it might be time to put the wine tones away and embrace a lighter, rose-colored lip. A small gradient using a slightly darker lip liner, blending into a lighter shade can even give the illusion of a bigger pout.
Only wearing matte lip products
You may notice that your lips and skin are drying out as you age, or that you’re experiencing more fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth. While this is totally natural, it can be an indication of age. If you’re only wearing matte lip products you may be exacerbating this issue and making it more noticeable. The formulation has a tendency to cling to dry patches so perhaps swap it out for a gloss instead.
Forgetting to hydrate your skin
Many people don’t consider a good moisturizer to be a step in their makeup routine, but if it isn’t already it should be. Priming and prepping your skin with a hydrating moisturizer before applying products is key to ensuring good application. Your skin produces less collagen and elasticity as it ages so moisturizing is more important than ever.
Blending your contour downwards
Contouring is an incredible technique that helps you create shadows and gives the illusion of a certain shape to your face. By strategically placing the product or blending in certain ways you can manipulate the way your bone structure appears. If you blend your contour upwards you’re creating a more youthful and awake look – an instant facelift.
Not emphasizing your eyelid crease
If you’re only using one eyeshadow color, you’re seriously missing out on a very simple trick. The easiest way to appear more youthful is to embrace big, bright eyes. By blending a darker shade of eyeshadow into the crease of your eye, you create contrast and the illusion of highlight and shadow which gives the eye depth, therefore instantly making them look bigger.
Using black eyeliner on your waterline
One big mistake that might be making you look older is lining your eyes in black. Using black eyeliner on your waterline will only make your eyes look smaller, perhaps adding years to your appearance. Not to mention that it’s also an outdated trend, making you look like you’re out of date with the latest fashions. Try a nude pencil instead or even a subtle pop of color.
Only using powder products
The problem with powder is that it will instantly settle into all fine lines and wrinkles, making them seem more severe and making you look older than you are. Instead, try out some different formulas for products. A cream blush instead of a powder blush will blend easily and can make your skin look creamier and more hydrated. You can even get liquid or cream eyeshadows.
Using too much glitter
You might think adding glitter to your makeup routine will make you appear younger. However, while you might think reflective glitter will brighten up the sullen areas of your face, it can just draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles. Instead, swap out glittery eye products with a subtle shimmer shade. Place it in the areas of your eyes and face that you want to draw attention to and you’ll turn back time.
Putting highlighter on as a last step
While highlighter can add dimension to your features and give the appearance of a more youthful glow, you don’t want to go overboard. One huge mistake that many people make is putting your highlighter on as the last step in your routine. Ideally, you’d add highlighter before blush or powder. By doing this you’ll avoid harsh streaks of the product and it’ll look like a more natural shine.
Baking your face
Baking was originally a trend employed only by drag queens and makeup artists to ensure your final look looked poreless, perfect, and long-lasting. However, it’s recently become a more popular technique, despite not being suited to everyone and every makeup look. If you’ve been swept up in the baking hype you may actually be making yourself look older by aggravating the look of textured skin and fine lines.
Choosing contour over bronzer
Bronzer is a makeup product that adds warmth and dimension to your face, whereas contours are usually slightly more cool-toned and are usually used to imitate shadows. By using only a contour you might notice your face looks a little more flat and washed out, making you appear older. Get that sun-kissed, youthful look by adding bronzer alongside your blush and highlight.
Picking metallic and shimmer shades
Metallic and shimmer shades can really help add a funky element to your makeup look. They used to be extremely popular in decades gone by, but now they’re just outdated. Current makeup trends favor matte shadows, graphic liners, and subtle colors. Swap out your old palettes and try a look of pale pink and plum colors with a small amount of sparkle to add highlights to your eyes.
Skipping blush
If you were scared by the eighties, it’s no wonder you’ve binned your blusher. But with a light application or a switch to a cream or liquid blush underneath your base, you can create more of a rosy, youthful look. Forgetting to add blusher can make your face look lifeless, tired, and dull which will give the appearance that you’re far older than you actually are.
Forgetting SPF
This is a makeup mistake that you can’t fix as easily as swapping out your mascara. If you’ve been utilizing products for years that don’t have added SPF you could have been subjecting your skin to a whole load of damage. But the good thing is that you can start a new skincare routine at any time. Plenty of moisturizers, serums, and foundations come with incredible protective properties now so grab them ASAP.
Not using an eyelash curler
While many of the biggest influencers are big fans of eyelash extensions, not everyone can afford regular maintenance. But if you’re forgetting to use a lash curler you’re making a serious makeup mistake. Curling your lashes before using mascara will make your eyes look bigger, wider, and more open, giving you a more youthful look.
Using white liner instead of nude
Makeup artists used to advise that if you wanted to make your eyes look bigger you should add a white eyeliner in your waterline. But instead of making you seem young and full of life, the white liner can look harsh and stark. Instead, use a nude pencil liner. It can open up darker, shadowed eyes in such a subtle way that no one will be able to spot your trick.
Lining the corner of your mouth
As you get older you may find that you’re starting to develop more fine lines around your lip. While a lip liner can help ensure your lipstick doesn’t bleed out (exaggerating these lines), it can also open the door to another makeup mistake. Lining the corner of your lips can create the illusion of a wider mouth and thinner lips, instantly adding years to your appearance.
Using blue eyeshadow
While some influencers are embracing the retro look of blue eyeshadow, for the general public anyone sticking with the shade is instantly giving away their age. Unless you’re sure you can pull off the ultimate Y2K look it’s a good idea to steer clear of this shade and instead try warmer tones for your eyes. They can add depth and a natural flush to your face.
Never giving up the block brows
Some people are holding onto their Anastasia Beverly Hills dipbrow for dear life. While big, blocky brows (otherwise known as ‘Instagram brows’) were a big trend in the mid-2010’s they now look outdated and can cast a shadow over your eyes, making them look more deep-set and your face more lifeless and sullen. Try soap brows for a natural look with just a fine pencil and eyebrow gel.
Choosing contrasting colors
High contrast colors like a bright pink lip and green eyeshadow might seem like a bold, high-fashion look, but really strong colors can just draw attention to any sullenness or dullness of the skin. It also doesn’t help that they were extremely trendy in the 80s and then again in the 00s, suggesting to anyone who sees you sporting the look that you’re still stuck in the past.
Using a shimmery highlight in your inner corner
Decades-old beauty advice would dictate that adding a pale color or a touch of shimmer on the inner corner of your eyes will make them look wider and more open (which will make your face look younger). However, the shimmer particles in a lot of highlighters settle into creases and can highlight your eye bags and dark circles, as well as make wrinkles look worse. Try a subtle champagne shade instead.
Sticking with a bold black liner
When you’re younger, a bold black liner can give an almost doll-like effect (especially when paired with the right eyeshadow look and a nude liner in your waterline). But as you get older, such a dark shade around your eyes can make them seem more closed which will add years to your appearance. If you love a winged liner, make the swap to a brown shade instead for a less harsh look.
Choosing skin-toned lipstick
Nude lipsticks can be a bold look but when you choose one that is too close to your skin tone it can be a mistake. Nude lipsticks will make the face look washed out and dead, instantly making you look older. If you’re looking for a subtle vibe, pick out a shade that’s close to your skin tone. It will be a lot more flattering.
Refusing to give up the volume lashes
Heavy-volume lashes can be a very flirtatious look. But the weight of the lashes will cast a shadow over your eyes making them look smaller and more closed. Additionally, they create a harsh, dark line on your face that you don’t want if you’re looking to appear younger. Avoid these unflattering outcomes by ditching the falsies altogether and try a lash curler or choose a pair with a more natural look.
Using setting powder over your entire face
Setting powder can be miraculous in the way it instantly elevates a look, and helps your hard work last all day long. But it could be where you’re going wrong in your routine. Any powder can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, but specifically using it all over your face dulls the skin and removes any natural glow. Use setting powder only in the places you need it – under your eyes and in your T zone.
Bringing eyeshadow up to your browbone
For a while dramatic cut creases were all the rage. Before then, everyone was sporting a grungey smokey eye. Prior to that, it was all about color from the lash line to the brows. While it can be hard to keep up with evolving trends, bringing your eyeshadow up to your browbone is an instant indicator that you’re stuck in the past, reliving your youth. It’s a simple mistake that adds years to your face.
Going too heavy on the blush
Youthful beauty is all about the natural fullness, subtle glow, and vibrancy. When you start applying your makeup with a heavy hand, you’re showing the world you’re not up to date with beauty trends or that you’re trying to hide your age. When using blush, apply a little at first and slowly build it up starting from the apples of the cheek for an almost cherub-like appearance.
Choosing face products that are too orange
Makeup products with an orange tone can add warmth to your face, which is so beneficial if you’re trying to achieve a younger look. Celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey says that “warmer tones […] generally look better as you age.” However, if it’s too orange for your skin the products will look unnatural – especially if your face no longer matches the shade of your body.
Using frosted lipstick
Frosted lipstick is probably one of the biggest indicators of someone whose makeup is out of date. Not everyone needs to keep up with changing beauty trends but frosted shades will also settle into the fine cracks of dry lips which will make you look older. If you want a bold look that does the opposite, use a cream or liquid-based lip product and add a gloss on top.
Sticking to intense, dark, smokey eyes
One huge makeup mistake that many people make every day that will significantly age you is refusing to give up a black smokey eye. They’re iconic for a reason, however, you may want to put the black liner down. This style of eyeshadow only closes your eyes which is perfect for achieving a more sultry but does nothing for creating the appearance of brightness and youth.
Applying highlighter on the browbone
Part of the allure of highlighter is that it brings attention to the areas of the face you place it. It’s perfect for drawing the eye to your cheekbones or creating the impression of a button nose. However, when you place it under the brown bone it emphasizes any hooded eyes which is more common as you age and your skin begins to sag. Keep shimmer away from the brow bone to avoid looking older.
Never switching up your look
While the saying ‘If it ain’t, broken don’t fix it’ tends to be true in many cases, when it comes to makeup, it may be a mistake that makes you look older. Trends change, better products and applicators are invented, and your face shape/ skin texture changes as you get older. Alter your products and applications every few years to keep looking young and trendy.
Applying eyeshadow with your fingers
This is one of the worst beauty mistakes of all! You may think it makes blending easier or gives a softer look, but it actually does the opposite. Applying eyeshadow with your fingers presses pigment into your skin, which can make it appear puffy and blotchy if you overdo it.
Using the wrong foundation shade
Foundation is a tricky subject, especially when it comes to applying it correctly. With so much conflicting information out there, sometimes it’s hard to know who to trust or what to believe. Remember: everyone’s skin is different! Find what works best for your skin tone and complexion and don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and styles of foundation until you find something that works for you.
Using too much highlighter
Highlighting your features is a great way to look more youthful and vibrant. But sometimes people can overdo it, which can actually have the opposite effect! And that’s not what you want to be doing when you’re trying to look younger. For the most flattering results, it’s important to choose something with a glowy finish instead of something super shimmery or glittery.
Not hydrating throughout the day
As you get older, your skin will naturally become drier. When you add makeup to the mix, this can cause your foundation to look caked on by midday. By using a nourishing face mist throughout the day, you can give your skin an instant boost of hydration that will keep your makeup looking fresh all day long.
Forgetting about the neck
Many people don’t realize that the neck is a key part of your makeup application. The skin on your neck is often the same color as your face, but it doesn’t get anywhere near as much attention. Your neck can be just as important to your appearance as your face, and if you’re not blending your foundation down your neck correctly, you’ll end up looking older than you really are!
Not knowing your eye shape
Everyone has different eye shapes, and not everyone can pull off the same look. For example, if you have small eyes, you may want to avoid tight-lining and instead use winged eyeliner to create the illusion of openness. There are plenty of eyeliner and eyeshadow techniques that work with each eye shape, it’s all about having fun and experimenting!
Wearing heavy contour
Contouring is the makeup technique used by makeup artists to create shadows and highlights on your face to make it appear more three-dimensional. It’s a trick that makes people look younger, but when done incorrectly, it can make you look older by adding more darkness and cakeiness.
Only using moisturizer
Did you know that the best way to take care of your skin is to prevent damage from happening in the first place? However, as you age a regular moisturizer might not be enough. The earlier you start using a moisturizer with antioxidants, peptides and other age-fighting ingredients, the better off your skin will be.
Not using serum
If you haven’t yet added a serum to your beauty routine, now is a great time, especially if you’ve been noticing fine lines or dullness around the eyes or mouth. Serums are a great addition to any anti-aging regimen since they work better than rich moisturizers alone at improving the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Using a dry sponge
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their make-up, no matter how long they have been applying it, is using a dry beauty sponge rather than a damp one. The texture of a dry makeup sponge is so unforgiving, that it slides across your skin as you use it, moving foundation and powder around indiscriminately. This can lead to creases, patchiness and visible pores.
Never changing your makeup routine
Whatever your age, there’s a tendency to want to hold on to the way things were when you were younger. We all like to feel young, but in this particular case, you’re actually making yourself look older. You might be trying to look like you did 10 years ago or 20 years ago, but the truth is that style has changed since then – and so have you!
Applying blush in circles
The key to applying blush correctly is knowing where exactly to put it. Applying blush to the apples of your cheeks will create unnatural-looking circles leading to more visible fine lines and wrinkles. Instead, opt for placing blush just under the high point of your cheekbones, this will create a chiseled look while still leaving room for a soft highlight.
Not cleaning your makeup brushes
If you need another reason to clean your brushes regularly, consider the effect that dirty brushes can have on your makeup. Your foundation, concealer, blush, and other cosmetics are likely to look muddy or dull if your brushes are harboring a bunch of dead skin cells or other gunk. A dirty brush can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could cause breakouts and blemishes.
Sleeping in makeup
The benefits of taking off your makeup at night are countless: not only does it preserve the youthfulness and healthiness of your skin, but it also prevents the buildup of dirt and oil on your face as well as keeping you from absorbing product through your pores while you’re sleeping!
Not wearing foundation
When you get the right foundation, it’s like a breath of fresh air for your face. It covers up any unevenness you may have, making your skin look even and bright as if you’ve just finished a tropical vacation. With the right formula, your skin tone will look more uniform, and it also helps conceal any flaws or blemishes.
Not blending properly
As we get older, our bodies naturally start to change. We all know that wrinkles and fine lines form as a part of that process, but makeup is a tool that can really help make them less apparent. However, if you don’t blend your makeup properly, you could actually create more lines on your face than you’re trying to hide.
Wearing dark mascara on the bottom lashes
If you just want to give the illusion of thicker lashes without all the baggage that comes with heavy mascara, try keeping it clean and tight on the bottom. Wear mascara only on your top lashes, and opt for a skinny, light liner on your lower lash line. This will give the appearance of thicker lashes without any risk of cast shadows or flaking.
Applying lipstick from the tube
For a younger-looking pout, concentrate on giving your lips just a little bit of color in the center of your mouth. Blend out with your finger or a lip brush towards your face to avoid looking like an old-fashioned movie star. Top it off with a moisturizing balm or light gloss for long-lasting moisture and shine.
Not using lip balm
Think of your lips like your hair – they’re porous, which means they soak up whatever products you put on them. This is why the best way to avoid looking older than you are is to start off with a base layer of moisture. Lip balm contains ingredients that help keep lips hydrated, and these ingredients help seal in moisture from other lip products.
Not using BB cream
If you’re looking to boost your natural beauty, you might want to consider using a BB cream instead of your old foundation. While the two products do have similar purposes, they are very different in their composition and how they function. A BB cream is made up of far more natural ingredients than a traditional foundation, which only makes it better for your skin, and it tends to sit on the face more subtly.
Choosing the wrong blush shade
The color of your cheeks should complement your skin tone as this will make you look healthier. If you have fair skin, then choose lighter colors such as pinks and peaches that will provide your face with a rosy glow. If you have darker skin, then opt for a deep pink or red color that will enhance your natural luster.
Only using one shade of concealer
It’s clear that different parts of your face have different concerns. However, most people with skin issues will buy one concealer that they believe can handle all of the problems on their face. This doesn’t work very well – different areas on your face have different undertones, meaning that a single concealer will not sufficiently correct all you want it to.
Combining too many trends
Though they may look great on their own, trends like a contoured face, smoky eyes, and over-lined nude lips, when combined, can not only overwhelm your face but also draw attention to aging skin. To avoid this unflattering effect, you’ll want to keep your color choices simple.
Wearing false eyelashes
You may think that false eyelashes will make your eyes look bigger and more attractive, but it’s actually the opposite. As a matter of fact, wearing false eyelashes can cause eye irritation, as well as allergies and blepharitis. They’re uncomfortable to wear too, as they burn and irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes.
Not drinking enough water
Wrapping your skin in a blanket of moisture helps keep it elastic and supple, but dehydration is an issue that so many women overlook. Dehydration causes the skin to sag and wrinkle, making you look older than your years. In order to combat dehydration, you’ll want to drink plenty of water. Water helps with the production of collagen in your body and keeps your skin looking young and fresh.
Not exfoliating
Exfoliation is the key to a flawless face – but not just for special occasions. Everyday exfoliation will make your makeup go on more smoothly and look more natural because it helps remove dead skin cells and other skin texture that may have accumulated on your face overnight.
Arching your brows
A great brow should be arched at its peak, but not too high – you don’t want to look surprised or shocked all the time. Your brows should also have a bit of an angle at their ends to follow the natural curve of your eye, but not so much that they look pointy or fierce. This creates a harsh, unbalanced look that makes you appear older.
Matching foundation to your skin tone
In your twenties, you’ll probably be able to find a perfect match for your skin tone. However, as you get older, there is a risk of looking washed-out or dull as your skin loses its natural color and radiance. So what’s the solution? You need to do the opposite of what you’ve always been taught: choose a foundation that is slightly warmer than your natural tone.
Using brown eyeshadow
Brown eye shadow is a classic. It looks beautiful, delicate, and classy. However, the pigments in the makeup can sometimes give your eyes an ashy, tired look. Instead of sticking with browns and taupes, try more subtle shades of sage and jewel tones. Start out with a lighter application and layer on more once you get used to it.
Not blending eyeliner
If you prefer using pencil eyeliner on your lower lash line, be aware that it can make your eyes look older by making the lashes appear thinner and lighter. If you can’t give up on pencil eyeliner, try lining as usual but get yourself a small brush and blending it out gently. This will help smoke out the eye and soften the harsh line.
