Hello, beautiful! Have you ever checked yourself out in the mirror after a full makeup session and thought, “Something just doesn’t feel right”?
Well why, if we try and follow every step to the letter, the makeup doesn’t seem to work quite right?
There is most definitely a reason for that, and it could be common makeup blunders that are making you look older than your actual age.
It is rather simple to get swept away with the beauty of makeup fads, but not every method will yield the same results.
It’s taken me some time to appreciate that makeup isn’t only about what looks good at the present, but rather learning what enhances your features, your skin, and even your age; which oftentimes evolves as we do, highlighting that our skin also requires a different approach and gentler care as we age.
In this guide, we shall discuss the makeup tricks that are making you look older than your age and how you can outsmart them.
Believe me, it’s easier than you think. No more looking older than your age! We’re shifting focus to beauty strategies that disguise your age and reveal your natural skin so you appear fresh, vibrant, and youthful
Key Takeaways
- Wrong foundation choices will age you fast.
- Using excess powder may accentuate fine lines and make them appear more visible.
- Overcontouring often results in harsh lines that can instantly age the face.
- Applying thick eyeliner on both the upper and lower lids tends to pull the eyes downwards.
The Power of the Right Foundation Shade
We all know how tricky finding a foundation that matches skin tone perfectly can be, but what if no matter how hard you try, it simply doesn’t match?
Well, in that scenario, your skin is going to have a blaring contradiction between the color of the foundation being used, whether lighter or darker. This makeup disaster will make you look much older than you in actuality are as well.
Until recently, I kept testing out foundation after foundation because I thought that they all were right looks in my eyes until… out of instinct one day I stepped outside in natural light.
Oh boy, was that a shock. That’s shocking not even considering the tone aspect. It turns out beneath the surface, a lot of things were off.
The shade itself is not the point here, more so the warmth and coolness that comes with it. If the undertone is contradicting, skin will lose the charm and appear deceitful with its dullness as the skin ages naturally.
When it comes to finding a perfect foundation and matching it with makeup for the first time in years, I suggest starting with a proper application on the jawline. In my case, that has proven to be the ultimate gamechanger.
To achieve a flawless match, consider your neck as well as your face and check if there is harmony between the two. If possible, try the foundation out in natural light, as this is the best light to gauge color accuracy—and remember, a foundation that becomes one with your skin is a versatile product.
Powder – The Subtle Culprit That Ages Your Skin
One foundation I cherished back in high school unwillingly aged me tremendously—powder.
I now employ a whole lot less and it’s been proven to be life-changing. While neutralizing oil is undeniably a merit of powder, using it as a setting powder is where disasters happen, and I am sure it makes corner creases look a tad bit wrinklier, which in fact, nobody at all wants.
The fix? I learned to stop attempting to hide behind pounds and start utilizing a light, gentle hand. All that is needed is a light dust, and concentrate on where oiliness is recurrent such as the T-zone.
For the rest of the face? Gleam! Another is substituting powder with a spritz of setting spray. The power these sprays carry when it comes to the beauty industry for us oily folks, there’s no end—it exhales a shining finish to makeup.
If you have mature skin or fine lines, a finely milled powder would best suit you. These powders are lighter and won’t settle into the more defined lines on your face. The goal is to improve natural skin texture, not cover it with thick layers of makeup. Remember that showing skin is always better than hiding it with powder—less is more.
Contouring: The Double-Edged Sword
Worry not; contouring can be fun, but it also requires a certain degree of expertise. If not done correctly, especially as we age, it can lead to a plethora of issues.
As we age, sculpted features become a lot harder to pull off due to skin laxity and volume loss. While softening features can produce more favorable results, strong contour lines serve to highlight the loss of volume over time.
In my experience, contouring can work best when there is less makeup involved. A light hand with bronzer works just as well at giving a healthy sun-kissed glow without looking overdone. Gentle hand placement when blendingyields better results as well.
Define your makeup goals to accentuate the most important traits you want while keeping a fresh appearance. When contouring, subtlety is the best friend we need when aging.
Eyeliner: A Little Can Go a Long Way
Eyeliner is one of my personal favorites. It can spice up the look of your eyes and enhance their beauty. But be careful, as too much eyeliner can make your eyes look smaller and even drag down your look. Overly thick eyeliner on the upper and lower lash lines can age your look.
You don’t have to completely forego eyeliner. Simply, apply it to the upper lash line. Thin eyeliner, or “tightlining,” gives the lashes a fuller appearance.
If you want to add some definition to your lower lash line, apply eyeshadow instead of eyeliner to avoid making your eyes look smaller.
Tightlining the upper waterline is also a great trick. It adds subtle definition to the eyes ensuring that there isn’t an overpowering line that would weigh the eyes down.
Brow Game: The Secret to Youthful Features
I can’t emphasize this enough as your brows are of utmost importance. Your brows can naturally thin out due to age, which can make you look older than you are.
One of the most significant beauty blunders is ignoring eyebrows or overfilling them. Well-defined, full brows that are taken care of can elevate your face and give you a youthful glow.
The secret is to fill them in softly and naturally. Instead of a harsh pencil, I recommend a brow powder or pencil of the same shade as your hair.
Steer clear of the sharp edged and heavy lined “Instagram brow.” Instead, aim for a soft, natural look. Don’t forget to comb through them after filling to soften the look. A softer look will make your brows appear younger and natural.
Matte Lipsticks: The Drying Culprit
While we can enjoy the aesthetic of looking beautiful in matte lipsticks, they can become a form of irritation as we age and lose collagen in our lips, making them thinner and drier. A matte formula tends to settle into fine lines and dry patches, which isn’t very pleasing.
The outcome? Lips that appear thinner and older. For this reason, we recommend moisturizing lipsticks with creamy or satin finishes. These will give your lips that plump, youthful look instead.
If you love wearing matte lipsticks, always hydrate your lips beforehand with a nourishing lip balm. Make sure to exfoliate gently once a week to remove any dead skin, and always use a hydrating lip gloss or balm afterwards.
Highlighting: Let the Light Hit Just Right
Like any other parts of your makeup, if done right, highlighting can transform your beauty for the best. But here’s the kicker:
If done wrong, highlighting can age you in specific areas depending on where you place it. Over-highlighting, especially with shimmer-heavy products, can accentuate pretty teleportation tunnels and texture.
Rather than applying too much, place the highlighter on the surfaces of your face where light hits; the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and the cupid’s bow. This will form natural dewy skin as opposed to a shiny, glittery mess. To achieve youthful skin, a healthy non-glittery highlighter should be used.
The Importance of Removing Your Makeup Properly
Let’s start by me telling you the most vital part of the skincare regime is (especially with age) taking off makeup the right way not leaving the residue.
Leftover makeup can be harmful as it will congest pores leading to breakouts, dull skin, and worst case scenario, fine lines. Your skin should be refreshed and cleaned thoroughly before getting into bed.
For skincare, I personally recommend double cleansing; start with oil-based makeup removing cleansers followed by gentle water-based ones to break down stubborn makeup.
Also remember to drink water for maintaining soft and hydrated skin because skipping moisturizer is not an option.
My Opinion
Understanding the makeup blunders that could potentially age you is step one.
Now, it is time to refine your routine. By making small changes for the better, you will not only feel younger, but will also look younger with every passing day.
Remember, makeup is not meant to conceal one’s beauty, but rather enhance it. To achieve this, a woman must learn to apply subtle techniques that highlight her features instead of camouflaging them, as she matures with grace.
Youthfulness is not about following the latest fads. It is more about defining what is best for you.
The purpose of these suggestions is to help bring out one’s real features without recalling aged signs. I encourage you to test them and see their impact for yourself. After all, in beauty, the details matter—and I know you want to look your best.