Sometimes your makeup comes out perfect. You feel confident because your skin looks amazing, and your best features are accentuated in just the right way. But have you noticed that some days, your makeup makes you look older… what gives?
The thing is, we’re all guilty of choosing the wrong colors or application techniques on occasion. And sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where you went wrong. Here’s a list of the most common makeup mistakes that can make you look older plus easy fixes to help you get it right every time!
10 Makeup Mistakes That Can Make You Look Older
If you’ve ever caught yourself in the mirror and thought, “wow I look older today” then it might be time to re-evaluate your makeup routine. While we all want to feel confident and beautiful every day, sometimes our makeup just doesn’t cooperate with us. It’s frustrating when we can’t pinpoint what went wrong! That’s why we’ve created this list of 10 makeup mistakes that can make you look older and how to fix them so they don’t happen again.
1) You’re using too much concealer around the eyes.
In our desire to cover up those dark circles, many of us are guilty of using too much concealer around the eyes.
Facial muscle movement and repeated expressions are some of the main causes of wrinkles around the eyes. Applying your concealer too thick accentuates those wrinkles, especially when you make those same facial movements that caused the wrinkles in the first place.
So, what’s the fix? Choose a hydrating and illuminating concealer and apply it in thin layers, using just enough to get the coverage you need.
Choosing the right shade is also essential here. A concealer that’s one shade lighter than the rest of your face will look natural and brighten your eyes. But if you go too light, you run the risk of accentuating your wrinkles and puffiness, which makes your eye area look older.
2) You’re wearing too much foundation.
Much like applying too much concealer, applying heavy, thick foundation can easily age your face. Cakey foundation will settle into fine lines and wrinkles, accentuating them and creating a mask-like look that can add years to your face.
When choosing your foundation, look for a hydrating and illuminating formula that provides a youthful glow. Foundation should be used to even out the skin tone, but don’t try to use it to cover flaws with it. Use strategically applied concealer to create a more natural flawless finish.
3) You’ve applied too much mascara on the lower lashes.
A touch of mascara on the lower lashes is a great way to accentuate your eyes. But putting too much mascara on the lower lashes can create a shadowy effect that makes you look tired. It can also draw attention to the undereye area, which is the last thing you want if you’re trying to hide fine lines.
It’s also important to note that mascara should be replaced at least every two months. Using older mascara leads to flaking and smudging, which can accentuate dark circles under the eyes. You also run the risk of introducing bacteria to the eyes, and nobody wants that!
4) You haven’t taken the time to curl your eyelashes.
Flat or droopy eyelashes can drag the eye down and instantly age your face. Curling your lashes only takes a few seconds and it’s well worth the effort. It’s like an instant eyelift that makes you look instantly younger and more awake.
5) You’ve skipped lipstick or applied it the wrong way.
There’s no denying it. The right lipstick color can brighten up your whole face and make you look years younger. You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with rich, saturated colors. If you want to make your lips look fuller, over-draw your natural lip line slightly with a lip liner that’s close to your natural lip color.
Just remember that if your lips are naturally narrow, dark lipsticks can make them look even narrower. One easy way to fix this is to wear a deeper shade all over the lip, with a lighter shade in the center. This two-toned effect can instantly make the lips look fuller.
6) You’ve applied dark eye shadow incorrectly.
You may have been told that dark shadows would make you look older, but that’s not the case at all – as long as they’re applied strategically. Never swipe them over your entire lid. Instead, apply them only to the outer corner of the eye in a V-shape and blend into the crease to give the eye an instant lift.
You can also apply deeper toned shadow like eyeliner using a pencil brush. Be sure to start with a small amount and blend carefully. Once again, overdoing it or going too dark on the lower lashes can accentuate fine lines or create a shadowy effect that instantly ages you.
7) Your eyebrows are too thin or too dark.
A lot of us were guilty of over-plucking our brows in the 90s. But thankfully, these days, having full, natural brows is the preferred look. Eyebrows frame the face, and a full brow can take years off your face.
If you need to add some fullness to your brows, start with a brow pencil that matches your brows. It’s ok to go a little lighter, but don’t make your brows too dark. Follow the pencil with a volumizing brow gel, brushing the hairs up and out for a much more youthful and lifted look.
8) You’re wearing a dark liner in the waterline.
Adding a dark liner to the water line is a sure way to instantly age your entire face. It creates a shadowing effect that makes you look tired and can accentuate fine lines and dark circles under the eye.
The one exception is lining the waterline with a nude liner. This can actually make your eyes look bigger and make you look more awake.
9) You’ve neglected to prep your canvas.
Putting makeup on skin that hasn’t been properly prepped will only accentuate age-related issues you would probably rather hide – like enlarged pores, fine lines, and dry, flaky skin.
A good skincare routine starts with proper cleansing in the morning and evening. Be sure to exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin buildup and keep your skin’s surface nice and smooth. Hydration with a good moisturizer will help the skin look plump and youthful.
In addition to following your skincare regimen, you should always apply a good face primer and eye primer before moving on to makeup. A thin layer of primer will fine in pores and fine lines for a flawless makeup application. It will also help to keep your makeup from creasing or fading throughout the day.
10) And finally… your makeup has an ashy undertone.
My tenth tip is to stay away from makeup that has a grayish undertone. These tones can make the skin look ashy or flat and they don’t blend in well. They create a lifeless, almost dirty look to the skin.
When choosing neutral tones, look for shades that have a bit of warmth to them. If possible, get a sample before you buy so you can check the shade in natural light. Browns should be warm and slightly reddish in tone… like real cocoa powder.