7 signs your makeup is making you look older

Are you worried that your make-up is looking you older? Well, rightly so. Make-up is supposed to enhance your best features, not draw attention to your worst.

As you age, you must alter your make-up routine to suit the changes to your face. If you are making any of the following mistakes, it’s time to step up your game.

Sign #1: Your eyes are creased

No, I’m not talking about the crow’s feet that begin to form as you approach your 30s. While these are a given, they can be blurred with proper make-up application. I’m actually referring to the deep-set, caked lines that appear around your eyes only after you’ve applied your foundation. Unlike crow’s feet, these can be prevented – yay!

Solution: Prime your eyes

Start using an eye primer.  It will smooth out your skin, reducing the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles, and prep it for make-up.  Designer Brands Eye Primer is formulated with nourishing goodies – like vitamins C and E, aloe vera and green tea – to care for the delicate eye area as it primes.

Sign #2: Your foundation cakes

And you aren’t even using that much, you say? Well, if you’re opting for powder foundations, we suggest going easy on them. As you age, skin loses moisture and elasticity, and powder can accentuate this. It absorbs much needed moisture, and leaves your skin looking and feeling drier.

Solution: Switch to liquid formulas

A liquid foundation will make the world of difference. For best results, go for one with skincare benefits – such as the Estee Lauder Futurist Age-Resisting Makeup SPF 15 – to moisturise and nourish your skin while covering uneven skin tone and imperfections at once.

Follow this with a pop of cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup In Touch Cream Blush is great as it delivers a soft, dewy finish. If you’re more of a bronzer girl, use The Body Shop Honey Bronze Gronzing Gel for Face on areas of your face that naturally get a little more sun.

Sign #3: Your complexion is dull

Dull, lacklustre skin can be the product of things like stress and ageing. If people keep asking if you’re sick or tired (which is incredibly rude, by the way!), then quiet them and perk yourself up with a new addition to your beauty kit.

Solution: Invest in a highlighter

Foundation, blush and bronzer won’t cut it in this case. Enter, highlighters! They pep up your complexion and offer a healthy, youthful glow. Apply under the eyes, along the brow bone, on the top half of the cheekbones and down the length of your nose for a hint of radiance. We love Benefit High Beam – it’s a soft pink, liquid highlighter that suits all complexions.

Sign #4: You have panda eyes

This can be the result of two things: 1) dark under-eye circles or 2) your mascara drops and creates the illusion of dark circles. Whatever the reason, panda eyes will make you look older than you are. No, thanks!

Solution: Use the right eye make-up

Start with a good mascara. Clinique High Impact Mascara adds volume, definition and length to lashes but doesn’t drop throughout the day. After you’ve applied a couple of coats, move on to concealer. Using your index and middle fingers, dot Chi Chi 3 in 1 Eye Concealer under the eyes to hide dark circles, shadows and any signs of tiredness. Finally, sweep a little illuminator under the eyes to brighten your entire face.

Sign #5: You’re wearing dark lipstick

Unfortunately, it’s harder for older women to pull off dark lipsticks. As you age, your lips lose definition. Dark shades make lips look thinner and less plump – which is exactly what you don’t need.

Solution: Go for a nude lippie

Nude shades add depth to the lips. We’ll give you bonus points if you choose one with a bit of shine, as it will reflect the light and make your pout appear much plumper. We adore Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine in In Private.

Sign #6: You’re only lining the bottom of your eyes

Whether you’re doing it out of laziness or ignorance, it needs to stop. Right now! This draws the eyes down, making them appear smaller and – you guessed it – a whole lot older.

Solution: Line top and bottom

Simple. Use the Designer Brands Absolute Precision Liquid Eye Liner Pen, which has a pen-like felt tip for super easy application. Wearing eyeliner on both your top and bottom lash lines opens your eyes and brightens your entire face. You’ll notice the difference, we promise.

Sign #7: You aren’t filling in your brows

Hair thins with age, and eyebrows are no exception. If you don’t fill in your brows, you can end up looking a bit washed out. And who wants that?

Solution: Fill in your brows

Full brows lift the face and create a youthful appearance. So get filling! Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil comes in three different colours (brown, hazel and black). Use it to fill in areas where hairs are sparse, or to lengthen the arc of the eyebrow.

Have you made any of the above mistakes? Do you have any other make-up tips to stop you looking older than you should?

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