Whether it’s part of your everyday makeup routine or it’s a technique you save for when you want a more glammed-up look, contouring your face is just one of the incredible things you can do with makeup. “Contouring is about building an illusion and sculpting, chiseling, and lifting your face,” explains Global Makeup Artist Natasha Moor.
When done correctly with the right products, this technique can take years off of your face. But on the other hand, it can have the opposite effect and cause you to look even older—and no one wants that.
To avoid a contour mishap that could age you, it’s best to be aware of a few common pitfalls. That’s why we spoke to licensed makeup artists Theresa Novicky and Brittany Lo, who were able to point out 3 contour mistakes that instantly age you. Avoid them at all costs if you want to keep your makeup fresh and youthful!
Using powder contour
Experienced makeup artists can all agree on one major contour faux-pas that will instantly age you: using powder contour.
Novicky explains using this product is a mistake if you want to look younger because the powder will emphasize wrinkles: "Lots of powder on aging skin can settle into fine lines," she says.
Lo echoes this sentiment, but for a different reason. She says powder contour will dull your skin's natural, youthful shine. "I find when too much powder is used to contour it can make the skin look dull and dry so I suggest using a cream-based contour product to keep the natural glow your skin has," Lo told us.
Novicky also recommends opting for liquid or cream contour. "I recommend as much liquid or cream on your face as possible," she says. She also gives a warning, though: "But that doesn’t mean you should use too much." That point leads us to another aging contour mistake
Applying too much contour
In addition to the skin-dulling fallbacks of powder contour, there's another mistake that can cause dry skin to look older: using too much product.
When it comes to face makeup like contour, Novicky says less is more! "Too much isn't necessary," she warns. "Start with a small amount of product and add more."
Despite what you may see on the internet, a lot of contour isn't always the best way to go. As it turns out, a little bit can go a long way. "That's one of the biggest mistakes when I watch influencers on social media," Novicky explains. "They apply way too much product and those of us with dry or aging skin can't handle it." Noted!
Using a shimmery/sparkly contour
While you may think using products with a bit of a shimmer and sparkle can give your skin a youthful glow, it turns out that this may result in the opposite effect. That's why Novicky says using shimmery contour is a major mistake that can add years to your face.
"If you have aging skin, avoid sparkles and shimmer at all costs, especially on your face." she says. "Those evil shimmers draw attention to your wrinkles, and we don't want that!" No, we certainly don't!
