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A well rounded beauty routine is just as important as your skincare lineup for maintaining an ageless complexion, and how you go about applying your makeup can make all the difference in your face. Just as well applied makeup can help to mask signs of aging and smooth the skin, certain mistakes can instead draw further attention to certain areas of your face which may give away your age.
We spoke with Global Makeup Artist Natasha Moor, founder and chief empowerment officer of Natasha Moor Cosmetics to get a basic rundown on the makeup mistakes that should be avoided in order to look your best, and with these small fixes you’ll be able to keep people guessing your age for years to come.
Mistake #1: Applying makeup directly to the skin.
If you’re in a hurry, you may be inclined to quickly apply foundation or concealer to a bare face without any thought to primer. However, as you grow older the makeup can begin to sink into fine lines and wrinkles on your complexion, only drawing further attention to them. “Always hydrate your skin with a moisturizer, oil or primer before applying your makeup,” warns Moor. “This will prime your skin and allow the makeup to glide on smoothly over it.”
Mistake #2: Using a heavy foundation.
You may think that a heavier foundation will do more to mask wrinkles, but in fact, the thicker the formulation, the more likely it is to look cakey and dry on the skin, enhancing your age. Instead, Moor suggests turning to a light concealer instead of foundation to cover certain areas of your skin without weighing it down with product. “Applying [concealer] with a damp beauty sponge allows you to spread the least amount of product possible across your skin until you’re happy with the level of coverage,” she notes. “Do not use too much powder on top of the concealer or foundation, as it can seep into lines and look cakey, which will age you.”
Mistake #3: Working from the inside out when applying your brow product.
Brows can begin to appear more sparse as you age, and filling them in may quickly become a cornerstone of your beauty routine. However, technique matters here, and working from the inside out when touching up your brows can quickly make them too dark, creating a harsh look that will only age you further. “When filling in your brows, start from the outside, working inward. When you start on the inside of your eye too close to the bridge of your nose, it’s common to apply too much product,” explains Moor. “When that happens, it can go a bit dark and make you look older and grumpier.” She also notes to avoid making too much of an arch with your brows, as this can create an exaggerated look of surprise which may also be aging.
Mistake #4: Using too much highlighter or shimmer.
Highlighting is a great way to draw attention to the high points of your face and create a natural looking glow, but going in too heavy handed can instead look garish and emphasize your age. Overdoing your highlight can cause the product to fall into fine lines and wrinkles, much like foundation, drawing attention to the areas you hope to hide. “Instead, to keep your skin looking hydrated and supple, apply a little petroleum jelly onto the back of your hand,” suggests Moor. This will provide a moisturized glow that doesn’t depend on glitter to make you look brighter.
