When it comes to makeup application, let’s be honest: mistakes happen. Whether it’s a winged eyeliner look gone wrong (as in: more eyeliner winds up on your cheek than on your lid) or a trendy blush hack designed to make you glow that makes you look seriously sunburnt instead, bad makeup can happen even when the best intentions are present. The saying “less is more” is often true, especially if you’re applying makeup with the goal of looking more youthful. Sophia Tang, Founder at Nako Cosmetics, and Hillary Kline, freelance makeup artist and content creator, share four surprising makeup mistakes that could be aging you. Getting a handle on these easy-to-make bumbles will set you on the right path toward makeup perfection.
Ignoring Eyebrows
If you’ve been able to ignore your eyebrows during the last few years of near-constant eyebrow mania and scrutiny, congratulate yourself. But you don’t have to go to extreme measures to make your brows work for you, frame your face, and complete your look.
“Sparse, thin eyebrows can age your face,” Tang says. “Over-plucking leads to less defined brows and can make your face seem older.”
Kline agrees, pointing to how far we’ve come from the ‘90s thin-brow trend. “Now, thicker brows are more on-trend,” she notes.“Thick brows also make you look more youthful.”
Both makeup experts recommend choosing a brow liner that matches your hair and filling in sparse areas and gaps while following the natural shape and arch of your brows. This simple act can give your face an immediate lift.
Wearing Heavy Foundation
A full face of foundation isn’t necessarily the way to look like your skin is naturally healthy and glowing — and it can have the opposite effect.
Our skin doesn't like to play well with heavy foundations, especially after a certain age, according to Kline. “You've got texture (normal for everyone!), fine lines and wrinkles, and heavy foundation makes things worse,” she says. “Powder foundations also tend to make you look older, especially if you use too much.”
Heavy foundation tends to look cakey, creases and settles into wrinkles, almost giving off a mask-like finish, Kline adds. Opt instead for using a light-weight to buildable foundation. “There are plenty of foundations on the market right now that have hydrating and skincare components in them, which can provide a dewy and youthful look,”Kline says. “If using powder, use very sparingly and be extra careful around the eye area — that's the most delicate area and where we have most of our fine lines.”
Piling On Powder
A similar rule applies when it comes to powder.
“Powder can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, emphasizing them and making your skin look dry,” Tang says. “This can give an older appearance. Instead, opt for a dewy finish foundation or BB cream, which gives a more youthful, fresh look.”
Another, added face makeup tip to be careful about: Adding highlighter after your blush and powder. “It’s a super popular and trending technique, to give this glowy/dewy look,” Kline points out. “Putting a highlighter on *after* blush is pretty standard, but it's not necessary most of the time. When you apply it after blush, you create a visible line between the brush and highlighter. It looks like a giant stripe.”
Instead, Kline recommends applying the blush on the last part of the makeup routine to allow a little highlighter shimmer to shine through. “This will give you a natural glow.”
Applying Dark Eyeshadow Shades
Dark eyeshadow on drooping lids can make them look heavier, contributing to a more aged look, Tang says. “Instead, use lighter, neutral shades on the lids and save the darker colors for the crease to give the eyes a more open and youthful appearance.”
Changing up your makeup just slightly and avoiding some of the most common mistakes is an easy way to look amazing and fresh — at any age.
