1. Don’t brush your brows downward — do brush them upward and outward.
Brushing your brows downward can create a heavy, tired expression, which tends to age the face. Instead, use a spoolie to gently brush your brows upward and outward, following their natural arch. Don’t forget to also pencil in any areas of sparseness around the tail of the eyebrow in order to keep the line from breaking. This opens up the eyes, gives a lifting effect to your overall look, and helps you appear more awake and refreshed.
2. Don’t use lip liner on the corners of your mouth — do keep the focus on the center.
Lining all the way into the corners of your mouth can unintentionally drag your lips downward, creating a shadowy, drooping effect that can age your appearance. Instead, focus your lip liner on the natural shape of your lips, emphasizing the Cupid’s bow and softly blending toward the corners without over-defining them. This lifts and brightens your smile, giving a fuller, more youthful look without harsh edges.
3. Don’t apply eyeliner downward at the outer corners — do lift the line slightly for a more open look.
Dragging eyeliner downward at the outer corners can make the eyes appear droopy or sad, especially on mature lids (which are often hooded). Instead, angle the line slightly upward at the outer edge to create a subtle lift that opens the eyes and gives a more youthful, energetic look. You don’t need a dramatic wing (unless you want one). A soft “kitten” flick or upward extension is enough to make a flattering difference.
4. Don’t place contour too low on your face — do keep it higher to lift and define.
Applying contour below your natural cheekbone or too close to the jawline can pull your features downward and make the face appear longer or saggy. For a youthful effect, keep contour slightly above or along the top of the cheekbone and blend upward. This enhances your bone structure and adds gentle definition without weighing the face down.