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Botox can and will soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But the procedure isn’t for everyone. It’s costly. The effects only last about four to five months. And, let’s face it: it involves needles — small needles, but needles just the same. If none of this sounds appealing to you, but you’re still eager to give yourself a “glow-up” that will make you look and feel more radiant, there are plenty of makeup tricks waiting for you to discover them. Here are four ways to look 10 years younger without Botox.
Go Red
According to ShikSona Beauty creative director, Victoria Stiles,focusing your overall makeup look on soft, supple, glowing skin gives you a youthful appearance so you can avoid the Botox needle.
“To achieve this youthful glow you'll need the right products and techniques,” Stiles says. “The goal is to give cheeks and lips a natural-flushed, glowing finish. Apply a cream, red-tone blush to the apples of cheeks. Using a cream blush, or lipstick as blush, instead of a powder will add softness to the skin and omit the appearance of dry skin, which can be aging. Same goes for the lips. Apply a creamy, red-tone lipstick to add a pop of vibrant color to the face.”
Stiles says she recommends ShikSona Beauty's red lip color in Barrier Breaking Beauty and ShikSona Beauty's Sassy Stunner lipgloss to help illuminate the face.
Choose Liquid Makeup Over Matte
The desire to make your skin more matte may be appealing, but if you’re going for a more youthful look, it’s always better to opt for liquid makeup.
“One makeup hack to look 10 years younger is to use a liquid highlighter, blush and bronzer as opposed to matte,” says Stacy Caprio at Renuw Skincare. “These give the face a glowy, young look and don't get stuck in creases giving the face an older, caked on makeup look. Liquid makeup helps give the face a dewy glow that makes you look much younger.”
Remember A Few Good Foundation Hacks
Foundation can make or break your look. According to Sebastien Tardif, celebrity makeup artist and co-founder of Veil Cosmetics, the first step is to prep and hydrate your skin properly depending of what your skin needs that day: If using a face oil, only 2-3 drops will suffice, a dime size of face cream or balm is also plenty to eradicate surface dryness and provide smoothness.
“An overabundance of moisture is a sure way towards a makeup meltdown,” Tardif says. “Be on the lookout for a magnifying balm to help smooth out skin's imperfections like pores and fine lines: it helps to keep the moisture cushion into the skin while providing ease of blend of the foundation to follow. Stay away from full coverage foundations as they will only settle into fine lines and wrinkles, even if the marketing piece tells you otherwise. Turn to a sheer to medium, buildable liquid foundation that is water based and oil free and that is self-set. Self-setting is key here as it will not require an extra layer of powder that destroys the integrity of the skin while adding years to your appearance by way of looking dry and chalky.”
(Bright) Eyes On The Prize
Bright, awake eyes that look alert are instantly youthful — and they aren’t only achieved using Botox.
Tardif recommends first grooming the eyebrows in an upward motion with clear brow gel or tinted brow gel if your brows are sparse. “It's like a mini brow lift,” Tardif says. “Avoid dark/squared off eyebrows as they end up looking severe.”
Next, curl the lashes by holding in place at least 5-10 seconds each time to get the curl to truly hold and follow with a black waterproof defining mascara to nicely separate and coat each lash: coat the top lash only which results in a lifting effect, Tardif recommends. “Avoid thick/clumping formulas as they result in a more heavy, unnatural finish that is distracting as opposed to going in harmony with your features,” Tardif says. “Also, I prefer mascara done before concealer because if it gets smudged by mistake (doesn't it always?), you can just remove it without ruining your concealer, no wasted time.”
Lastly, Tardif says he always applies a self-setting liquid concealer only where see darkness or redness is detected, which is usually the inner corner of the eyes. “Tap it into place sheerly, repeating once or twice depending on how much neutralizing is needed,” Tardif says. “By not over indulging with a heavy concealer requiring baking to boot, the end result is a fresh bright eye as opposed to a made up look. I then use a small dab of soft creamy opalescent primer or tint right on the brow bone and mid eyelid. It subtly catches the light and creates a soft spark for added life.”
It doesn’t take hundreds of dollars or needles to look fresh and glowy — just follow these tips first.
