You’re Doing It Wrong: 5 Ways Your Makeup Is Making You Look Older

When I was little, I loved my birthday. After age 30, I started dreading my birthdays. Now, at almost 50, I am thankful for every birthday I have. As I’ve gotten older I’ve seen customers, friends, and family members battle health issues and it’s amazing how it changes one’s perspective. With every birthday I am thankful that I have made it to my new age.So while it’s true that I am happy with each year that passes that I am alive, that I am healthy, and that I am fortunate enough to appreciate it, that doesn’t mean that I love all that goes with it. I don’t love the wrinkles. I don’t love the sagging skin. I don’t love that I tire more easily or that I don’t have the instant recall I once did. These are things that I intend to fight.One thing I have realized, though, is that while many of us are putting up a good fight, we are often sabotaging ourselves by making simple mistakes, especially mistakes with our makeup. Mistakes that are actually making us look older than we are. The following is a list of mistakes that I see every day. When you look younger without makeup than with, it’s time to stop and take stock of what you are doing wrong. 

You’re not prepping your skin first.

Properly hydrated and primed skin is essential as a good foundation base. A lot of people wash, moisturize, and put sunscreen on, then move right to foundation. But a primer suited to your skin type followed with a hydrating mist ensures that your foundation will not only go on evenly, but it’ll stay all day. It also helps fill in the pores so the foundation won’t settle in small lines and wrinkles.  

You’re putting on too much or too little foundation.

If you’re trying to conceal every imperfection, odds are the foundation you’re using is too thick and it will make you look older than you are. Conversely, if you’re trying so hard to avoid overdoing it that you’re using a tinted moisturizer that isn’t evening out your skin tone or concealing any imperfections, you are also aging yourself unnecessarily. A good foundation should even out your skin tone without settling into fine lines and wrinkles. 

Your blush is too bold.

We need more color as we age, but that doesn’t mean we should pile it on like a circus clown. If you aren’t sure what color to use or how much you should apply, pinch your cheeks. Choose a color that matches that shade and apply in the same amount it takes to mimic the look.  

You’re applying eyeshadow in the crease.

Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Actually, no. As you age, the skin on your lid tends to drop down a bit. By applying the darker color to the crease it makes your eye look smaller. When you apply the color slightly above the crease it opens the eye because we can see the color. 

You're applying eyeliner under your eye.

By applying eyeliner under your eye, you’re closing the eye, and you’re creating a harsher look. Try an eyeshadow applied with a smudge brush for a softer effect. 

You’re using a metallic or shimmer shadow.

The reflective properties of metallic and shimmer shadows settle into fine lines and wrinkles and highlight the crevices in the eyelid. If you love your shimmer, avoid the corners of your eyes. Put the shimmer on the center of your lid only.