Makeup has the power to completely transform your face, hide imperfections, give you more confidence, complement your outfits, and so much more. When it’s done right! But when it’s applied incorrectly, it can sometimes have the opposite effect, with one of the biggest downsides being that instead of making you look better and more youthful, it can actually age you.
We’ve spoken to some experts and put together a list of some of the worst (but very common) makeup mistakes that are making you look older – and of course, how to avoid them. Check out 15 of the worst makeup mistakes that are aging you below…
1. Filling In Your Brows Pointing Down
Filling in your eyebrows can instantly bring dimension to your face and highlight its symmetry, but not if you fill them in to point downwards. As we age, our skin naturally droops, and this means that making your eyebrows point downwards can make them look saggier.
Makeup artist and cosmetologist Victoria DiPietro says "fuller brows" can help lift your face rather than enhance any droopiness. Her first tip is to comb them "up and trim the strays with a scissor." Next, "figure out where your brows should start and end, and follow a straight line from the edge of your nose up to your brow. That is where your brow should start and will be the thickest," she says. "Then follow a diagonal line from the outside of your nose to the middle of your eye and that is where your arch will be and the highest point. Finally, your brow will end by following a diagonal line from the outside of your nose to the outer corner of your eye."
2. Drawing Your Eyeliner Downwards
Similarly, if you apply your eyeliner wing downwards or facing down, it may accentuate any droopiness or sagginess you have. This could result in you looking older than you are, which is certainly not the desired effect. An eyeliner wing and line that face upwards can have the opposite effect, immediately lifting the eye and reducing the appearance of any fine lines or wrinkles.
3. Contouring Too Low
Contouring or applying blush and bronzer too low can result in a saggier and droopier appearance. A contour line that is lower than one's cheekbone can inadvertently enhance signs of aging. Try blending your blush and contour upwards, which will draw the eyes up rather than down.
4. Drawing Lip Liner Into The Corners Of Your Mouth
Don't apply lip liner excessively or into the corners of your mouth. Making your liner look too heavy can enhance wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth area, and also contribute to a saggier look. Instead, use a creamy liner just outside of your natural lip line. A creamy liner is best for older skin as it avoids drying your skin out, which a pencil liner could do.
5. Skipping Eyelid Primer
Applying eyelid primer before any eyeshadow or eyeliner is essential to prevent smudging and smearing, as primers are designed to lock in your eyeshadow and eyeliner in place. Primer also hydrates the eye area, leading to a more youthful overall look.
6. Wearing Dark Liner On The Lower Lash Line
Applying eyeliner on the lower lash line may inadvertently accentuate dark circles and wrinkles around the eyes. This means that dark spots and other signs of aging can look even more prominent. The key is to only add a super-dark eyeliner shade to the upper lash line; and if you really want to add eyeliner to the lower lash line, a nude eyeliner is the best choice, as it will open and brighten the eyes.
7. Using Heavy Powder Foundation
The first mistake mature beauties often make when it comes to makeup is wearing a foundation; most notably, a powder one that is too heavy and cakey. While powder is a great coverage choice for those of us with oily skin, it dries more as we age; therefore, anyone with dry skin won't see the same results as those with oily skin who use powder.
8. Adding Too Much Primer Beforehand
There is such a thing as too much primer. Natasha Moor, Global AAPI makeup artist and founder of Natasha Moor Cosmetics, advises to "apply your primer and foundation with a damp sponge in bouncing, pressing movements" for an optimal makeup look. Additionally, she explains, "applying your foundation with a wiping or rubbing motion can cause smearing."
9. Choosing A Drying Foundation
Using a foundation that dries out your skin even more or highlights skin texture is a big no-no. To avoid this, look for a foundation with hydrating, skin-loving ingredients for a flawless finish (and no irritated or clogged pores!) A good choice is a cream or serum foundation that contains vitamins, as the vitamins will help repair the skin and improve elasticity.
10. Using Glittery, Sparkly Eyeshadows
While there's nothing wrong with a little shimmer to emphasize your peepers, ultra-glistening or shimmering eyeshadows can settle into and draw attention to wrinkles. Instead, use a warmer tone matte or neutral eyeshadow, and sweep the shadow over the whole eyelid instead of creating a strong definition in the crease line.
11. Choosing Blue-Based Red Lipsticks Or Darker Colors
When it comes to your pout, stay away from blue-based red lipsticks or darker lip tones as they can make your lips appear thinner and ultimately make you look older than you are. Instead, opt for glossier, creamier formulas in subtle red or pink shades that match your natural lip color, as these can make your lips look moist and plump rather than dried out.
12. Wearing Matte Lipsticks
While matte lipstick may be popular and durable, it has the potential to dehydrate the lips. As we get older, our lips lose their natural moisture, which can lead to flaking, chapping, and dryness.
To prevent further damage, celebrity makeup artist and expert Margina Dennis says to avoid both matte and dark lipsticks. Too dry of a formula of lipstick can emphasize wrinkles and dryness. Instead of a matte lipstick, Dennis advises selecting a "moisturizing and balm lipstick" in shades that "emulate a youthful flush." She also suggests "a clear lip liner or one that matches the lip color that will keep the color from feathering and look more natural."
13. Opting For Powder Blush
Skin naturally becomes drier with age, and powder blushes could make this even more apparent. Instead, go for cream blushes for a youthful and hydrating look.
The best kind of blush for aging, wrinkled or textured skin, Dennis says, is one with a "cream or liquid formula" that does not have an "added shimmer" or glittery element in it. Powder and shimmer formulas, she stresses, can "draw more attention to texture and wrinkles." She also says she would "shy away from the creme to powder formulas because these can sometimes highlight texture in the skin." Instead, she concludes that it's best to "choose colors that invoke a youthfulness" like rose, cool peach, coral, terracotta and soft reds.
14. Using Too Much Concealer
Using too much concealer can result in a cakey, heavy look that actually draws attention to the areas you want to conceal, as opposed to disguising them. Instead of over-concealing, apply a light, even layer of foundation before using concealer; this will create a smooth base for the concealer to go on, and will also cut down on the amount of concealer needed.
15. The Wrong Application
It's not just the products you apply, but how you apply them. While using your fingers is a quick and easy way to apply foundation, it doesn't give the best result, and leads to a heavier application. A lighter application will actually make your skin look more youthful, so we recommend using something like a damp makeup sponge or a brush specifically designed for mature skin. Additionally, using your fingers could lead to unnecessary pulling on your skin, which over time will promote sagging.
