The power of makeup to enhance natural beauty and achieve anti-aging effects should not be underestimated. Surgical face lifts may be prohibitively expensive for many, and there are safe and easy alternatives for recreating their effects using makeup.
To help women over 50 achieve radiant, glowing complexions this spring, we sought advice from professional makeup artists and experts, who provided five essential face-lifting makeup hacks and tips.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from professional makeup artists and experts Natasha Moor, founder of Natasha Moor Cosmetics and Alyssia Chang, founder of Prevail Beauty.
1. Contour Your Cheekbones, Jawline And Neck With Bronzer
The four main areas to target your contouring for a face-lift effect are the jawline, cheeks, lips and neck, Chang says. While contouring your face can certainly help create a more youthful look, taking some time to apply makeup to your neck can help your other efforts, Chang says.
“One of my favorite tips to create an instant face lift is by using a bronzer brush, applying it to a contouring powder or a deeper shadow like bronzer, and brushing upwards from the “Adam's apple” area and flickering it off the bottom part of the chin,” adds Chang. This, she says, creates an “instant tuck” and helps lift the face by making that area look tighter.
2. Apply Blush In A Fanning-Out Motion
"Where you place your blush can really affect how your skin looks,” Chang explains, providing a technique that she deems “super easy” and one that creates an instant face lift look. “Start by applying your blush from the hairline, underneath your temples,” Chang says.
“Then, fan out your blush brush from the hairline to the apples of the cheeks using a flickering movement. This method looks airbrushed and is super easy to do.”
3. Add Concealer With 3 Strategic Dots
Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips recently shared an instructional Instagram video for her sizable 2.2 million following. The video goes over the technique of putting three well-placed spots of concealer to attain a facelift-like or eye-lifting result. Phillips explains that the first dot should be applied beside your nose and blended with a beauty blender, then the second one should go to the inner corner of the eye and the third should go to the outer corner.
These steps, as Phillips points out, can quickly bring life to your skin if it looks worn out or saggy. In her July 2023 viral video, Phillips (who often creates epic makeup looks for A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lopez) tells viewers how to get an “instant” eye lift.
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“First, I put a dot [of concealer] at the corner of my nose and one under the inner corner of my eye and another under the outer corner of my eye. Then, I go in and blend.”
She continues: “Starting at the nose and working my way up out towards the temple. It’s a full coverage concealer and doesn’t crease and that’s it. You don’t need a ton of product. All it takes is three dots.”
4. Use the 'Wiggle & Lift' Mascara Technique
As it turns out, creating the illusion of an eye lift using just your mascara is as simple as nailing Moor’s go-to technique. She explains that after you’ve curled your lashes, you should "look down and apply mascara as close to your waterline as possible" for your top and bottom lashes. "Wiggle the wand and lift. Repeat," she adds.
It’s important to note that you should also ensure you’re choosing a mascara with the right kind of wand, as Moor suggests a slightly tapered one. Using this wand, she says you should "lift the lashes on the inner and outer corners of your eyes to give the illusion of a lifted face," as this "helps your face to look more chiseled as it lifts the eye." Voila!
5. Use Setting Spray To Help Conceal Wrinkling
At the end of your makeup look and even throughout the day, lightly adding setting spray can help lock your hard work into place, and Chang says it especially helps when it comes to wrinkles and fine lines.
“After applying your face makeup, take a damp beauty blender and gently mist 1-2 sprays of setting spray. Tap it under the eye area, the sides of the eyes, forehead, and laugh line areas,” she says.
“This method will prevent any areas with lines or texture from moving or having the makeup shift into those creases.” The more you know!
