As we age, our facial features undergo changes, which can sometimes make it seem more challenging to master stylish eyeshadow, eyeliner, and other eye makeup techniques.
To tackle this issue, beauty experts have pinpointed four eye makeup errors that women over 40 often make, along with easy fixes to rectify and avoid them.
Moreover, they’ve offered useful advice for creating simple yet flattering eye makeup looks for the winter season. These recommendations can assist many in sidestepping common pitfalls while highlighting their natural allure.
4 Eye Makeup Errors That Can Emphasize Fine Lines — And Simple Hacks To Avoid Them
1. Using Ultra Sparkly Eyeshadow
According to Destiny McGill, celebrity makeup artist and Day Spa Owner of Lavish Life Studio, eyeshadows that are excessively glittery or shimmering can have the unintended effect of further highlighting wrinkles, potentially exacerbating the issue rather than masking it. McGill says that "glittery or shimmery eye shadows really settle into the wrinkles and draw attention to them." Instead, she recommends "choosing a matte eyeshadow."
Kerrin Jackson, celebrity makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery blog agrees, adding that the color of your shadow is just as important. "Using a cool toned eyeshadow and applying it with a heavy hand can tend to create a skull-like shadow in your eye socket," she warns. "Try to use a warmer tone eyeshadow instead," she suggests. She stresses that "keeping the application to a wash over the lid instead of a strong definition in the crease line" is ideal.
2. Wearing Red Eyeshadow Shades
One eye makeup color Jackson suggests skipping if you want to look younger is a red, scarlet or crimson one. "Red eyeshadows can add years to your face simply by making your eyes look tired, irritated and generally giving a look of being unwell."
There is very little that is flattering about a red eyeshadow, Jackson stresses, and she always advises "avoiding red on the eyes altogether." "I generally avoid red eyeshadow because it is such a tricky shade to get right on the eyes," Jackson points out. This, she says, is purely because of the "color of our blood," which is red. "What happens when we cry, or have an allergic reaction to something, rub our eyes, or get a bruise? Our skin and eyes go red," she adds.
This, she concludes, is why using a red eyeshadow can inadvertently look like "you have been crying, have allergies or something unpleasant altogether is going on. It’s not a very appealing or flattering look." (Noted!)
3. Skipping Concealer At The Inner Corners
Eyeshadow can look its best, Jenny Stokes, beauty expert and founder/ CEO of MinimalJapan. says, when paired with strategic concealer to cover one's dark circles and under-eye areas.
“To look younger and fresher, apply concealer to dark areas around your eyes,” Stokes says. “Choose a shade or 2 lighter and apply to the inner corners of your eyes as these tend to darken first.”
4. Forgetting Primer Beforehand
Lastly, before even applying eyeshadow or eyeliner at all, Gargi Patel, celebrity makeup artist at Vashanti Cosmetics, explains that it is essential to use a primer on your eyelids. This, she says, will prevent smudging and smearing throughout the day as primers are "designed to lock in your shadow in place."
The goal is to always keep the eyeshadow in places you want it to stay," she says. In order to prevent looking older with a smudged look, Patel stresses that you should always "start with preparation of the eye area."
The Bottom Line
Using a good primer "suitable for the eye area," she explains, will "help to keep not only your eyeliner in place, but also your eyeshadow."
She concludes that your primer "should also hydrate the eye area so liquid eyeliners will not dry out, causing pieces to land in places that will not give a clean look."
