This story has been updated since it was originally published on 05/22/2022
Have you ever looked in the mirror after finishing your eye makeup and wondered where you went wrong? As it turns out, certain pitfalls often lead to an older appearance by emphasizing fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. Luckily, though, the right technique can take years off of your look. You just have to know what works.
To learn all about the worst aging eye makeup pitfalls to avoid, we asked professional makeup artist Kyla Salliss from Detox Market and celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin. They warned against four common mistakes women over 40 make that age them instantly—and provided advice on what to do instead.
Applying eyeshadow with a heavy hand
Regardless of how old you are, you never want to go overboard on the eye makeup, especially if you don't want to draw attention to signs of aging. "It's always easier to start with less and add more at any age," Salliss notes. "An eyeshadow applied with a heavy hand could result in your shadow creasing into fine lines or be the cause of some dullness." We definitely don't want that!
To avoid this issue, she suggests working with a gentler touch. "Apply your shadow with a lighter hand, pick up less product, and make sure you're holding your brush back further on the handle so you naturally press lighter," she instructs.
If you're worried that the color won't pop as much as you like, you can just build up the product as you go. "Start with less and build your look to your desired intensity, making sure everything is blended out," Salliss recommends.
Choosing unflattering eyeshadow colors
It's important to remember that eyeshadow colors that look great on someone else may not be the most flattering for your own skin tone. Sillass says choosing a less than flattering shade could instantly age you. "It's very helpful to research which colors and shades suit different skin tones and eye colors to ensure you're not washing yourself out," she says.
On the other hand, wearing the right colors could make a world of difference in your overall look—and take years off of your face. That's why it's so important to know your ideal shades. Otherwise, Sillass says, "you could be missing an opportunity to bring some beautiful color to your face or sparkle to your eyes."
To find the best eyeshadow color to bring out your natural beauty, Sillass suggests that you "research what shades best suit your specific eye color and look for those shades or undertones in different palettes and products." She says this will "add consistency and color to the rest of your makeup." And, when in doubt, you can always ask a makeup artist or another expert working at your favorite beauty store.
Wearing shimmery shadow
Patinkin says there's one more aging pitfall to avoid when picking out your eyeshadow: stay away from the shimmery shades! She warns that "eyeshadows with any amount of shimmer or luminosity should be avoided," especially in the creases of your eyelids. This is because shimmer can instantly age you. "Not only do they accentuate the thinning texture of the skin as we age, but when light reflects from the crease, it can make the eyes look puffy and the shape appear distorted," Patinkin says. Yikes!
So, in addition to choosing the most flattering colors for your skin tone, you should also consider the finish of your eyeshadow. Patinkin recommends sticking to matte varieties—no matter how tempting glitter and shine may be. This will allow your eyes to look more youthful and can even help them look larger. "It's always better to use a matte color in your socket line to create shading that helps eyes to look smoothly shaped and bigger." Noted!
Not priming your eyelid
Never forget to prime before applying your eyeshadow! Sillass says skipping this crucial step could draw attention to signs of aging. "Not priming your eyelid makes it easier for eyeshadow to fall into fine lines and wrinkles or appear inconsistent in color, as different parts of our eyelids pull different pigments," she explains. In the end, this could result in a patchy appearance on your eyelid, rather than a smoother, more flattering look.
"Before you apply your eyeshadow, add a hydrating eye primer," Sillass suggests, adding that this will "plump and blur fine lines and wrinkles" as well as help your eyeshadow stay smooth and crease-free all day. She says that if you want to add an additional priming step, you can even "set your primer with an eyeshadow or powder that matches your skin tone to ensure your colors will be extra bright." Sounds perfect!
Perfecting your makeup routine is certainly a tricky process and will likely take some trial and error. But if you avoid the four mistakes these experts have pointed out and follow all of their advice, you'll be well on your way to nailing your eye makeup technique and looking younger than ever!
