Use Primer
Makeup experts can’t stress this tip enough: foundation and concealer should never be applied to a bare face — primer is the first step after cleansing and moisturizing skin that sets your skin and makes your makeup application effortless. It also helps conceal fine lines and wrinkles, if that’s one of your goals. “Using a silicone-based primer is at the top of my list of hacks for youthful-looking skin,” says Makeup Artist Essie Button, who has over 10 years of experience in the industry. “Once you’ve applied a moisturizer and sunscreen (two other great ways to help with wrinkles and fines lines), apply a small amount of primer to your cheeks, chin, nose and center-forehead using either your hands or a small brush. Use a rubbing motion once applied to ensure full coverage.”
The silicone primer fills up the wrinkled areas making it look and feel smoother and more youthful, and also helps your makeup last longer, according to Button — “All while creating a barrier keeping out damaging free radicals that cause illness and aging,” she says.
NeeziieBabiie, a permanent makeup artist and founder of NeeziieBabiieBeauty, agrees that starting with the right base in the key to flawless makeup, especially as we age. "Set your face before applying foundation,” NeeziieBabiie says. “This hack will blow your mind and help prevent makeup from seeping into fine lines and wrinkles, which only draws more attention to them. After you've prepped your skin with moisturizer and primer, set your skin with a light translucent powder before applying your liquid or cream foundation."
A powder creates an extra barrier on your skin which keeps your makeup from falling into those lines for a more youthful and crease-free complexion, NeeziieBabiie says.
Wondering which mistakes makeup artists notice people making that can get in the way of a youthful complexion? Two come to mind: neglecting sun protection and treating your brows as an afterthought.
“Not wearing sunscreen would be the number one worst makeup habit I see happening on a daily,” Button says. “The UV rays in sunlight cause damage to the skin, which triggers premature aging by releasing free radicals causing your skin to become saggy and wrinkly. Leaving your skin unprotected not only causes a decline in collagen and elastin but also exposes you to the risk of skin cancer.”
As for eyebrows, both thin and sparse brows AND adding too much product can age the face. “Also, be careful if you fill in your brows on your own, as being too heavy handed with too dark of a product can also have the same aging effect,” NeeziieBabiies says. “Microblading or powder ombre eyebrows from a reputable professional can turn back the hands of time and is such a powerful investment to looking youthful and feeling confident 24/7!”