The entire reason we rely on makeup is to give our features a little oomph that we may feel we are otherwise lacking (especially at six in the morning). There’s nothing like a cup of coffee and a swipe of bright coral lipstick to instantly make you feel and look more refreshed, and the power of adding a few layers of mascara to brighten and open tired eyes can’t be denied. But things start to get a little tricky when our skin changes with age and we don’t change our skincare prep and routine to meet its needs. If you are making any of the following makeup mistakes, beauty experts warn they could be drawing attention to wrinkles and needlessly aging you.
Not Prepping Your Skin First
Skin prep before makeup is an absolute must, and it becomes even more important as we age and our skin needs more hydration.
“Common mistakes we see for mature skin fall under hydration and dehydration,” said Beauty Expert Jessica Lyness Kendall at BeautyAsylum. “Definitely splurge on a good moisturizer. This will bring hydration back to the skin and the makeup will blend better. Envision a lake — when the water (hydration) is sucked out of a lake it will show every little crack and crevice. It’s important to keep the skin moisturized.”
Cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize with a quality moisturizer (like one that contains hyaluronic acid) and then give your skin a few minutes to dry before applying a layer of primer before your foundation, concealer, and eye makeup.
Over-Application Of Powder & Foundation
Powder isn’t the best option for mature skin because it can accentuate fines lines and wrinkles when it is not used correctly, Lyness Kendall warns. “If you’re over 40, only keep powder in your makeup routine if you get super shiny all over after 2-3 hours,” she said.
It also isn’t always necessary to apply a full face of foundation and doing so can makeup look older.
Global AAPI Makeup Artist Natasha Moor, chief empowerment officer and founder of Natasha Moor Cosmetics, says less is more and that it’s a good idea to instead apply only the amount of foundation and powder you need, pressing it into your skin with the Natasha Moor Warrior Makeup Sponge. “It will allow you to use less product,” Moor said. “By pressing it into the skin instead of wiping it across the skin, you will use less product only right where you need it.”
Another tip Moor provides: Use a concealer in a lighter formula instead of a foundation to provide coverage only where you want it.
Not Matching Foundation To Your Skin Tone & Shade
Foundation has a very specific purpose: to help make your skin tone appear even. But if you’re attempting to change your skin tone altogether and, say, look more tanned with a darker shade of makeup, the effect could be aging. And the same rule applies if you are unknowingly choose shades that are far too light for your skin.
“If the foundation shade is not a correct match this can cause more attention to your skin,” Lyness Kendall. “If the makeup is too chalky, it’s too light. If the foundation is too yellow/brown it’s too dark. The key is to have your foundation disappear into the skin. When picking out a color swatch along the jawline and forehead to help determine the best color.”
Using Too Much Shimmer
Shimmery highlighters have become super popular over the last few years, thanks in part to the growing popularity of face contouring. And a little shimmer in just a few places — like the tops of cheekbones and brow bones — can absolutely look stunning and give you a healthy glow. But moderation is key here. Too much shimmer, whether it’s a glittery blush, bronzer, contour or highlighter, will only emphasize lines and wrinkles, Moor says. “Instead, use a creamy, moisturizing formula with a more matte finish,” Moor advised.
If fine lines and wrinkles are a concern for you, sometimes the best advice of all is to avoid trends and do what works for you and your skin and features.
