This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
As we age, the appearance of wrinkles is an inevitable reality. Yet, many of us would prefer not to draw attention to these fine lines with makeup. Rather, we choose to highlight our best features and embrace new styles and looks! To that end, we reached out to expert makeup artists who shared with us five frequent (yet easily avoidable) mistakes that women over 40 can sometimes make when applying eye makeup.
These blunders can accentuate wrinkles, but with their advice, we can avoid them and achieve the desired effect. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Destiny McGill, celebrity makeup artist and Day Spa Owner of Lavish Life Studio, Anastasia Tomchenko, co-founder and CPO of Glambook, Gargi Patel, celebrity makeup artist at Vashanti Cosmetics and Kerrin Jackson, celebrity makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery blog.
2 Common Makeup Mistakes That Can Age You—And How To Avoid Them
1. Adding Heavy Black Liner to Your Waterline
When applied heavily on the lower waterline, a black eyeliner pencil can create the illusion of smaller eyes, Tomchenko warns, and this can also accentuate under-eye bags and wrinkles. To avoid this effect, she says to always think of a softer end goal. "Women over 35 do not need graphic makeup, and the line should be soft," she suggests.
Tomchenko has a great solution to this issue, and explains how to get a gentle cat-eye eyeliner look that will make your eyes look more refreshed and youthful. "I recommend using a gray or brown color, and a soft pencil like kohl can be used to stretch out a line," she adds. Tomchenko notes that "you can blend it while the pencil is fresh or use a slightly dampened angled brush dipped in concealer to help achieve a soft mini-wing."
2. Using Ultra Sparkly Eyeshadow
According to McGill, 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."
Jackson 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 concludes that "keeping the application to a wash over the lid instead of a strong definition in the crease line" is ideal.
Good to know!
3. Opting For Red Eyeshadow
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!)
4. Putting Thick Concealer Directly Under Your Eyes
Tomchenko suggests applying under-eye concealer carefully to ensure proper selection, and to not apply too much (resulting in a thick look). “The shade should either match your skin tone or be slightly lighter,” she says. “You should only apply concealer to the line where your dark circle starts, as applying concealer on the bags under your eyes or on wrinkles will make you appear older.”
She says to use your finger to apply the concealer as the warmth of your finger will help the cream melt and blend well. “Using a brush is not recommended as it may not work well with products that contain wax, since it melts only in warmth,” she continues. “Additionally, adding too much powder can also make you look older.”
5. Not Using Primer Beforehand
Lastly, before even applying eyeliner at all, Patel 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 eyeliner in place."The goal is to always keep the eyeliner 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." 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."
