We all want to look fresh-faced and young, and makeup can make it happen. But keep in mind that your makeup needs to evolve and adapt to your changing skin as you age.
Tried and true techniques from your high school years will no longer cut it 15, 20, or 30 years later. You might be an old hand at applying your makeup, but if you're not careful, you can end up looking older, too.
We've compiled a list of the most common makeup mistakes that actually add years instead of hiding them. Stay tuned to find out if you're guilty of these aging mistakes, so you can fix them today!
Foundation faux pas. Foundation forms the base of any look, but as you age, your foundation needs will change.
As Maybelline New York artist Melissa Silver explains, "No foundation is better than bad foundation, but good foundation is best." If you skip foundation, your skin tone will be uneven.
But if you apply your foundation too heavily, it can settle into fine lines and creases, highlighting your imperfections. Use a formula that is heavy enough to smooth out your complexion without becoming cakey.
Drier skin is common as you age, so you may be happier with a liquid or cream foundation, or even a tinted moisturizer, instead of a powder foundation which can make your skin look flaky. Even if you've been using the same shade of foundation since 8th grade, you might be surprised to find a better match or formulation out there for you!
And even though some recommend using powder on top of cream formulas to make them last longer, powder might only accentuate the dryness of aging skin. Makeup artist Ariel Lewis advises, "With dryer skin, powder tends to seep into fine lines. Try using a setting spray instead!"
Blushing beauty. Unless you're actually in high school, don't apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.
Also, avoid using too much blush, applying it too low, or picking the wrong shade. Los Angeles celebrity makeup artist Jan Ping says, "There was a certain era when more was better when it came to blush, and you can still spot those women today because they're still piling it on."
