Makeup can be tricky. If you’re stuck with the same makeup routine you’ve done for years, it can be as aging as an out-of-style wardrobe. Yet, while there are many trends in makeup, the best bet is to leave the crazy colors to the teens and create a naturally stunning look. But that doesn’t have to mean makeup-free. In fact, certain makeup tips can make your face look years younger without having to resort to expensive skin-care products or extensive – and painful – anti-aging plastic surgery. Here’s how to use your cosmetics to create a younger look:
Prepare your skin Before you apply a drop of makeup, be sure your skin is exfoliated once or twice a week. Sloughing away dead skin cells will actually allow your makeup to absorb better into your skin, rather than “sitting” on the skin, which can create a “cakey” look. Be sure to moisturize your skin and ensure you have SPF protection either in your moisturizer or foundation.
A great foundation Apply a pore-minimizing primer. You can find this in powder or liquid form, and it’s one of the newest ways to really create a flawless canvas for your makeup. A new type of product known as BB creams actually combine a primer, moisture, anti-aging ingredients and a bit of color for coverage. Or you can opt for a lightweight foam-like foundation or even a spray foundation that you apply with a sponge. With a primer, you don’t need a heavy foundation.
Clinique Even Better Foundation SPF 15
$27Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion
$26B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++
$38
Conceal your flaws If you have blemishes, redness, age spots or under-eye circles, you can find a concealer that will even out your color. Pastel green or yellow concealers work to neutralize redness in the skin, like acne, scars, rosacea or even birthmarks. Light pink and peach concealers are effective in covering blue or gray tones under the eyes.
Perk up cheeks Choose a blush that lightly warms your cheeks and apply it to the round apples of your cheeks. Use a darker bronzer or contouring color that is two shades darker than your blush and apply it below your cheek bones. This will make your cheek bones look more “lifted” while de-emphasizing the fullness of your lower cheeks.
Bobbi Brown Day to Night Shadow Options
$67Benefit High Beam Highlighter $26Chanel Powder Blush 15 Orchid
$54
Add some highlights Adding a light-colored highlighting product will draw attention to wherever you apply it. Go for the area under your eyebrows, in the corner of your eyes, along the bridge of your nose and across the tops of your cheeks. For a sexy look, add a bit of highlighter to the “cupid’s bow” – the area just above the center of your top lip. You can find highlighting products with a little sheen or sparkle for special occasions. Otherwise, a concealer in a skin tone that’s a shade or two lighter than your complexion works great.
Open your eyes To make your eyes look bigger, avoid dark, drastic eye liner. Instead you can use a bit of a dark shadow to make a smokey liner effect at the edges of your lashes. Apply two to three layers of glossy black mascara to give your eyes a youthful, sexy fringe.
Seal the lips You can line your lips with a color that matches your lip color, but don’t vary from that, or your create an aged look. Keep your lip color a few shades darker than your natural lips and finish with a bit of gloss in the center of your upper and lower lips.
Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss $8.99Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain $8.99ULTA Automatic Lip Liner
$8Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick in Rose En Deshabille
$30
