I’m a Makeup Artist – 6 Mistakes That Will Age You, Including a Common Eyeshadow Mistake That Can Make You Look Tired

A professional makeup artist has revealed the most common makeup mistakes she sees that add years to your face.

Luckily, the beauty expert also revealed how to fix cosmetic mistakes for a more youthful look.

1

Sometimes the way we apply our makeup ages us more than no makeup at all.

FalseEyelashes.co.uk Consultant and professional makeup artist Saffron Hughes revealed six common mistakes that age a person.

Saffron said: “Age is a natural and beautiful process, but just by the way you apply your make-up you could be adding years to your face, even if that may not be your intention.”

These are some of her helpful anti-aging tips that will make you look younger instead of older.

1. Lighten the load

According to Saffron, medium to heavy coverage and excessive concealer will set more on a person’s fine lines.

“The concept of ‘less is more’ definitely applies when it comes to applying makeup to mature skin,” she said.

Using a thicker, cream-based or high-coverage foundation can cause makeup to settle into fine lines and wrinkles when you smile or make expressions, which can highlight any imperfections.

“Instead, consider opting for a serum-based foundation or tinted moisturizer that gives the illusion of well-hydrated and radiant skin,” she recommended.

This will make you look more alert and youthful while effectively concealing imperfections.

Additionally, she claimed that applying excessive concealer under the eyes can lead to pronounced wrinkles, especially if followed by using powder to set it, which leads to the next tip.

2. Powder-based products cause a lumpy consistency as they age.

Following on from the previous point, Saffron said that powder has the potential to settle into these fine lines and create the undesirable cakey look.

“My professional recommendation is to be extremely cautious when using powder or, better yet, consider choosing cream or liquid-based alternatives in your makeup arsenal,” she explained.

This includes everything from blush, bronzer, and yes, even your eyeshadows.

These creamy variants not only ensure a more youthful and fresh appearance, but also prove to be much easier to use.

3. Darker shades of eyeshadow make the eyes appear smaller and have deeper shadows, creating the illusion of tiredness.

“Heavy eyeliner can have an aging effect on the eyes. “Dark shades not only make the eyes appear smaller, but can also create deeper shadows around them, giving the impression of tiredness,” said Saffron.

Applying nude or light eyeliner to the waterline can “enhance the brightness of the whites of your eyes” and make you appear more awake.

4. With age, eyebrows become thinner and should therefore be thickened with a pencil.

“To achieve a youthful look and enhance your facial contour, use a fine brow pencil. Use small, delicate strokes to create the appearance of full, slightly arched brows, giving your face a lifting effect.”

Saffron said: “Drawing individual brow hairs provides a more realistic result than using powder or gel products.”

5. Skipping foundation accentuates fine lines and textured skin.

“Using facial products without primer can accentuate the appearance of fine lines and cause wrinkles, revealing the textured skin underneath,” Saffron explained.

A primer, especially a primer enriched with moisturizing components like hyaluronic acid, can create a smoother base for mature skin before applying foundation or concealer.

According to the expert, it not only increases the longevity of your makeup but also reduces the visibility of acne and blemishes.

“Silicone-based primers can be very effective at filling in areas of pronounced texture, such as the corners of the eyes or where smile lines develop,” she added.

6. Dark lipstick emphasizes dry, textured lips that lack fullness.

“While dark lipsticks are often preferred in the colder months, they can actually make you appear older. As we age, our lips tend to lose their fullness and definition,” explains Saffron.

Additionally, since the skin on our lips becomes drier as we age, “wearing a lipstick with a matte finish can highlight any texture issues on and around the lips.”

Instead, she recommended contouring the contours of your lips with a shade just a shade or two deeper than your natural lip color.

Follow with a gloss as it “adds dimension to the lips and creates the illusion of a fuller, more youthful pout.”