Step up your moisturizing habits.
If you're over 40, a moisturizer alone won't slow the aging process, so applying a serum first and then layering a moisturizer on top works best, Elder says. (And don't forget to use sunscreen! These are the 9 best sunscreens when you're over 40, according to experts.) When choosing a serum, look for one that lists hyaluronic acid as one of its top ingredients; hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it helps preserve moisture. (We recommend Joanna Vargas Daily Serum, $85, amazon.com.) Once your face is well hydrated, not only will wrinkles be far less noticeable, but your makeup will also go on much smoother.
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Use a silicone primer.
The best way to apply primer (such as bareMinerals Prime Time, $25, ulta.com) is with your hands or a small brush—a sponge will just soak up the product. After you moisturize your face, "apply a small amount of primer, about the size of a dime, to the center of your forehead, nose, each cheek and chin, and then rub it in, focusing on the problem areas," says Picou. Give the primer a few minutes to set before applying your foundation and other makeup.
MORE: 5 Reasons You're Getting Wrinkles That Have Nothing To Do With Aging
Lighten up on the foundation.
Or, you may be able to ditch foundation altogether. "Lightweight makeup, such as BB creams, tinted moisturizers or airbrush makeup is great for giving coverage without accentuating fine lines and wrinkles," says Kiralee Hubbard, a makeup artist and founder of Aeroblend Airbrush Makeup. (Consider using Suntegrity Tinted Moisturizer + Face Primer, shop.prevention.com.)
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Make chiffon your color.
Put away the powder.
MORE: 7 Anti-Aging Beauty Products Celebs Over 40 Are Obsessed With
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First off, skip the falsies. "False lashes draw attention to saggy eyelids or crow's feet," says Hillary Kline,
a Minneapolis-based makeup artist and beauty blogger. To give your
lashes a boost, reach for an eyelash curler and mascara: Curling your
eyelashes can help give the lashes more volume and definition, which
will help disguise wrinkles, she says. (Try these simple fixes for the 9 biggest mascara mistakes people make.)
Frosted or glittery eye makeup is another no-no since it will settle into fine lines, making them more obvious. Kline recommends first using a matte eyeshadow primer or a thin layer of concealer on eyelids. "I then place a light beige shadow from the lash line to the brow bone, followed by putting a taupe, light brown or gray in the crease for added definition," she says. (Try this neutral Mineral Eye Shadow Trio, $35, shop.prevention.com.)
Lastly, avoid liquid liners, which also settle into wrinkles. "Instead, use a softer shade eyeliner pencil and apply it along the upper lash line only," says Kline.
Make your cheeks pop to take attention off of
sagging skin or wrinkles. "A cream-based highlighter is excellent to
apply under your blush because it will keep a glow shining through the
blush, eliminating the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines," says
Fusco. You don't have to overdo it. A few taps with your ring finger
just prior to the blush application is all you need.
Once you move on to your blush, choose the right color and location. "Wear a shade that compliments your skin tone—rosy pinks and peaches for fair skin; pinks, peaches and mauves for medium tones; and corals, oranges or berries for darker complexions," Kline says. (MAC Powder Blush comes in a wide range of complexion tones. Buy it for $23, ulta.com.) "Avoid applying the blush lower than your nostrils because that draws the face downward and can make you appear older," she adds. Too high (as in above the cheekbone), and it will look unnatural and clown-like. The best technique: Smile, apply it to the apples of your cheeks, and then blend well.
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MORE: 9 Things People Who Feel Half Their Age Do Every Week
Prime, line, and color is the name of the
game when it comes to lips. Just like the primer you use on your face, a
lip primer helps give you a smoother (and longer-lasting) base for your
lipstick. A lip liner that is closest in color to your chosen lipstick
will prevent the lipstick from feathering and filling in the fine lines
around your mouth, Picou says.
After you line your lips, color between the lines. That will help your lipstick last longer and prevent you from having the dreaded ring around the lips as your lipstick wears off during the day, Picou says. Finish with the lipstick of your choice but try to stay away from mattes. They don't have built-in moisturizers, so they make wrinkles stand out more. (We recommend these 10 lipsticks that go on easily and last all day!)
Work your eyes.
Frosted or glittery eye makeup is another no-no since it will settle into fine lines, making them more obvious. Kline recommends first using a matte eyeshadow primer or a thin layer of concealer on eyelids. "I then place a light beige shadow from the lash line to the brow bone, followed by putting a taupe, light brown or gray in the crease for added definition," she says. (Try this neutral Mineral Eye Shadow Trio, $35, shop.prevention.com.)
Lastly, avoid liquid liners, which also settle into wrinkles. "Instead, use a softer shade eyeliner pencil and apply it along the upper lash line only," says Kline.
Highlight your blush.
Once you move on to your blush, choose the right color and location. "Wear a shade that compliments your skin tone—rosy pinks and peaches for fair skin; pinks, peaches and mauves for medium tones; and corals, oranges or berries for darker complexions," Kline says. (MAC Powder Blush comes in a wide range of complexion tones. Buy it for $23, ulta.com.) "Avoid applying the blush lower than your nostrils because that draws the face downward and can make you appear older," she adds. Too high (as in above the cheekbone), and it will look unnatural and clown-like. The best technique: Smile, apply it to the apples of your cheeks, and then blend well.
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MORE: 9 Things People Who Feel Half Their Age Do Every Week
Perfect your pout.
After you line your lips, color between the lines. That will help your lipstick last longer and prevent you from having the dreaded ring around the lips as your lipstick wears off during the day, Picou says. Finish with the lipstick of your choice but try to stay away from mattes. They don't have built-in moisturizers, so they make wrinkles stand out more. (We recommend these 10 lipsticks that go on easily and last all day!)
Don't forget your neck.
MORE: 5 Moves That Un-Hunch Your Neck From All That Time Spent Looking Down At Your Phone
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