4 Makeup Tricks That Instantly Take Off 10 Years

No 10-step contouring plan required.

By Kayleigh Donahue Hodes, Redbook

Sure, they were born gorgeous and they have access to all sorts of skin-care perks, but the real reason these four celebs look so much better now than they did more than a decade ago? They learned how to do great makeup. We aren't talking about dozens of products or a 10-step contouring plan—merely a few simple moves you can steal and use tonight.

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1 Soften Things Up

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Gabrielle Union, 43 

Frosty shadow, too-dark blush, visible lip liner—the Bring It On star sure brought it all in 2004, but those bold colors together aged her. In the interim, she's learned that peachy and golden shades have the opposite effect. "If you like shimmery shadow, warm neutrals such as champagne on fair skin or gold or bronze on deeper skin tones can make your eyes seem more open," says makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, who did Gabrielle's look at right. Dust it from the inner corners of your eyes across your lids, then skim a slate gray matte shadow along top and bottom lash lines for low-key definition. "Top things off with creamy, peachy shades on your cheeks and lips, which give everyone a healthy radiance," notes Dedivanovic.

Tip: Blush naturally. "The darker your skin, the brighter you can go with peach blush," says Dedivanovic, who suggests swirling it on the apples of your cheeks.

Try: Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Stone, Surratt Beauty Artistique Eyeshadow in Haute Chocolate, Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge in Rendez-Vous, Revlon Cream Blush in Coral Reef.

2 Do an Easygoing Bold Lipstick 

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Kate Hudson, 36

She's the poster girl for laid-back beauty, but while Kate looked cute back in '04, these days she's downright sexy—thanks to vibrant lipstick. "If you pick one that's shiny, it's very youthful," notes Quinn, who says to slick it on your bottom lip only, then press your lips together for a casual finish. A blue-based red or pink is ideal on fair, pinkish skin; an orangey red or coral hue flatters yellow-toned or olive skin; dark complexions can pull off any shade. "Then just fill in your brows and add a thin line of black pencil and mascara to top lids and you're done," says Quinn. Want a little more flair? Tap a champagne highlighter (use gold for dark skin) on the tops of cheeks.

Tip: To make eyes sparkle, dab highlighter on the inner corners of your eyes too.

Try: Sonia Kashuk Twist Up Longwear Eyeliner in Black Onyx, Sania's Brow Bar Angled Mechanical Brow Pencil, Physicians Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshine in Dialogue.
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3 Be Natural and Polished

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Rosario Dawson, 36

Even without a stitch of makeup on, Rosario was a knockout—but now she looks pulled-together, though still like herself. "The key to no-makeup makeup is to apply a lightweight foundation or BB cream only where there's discoloration or redness," says makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua, who did Rosario's look at right. "Dot it on your forehead, around your nose and mouth, and in the center of your chin, then blend." Next, add a few quick touches that'll make you bright-eyed and rosy: a shimmery taupe or brown shadow (whichever is closer to your skin tone) on lids, pink cream blush, and a gloss that's a notch deeper than your lips' natural color. So lovely!

Tip: For the most low-key liner, rim your top and bottom inner lids with a chocolate brown pencil.

Try: Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze. Clinique Long Last Glosswear in Tenderheart. Rimmel London Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in Touch of Berry. 

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4 Match Your Cheeks to Your Lips  

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Sandra Bullock, 51

We'll cut Sandra some slack for falling victim to the all-brown makeup trend of the '90s (hey, we were guilty too). But what a difference it makes when she uses natural pink shades instead. "The trick to a monochromatic look is to first find the right blush color, then pick a similar lip shade," says Tim Quinn, celebrity makeup artist for Giorgio Armani Beauty. "Go with a true pink blush; if it's too beige, it can wash you out." He likes bubblegum pinks for fair or olive skin and deep rose for dark skin. To subtly play up your eyes, swipe a charcoal shadow stick along the outer two thirds of your top and bottom lashes. "Smudge with a brush to make it smoky, then add mascara," says Quinn.

Tip: Prep your lips. If your lips are naturally dark, "dab a little concealer on them before applying a soft pink lipstick— otherwise the color can read as purple," says Quinn.

Try: L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush in Pink Lift. CoverGirl Plumpify Mascara by BlastPro, Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Posh Pink, Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Slate.

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