12 Makeup Mistakes That Seriously Age Your Face

By Marissa Laliberte and Brooke Nelson, Reader's Digest

These simple makeup tips take years off your face.

Choosing a dark lipstick

Lips lose their fullness over time, and dark colors make them look even smaller. Mauves and pinks, on the other hand, highlight lips and give the illusion of fullness. A swipe of lip gloss will plump them up even more. If you do decide to go for a darker shade, pick a sheer formula or a stain, which aren’t as flat as a heavier finish, or dab the color on with your finger. Pick a lip liner that matches the color of your lips, rather than your lipstick, to avoid an overly dark liner that will make your lips look pursed. Check out these makeup artists’ tricks to look younger. 

Wearing the wrong color foundation

Foundation that’s too light or dark will look dull and unnatural, not youthful and glowy. To make sure you pick the right color when you test them out in the store, dab a bit on your face, rather than your hand, which can be a different shade. The color should match yours even before it’s blended.

Skipping your eyebrows

Over time, eyebrows become sparser, especially if you have a history of over-tweezing them. Add some definition by filling them in with a product a shade lighter than your natural hair. 

Applying your blush to the wrong spot

Swirling blush only on the apples of your cheeks leaves you with unnatural, unflattering circles. Applying it too far below the cheekbones, though, can drag down your face, giving a saggy appearance. For a youthful glow, lightly brush it along your cheekbone, starting under the center of your eye and sweeping upward. Here’s how makeup can make your face look thinner.

Lining the bottom of your eyes

Bottom eyeliner makes your eyes look smaller, while top liner opens them up. But beware, harsh lines and dark colors will make your lids look heavy. Apply a soft layer of brown or gray eyeliner to your top outer corner and then blend it out for a brightening effect. Finish by curling and applying mascara to only your top lashes.

Using a heavy hand

A thick layer of foundation or concealer will settle into wrinkles and creases, calling attention to them. Lightweight foundations, tinted moisturizers, and BB creams are easier to blend and less flat than a powder formula. Finish by pressing a damp sponge to areas with more wrinkles to soak up extra makeup. Here’s where you can find the answers to all of your makeup questions. 

Using a dreary blush color

Unlike dark or brownish blush shade, bright colors give your cheeks a fuller look, which makes your whole face appear younger and livelier. Cream formulas are ideal because they give an extra surge of moisture that you won’t get from a powder. 

Using the wrong concealer shade

Trying to cover up under-eye circles with a shade that’s too light will accentuate your dark patches just as much as a dark shadow. Also avoid green-based products, which will bring out shadows. Instead, pick a color with a peachy or yellow tone to neutralize the purple tones of under-eye circles. Be sure you’re not making these makeup mistakes also.

Finishing with powder

When you cover up that oily shine, you also cover up the youthful glow that comes when your skin reflects the light. Swap out powder for blotting tissues, which won’t highlight wrinkles in the same way makeup would. If you really can’t give up your powder habit, dab it only on your chin and nose.

Picking shimmery eyeshadow

Glitter often settles into creases, accentuating crinkles on your eyelids. Instead, opt for a more flattering matte finish, and save the shimmer for the inner corners of your eyes for a bright look.