Does Your Makeup Make You Look Older?

Are you wearing the same makeup as you did 10 years ago? 20 years ago?

The type of makeup and color palette that looked so great on you several years ago may not look as good today. This has nothing to do with trends, and everything to do with your skin today: its moisture level, elasticity, smoothness, skin tone, sun damage etc. You don’t have to make drastic changes, but consider making some adjustments.

Making the Switch to Anti-Aging Makeup

Take a fresh look at your skin and trade up to cosmetics that flatter your changing complexion.

By Linda Foster, MA Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD

via Anti-Aging Makeup – Skin and Beauty Center – EverydayHealth.com.

Anti-Aging Makeup Advice

Foundations and Powders

Apply a light-diffusing primer before applying an anti-aging foundation.

“Mature skin is often drier, so use a creamy foundation that can moisturize your skin, and not settle in fine lines,” according to Pam Messy of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Look for formulas that include SPF (sun protection factor) to avoid daily sun damage, your best anti-aging defense.

Use a slightly thicker concealer with a yellow undertone to hide age or sunspots and cover red, splotchy areas — but always apply in thin coats, two if necessary, rather than one heavy one.

Lightly dust a moisturizing pressed powder over your entire face. If you have combination skin, use a loose powder with large brush on your T-zone, forehead, and nose and chin area that may still be on the oily side.

Eye Makeup

Use a light-diffusing eyelid primer before applying eye shadow.

Choose cream shadows in soft colors with matte formulas; avoid shimmering shadows with particles that can settle in fine lines and create an aging effect.

Choose powder-infused eyeliner in soft colors. Avoid blacks and dark shades that can draw attention to dark circles and under-eye bags.

“Buy a brown, brownish-black, or soft-black mascara with a double-tapered brush to achieve the look of fuller lashes,” Surratt suggests.

The skin under your eyes is very thin and sensitive, so pat, don’t rub, when applying cosmetics in this area.

Eyebrow Makeup

“Brunettes should choose an eyebrow pencil in medium to dark brown and blondes or redheads should select a light brown color, with a tip you can sharpen,” says Messy.

If you have thinning eyebrows, use an eyebrow pencil or eyebrow powder, with gentle, short strokes from the inner corner of the eyes to the outer edges.

Blush

Use a moisturizing pink or peach powder blush on your cheeks; brush up and out for an anti-aging effect, toward the hairline near your temples.

Lipstick & Gloss

“A lip moisturizer with a sunscreen is the best way to protect the thin skin of your lips from sun damage,” according to Surratt.

Select creamy, moisturizing lipsticks. A lip-gloss adds a moist finish as well. Avoid matte textures, which can dry lips.

Use lip liner only on special occasions and choose a color that is very close to your lipstick color. Always blend the edges; it should never be visible as a distinct line.

Select natural colors like nudes and soft pinks or peaches. Stay away from darker colors, which can make your lips look thinner and older.

Have fun and experiment as you take a fresh look at your cosmetics. With so many rich formulas to choose from, the only hard part will be narrowing down your options.

via Anti-Aging Makeup – Skin and Beauty Center – EverydayHealth.com.

Allison Cohen

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