Celebrity MUAs Share 5 Common Makeup Errors That Can 'Age' You—And What To Do Instead
Makeup can work wonders in enhancing one’s appearance and creating a refreshed and symmetrical look, regardless of age. Despite its benefits, makeup can unintentionally make one appear older if certain common mistakes are made. Professional makeup artists have identified five such errors and shared tips on avoiding them to highlight one’s best features and feel beautiful and radiant with the help of simple hacks!
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Kerrin Jackson, celebrity, film and television makeup artist and creator of The Makeup Refinery blog and Margina Dennis, celebrity makeup artist and expert.
5 Common Makeup Errors That Can Inadvertently Make You Look Older
1. Applying Too Much Foundation/ Concealer
Jackson stresses that less is truly more when it comes to face makeup, especially if your goal is not to accidentally emphasize wrinkles or fine lines. "Heavy use of foundation or concealer in particular can be unflattering, as the heavy product can settle into fine lines," she warns.
"This can be avoided," she says, by "using a palette to decanter foundation out of the bottle and onto a separate palette." She adds that "a nice bathroom tile can do the job as well." Her next step is to "use a foundation brush to control exactly how much product you are putting onto your face." Jackson also advises to "not be afraid to use a clean fingertip to press and roll product into your skin, as blending is the key."
2. Using Cool-Toned Eyeshadows
"Using a cool toned eyeshadow, and applying it with a heavy hand can tend to create a skull-like shadow in your eye socket," Jackson says. She recommends "using a warmer tone eyeshadow instead," and "keeping the application to a wash over the lid instead of a strong definition in the crease line." This can then help your peepers look brighter, bigger, more awake and noticeable.
3. Choosing Blue-Based Red Lipsticks Or Darker Colors
When it comes to your pout, Jackson suggests "steering clear of blue-based red lipsticks or darker lip tones." These products, she notes, can "make your lips appear thinner and definitely make you look older than you are." Jackson goes on to say that "the trend of dark lipstick comes and goes with much regularity these days."
This fad, she points out, will "never help anyone look younger, and this is due to simple principles of light." Black or dark red shades "absorb more light than lighter and brighter shades," she continues.
4. Wearing Matte Lipsticks
Now that you know what colors are best to avoid, Dennis also has a tip for picking the right formula. While matte lipstick may be popular and durable, it has the potential to dehydrate the lips. As we get older, our lips lose their natural moisture, which can lead to flaking, chapping, and dryness. To prevent further damage, Dennis says to avoid both matte and dark lipsticks.
"Too dry of a formula of lipstick can emphasize wrinkles and dryness," she warns. Instead of a matte lipstick, Dennis advises selecting a "moisturizing and balm lipstick" in shades that "emulate a youthful flush." She also suggests "a clear lip liner or one that matches the lip color that will keep the color from feathering and look more natural."
5. Opting For Powder Blush
Skin naturally becomes drier with age, and powder blushes could make this even more apparent, Dennis says. Instead, she recommends trying out cream blushes for a youthful and hydrating look. "Many people make the mistake of using powder blush instead of cream which can look more natural and radiant," she says.
The best kind of blush for aging, wrinkled or textured skin, Dennis says, is one with a "cream or liquid formula" that does not have an "added shimmer" or glittery element in it. Powder and shimmer formulas, she stresses, can "draw more attention to texture and wrinkles."
"I would also shy away from the creme to powder formulas because these can sometimes highlight texture in the skin," she concludes. Instead, she says to "choose colors that invoke a youthfulness" like "rose, cool peach, coral, terracotta and soft reds."
The more you know!
