5 Makeup Mistakes That Age You

It’s a classic case of ‘you always want what you can’t have’. When we’re young we want to look old enough to get into the pub and when we’re old we want to look young enough to be asked for ID at the bottle shop (or just the shock of a co-worker when they receive your 50th birthday invite would suffice). And the way both parties try to do that? Makeup of course!

It makes sense that as we get older some of the beauty tricks we learnt when we were young aren’t going to have the same effect. Products, techniques, colours, all of the things that were once your go-to instant fabulous beauty tricks could actually be adding years to your face. So to help you get one step closer to pulling out that drivers licence, here is a quick list of the common makeup mistakes that age you.

MISTAKE #1 Blusher on the apples of your cheeks

There’s nothing like a nice bronze glow or sweep of rosy pink colour to liven up a dull complexion. But applying colour to the apples of your cheeks is just going to highlight the sagging of your skin that generally happens around the cheekbones as you age. Instead, suck your cheeks in and sweep your blusher above the indent, up towards your temples. The angle of the blush will make your cheekbones appear more defined.

MISTAKE #2 Loose powder

Loose powder can be dangerous for both young and old. It’s so easy to apply too much and not so easy to reverse the damage. While the worst loose powder can do to youthful, smooth skin is make it look ‘caked on’, loose powder can make ageing skin appear more lined, which is the opposite to what you want make-up to do. So instead of a loose powder, try using a liquid foundation like Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting Makeup™ with SPF15 (which also has many anti-ageing benefits) or a pressed powder like Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder.

MISTAKE #3 Dark lipstick

It’s so hard not to be tempted by the amazing plum and merlot shades of lippy, but it’s best to steer clear once you notice your lips aren’t what they used to be. It’s natural for lips to become thinner and loose their youthful plumpness as you age and wearing a dark lipstick only makes them appear thinner and draws attention to the area. Instead of bold, dark colours choose more flattering shades such as MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouvea and Vegas Volt.

MISTAKE #4 Long, limp hair

It’s no secret that gravity becomes your worst enemy as you age. All of a sudden skin you didn’t even know you had seems to be drooping. Having a long, straight and limp hair cut will only drag you down even further. But don’t worry, you can still keep your long locks if you wish, just have your hairdresser layer it in a way that shapes your face and adds bounce instead of dragging it down. Or if you’re brave try a pixie cut or a flattering lob (long bob).

MISTAKE #5 Skipping the primer

We’ve all heard the famous Napoleon Perdis line ‘It’s a crime not to prime’ and for ageing skin this couldn’t be truer. Primer helps to smooth out lines and creates an even surface for makeup application. It also makes your makeup last longer; which means you can have a more youthful looking complexion without worrying about touch-ups.

What are your beauty tricks for looking younger? What’s your biggest concern when it comes to ageing?

390 Member Comments

blommie89 31 Jan 2017 4:04 AM

I used to skip on using primer,
big mistake!! Your skin is like a canvas you got to prep it up before the art can begin! X

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ray_jay 30 Jan 2017 9:55 PM

On the other hand the best anti ageing ingredient is not to care!! And break all the rules.

Chicklet 31 Jan 2017 5:47 PM

That's the best attitude! That's what keeps you young.

Petal 31 Jan 2017 4:11 PM

What rules? I just do my own thing. I'm in my early fifties and I'm still wearing black and coloured eyeliners, bright and bold lipsticks etc.

Yohanna 30 Jan 2017 12:19 PM

Disagree strongly on long hair point! I have seen older women than me looking so much more youthful that their counterparts with weird short styles or layering. And most youthful thing IS to have long healthy hair (layering make it look shaggy and "weathered" sort off).

Chicklet 31 Jan 2017 5:46 PM

I agree with you totally Yohanna.

skincare junkie 4 Feb 2017 9:29 PM

I am with you on this too.

Yohanna 30 Jan 2017 12:15 PM

What I do to have more "younger look", I make sure to have skin well exfoliated and lips (Foreo device 2X daily and overnight lactic acid based serum). Never wearing matte lip face stuff, just dewy finish in anything (lips creamy silky finish best, or just bitten tinted butter style). Lately just VitC and Hyaluronic acid serum (HA eye area only) daily. Glowy, bouncy, smooth skin is a result.

Oh, best primer is not regular ones (that are usually silicone based and make skin look dull/aged), but a good hyaluronic acid serum for me if I would wear at times BB/light coverage foundation cream over. Or I wear Mac strobe cream (thank you BH and Mac on discovering that one, it is so good! Mac please go cruelty free, I will be your customer forever lol)

AP1992 7 Mar 2017 3:36 PM

Exfoliation is definitely a key to younger looking skin

Yohanna 30 Jan 2017 12:05 PM

Agree on powders and blushes and even bronzers....all make one look older. To add: matte lip (as lip lines become so pronounced! and look shriveled and dry) and face finishes age person too, no matter how old they are. Young Healthy skin has natural glow and bounce to it. Also too much makeup in general make one look older

Gilded 30 Jan 2017 9:57 AM

I've forgotten primer application a few times. Regretted it terribly.

ThisIsMe 13 Jan 2017 5:08 PM

Great tips again

cityglenda 4 Jan 2017 6:08 PM

I think wearing dark nail polish should be on the list too.

Shop A Everyday 29 Dec 2016 2:12 AM

Oh no, I have limp hair, it's so sad, it is just so fine

Felix22 3 Feb 2017 6:23 PM

Me too! Its fine, long and limp i dont know what to do except put it in a ponytail or bun.

duality 23 Nov 2016 9:23 PM

It depends how you use powder, if you apply downwards with a light touch and pat it in then it looks fine however swirling in circles is a big no-no. I use a finishing spray to de-powder it too and haven't had issues with it looking awful and dry. I switched from black eyeliner to dark grey/pewter, gave up the strong red lippie in favour of more opaque crayons or tints. Starting with a hydrated base it also key.

Juvmonkey 4 Sep 2016 6:55 AM

The loose powder one is so true, been using it for 30 years, I look dreadful if I wear too much, maybe I'll look into a mineral based on instead.

dynat11 3 Sep 2016 1:48 AM

I agree 100% Very useful article!

Chicklet 1 Sep 2016 7:29 PM

I've avoided powder for many years, same with dark lipstick, but I'm not ready to cut my "long, limp hair" just yet!

ray_jay 27 Jul 2016 2:15 AM

Hi agree with powder, it sinks into line's terrible

sunjeanie 6 Jul 2016 1:59 PM

I think our biggest concern for aging is the aging itself. No one wants to look old! haha

Ellisha Leen 2 Jul 2016 12:55 PM

A touch of a yellow based concealer under my eyes seems to help me. I love YSL touche eclat, it's my favourite, but there are other nice ones on the market.

Margaret 322 16 May 2016 10:51 AM

Great tips here, I've just started using primer and can see that it makes a difference. I can now wear a liquid foundation, that doesn't slide off my face.

Raksha 8 May 2016 5:14 PM

I can't live without powder cause it helps keep my skin looking less oily, but I skip dusting eye areas so the fine lines don't get emphasized. I usually just run them over with balanced powder on the brush after I'm done dusting the entire face.

Lara1967 7 May 2016 6:01 AM

Wonderful hints! I am 48. I still use powder due to having very oily skin, combination, and I use a moisturiser, primer, a touch of bb cream and a light dusting of mineral powder on top. And my motto is less is more. Liquid foundations does not stay on my skin for some reason and makes my acne worse. . All the products I use are non comodegenic, non oily, and the mineral powder I use is spf25 by byron Bay ecominerals. I am using tretinoin cream due to acne, oiliness and anti wrinkle effect which truly works!

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5 makeup mistakes that age you