Makeup Mistakes That Are Actually Ageing You

July 29, 2022

Makeup work wonders to help someone look their best. It masks skin blemishes, under-eye circles, and cover-up ugly scars. It can be helpful in temporarily hiding all the imperfections of the face, but there are some makeup mistakes often committed that make someone looks older. Learning how to strategically place makeup products can boost the youthful glow that is lacking. There’s no need to be a professional makeup artist to follow some tips when doing makeup that will make the face 10 years younger. Applying too much eyeshadow and sticking to dark-coloured liners are common mistakes that make the face look more mature. When it comes to makeup, less is more. Putting on the right amount of makeup, particularly on the eye area, will boost the youthful glow of the face. The eyes should be highlighted when putting on any eye makeup, they should look bold and bigger. Overlining them makes them appear smaller and not properly emphasised. 

Finding the right product for the eyes can help in trying to hide signs of ageing like wrinkles and lines. There are eye shadows, concealers, and primers that can promote collagen production, that help in improving skin’s elasticity. Neglecting natural features of the face like the brows can also add to making someone look beyond their age. Well-groomed eyebrows can instantly make a person look young. Bushy brows may look messy, but proper grooming can make them look natural and in shape. Ageing is not a bad thing, especially if taking care of one’s self is the priority. However, looking aged and old is something that most people are avoiding. Some things can instantly take away the numbers on the age, and that is applying proper makeup.

Listed below are the makeup mistakes that are actually ageing you.

1.  Using eyeliner that's too dark

2.  Skipping your brows

3.  Lining the waterline

4.  Choosing the wrong concealer

5.  Going heavy on the liner

6.  Skipping the primer

7.  Using powder eye shadow

8.  Going heavy on the glitter

9.  Ignoring your eye shape

10.  Putting highlighter on after blush

1. Using eyeliner that's too dark

Eyeliners are used to emphasise the shape of the eye,  and Using too dark eyeliners would highlight fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area. Say goodbye to gothic-looking liner from the teenage years and too dramatic smokey eyes. Ageing makes the skin sag, mostly in the eye area, using dark-coloured eyeliners will draw more attention to the eyes, making the sagging more visible. Always aim for the opposite of the “black-liner-effect”, and that is to make the eyes pop. Choose an eyeshadow colour that will bring out the natural colour of the eyes. To give the eyes a more flattering and youthful look, try using lighter shades like grey and brown to define facial features naturally. For blue eyes, a brown coppery shade is flattering. For green eyes, choosing a deep plum or purple will make the eyes look more gorgeous.

2. Skipping your brows

Eyebrows frame the face, it has the power to completely alter the look of a person. It can help to correct minor flaws such as small eyes, or it can add definition to a face. During the 90s, thinner eyebrows are trendy. Today, the thicker the eyebrow, the more natural it looks. It is now very popular to groom the eyebrows, and they can become an anti-ageing secret. Properly-groomed eyebrows make a person look made-up without even putting makeup on. Thick eyebrows make a person look more youthful. Choose a brow liner that will fill gaps in the brows or a brow soap that will define their natural shape.

3. Lining the waterline

Lining the waterline is one of the common mistakes when applying eyeliner. It makes the eyes look smaller and dulls the complexion. Avoid overlining the entire eyes up to the waterline. Having bigger eyes is more youthful, and making the eyes looks smaller must be avoided. There could be exceptions to this, and that is if the liner used is on the nude tones or silver. These colours when lined to the waterline will make an illusion of brightening the whites of the eyes, making them appear bigger.  

4. Choosing the wrong concealer

Applying the wrong concealer can add years to the face. The reason is that the skin around the eyes is where fine lines and wrinkles are more visible. Wearing the incorrect concealer will only highlight the lines and make them look worse than they are. A liquid concealer that is moisturising the skin will help. Choose a concealer with an intense hydrating effect so that skin will not look old and dry. Concealers can also make the eyes look smaller when applied directly along the lower lash line. To avoid this, focus only on the dark circles under the eyes, and conceal them away from the lash line. Do not cover the shadows directly below the lower lash line to maintain the shape and definition of the eyes.

5. Going heavy on the liner

Eyeliners are good makeup that highlights the eyes and makes them more attractive. Applying eyeliner can sometimes make someone look older. One common mistake when applying eyeliner is others tend to create broad lines. Broad eyeliner appears heavy on the face and makes the eyes look smaller. Try drawing thinner lines instead, for a more light and subtle effect on the eyes. Avoid using pencils that are too dry, dry makeup tends to break on the skin and doesn’t look good when applied. Dry pencils don’t stay long and leave a mark behind.

6. Skipping the primer

Primer makes a smooth canvas for the makeup and helps it stay longer. It is used underneath foundation, tinted moisturisers, and eyeshadow. Makeup will melt and smudge throughout the day, what the primer does is, makes makeup stay and last. Choose a primer that contains hydrating ingredients to plump the skin and create a perfect canvass for the makeup. Applying primer will produce flawless makeup like it was airbrushed. Always remember to never skip the primer to achieve properly set eye makeup that will last all day.  

7. Using powder eye shadow

Eye shadow with a powdery finish often settles into every line or wrinkle. Although powder eye shadows are popular, their powder consistency tends to clump up in the dry areas. Furthermore, if not blended well, the powder might settle into the crease and end up highlighting wrinkles or fine lines. Instead of using only powder eye shadow, why not try cream eye shadow. Compared to powder eye shadow, cream eye shadow are much easier to apply and blend using just the finger. Cream eye shadows are creamy and velvety and can last longer. Typically, cream eyeshadows have a glossy base that moisturises and can be used without a primer. 

8. Going heavy on the glitter

Adding glitter to eye makeup may be adding age to someone’s appearance. Glittery eyeshadows can settle into the lines around the eyes and can draw more attention to that area. Instead of brightening up the eyes, it makes the appearance of dry skin much worse. Adding up a little shimmer may not be a bad idea, just make sure to wear eye shadows that are more on the neutral tones with subtle shimmer. Try applying enough shimmer on the centre of the lid and not on the corners of the eyelids. 

9. Ignoring your eye shape

Not all eye shapes are the same. Each eye shape either compliments someone’s face or the other way around. Learning to embrace one’s own eyes can help in highlighting them and making them look fabulous. Choose an eyeliner technique that will flatter the eyes and make them stand out. If the eyes are small, there is a way to make them appear bigger by lining the waterline with light shades. This technique makes the whites of the eyes look more open and larger.  Different eyeliner techniques can bring out the natural beauty of the eyes, no matter what size or shape.

10. Putting highlighter on after blush

Putting on a highlighter after applying blush is a common practice when it comes to makeup. However, it may not be necessary most of the time. Applying a highlighter right before putting blush is like creating a visible line between blush and highlighter. The proper application of a highlighter aims to make an optical illusion by correct layering. Applying blush on the last part of the makeup routine, allows a little highlighter shimmer to shine through, polishing the appearance of wrinkles and maintaining the natural glow. 

What are the makeup tips that will make you younger?

Listed below are the makeup tips that will make you younger.

What are the products that help to look younger?

Listed below are the products that help to look younger.

What are the eyeshadow tips to look younger?

Putting on makeup, especially eyeshadow, can make someone’s appearance much younger than the actual age. As a person adds age, the eyes can droop and loses the firmness of the surrounding skin, making them sag. While age cannot be altered, some tips can make a person look younger-looking. The eyes are one of the best features of a person’s face, make them look bright and young by highlighting them with the right eyeshadow. Choose a lighter colour for the eyeshadow to make them appear bright. Try doing cat eyes with a good eyeliner, the secret to looking a bit young is to always draw the line upward. A simple black liner will do the trick in making someone appear younger. Do not overline the entire eyes with dark-coloured liner, this will make the eyes appear smaller. Try using light eyeliner in the shade of white or silver. Do not be afraid to play around with different eyeshadow tips and tricks that will make you look younger. 

Does going without makeup help you appear younger?

No, going without makeup will not help you appear younger. As a person reach a mature age, the face may not look the same during the teenage years. The face will start to sag, the skin will be a lot drier, and the eyes will droop. Luckily, there is makeup to help aid these issues. Makeup is intended to make someone appear more beautiful. It is used to hide imperfections and highlights the best features of the face. Applying the right amount of makeup can make someone appear younger. Knowing the right technique and makeup products will help in hiding all the signs of ageing.

We're long past thinking we can outrun time, find the fountain of youth, and skip happily into the sunset with plump, glowing skin—at least, not without a little help. Southern women are masters in the art of aging gracefully, and we aren't too proud to get assistance from a set of anti-aging tricks.

But no matter how much retinol we're using, it might as well be for naught if we're covering up all that hard work to stay youthful looking with makeup techniques that aren't having the right effect. Especially when it comes to eye makeup.

You might be making some of these mistakes when applying your eye makeup without realizing it. But if your makeup routine is feeling lackluster, a brand-new set of peepers might just do the trick. Here are nine eye makeup mistakes that are secretly aging you—plus, how to fix them.

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Eyeliner That's Too Dark

There's so much more to life than black eyeliner. Put simply, it's too harsh—really, for all ages. But particularly once the skin around the eyes starts getting thinner and overall less naturally plump. There's no reason to look more tired than we already are, right? We don't have time for that nonsense...or naps.

Instead, go with a softer brown—or even better, use something that brings out the color of your eyes. We're going for the opposite of the "black eyeliner effect," which is basically to make your peepers really pop. For blue eyes, a coppery brown is ultra-flattering. For green eyes, a deep plum purple. For brown eyes, a navy blue.

Skipping Your Brows

Particularly if you partook in the over-plucking party of the 1990s. Many brows were lost, and no tweezer was left unused. In fact, it might be the ultimate age tell.

But now it's perfectly fine—nay, preferred—to leave your brows as naturally full as you're blessed. Eyebrows frame the face, and a little brow gel goes a long way. If you need help in the fullness department, start with NYX Professional Makeup Microbrow Pencil.

Then brush the hairs up and away from the face with cult-favorite Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel. It instantly makes you look more youthful and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Like Botox, but without the needles.

Lining the Waterline

This is a no, with one exception being if you're lining your waterline with nude eyeliner. (That actually makes your eyes look bigger and more awake.) To be honest, we thought we were past this faux pas already—but we've heard that people are still out here sticking a kohl back liner right into the depths of the lash line. And we won't stand for it.

Lining the waterline not only makes eyes look smaller, but it ages you, dulls your complexion, and makes us all very, very sad.

The Wrong Concealer

Two words: Color correct. If you're naturally prone to dark circles, using concealer with a pink tint will counteract best for fair skin tones, while choosing a concealer with an orangey-yellow tint helps counteract best on darker skin tones.

But if you're sticking to the basics, you simply cannot beat Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer. This drugstore formula is, to put it frankly, life-changing. Choose just a shade or two lighter than your skin tone to avoid looking too washed out.

Heavy Liner

Because we're past the goth phase—and really, we're past the days when we want to hit the public with a smoky eye. Firstly, lining both the top and bottom lash lines is no longer something we do. Can we agree?

If you're a bottom eyeliner loyalist, grab an angular brush, dampen it, and use eye shadow to lightly line the outer corner of your bottom lash line. It will give you the definition (but not the severity) of liner. Keep eyeliner on your top lash line thin and subtle to make your eyes look naturally framed without going overboard.

No Primer

What do we want? Long-lasting eye makeup. When do we want it? Now!

What do we NOT want? Eye makeup that settles into every crease and fine line by lunchtime. That's where makeup primer comes in. Pick a primer packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and create a smooth canvas to apply concealer and eye shadow. Say goodbye to wrinkles, and hello to airbrushed skin. Long-lasting eye makeup included.

For your face, pick an antioxidant-packed formula like Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer. For eyelids (to keep eye shadow in place), go with Fenty Pro Filt'r Amplifying Eye Primer.

Powder Eye Shadow

Stick with us. We know powder eye shadow is what you've always used. It's all you know. It's all you (think) you need. But we're here to make a case for cream eye shadow.

This all goes back to the importance of hydration for younger-looking skin, and that certainly applies to your makeup. Makeup with a powdery finish oft settles into every fine line or wrinkle. By lunch, it's landed at the crease where your brow bone meets your lid—all the while contributing to skin dehydration.

Cream eye shadow keeps the situation thoroughly quenched, and using primer will ensure it stays all day. Whether or not using a primer, make sure to pick a long-lasting formula that stays, such as cult-favorite Glossier Lidstar.

Heavy Glitter

Unless you're going to see a David Bowie cover band. Eye shadows with too much glitter might feel young, but they can have the opposite effect. These shimmery sneaks are aging us. Instead of brightening up your complexion, they exacerbate the appearance of dry skin or fine lines.

Instead, go with flattering neutral tones—and if you want something with a little more oomph than matte shadow, pick a palette with subtle shimmer.

Eye Shape

If you're thinking, "Duh, I already know all of this." First, congrats. Second, let's take things up a notch. Just like picking the right haircut for your face shape, you can pick the most flattering eyeliner technique for your eye shape. We want to make those peepers look fabulous and fluttery, and this trick will get you there.

Luckily, we already asked the experts for you—read on, and conquer.

Mascara preference is a whole other ball game, but here are five guidelines to follow if you're not happy with your flutter.