You’ve been doing this makeup thing for years, and by now you’re probably feeling like a pro. But the things that may have been flattering at age 16 might not be so great for you now. Let's face it: It might be time for an update. That's why we asked the experts to reveal their best-kept secrets for bringing out your youthful spirit no matter your birth year.
Prep the skin with a moisturizing face primer
Nothing ages the skin more than when it’s dry and splotchy—which is where primer comes in. “Primer can instantly help the skin look younger by filling in fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, and allowing foundation to go on more smoothly,” says Alejandro Falcon, makeup artist and artistic director for Osmosis Colour Cosmetics. “CC creams are an easy way to camouflage and they work nicely as a primer,” he says. He likes Osmosis Colour CC Cream ($44, osmosisskincare.com). After moisturizing, carefully dab and blend the primer onto your face, starting with your forehead and moving outward to your cheeks. Remember you want light coverage and nothing too heavy, says Falcon.
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With foundation, less is more
A gentle hand and a light-reflective, high-quality liquid foundation can work wonders to take years off your face. “Foundation can add a warm, healthy, youthful glowand create a beautiful flawless base for the rest of your makeup,” says Kelly Coulter, makeup artist and national beauty expert. “Just be sure not to overdo it so your skin can still breathe and look fresh and healthy.” She likes Boots No. 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation, ($15, target.com). Choose a color that’s slightly warmer than your skin tone to counteract ruddiness and brighten dull, lifeless skin. Starting from the nose, press the foundation into your skin with a sponge or BeautyBlender and work the product outward towards your hairline. “Blending will prevent the foundation from settling into fine lines,” says Coulter.
Use an eyelash curler for an instant lift
As we age, our lashes tend to droop, so curling your lashes will help open up your eyes, making them look bigger and brighter. “Opt for a curler with strong springs for a lot of lifting power,” suggests Coulter. Her go-to is Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler ($21, amazon.com). To get the best curl, place your top lashes in the padded curler and wiggle it in place to get as close to your lash line as possible without pinching the skin. Slowly close the clamp with the handle and gently squeeze in place for a few seconds. Apply two coats of mascara and use a lash comb to separate any clumps.
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Give your brows some TLC
It’s normal if you’ve noticed your brows thinning out over the years, but sometimes all it takes is a little shaping and arching to make them look young and refreshed. “Brows that are on point frame your face and define and open up the eye area, giving you a younger, lifted, and polished look,” says Coulter. For a more natural-looking brow, use a wax-based product or powder that’s a shade lighter than your natural hair color, like Cailyn Cosmetics Gelux Eyebrow ($22, amazon.com). There are two exceptions: “Blondes should go one shade even darker and those with gray, silver, or white hair should opt for a taupe-gray color.” Using a brow brush, lift your hairs up and outward, fill in any sparse hairs with light, feathery strokes, and set with a brow gel to keep it all in place.
Line your eyes to add definition
Our eye area tends to start losing its shape and definition as we age, but the right eyeliner can make all the difference, says Coulter. “Use a creamy or gel formula, like Tarte’s Clay Pot Waterproof Liner ($21, sephora.com), that will give you a smooth application and not tug or pull downward.” Starting at the outer corner of your eye, work your way in along the top lash line staying as close as possible. Angle your line up slightly beyond the top outer edge of the eye to create a lifted look. Add a thinner line to the bottom with black for a more dramatic look or brown, pewter, or plum for a softer look.
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Lighten up your lips
As we age, our lips tend to thin out and appear less plump—and dark colors can often make the lips appear even thinner and accentuate wrinkles. “Mauve, pink, and rosey shades give you a softer look, add fullness to the lips, and make you look more youthful,” says Coulter. “Lip liner is also a must—it defines lips, prevents lip color from feathering, and gives you extra staying power.” Opt for a nude or rose tone that matches your natural lip color and top it off with a hint of gloss to add plumpness. “I love to pair Bobbi Brown Rich Color Lipstick in Uber Pink ($27, sephora.com) with Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Ballet Pink ($25, bobbibrowncosmetics.com),” says Coulter.
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Try reverse contouring
Contouring might be all the rage these days, but it’s a trend worth skipping if your goal is to acquire a more youthful look. “As we get older, we lose volume in our face and contouring further accentuates this by enhancing hollows and narrowness in our complexion,” says Tonya Crooks, celebrity makeup artist and brow expert. “To combat this, highlight and contour in reverse by applying highlighter on the temple, tip of the nose, eyes, upper lip, and chin.” Also known as the “nontour” cheek look, it can add volume and a youthful glow to aging skin. She recommends the Browgal Dual-Ended Highlighter Pencil ($20, amazon.com).
Restore cheek volume with a pop of color
A little bit of blush on the cheeks can brighten up your entire face and give you a healthy, youthful glow. “Cream blush in warm pink and rose shades will work with most skin tones to create a pretty and natural look,” says Coulter. “Plus, creamy formula is blendable, buildable, and easy to use.” Before you apply finishing powder, smile and add cream blush sparingly to the apples of your cheeks. Sweep up and out toward your hairline and blend in fully. “Be careful not to place underneath the cheekbones, as this can make the face look more chiseled and less youthful,” warns Crooks. Try: Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Colour in Soft Warm Rose ($26, lauramercier.com).
Jenn Sinrich
Jenn Sinrich is an experienced writer, digital and social editor, and content strategist covering health, fitness, beauty, and relationships. After a decade-long career in New York City working in the magazine industry and at a myriad of digital publications, Jenn returned to her hometown just north of Boston to pursue freelancing full-time.
