When it comes to feeling sexy and confident, makeup is one of our best tools. That’s not to say mastering the art of makeup is easy. There are applications and techniques you might have been doing wrong for years and unintentionally ruining your look.
1. Winged Eyeliner Isn’t Easy
As we age our skin starts to wrinkle and the eye area is often the most noticeable so dramatic looks like thick-winged eyeliner are harder to apply and less flattering. If you love a lined eye, switch out your pencil for a more precise liquid liner and apply a thinner, more refined line at the top corner of the eyelid working up and out.
2. Ditch the Makeup Sponge
Makeup sponges soak up a lot of foundation so application can look patchy and uneven. Add to this sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria and the debris is transferred to your face which can cause skin issues. Many makeup artists recommend using your fingers or a brush to apply foundation for even application and a smoother more flawless finish.
3. Always Use Primer
‘Not to prime is a crime,’ as the saying goes. Applying a primer after moisturizer preps your skin for foundation and other makeup products to go on smoothly. Primer also works to fill in fine lines and smooth out open pores, creating a more even surface so makeup lasts longer and looks better.
4. Apply Mascara Properly
When doing your mascara, always add a light coat to your bottom lashes as this will open up the eye area. Only applying mascara to your top lashes can make your eyes look unbalanced, and smaller and can highlight crow’s feet and fine lines.
5. Stop Overlining Lips
Though it can be trendy, over-lining your lips, especially in a contrasting shade, can look unnatural if not done right. To make them look fuller without looking fake; trace a lip liner pencil just outside your natural lip line and blend well with a small lip brush.
6. Beware Layering Cream Products
If your makeup always looks cakey or unnatural it could be because you are applying cream products over powders which can ruin your entire look. Always apply cream products like blush and concealer first, then do a light dusting of illuminating, setting, or bronzer powder over the top. This creates a smoother more evenly blended natural finish that will stay put longer.
7. You Must Set Your Makeup
At the end of your makeup application, it’s important to finish with powder or setting spray otherwise your makeup will remind you throughout the day by fading, smudging, or running down your face. Setting your makeup also helps control shine and keeps it fresh and dewy.
8. Wrong Blush Placement
Applying blush too low or too high can mess with the natural contours of your face and look unflattering. The best hack is to figure out your face shape (find a chart online or in a cosmetic store) and which blush placement is most complementary. As a general rule apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples. Always use cream formulations as they are most flattering and less aging than powders.
9. Don’t Over Layer Foundation
Our skin can only take so many layers. After skincare and primer piling on foundation can make your complexion look heavy and unnatural and layers can cause makeup to slip and slide around your face. Instead, apply a thin layer of foundation—always use a hydrating satin formulation as matte is cakey and aging—and build up coverage where needed. This allows your skin to breathe better and keeps your complexion looking natural, dewy, and youthful.
10. Blend Out Eyeshadow
When it comes to applying eyeshadow stick to soft natural shades and always take the time to blend each layer out well for a seamless transition between colors. Unblended eyeshadow creates harsh lines and unflattering contrasts and can make you look like a makeup rookie. Be sure not to pull your eyelids back as you apply eyeshadow as this leads to uneven application and causes your skin to stretch which can age the eyes even further.
11. Overdoing Those Eyebrows
Eyebrow blindness is when we don’t even realize how much product we’ve packed onto our brows. Harsh, dark unblended eyebrow pencil or powder can look unnatural so always use a spoolie brush to blend and soften lines. When your brows are well-groomed and properly blended they frame your face, make your eyes pop, and give off a more cohesive, polished makeup look.
12. Give Matte lipsticks a Miss
Matte lipsticks especially in dark shades can look harsh and severe and can bleed into lines around the lips and mouth drawing attention to aging. Always go for hydrating satin lipstick textures and choose your shade wisely. It should work with your skin tone and hair shade (by the way both of which change with age) otherwise it will look unnatural and unflattering and age you fast.