Makeup is one of the best ways to make your natural beauty shine and boost your confidence. But getting it perfect requires some skill. Poor techniques or inadequate prep can lead to makeup settling into lines and wrinkles, making us look older and disheveled. Let’s explore how to prevent your makeup from slipping and emphasizing flaws.
1. Choose Satin Foundations
Heavy, full-coverage foundations can be too thick and tend to settle straight into lines, leading to a cakey look. Opt for a lightweight, hydrating satin formula that allows for buildable coverage. Foundations with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid give your skin a dewy finish and keep it looking fresh.
2. Use Lightweight Concealer
While concealer can brighten under-eye circles and mask imperfections, choosing the right formula is crucial. Thick, cakey concealers can settle into fine lines, highlighting rather than concealing. Choose a lightweight, hydrating concealer that offers good coverage without heaviness, and always set it with a light dusting of powder to keep it in place.
3. Get Your Lighting Right
Applying makeup in harsh or artificial lighting can lead to some serious over-application. Always try to do your makeup in natural light to see how it truly looks. This helps you avoid a cakey look, which can settle into lines and wrinkles. Natural light also shows us the places that need better blending, which will help you stop unintentionally highlighting flaws.
4. Blend with Precision
Poor blending is one of the main reasons makeup settles into lines and wrinkles. If you don’t thoroughly blend your foundation, concealer, or powder, the product can sit on your skin and seep into creases. Use a beauty sponge or brush and double-check for unblended areas in natural light.
5. Remember to Touch Up
Even if you’re a pro at makeup application, it can still settle into lines as the day goes on. Keep your makeup looking fresh with regular touch-ups. A spritz of face mist and having a powder compact or blotting paper on hand can help you tackle any creasing or shine throughout the day.
6. Start with Skin Prep
As we age, our skin tends to become drier and loses collagen, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles, according to the experts at VeryWell Health. To stop this, try to establish a daily anti-aging skincare routine. Always apply a nourishing, antioxidant-rich moisturizer before your foundation. If your skin feels dry, dull, or flaky, it can exaggerate those fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Go for Translucent Powders
After completing your makeup, always set it with a light dusting of powder. Avoid using excessive amounts, as heavy powders can dry out your skin and make fine lines more apparent. Instead, apply powder sparingly, focusing on your T-zone, and choose a finely milled or translucent powder for a natural glow.
8. Steer Clear of Heavy Blush
Applying too much blush or putting it on wrong can disrupt the natural contours of your face. Aim to apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upward toward your temples. Cream or liquid formulations tend to be more flattering and less aging than powders, which can settle into lines.
9. Say No to Matte Textures
While matte makeup can control shine, it can also look harsh and be very drying, particularly on mature skin. This dryness can accentuate wrinkles and fine lines, which can attract all the wrong attention. Instead, opt for hydrating satin or luminous finishes that add a healthy glow and prevent your makeup from settling into lines.
10. Don’t Overdo Eye Makeup
Heavy eye makeup, especially dark liners, and metallic shadows can settle into the fine lines around your eyes, making them look tired. To avoid this, use lighter, try gravitating towards neutral shades, and blend them well. Don’t forget to apply mascara to the top and bottom lashes to open your eyes.
11. Make Metallics a No-Go
Metallic eyeshadows, blushes, or powders might be fun, but they can highlight signs of aging and create an uneven appearance. Shimmery products often sit on top of the skin without blending well, leading to settling in lines and creases. Avoid them altogether and opt for a more natural look that will reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
12. Check Expiration Dates
Did you know makeup has a shelf life? Using expired products affects their performance and can harm your skin. Old foundations, concealers, or powders can become dry and cakey, making them more likely to settle into lines. Regularly check expiration dates and replace products as needed to look your best.
13. Always Prime Before Foundation
Think of primer as your best friend for keeping your makeup from settling into lines and wrinkles. Apply primer after your moisturizer to create a smooth base for your foundation. Look for a primer that blurs imperfections and provides a hint of illumination for that youthful glow.
14. Up Your Exfoliation Game
Dead skin cells can create a dry, rough texture, making it easy for makeup to settle into those dry patches and lines. Exfoliate your skin 2-3 times a week to remove dead cells and create a smooth, radiant foundation for makeup application. Use a gentle enzyme or liquid exfoliator to avoid harsh physical scrubs that irritate the skin.