How to Look Younger by Updating Your Makeup 5 ways

Changing your makeup can make a big impact on how the world sees you. For an updated youthful look, read on!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good lighting
• A magnifying mirror
• The products you use now
• A drugstore shopping trip
• A friend to test with

1. 
   Take a good look!

   See yourself in a new light!
   
   Too much makeup is aging but too little puts you out of focus. Get in front of a well lit mirror with a smaller magnifying mirror. In the 30's and early 40's age groups you are likely to see some lines show up. That is a good time to lighten up on the products for a softer focus if you are a big makeup user. But if you are a light user, you may need to add some more color and definition to take the eye of the beholder away from your wrinkles and put the focus back on your best features. This could mean adding some products like eye liner or blusher to sharpen your image. If your eyesight isn't what it was, invest in a wall mounted or hand-held lighted magnifier mirror to get the liner on straight.
   Be careful with concealer. Most concealers are aging. Try eye brightening lightweight products for dark shadows or bags under eyes.

2. 
   Take Cover!

   Coverage, get this one right and the rest is easy!
   
   When the first signs of aging show up in their 30's, many people do better with less coverage. Sheer, moisturizing foundations and tinted moisturizers like Bobbi Brown's or Stila can be your best friend. By the mid to later 40's it is time for another change. The pores become larger and more coarse and the skin is not quite as smooth. This is the time to invest in the serums with hyaluronic acid or proxy lane. You needn't buy expensive products, drugstore brands like L'Oreal or Olay work well too. The slight tightening you get in the morning is a great start. Then follow with foundation primers and tinted gel moisturizers to lay the goundwork. It is also time to many people to step up foundation coverage. Prescriptives has lots of coverage options and MAC has a number of products with and without oil. As some people age, their skin remains at least partially oily and less oil in their makeup keeps it fresher longer. Mineral makeup does not work as well over 50. A little liquid foundation with stronger coverage or cream foundation for dry skin is a better way to fill in the pores and smooth out the face.

3. 
   Color Up!

   Make Friends with Color!
   
   This is not your daughter's face palette. Forget the shocking or overly dark colors of your 20's and go with softly natural colors for eyes and cheeks. This is the time to use blush to get a glow on even if you haven't liked it before. Choose blush in a cream or powder depending on your dry/oily situation. Use color at the temples and to shadow a bit under the jaw line. The trick to getting blush right and avoiding "grandma cheek" is to keep the blush color on the upper half of the cheek and not let it drift too far toward the nose or too far below the nostril. Over time the apples of the cheeks fall a little lower but keep the blush a bit higher for lift. Adding a little darker blush or contour under the jaw line and at the temples, adds some more definition to the face. Practice with a friend's help to learn what contours slim the face. Avoid those that add unflattering shadows. Now is the time to return to a lively lip color but keep it medium toned or lighter and on the moist side.

4. 
   Sunblock is easier to wear than a big hat!

   Get out of the sun and into the SPF!
   
   Use sun block everyday or use tinted moisturizer and foundation with spf included. SPF 15 isn't the gold standard anymore, now get at least an spf 30 on your face. Photo aging is the biggest cause of wrinkles so stop the sun damage as you apply your makeup.

5. 
   Lighten up your mascara!

   The Eyes Have It!
   
   More women make mistakes with their eye makeup than any other area. Some drop it all together and lose the definition of their best feature. Others keep piling on the spider lashes like it's 1989! Even the most dramatic brunette should reconsider the black mascara. Lightening up on the mascara and using a color besides deep black will bring softness to the face. Blondes should use brown and red heads can find auburn for a great look to compliment their hair color. Brownish black will work for the deeper brunettes. For eye liner, use a light lining on the bottom and a bit heavier on the top lids winging the line up on the outer third. Another great technique is to dot the liner along the lash line. Remember this is lash lining (not lid lining) so get as close as possible to the lashes. For eye color use no more than two colors, a lighter one on the lid and another in the crease. Don't go too dark in the crease. Too many dull looking brown shadows are sold today. Forget the 20's black crease eye shadow drama, go with soft taupe, copper, slate. Do NOT match your eye color to your iris. Even beauty contestants don't do that anymore!
   
   Now take a step back ... see! That's ageless beauty.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice with products you already have
• Experiment with drug store brands in new categories
• Splurge on truly new or unique items at department stores
• Don't be afraid of change
• Don't ask your boyfriend or husband for advice
• Don't forget to have fun

[goodselfme]

on 1/26/2009 Fantastic tips for a more youthful appearance.5*