How to Apply Make-up To Look Younger

Look for products with retinoids, which combat age spots.

Getting older is a fact of life, but there's no rule stating that you have to let your age show. Makeup, when applied properly, can be a great tool in maintaining a youthful, vibrant appearance. However, it's important to choose the right products and apply them properly for the best result, as the wrong cosmetics can accentuate your age. Many cosmetics companies now offer products for mature skin, making it easier to choose something suited to the needs of older women.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizer
• Foundation
• Cream blush
• Mascara
• Eyelash comb
• Small eyeshadow or brow powder brush
• Foundation brush
• Lipstick
• Lip liner

Instructions

1. 

   Skip powder and use oil-absorbing blotting sheets, if needed.

   Avoid powders. As the skin ages, it loses its youthful glow, according to the Makeup Geek website. Powder-based makeup settles into fine lines, absorbs oil and creates a dull, flat appearance. Skip pressed or loose powder and apply a coat of liquid foundation instead, focusing on areas that require extra coverage. Blend evenly with the fingers or a foundation brush. Also, smooth a dollop of cream blush onto the apples of the cheeks for a healthy rosiness that powders can't match.

2. 

   Seek a moisturizer designed for mature skin.

   Add some moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and youthful looking, not dried out and aged. After applying liquid foundation, take your preferred brand of facial moisturizer and dab some onto a foundation brush, as suggested by Stylelist. Gently pat and blend the moisturizer into skin, giving it a boost of hydration and creating a healthy glow.

3. 

   Ensure eye makeup hasn't reached its expiration date before using.

   Give your eyes some youthful zing with the right makeup. Apply dark black mascara, avoiding clumps and grooming your lashes gently with a fine-toothed eyelash comb. The dark mascara makes the whites of the eyes look brighter and, therefore, younger. Fill in sparse eyebrows with eye shadow or brow powder and a small brush, gently sweeping it over the brows. Adding color to eyebrows makes them appear full and voluminous, which can make you look younger, according to makeup artist Bobbi Brown in "Allure."

4. 

   For extra hydration, choose a moisturizing lipstick.

   Use lip color wisely. With age, lips get smaller, but proper makeup and application techniques will keep them looking full. Skip dark, matte shades, which draw attention to small lips, choosing lighter shades to create an illusion of fullness. Line the lips for definition and blend with a small lip brush to keep makeup from settling into fine lines or bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• For added protection, use a moisturizer with a high SPF rating that fights both UVA and UVB rays, which age the skin.

• For extra sheen and moisture, apply a shiny lipgloss before applying lipstick. The lipgloss will give the lipstick something to adhere to.

References

• Makeup Geek: 7 Ways to Look Younger Using Just Makeup!; Marlena
• Stylelist: Makeup Tips; Five Tricks to Look Younger; Grace Gold; February 15, 2011
• Allure; 5 Easy Makeup Tricks That Make You Look Younger---Now; Kristin Perrotta
• Beyond Jane; How to Use Makeup to Look Younger; Kristie Leong; December 12, 2007

Resources

• Style Goes Strong; Top 10 Makeup Tricks to Look Younger Fast; Gerit Quealy; July 27, 2010
• Shine; 20 Easy Ways to Look Younger Now; May 19, 2010
• Shine; 9 hair and Makeup Secrets to Look Younger; December 8, 2010