People use makeup for many different reasons. Some people may want to cover up a blemish here and there while others may put on makeup to entirely change their look. Whatever the reasoning behind your choice to wear makeup is, there are some things that you should not do if you want to maintain a youthful look. You might be surprised to find out how many of these makeup and beauty faux-pas you might already be committing - read on to find out what makeup artists say is adding unnecessary years to your face.
Avoid Heavy Eye Makeup
Heavy eye makeup with loads of mascara and eye shadow and eyeliner can be a striking look, but you might not know that it can also be an aging look. It can be hard to get the proportions just right so that you can keep the balance of stunning eye makeup but also youthful. The heavy eyeshadow can be the most challenging aspect of all and it can really add the most years.
Maybe it is because heavy eye makeup is generally associated with older ladies or maybe it is the result of poor application techniques, but either way, if you're trying to look young, you should avoid this.
Keep the Contouring Light
Ah, contouring. It is perhaps the most shocking and magical part of makeup. It can completely transfer your face...for better or for worse, depending on your skills. Before walking out in public with the results of your first time of contouring on your face, make sure that you have practiced quite a few times to get it right as it can be very challenging. Blending is the secret to contouring perfection.
If you want to get the perfect contour you will also want to use multiple different foundations, not just one color. If you stick to one color it will end up looking unnatural and forced.
Don't Overdo the Mascara
Just about everyone wants that long, luxurious eyelash look. Some people opt for fake lashes to obtain that look while others stick to the mascara for an additional boost. If mascara is your weapon of choice, you should really consider skimping on the mascara and not overdoing it. More does not necessarily mean better and mascara is the proof of that. Too much mascara will actually have the opposite effect of what you are looking for.
Instead of putting on countless layers of mascara, you should consider buying a lengthening mascara and a volumizing mascara and only use those two in small amounts.
Do the Lips Last, Not First
Sometimes it seems like lipstick and lip liners are simply the cherry on top of a complete look, and that is exactly how you need to see things. Have you ever put on a full face of makeup, starting with the lipstick out of pure excitement only to realize that the look was ruined by the time you finished with the powders and concealers? Wait until the end to put the cherry finish on top!
You want to make sure that you have foundation underneath the lipstick and lip liner. It's really difficult to fill in the outer line afterward, so to save yourself the hassle, save it for the end!
Only a Small Amount of Foundation Does the Trick
It may be tempting to use lots of foundation, especially if you have problematic skin. However, you should resist the urge and try to only use a small amount each time. Too much foundation will look unnatural in most natural lighting settings and that is the last thing you want. A little goes a long way, especially in the foundation world and it would be good to remember that always!
Speaking of foundation, don't forget about the neck! Having a full face of foundation without the same applied to the neck will give a very strange and unnatural appearance.
Keep It Light on the Lower Lid
Looping back to mascara, again you are presented with the concept of "less is more". Some people like to pile on the mascara, loading on layer after later to both their upper and lower lids. However, this is actually not the best practice. If you are going to cake it on, cake only on the top. Adding too much mascara to the lower lid drags your face downward instead of upwards.
Having the upper lid with long and heavy lashes is actually a far more natural look. Lower lashes are almost always much shorter and less thick than their upper counteparts.
Dark Lipstick Will Only Age You
Although dark lipstick might be the full and exotic choice for a crazy girls' night out, it may not be the best option for day-to-day wear. Dark lipstick certainly suits some faces and skin tones, but on the whole, it actually makes your lips look thinner and duller than you probably want them to be. Lighter and brighter colors are the better choice for everyday use if you want to retain your youthful look.
What is the best lip tip of all? Don't forget that clear lip gloss to make whatever color you choose looks shiny and fresh all throughout the day.
Take Your Skin Type Into Account
Every person has a very different skin type. Some people have oily skin while others have dry skin...other people have a combination of both. Although it may be the first thing you think about when buying lotions and moisturizers, it is easy to forget about when it comes to types of makeup. Make sure that the brand and the type of makeup are the right fit for your skin type.
You don't want to end up with very oily makeup for already oily skin. Besides giving you an overly oily look, it also will take a toll on your complextion.
Keep It Cat Inspired but Not Too Much
The Cat eye is one of makeup's oldest tricks. It has been used for generations to give a fierce and sexy look to any face. However, it is not foolproof. A little cat eye can go a long way and you should try to keep things subtle. If you go more than about a quarter of an inch past your natural eye, things may actually have the opposite effect of what you intended.
You can still look striking and beautiful with the cat eye look even if you keep it a little more subtle. A small cat eye is also a beautiful one!
Get the Right Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow can be a blessing and a curse....the devil is in the details. What is the most imporatnt thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing an eye shadow? You want to make sure you get the best color for your eye and your skin tone. The safest choice is always brown, as it tends to work for many different colors, but the next best are any earthy tones like green.
If you don't know what the correct color is for your face, you can go into any beauty store and ask the employees there for their recommendations.
Always Opt for Natural Light
Is there anything better than natural lighting? Most certainly not. Have you ever applied a full face of makeup in one room only to walk into another and see that you look like an entirely new person? That is because of the lightining. Lighting can make something look entirely different than it actually is so you should always choose natural lighting if possible when you are putting on your makeup.
Yellow lighting for example may cause you to feel like you need to put more makeup on, while other colors may give the impression to put on less. Test out different rooms to find the best lighting!
Try to Take a Break From Makeup for Healthy, Youthful Skin
It may be a challenge for some people to avoid putting makeup on for an entire day, but that may be the best step forward to keep your skin looking youthful. Although there are countless products out there to enhance and improve the condition of your skin (and they do help), sometimes it is good to give your skin a break and a breath. Too much of anything is not a good thing.
Of course, you should still moisturize to keep your skin in good condition, but it is alright to miss a day here and there...and it is possibly even for the best.
Don't Hide Your Glow
Some people truly underestimate how beautiful of a natural glow their skin has. That is not something that you want to hide behind a heavy foundation. Of course, the correct type of foundation can add to your natural glow and make your skin appear more even, but be sure to get the right tone. Many people try to get a lighter color than their actual skin tone and it adds on a few unnecessary years ot the face.
If you do choose to wear foundation, one of the most important tips is to be sure that you get the closest color possible to your actual skin tone.
Too Much Cream Can Damage Your Complexion
Although you might be led to believe that creams are the better option for aging skin, that is not necessarily the case. Of course, you should moisturize constantly to keep that skin plump, but when it comes to cream makeups, they should be avoided. Powders are actually a much better option because they apply to the skin smoothly and evenly. Creams have a tendency to crack making the skin appear wrinkled.
Almost everyone is trying to avoid having wrinkly-looking skin. People even use makeup products to hide their wrinkles. That is exactly why you need to stay away from those creams.
Extravagant Eyebrows Can Make Us Look Older
Everyone loves a well-trimmed eyebrow. It can accentuate your eyes in a lovely way and bring great symmetry to your face. However, don't overdo it. You don't want those overly perfect eyebrows that look like they took years of plucking to get to perfection. It's ok if your eyebrows are a little bushy or free, they do not have to be intense and perfect all the time.
You can never underestimate how important your eyebrows are in the overall look of your face. They may seem insignificant, but they are one of the most important features on your face.
Try Not to Overline Your Overlining
Overlining is a pretty common practice when it comes to lip care. Most people want to give their lips a fuller and larger appearance than they naturally have. As a result, overlining has become a pretty popular technique. But overlining is a risky business if you do not know what you are doing. When overlining, be sure to not extend too far outside of the lip or it will be very obvious.
The whole point of the lip liner is to make it look like your lips are naturally larger than they actually are. People don't usually want it to look like makeup.
Eyebrows and Hair Should Match
It is pretty common to dye your hair. There are countless different color options from blond to brown to red to ombre. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes, however, people tend to forget about their eyebrows (they are technically your hair as well!). Dying your hair can be a great way to keep a youthful look, but be sure to dye your eyebrows to match. It's alright if the shade is slightly off, but try to keep it coordinating.
The only exception to this is if you are bleaching your hair. You have probably seen the results of people bleaching their eyebrows to match and it would not be highly recommended...unless you are going for a particular look.
Try Not to Overshine to Make Your Skin Look Healthy
Shimmery and shiny makeup may just be the most tempting types out there. After all, who can resist the urge to apply all those appealing shiny eyeshadows and shimmers to your face? However, if you want to keep a subtle and clean look, try to keep it to a minimum. There is nothing wrong with a little shimmer and shine here and there, but anything that is overdone will not look good.
You'd be surprised to learn that you will actually look more glamorous if you use shimmer and shine sparingly. People who overuse it tend to look like they don't know what they are doing when it comes to makeup.
Use Concealer to Correct, Not Conceal
After blemishes, the most common use for concealer is under the eyes. People in the world are tired and they want to hide those dark circles that they picked up from a few sleepless nights. Concealer is usually their weapon of choice in the battle against looking tired. However, concealer may actually be the better option. Concealer is a lot lighter (consistency-wise) and it makes for a more natural and effortless look.
If you have very dark circles, you can still use concealer, but remember that the skin under the eyes is always a slightly different color than the rest of the face, so try to keep it natural looking.
Line the Whole Lid
Eyeliner is one of the most commonly used makeup items. People carry it around with them everywhere just in case they need a little touch-up on the go. When lining, it is important to remember to line the entire eye (if that is the look that you are going for). Some people will forget about the upper lid and only line the bottom one, and vice versa. Consistency is key here!
Forgetting to line the top lid will result in a dropping appearance to the eyes. It would be better to forget the bottom rather than forget about the top.
Test the Right Part of Your Skin
Have you ever gone into a makeup store and wanted to test out a few of the colors and samples that they had on display? You may have been tempted to test the colors out on your hand to see if they match your skin tone. That, however, is not the best idea. Instead, you should use your arm or your wrist. That color is a much better representation of the skin on your face.
This can make all the difference when you are deciding between some pretty similar shades of makeup. If you can't test it out on your face, your wrist is the next best option.
Exfoliation Is Key
What is one of the most important aspects of any skincare routine? Exfoliation. If you want to keep your skin healthy, plump, and looking young, one of the most important things to do is to exfoliate regularly. Be careful not to over-exfoliate however as that can actually have the opposite effect and cause your skin to age prematurely. Proper exfoliation, on the other hand, is the best preventative for aging skin.
Exfoliation essentially gets rid of all the dead skin cells that you don't need lying around anymore. If you don't exfoliate, you will essentially never rid yourself of them, creating a dirty pallet to put all of your makeup on.
Don't Blush Your Apples
If you are not a makeup expert, perhaps you have no idea what "don't blush your apples" means. After all, who puts blush on a food item? However, the apples of your cheeks are where most people tend to apply their blush when they should actually be putting it in the hollows of their cheeks instead. Of course, this does not apply to everyone and every face shape, but it's worth a try.
Blush can be one of the trickiest things to apply and yet the most important. Make sure you understand what technique is best for your face before applying.
Sharpen Those Lipstick Lines
The lips are very important when it comes to makeup. Perhaps the most sensual part of the face (competing with the eyes), they tend to draw a lot of attention. That is why it is so important to keep your lip makeup looking fresh and perfect. Be sure to invest in a nice lip pencil or pen that makes sharp and precise lines. You don't want the color blending or bleeding into your concealer or foundation.
Try getting a lip pencil that is a very slight shade darker than your lipstick. This can also add to that distinct and striking look, making sure your lips don't fade away.
Blend the Eye Shadow
Eye shadow can be lovely. However, it is important to remember not to just brush on a full one-toned shade to the top of your lid. If you want to create a natural and authentic look (even when using bright colors) it is important to blend two different shades of the same color. The eye has shadows and creases so it is crucial to incorporate the different shades of the same color for a clean look.
Although this may be harder to do with the bright colors (as different shades can be hard to find) it is still worth a try and you won't be disappointed with the results.
Drink Lots of Water
It is difficult to express how important it is to keep your skin properly hydrated. If you want to keep the wrinkles away and even diminish the ones that are already there, hydration is key! Some people think that the only type of hydration needed is external creams and lotions, but that is not the case. Perhaps the most important way to keep your skin hydrated is by drinking lots of water.
Keeping your skin healthy can primarily be accomplished through your eating and drinking habits. Start by drinking lots of water regularly to keep yourself constantly and consistently hydrated.
Don't Forget the Neck
Ah the neck...one of the most commonly forgotten about parts of the body...when it comes to makeup application at least. There is really no way to stress how important it is to blend your makeup onto your neck. If you don't, you may end up looking like a bobblehead with disproportionate features and strangely varied skin tones. You can never underestimate the importance of taking a few extra moments to blend onto the neck.
The neck is one of the first parts of the body to age which is why it is even more important to always apply moisturizer to the area to keep the skin as plump and taken care of as the face.
Use Blush Wisely
Blush is a great addition to every makeup lover's repertoire. It gives a little perk and life to your face if you are maybe looking a little tired or pale. However, the application is very important. Most people take long blush strokes across the entire side of their face, not taking into consideration the effect such carelessness will have on the face. Consider short brush strokes when it comes to blush and keep it just below the eyes.
Overusing blush is one of the most common mistakes that cause people to look much older than they actually are while the correct usage of blush has the exact opposite effect.
There Are Many Different Colors for Eyeliner
When you think of eyeliner, the automatic color that comes to mind is most likely black. 99% of people will choose black eyeliner over all other colors, but that may not actually be the best decision for their faces. Although black is certainly the common choice and can create a very striking look, it can also add unnecessary years to any face. Try out different colors to see if something else might work for you.
Brown is an undervalued color when it comes to eyeliner, but it actually offers a much softer and gentle makeup look. If you have blue or green eyes you can also consider one of those colors.
Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Cleanliness is crucial when it comes to makeup. Although you may not think much of it, the makeup brush can be one of the dirtiest things as people just downright forget to clean it properly. It's just makeup and you're only adding more...you might be tempted to think, but those brushes also pick up the dead skin cells and the dirt on your face and in the air or the room around you.
If you want to keep your complexion looking bright and fresh and without blemishes, look to your makeup brushes and ensure that they are cleaned regularly.
Go With the Seasons
This may be one of the most easily forgotten makeup tips out there. Just as people tend to change their wardrobe and their color schemes with the seasons, you should do the same with your makeup. Some colors and tones are best for the spring and summer while others are more suited for the fall and winter. Your skin will also likely change color a bit so make sure you switch your foundation to match.
The skin changes color easily when exposed to the sun so you shouldn't expect to have just one foundation and concealer color all year round.
Try New Looks
Nothing screams boring more than the exact same makeup every day. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a go-to or classic look, but it is also nice to change it up a little bit here and there. Even if you look best in black eyeliner, black mascara, and brown eyeshadow maybe you should give brown eye makeup or earthy tones a try and see what you think of it.
What's the worst-case scenario? You have a look that you don't like. What is the best case? You've discovered a whole new look that looks really great on you.
Customize Your Eye Liner
Customize customize customize. There is perhaps nothing more important in the world of makeup than this. People oftentimes think that just because the majority of people do their makeup like this that they also have to and that it is the best choice for them. That is not at all the case. Everyone has a very different face and very different features and it is important to embrace that always.
The application of eyeliner is particularly important to customize as everyone has different shaped eyes that are different widths apart and set differently on the face. A new application method could make a world of difference for your face.
Only a Little Bronzer
Countless people are probably still having flashbacks to the early 2000s when bronzer, self-tanning, and suntanned skin were the most "in" things possible. Everyone wanted to make their skin look like they just got back from the beach. Some people took that desire a little too far by going wild with the bronzer. Bronzer is a great thing to give a little bit of a fresh look, but too much never did anyone any favors.
Feel free to keep the bronzer handy, but try to use restraint when it comes to the application. No one wants to look like they have an orange face, especially in the inappropriate season.
Keep Everything Coordinated
Although it may seem pretty obvious that you should avoid wearing clashing colors with your makeup and your clothing, it is not so obvious for some people. Unless that is the look you are going for, you should try to keep things at least coordinated (it doesn't have to match perfectly). If you have an entirely blue ensemble on, consider choosing a color that compliments that rather than something that would clash.
Not everything has to match all the time and of course, you can experiment with different styles, but it tends to look elegant and thought out if the colors coordinate.
Choose the Natural Look on Occasion
One of the most difficult things to do for someone who wears heavy makeup every day is to go a full day in a public place with no makeup at all. Depending on how heavy your application is, people might not recognize you or may be confused when they first see you. However, you should let your natural beauty shine through. You don't need to wear makeup all the time to feel beautiful in your own skin.
Besides the benefits for your self-confidence, it is also great for your skin...the makeup-free days give your skin a much-needed breath of fresh air. It must be hard to be hidden under all that makeup all the time.
Bring Out the Eyelash Curler
Have you ever used an eyelash curler? If not, you should really consider starting. It is one of the simplest and quickest things to do to take your makeup look up a notch. Clamp that little curler on your eyelashes for fifteen seconds before applying mascara and you will be shocked (pleasantly) by the results. There is nothing better than a little (free) eyelash lift each and every day.
The best part of this makeup tip is that it is a pretty cheap one. You only need to buy one eyelash curler once and do not need to constantly buy refills.
Check the Expiration Date
Did you know that makeup has an expiration date? Although this may be pretty surprising (it's not food after all), most makeup items will have an expiration date listed. makeup usually will last a long while so don't be too panicked about your products, but it is a good thing to keep in mind, especially if you find some older makeup items from a few years back that you forgot about.
Although it probably isn't the most dangerous thing to use expired makeup products, they might not be the best choice for your skin.
Expand Beyond Foundation
Foundation is a great base for any makeup look. It helps to smooth out the lines and wrinkles on any face, the discoloration, and the blemishes. However, it is not a "one and done" kind of thing. If you aren't planning on using some other coloring product like bronzer or blush with your foundation, maybe it is best to skip it altogether. You don't want to end up with a ghost-like face of single-toned foundation.
Even foundation with a little blush will do the trick if you are leaning towards the lazy side of makeup application.
Choose Liquid Eyeliner
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to makeup. Eyeliner pencils versus liquid eyeliners is perhaps one of the fiercest debates in the makeup world. Liquid liner is a bit trickier to get the hang of, but the results are worth it in the end. The application process is much smoother, ensuring that you don't unnecessarily pull at the sensitive skin around the eyes and preventing wrinkles.
Don't give up after your first failed attempt with liquid liner...it takes quite a few tries to get it right. But that moment will come, you can do it!