4 Makeup Mistakes That Make You Look Older
Change the way you apply make-up, and you can end up looking much younger. Photo: 123RF

Remember being a teenager and all you want is to look older with make-up? Now that you’re an adult, some of you might still be employing the same application techniques you learnt when you were young. Find out if you’re making yourself look older than you really are with these make-up mistakes.

Mistake #1 Blusher on the apples of your cheeks

A nice sweep of colour on the cheeks never fails to liven up the complexion, but applying blush to the apples of the cheeks might highlight saggy skin which is common as you age. Try sucking in your cheeks, and apply blusher above the indent and upwards towards the temples. The angle will make cheekbones look more defined.

Mistake #2 Loose powder

When you apply too much loose powder on young skin, the worst thing that can happen is having your make-up look caked on. When you apply too much loose powder on mature skin, the fine lines on the skin appears more defined, making you look older than you are.

Mistake #3 Dark lipstick

With vampy lips making their way back on the runway, you might be tempted to reach for a darker lipstick shade. Lips become thinner and less plump with age, and wearing a dark lipstick not only makes them appear thinner, they also draw attention to the area where your nasolabial fold (or smile lines) are prominent.

Mistake #4 Skipping the primer

Primer helps smooth out lines and create the perfect canvas for makeup to go on. It also helps make-up stay on longer, without having to worry about touch-ups. Some primers contain pigments to make skin appear luminous — illuminating skin which looks dull and sallow.