The older I get, the more make up it seems to take to make me look like I’m not wearing much (or any!) makeup! There are little lines where little lines never were before. There are dark circles where there shouldn’t be. My skin is dry one week, oily the next. It’s a never ending challenge to find the perfect products to make me look my best! Here are some makeup mistakes you’ll want to avoid in order for you to look your best, and not necessarily your age!
Applying Blush Incorrectly
“Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.” “Smile when you apply blush.” We’ve all heard these explanations for how to properly apply blush. But really, all that’s required is a good blush brush and applying it just above the apples. This will help you look younger because it “lifts” your cheeks. Great trick, huh?
Bleeding Lipstick
You know when you see old ladies and their lipstick seems to be migrating away from their lips and out onto their face? That’s lipstick bleed, and it is no good.
To avoid this, simply wear a lip liner the same color as the lipstick, or a nude color. Putting a bit of foundation on your lips can help as well, though it won’t last all day.
The best way to prevent lipstick bleed is to apply lipstick with a lipstick brush instead of straight from the tube. When applying with a brush, you won’t apply as much lipstick as you would if you just apply from the tube. Simply start dabbing the center of your lips and work out towards the corners.
Not Wearing Primer On Your Eyes
I use an under makeup primer on my face if I’m going out for the evening or somewhere special. I don’t normally wear it everyday. However I do wear primer on my eyes everyday.
If your lids are oily, you know that your eye shadow ends up caking up into the creases, etc. If you try to put on more, it makes it look even worse and that can instantly make you look older. And no matter what your skin type, you may notice that your eye makeup disappears by the end of the day due to rubbing and time.
Eye primer helps keep your eye shadow stay where it’s supposed to be: on your eyes. You can look for nude or even beige toned primer and wear that instead of shadow as well. That’s normally what I do for my day-to-day makeup.
The Color Of Your Foundation
Most of us have heard the rule that your foundation should match your skin tone exactly, otherwise you’ll see that telling line that shows the world you’re wearing it. Well this is one rule you may want to throw out!
According to make-up artist Sandy Litner, you should use a slightly warmer tone than your skin color. Warmer tones have fewer pink undertones in them, and by using a warmer tone it will also help balance out redness/ruddiness in your coloring. And really, who couldn’t use some evening out in their coloring!
Not a fan of wearing a darker shade of foundation? What about purchasing a tinted moisturizer? Tinted moisturizer is colored, and you apply it just as you would your regular moisturizer. I love the stuff! Philosophy sells Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer, and it works fantastic.
If you already have a favorite foundation, don’t be afraid to go a shade darker and just mix it in to your moisturizer!
What makeup tips keep you looking your best?
photo source: Haley Neal Photography
