'Creams, off whites, tans and golds reflect light onto the face and make us look younger. Dusky pinks and pale lilacs can also work wonders in turning back the clock,' Orla says. Colours to avoid for aging include blacks and greys which can throw shadows on the face and make you look older.
If you want to experiment with looking younger, start out with reds, pinks, and purples. They all have a youthful vibrancy to them that is widely recognized." Don't just take his word for it, though. Up ahead, see how the chicest over-40 celebrities are putting these youthful colors to the test.
Avoid too much black
But it can also leach the life out of your complexion, which makes you look older. Since black is such a huge part of many women's wardrobes, here are a few tips to make it more flattering: Wear a flattering colored scarf near your face.
Does light or dark hair make you look younger? There's no defined hair color that is more youthful. However, consider going for a more multi-dimensional hair color with lighter and darker pieces overall. Typically, a safe bet is to ask for balayage highlights that are around two shades lighter than your natural hue.
Opting for warmer tones rather than harsher, cooler ones "gives the appearance of younger, more radiant skin", according to the experts at Bellissima. This is because they "reflect the light around the face with its warm tint". Warmer colours may include golden blonde, auburn, warm caramel, toffee and copper shades.
We've come to the conclusion that blonde is the #1 anti-aging hair color. If you're going gray, ask your stylist to combine the grays with warmer, blonder tones for a more natural blend.
Generally, these colours will make anyone appear older: black, cool dark brown, fiery red, yellow blonde, mousy blonde and dark grey. There's a common opinion that platinum blonde and silver hair dye age you, but we don't believe so.
Shoulder-length hair (or longer) with layers
Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.
"A shade or two lighter [than your natural one] can be very flattering, especially because skin gets more sallow with age, and a few streaks can wake it up. But going too light can be just as aging as going too dark.
Loss of muscle tone and thinning skin gives the face a flabby or drooping appearance. In some people, sagging jowls may create the look of a double chin. Your skin also dries out and the underlying layer of fat shrinks so that your face no longer has a plump, smooth surface. To some extent, wrinkles cannot be avoided.
Your skin is another obvious indicator of your age. This doesn't just include wrinkles, but things like dry skin and tired eyes, which can both be avoided. Reddit user Redhaired103 posted in /r/AskWomen that dark circles, pale skin, puffy eyes, and heavy makeup can also make you look older.
Pair skirts and cropped pants with pointy-toed shoes
“This will help elongate your leg line and helps you look more polished. Avoid short, rounded toes, since these can make you look shorter and frumpier.” If you want to wear heels, more power to you, but don't feel like you have to.
Each spectrum of light produces a different color to target various skin concerns. For instance, red light is designed to increase circulation and stimulate collagen, making it useful for those who are looking to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, she explains.
Genes play a big role, but aging delivers a triple whammy: More fat gathers under the chin, there's less collagen and elastin to keep skin taut, and the neck muscles start to sag, dragging the skin down with it, according to Shridharani.
Too much of a reddish orange undertone in your hair can make it look dull and damaged—the typical signs of aging hair, says celebrity hairstylist Gabriel Samra. The red tones can also make your skin look redder and rob skin of a youthful glow, adds Kyle White, senior stylist at Oscar Blandi.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it's ultimately a personal choice.
Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.
A few well-placed ribbons of a lighter color can be just the thing to enhance your cut, carve out cheekbones, or even add an enviable boost of radiance to your skin. Highlights can also be a really easy way to wake up your hair color when you want a change, but not a drastic one.
The general rule of thumb is that cool skin undertones look most flattering with cool hair color, while warm skin undertones look best with warm hair color. This way, matching hair color to your skin tone accentuates your complexion and brings out your features.