Makeup mistakes that age you often involve using too much product, harsh lines, or heavy textures that settle into fine lines, especially with foundation, powder, and eyeliner; skipping blush or good skincare; choosing the wrong lip/brow products; and not blending well, all leading to a duller, heavier, or more tired look, with fixes like lighter coverage, cream blushes, softer eyeliners, and hydrated skin.
Liquid eyeliner. As the skin ages and is no longer smooth, a liquid line is hard looking and very visible how it accentuates slack skin...also it's way too harsh. Same with most powdered eyeshadow, especially any with a shimmer or glitter.
If you've ever looked in the mirror and felt like you “aged overnight,” your foundation might be to blame. “Usually, it's too dense of a foundation,” Quinn says. Heavy, matte bases can settle into lines and dull the skin. Instead, he prefers lightweight liquids or even just concealer in strategic areas.
When you wear less makeup, you'll look closer to your natural age. 3 It's also possible that you're caking in your foundation and that it's not a very good quality foundation, so when you move your face a lot or go out in the sun it dries ever so slightly, and forms tiny micro cracks that can look like wrinkles.
We found that 40- and especially 50-year-old women did appear significantly younger when wearing makeup. Contrary to our hypothesis, 30-year-old women looked no different in age with or without makeup, while 20-year-old women looked older with makeup.
Although it may be counterintuitive, it is better to apply less makeup as you age, rather than more. You may feel like more lines and wrinkles need more coverage, but heavy foundations and cream blushes tend to sink into creases in the skin, thus exaggerating their appearance.
The "3-1-1 Rule" for makeup (and liquids) in carry-on bags means containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, all fitting into 1 clear, quart-sized, resealable bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger, ensuring security can easily see and access it during screening. This applies to liquid makeup (foundation, mascara, lip gloss) and other gels, creams, and aerosols, while solid cosmetics like powders or lipsticks in stick form are generally exempt.
Sun exposure
Researchers estimate that exposure to sunlight's UVA and UVB rays counts for 90% of the symptoms of skin aging. Over time, this damage adds up, resulting in wrinkles, age spots, and visible redness.
Heavy foundations, drying matte lipsticks, and powdery formulas can settle into wrinkles and accentuate texture instead of enhancing our natural beauty. The key is to choose hydrating, lightweight, and sensitive skin-friendly makeup that nourishes while providing coverage.
Your skin will thank you in the form of less breakouts
We all know that breakouts are formed by clogged pores, so it's no surprise that no makeup means better pores. Sure, foundation creates the appearance of clear and blemish-free skin, but sometimes it can actually cause more damage than you think.
Why do I suddenly look so old for my age? Sudden changes in appearance can result from factors such as stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, or medical conditions.
Yes, an older woman can wear mascara on her bottom lashes, but it often requires a lighter touch, a smudge-proof formula, and sometimes a softer color like brown, focusing on definition rather than heavy volume, as heavy application can accentuate fine lines or create a droopy look, while a light coat can open the eyes, but skipping it is also a great option if it doesn't flatter your features. The key is adapting the technique for mature skin by avoiding clumps and harshness.
9 Signs of Foundation Problems to Look Out For
Here are a few easy tips you can apply that will help you maintain a younger looking body, and restore your confidence:
Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin. UV light damages skin cells, contributing to premature changes like age spots.
For eye makeup on mature skin, stick with neutral, matte eyeshadows that define without emphasizing wrinkles. Use lighter shades on the lid and slightly darker shades on the crease for depth. Avoid heavy eyeliner; instead, use a soft pencil or powder applied close to the lash line.
Best foundation for wrinkles
L'Oréal Age Perfect Serum Foundation: As mentioned, this is formulated to hydrate and smooth the appearance of fine lines. ILIA Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick: This stick formula is praised for its ability to smooth over texture and not settle into lines.
There's no single "number one," but Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation is consistently praised for mature skin (weightless, luminous finish), while Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance offers hydration, and L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Serum Foundation is a great affordable choice with SPF. Key features to look for are hydration, light-reflecting/glowy finishes, and formulas that don't settle into fine lines, with ingredients like niacinamide being beneficial for skin barrier repair.
If You Have Dry or Mature Skin...
Go dewy. Dry skin lacks moisture, and matte finishes can make it look dull or textured. Instead, opt for a hydrating foundation that adds back that glow without emphasizing fine lines or dry patches.
Wrinkles: I tell my patients that more than 90 percent of wrinkles associated with aging are actually related to cumulative sun damage. Collagen and elastin are proteins that make your skin firm, supple and resilient, but UV radiation from sun exposure can destroy them.
Lifestyle factors can also significantly contribute to the aging process. Drinking too much alcohol, smoking, high stress levels, a lack of sleep, a poor diet, and more can all cause your skin to age faster than it should.
A Vitamin B deficiency can wreak havoc on your skin, causing acne, rashes, dry and flaky skin, cracked lips, and wrinkles. It can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, personal care products, and other potential aggressors, and can accordingly lead to redness and irritation.
Tip 3: Pack Your Makeup
Some airports will require that all of your liquids fit in one clear plastic bag– TSA says that all of the liquids that you're traveling with in your carry-on must fit in 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zipped bag– so it's smart to have that handled before departure.
Do creams, like concealer and lipstick still count as liquid? And what about lotions and gels? Unfortunately, it's not great news for the over-packers. The Department for Transport defines liquids as “including creams, lotions, oils, perfume, mascara and lip gloss”.