Celeb MUAs Agree: These 10 Common Makeup Mistakes Can Make You Look Older

This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight. 

Times change, people evolve, and our skin also goes through a few transformations during the course of our lives — which is all a completely natural part of aging. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules about which makeup looks you should or should not rock, no matter what your age. If you feel your most confident self in full-on rocker eyeliner, that’s the perfect look for you. But if you are interested in knowing how to keep your makeup as fresh and up to date as possible, there are plenty of makeup tricks out there that will make you feel your most radiant self. Makeup artists agree: these 10 makeup mistakes instantly add years to your face. But with a few swaps and tips, you can easily correct them. 

Read on for tips and suggestions from Ashunta Sheriff, celebrity makeup artist, Jenna Hughes, professional makeup artist and owner of Makeup By Jenna, and Daria Kruchinina, celebrity makeup and natural brows artist.

READ MORE: These 2 Foundation Mistakes Instantly Make You Look Older

10 Makeup Mistakes Celeb MUAs Recommend Avoiding To Look Younger

1. You’re Wearing Heavy Foundation

Many people wear heavy foundation to cover up fine lines and wrinkles, but it often has the opposite effect: it settles in pores and only highlights these facial features. Sheriff has the perfect solution: replace foundation with tinted moisturizer. “Yes continue to correct imperfections with concealer, but instead of heavier coverage with foundation use a tinted moisturizer instead so skin radiates through,” Sheriff said. “Women over 50 look more youthful when skin is glowing and not super matte.”

2. You’re Applying Powder All Over Your Face

Sheriff advises against applying powder all over your face and says it’s best to stick to just the T-zone, which tends to be shinier than other areas. “Powder can age easily because it can get into lines and crevices of the face,” Sheriff said. “So when I set makeup for clients over 50 I apply a blotting powder softly and gently in the T-zone. This way there is no shine in places not needed like the nose or forehead or chin but glow remains where it should be on cheekbones and the bridge of the nose.”

3. You’re Not Applying Lip Liner First

“Overdrawing lips is something that helps the deflating of lips as we grow older and loose collagen,” Sheriff said. “Use a lip liner that is slightly deeper than your lips natural color and draw on the edge of the line of lips, then fill in to help create fuller-looking lips. Apply a soft champagne or pinky color in the center of pout, which is a painless and easy way to achieve fuller looking lips.”

4. Your Forget To Apply Eyeshadow Primer

Before you apply eye shadow it’s super important to use eye primer. “Sometimes over-50 makeup can slide and move,” Sheriff said. “Adding an eye primer before applying eye shadow can truly [keep] eye makeup on all day long.”

5. Your Eyebrow Pencil Is Too Dark

Darker and more dramatic isn’t always better if your goal is to look more youthful. “Use softer brow pencil over 50,” Sheriff said. “If brunette go for soft browns brow pencils. Dark browns can age and softening brows can actually look softer and more youthful.”

6. Your Eyeliner Is Too Dark

The same rule applies to eyeliner when it comes to choosing between deep black and softer brows or colors like purple and green — especially if you’re used to applying thick black eyeliner on the top side and bottom waterline, Hughes says.

“It gives an illusion that the persons eyes are smaller than they actually are,” Hughes said. “Same concept when a person wears white versus black, the black clothing will give the physique a smaller illusion while the white clothing will be bright and airy.”

Hughes suggests opting instead for a dark brown liner on the top eyelid and then choosing a white or light peach color liner for the bottom waterline. “This will give the person the eyeliner on the top eyelid that they want but it won’t be as harsh,” Hughes said. “As for the bottom waterline the white or light peach will instantly brighten and open up the eyes giving a well rested look while simultaneously making the eyes appear bigger.”

7. You’re Wearing Powder Foundation

If you love your foundation and don’t feel comfortable swapping it for a tinted moisturizer, Hughes recommends choosing a liquid formulation over powder.

“Powder foundation is typically ’flat’ and can be drying to the skin and even more drying to an already dry complexion,” Hughes said. “When you think of youthful skin I bet you don’t  think of ‘dry and flat’. Youthful skin is soft and glowing.”

A sheer to medium coverage liquid foundation is the way to go. “If the liquid foundation describes itself with any of the following buzz words chances are it will give your complexion the youthful glow ‘radiant, glowy, dewy, sheer, hydrating,’” Hughes said. “Nars has a fabulous radiant liquid foundation as well as Hourglass with their ambient soft glow, both highly recommended for a modern glowy complexion.”

8. You’re Sleeping With Makeup On

Regardless of your age, sleeping in your makeup is a big no-no.

“Days can be rough and late night parties can be great, however that mascara left on your eyes damages them and adds heaviness to the face, which will feel awful in the morning,” said Kruchinina. “Trust me, I’ve been there too! As a makeup and natural brows artist with more than 10 years of experience I kindly insist you remove your makeup with micellar water or balm and rinse your face with water after. Rinsing is essential for finalizing the makeup removal process. It also makes a huge difference what you use to remove the makeup. My personal go to option is single use towels.”

9. You’re Wearing The Wrong Foundation Color

When the foundation is too dark or too orange your skin will look dull and lifeless, Kruchinina warned. “Always remember that we get a little more pale or sun-kissed during the seasons, so it is always good to have ‘adjusters,’” Kruchinina said. “Here is the trick: either get professional ones or ask for samples of your foundation in lighter and darker tones at the store. Your foundation should feel comfortable and look natural with no difference on the jawline. When searching for the right shade at the store — test it on your cheek and check how it looks in the daylight outside the store before you buy it. The color should match your skin tone even before it's blended.”

10. You Skip Blush

Blush can automatically bring life and a glow to your skin, but many of us forget about this step and rely instead on concealers and foundation.

“All Renaissance portraits of women and men have a light touch of natural blush that immediately brings a youthful flush,’ Kruchinina said. “It is crucial not to overdo it by choosing a not-too-bright color or a glittery finish. A buildable liquid or cream blush texture is the easiest way to add a touch of color, life and dewiness. My recommendation is to apply it with fingertips for the most natural effect, and use microfiber brushes with tints.”

A few great tips and swaps are all that’s needed to bring your makeup up to date and get glowing.