Makeup mistakes are a bummer. But makeup mistakes that make you look older? Talk about adding insult to injury!
Luckily, there’s good news: Knowing is half the battle when it comes to fixing 10 makeup mistakes that make you look older. So after you read this, you’ll be armed with all the tools you need to take down those nasty makeup missteps.
10 Makeup Mistakes that Can Age You
Aging Makeup Mistake #1: Skipping the SPF
You’ve heard how important SPF is about a zillion times in your life. But have you heard that sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging? Yep, it’s a cold (or rather hot?) hard fact. Photoaging is a direct result of alllllll the sun damage you’ve exposed your skin to throughout your life, and it’s responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Look for a daily moisturizer that has a minimum SPF 30 of “broad spectrum protection,” which means it will block UVA, UVB, and blue light.
Aging makeup mistake #2: Using too much concealer
Of the 10 makeup mistakes that make you look older, going overboard on concealer is one of the most obvious—and also one of the most correctible! While many of us get through our 20s with just concealer, mascara, and lip gloss, that simply doesn’t cut it later in life. And if you’re relying on concealer to do the job of primer, skin tint, and/or foundation, you’re likely to end up with a cakey look by the time you’re finished covering the problem spots.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Putting even a light layer of foundation on your face and neck before using concealer will help your cause. By applying BOUNCE Liquid Whip Foundation first, you’re:
— Softening spots
— Creating a base so other products can go on smoother
— Cutting down on how much concealer you’ll use, which creates a more natural look
Aging makeup mistake #3: Not using niacinamide
Vitamin B is one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients because it improves texture and helps your skin retain moisture, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide is a B vitamin that plays a key role in creating a healthy skin barrier, yet few of us add it to our skincare routine as we age.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Make sure at least one of your products includes niacinamide. At Beautyblender, we pump up our Leveler™ Pore Minimizing Primer with the powerful vitamin to improve elasticity, texture, and tone. It comes in two shades—light-medium and tan-deep—and has a lightweight texture that lets skin breathe, so it works on every skin tone.
Aging makeup mistake #4: Going crazy with contour
Contouring is one of those magic tricks that separates the makeup masters from mere mortals. But the more Kardashianized our worlds get, the more likely we are to take it too far. If you go too dark with contour or too light with highlighter, you’ll be left with visible lines and streaks, which are the exact opposite of the subtle chiseled effect you’re going for to add definition as you age.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Take it from the man Mary J. Blige trusts with her flawless mug: makeup artist D’Andre Michael. Michael suggests going closer to your skin tone with your contour color and your highlighter so it looks more natural.
“I’ll do a contour, but I make it pop or add highlights with Glass Glow Shinelighter,” he says. “Find that happy medium, and don’t be afraid to look natural! Be a better version of yourself rather than trying to look like someone else.”
Aging makeup mistake #5: Getting weighed down by powder
Be honest: the last time you hugged your Aunt Gertie, was your face covered with a dusting of her powder when you pulled away? It’s happened to the best of us! When it comes to makeup mistakes that make you look older, overdoing it with your favorite product is easy to do. Powder in particular can:
— Settle into fine lines and crow's feet
— Cling to dry patches
— Draw attention to the spots you’re trying to downplay
— Create a texture that’s thick and suffocating, which instantly ages you
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Look for a loose powder that’s finely milled, and focus on a light dusting that will help set your makeup without settling into lines. If you don’t have a favorite, try BOUNCE Soft Focus Gemstone Setting Powder, which reflects light and contains mica, a naturally occurring mineral dust that creates a shimmery finish. Our proprietary blend absorbs oils and cancels unwanted shine while brightening skin, which we could all use at any age.
Aging makeup mistake #6: Relying on just moisturizer to moisturize
Daily moisturizer does a lot. However, as we get older, our body doesn’t produce as many new skin cells or natural moisturizers as it used to. That makes it easier for fine lines, rough patches and wrinkles to creep in and steal your shine.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Hyaluronic acid helps your skin fight back. One gram of HA holds more than a gallon of water, and it’s packed with antioxidants that help fend off free radicals. At Beautyblender, we put it in both BOUNCE Liquid Whip Foundation and BOUNCE Airbrush Liquid Whip Concealer, so grab one (or both!) and start plumping up your pretty face ASAP.
Aging makeup mistake #7: Skipping serum
While we’re on our moisturization soapbox, let’s talk serum. Failing to properly treat thirsty skin is easily one of the top 10 makeup mistakes that make you look older, particularly when it comes to dialing down wrinkles. If you’re over 40 and serum isn’t yet part of your routine, it’s time to remedy the situation.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Use a serum to seal in moisture, and then apply makeup on top of it. Beautyblender’s Opal Essence Serum Primer is hydrating, and has a transformative texture to help foundation glide over skin without clinging to lines. It’s also packed with botanicals to help soothe and brighten skin.
Aging makeup mistake #8: Using a dry, square makeup sponge
Of all the makeup mistakes that make you look older, using a standard makeup sponge may be the biggest one. Dry, angular makeup sponges move makeup around your face, sliding it from one place to another. This causes makeup to stick in creases, smudge easily, and generally just be messy in truly unfun ways.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: The OG Beautyblender was designed to fix all those flaws:
— If you wet, squeeze, and bounce your blender, the aqua-activated foam will ensure more product goes on your face, which means you use less and create a more natural look.
Aging makeup mistake #9: Putting highlighter on after blush
We all know highlighter goes on last, right? Just before setting spray? Well, yes—most of the time. If you’re trying to pick up the light, it makes sense as a last step. However, when you’re aiming to play down redness, pores, age spots and wrinkles, adding highlighter after blush creates the wrong layering for the optical illusion we’re going for.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: Grab Glass Glow Crystal Clear Shinelighter and bounce it on with your Beauty Blusher before your blush. Then grab your BOUNCE™ Liquid Whip Cream Blush, our cream-to-powder formula that delivers a buildable wash of color. By applying your blush last, you’ll allow a little highlighter glow to shine through, buffing out the appearance of wrinkles and preserving your natural glow.
Aging makeup mistake #10: Skipping the setting spray
Dry patches, dullness, caking—all of these pitfalls may befall us late in the day, and also later in life. If you don’t properly set your makeup once you apply it, you leave your look open to all the ugly elements out there. That makes you susceptible to smudging, smearing, slide-off and fading over the course of the day or night.
CORRECT THE MISTAKE: The answer here is easy: Spritz on a little Re-Dew Set & Refresh Spray and you’re good to go! Re-Dew keeps your makeup intact while nourishing your skin with a combination of white birch, hyaluronic acid, silk extract, and probiotics. It’s made to brighten skin while providing longevity, so it can be used post-blend and throughout the day.
What are you waiting for? Spray & slay!
