Makeup Time Machine: 8 Easy Ways to Turn Back the Clock
Embrace a youthful exuberance at any age! While “more is better” applies to many joys in life (like coffee and gift cards), your makeup is another story entirely. Too much makeup can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, magnifying rather than diminishing their appearance. By simply choosing forgiving formulas and switching up your product selection, you can put your best face forward. Brush up (pun intended!) on these quick tricks to discover that turning back the hands of time can be as easy as opening your makeup bag!
1. Pass on the Powder
You may think that a lightweight and non-greasy powder is a mature skin’s must-have, but that’s not always the case. Powder can easily sink into and exaggerate facial fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. As we age, our skin loses some of its natural brilliance, and powder can make the skin look cake-y and chalky. Instead, choose a light coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer to help even out your skin tone and add some radiance back into the skin.
MUG Must-Have: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
2. Pretty in Pink
Like face powder, a powder blush tries to sneak into those fine lines and wrinkles, making your skin appear dull or flat. A cream blush imparts a gorgeous glow to the cheeks while still looking natural and effortless. To add a youthful flush to your cheeks, choose a shade that complements your skin tone, and build up the color to your desired intensity. Remember to apply your cream blush with clean fingers to keep icky bacteria at bay!
MUG Must-Have: NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic
3. Disguise Dark Circles
Whether those dark circles are hereditary, age related or simply due to a lack of sleep, they can draw your face downward, making you appear older than your years. The trick to effectively conceal those dark demons is to use a color correcting concealer that’s peach or salmon in hue. The warm tones counteract and neutralize the blue color characteristic of most under-eye circles. For an added youthful brightness, gently pat on a concealer (one shade lighter than your natural skin color) over the correcting concealer.
MUG Must-Have: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach or Makeup Forever Concealer Palette 4. Keep it Light
In the spirit of keeping things light, a luminous shimmery eyeshadow (like Makeup Geek’s Shimma Shimma or Bling) applied to the inner corner of your eyes gives you that well rested, youthful, bright-eyed look. You can also add a small amount of your highlighting shadow under the brow to further brighten the eye. Note: When using an eyeshadow with shimmer, don’t go rogue! Stick to the inner corner (near the tear duct) and under the brow.
MUG Must-Have: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows in Shimma Shimma or Bling
5. Just Wing It
Winging out your liner pulls the eye upward to create an instant lift that’s perfect for combating tired or aging eyes. While executing a winged eye can be a daunting task, the proper tools and product can make all the difference. We recommend using gel eyeliner with an angled brush like Makeup Geek’s Bent Liner Brush. Unfamiliar with how these items can achieve a cat eye or winged liner effect? Just check out our video, “How To Use an Angled Liner Brush”.
MUG Must-Have: Makeup Geek Gel Liner in Immortal and Makeup Geek Bent Liner Brush or Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black
6. Eyes on the Skies
Curling your eyelashes is a quick and easy way to instantly make your eyes pop! Over time, eyelids are likely to start drooping and eyelashes can begin to flatten. Redirecting your lashes upward makes your eyes appear more open, wide, and therefore, more fresh and youthful looking. Give your lashes the pick-me-up they need and finish off the look with a couple coats of mascara.
MUG Must-Have: Shu Uemura Lash Curler or Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler
7. Plump up Your Pout
Thinning lips is another common sign of aging. While your lips may not be as voluminous as they once were, you can use a plumping lip gloss to temporarily achieve the feeling and appearance of fuller, more supple-looking lips. The telltale sign of a good plumping gloss is a mild tingling sensation on the lips—that means it’s working! Pro Tip: Avoid using dark lip colors as they can create a shadowed effect and inadvertently make your lips appear smaller.
MUG Must-Have: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipgloss in Bambi or NYX Plump It Up Lip Plumper
8. Bolster Your Brows
As we age, our eyebrows can become both lighter and thinner, especially near the tail. Full, thick brows communicate youth, so fearlessly fill them in! This is one case in which powder is a mature gal’s friend. Ditch the brow gel or pencil and grab a brow powder or matte finish eyeshadow for a softer, more natural finish. Keep the outer portion of your brow the darkest and the inner portion of your brow the lightest. For the most realistic results, choose a brow color that either matches or is no more than two shades off your hair color.
MUG Must-Have: Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Mocha
With just a little makeup magic, you can look fresh and beautiful at any age. Incorporate these eight easy tips into your makeup routine to feel younger, more vibrant, and bring out your inner Makeup Geek!