Aging Skin Makeup Solutions
Change up your palette and erase years from your face.
By Lissa Poirot
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
WebMD Feature
There is no age limit on beauty. Every season of life, however, brings challenges and changes. One of those opportunities is to revisit and reinvent your look.
When it comes to makeup, don't settle for what worked for you decades ago. Open yourself up to a new approach that fits who you are now.
Hiding Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Some women mistakenly draw attention to the fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes by overdoing the area with makeup. Wrinkles become more noticeable as the makeup settles and cakes into lines.
Prevention begins with a moisturizer. Celebrity hairstylist Billy Lowe, beauty expert for television shows such as Extreme Makeover and TLC's 10 Years Younger, says, "After you wash your face in the morning, apply moisturizer while the skin is damp. That will plump it up and even it out, helping makeup glide on."
Don't forget to moisturize around your eyes. "Start with a silicone-based eye serum that will gel to the concealer and prevent it from slipping," Lowe says. "Packing on the makeup to cover lines or dark circles will bring out the creases." Avoid using heavy concealers that will look cakey around the eyes.
Makeup instructor Bridget Winton says to learn the bone structure and features of your face. "Focus on your bone structure to lift the face," she says. "Give yourself a youthful look by using lighter and darker shades to make hard lines soft and soft lines hard."
For example, work with a foundation that is one or two shades darker than your foundation to “lift” a sagging chin. Cover the darker area with a translucent powder.
How to Brighten Aging Skin
If your skin looks dull, use warm colors to brighten up. Experts suggest using a foundation that is a half-shade lighter than your skin tone.
To dim dark circles under your eyes, apply foundation that's a shade lighter than your foundation to the area. Top it with a concealer and then add a loose powder to set the makeup and hide the color difference.
Illuminators and bronzers can also add a sun-kissed glow. But don't overdo it; a bad fake tan can make you look older. Get a more natural glow by blending the bronzer into your moisturizer or foundation and then applying it evenly to your face. A loose powder just one or two shades darker than your skin tone can also add warmth.
Spritzers and moisturizing sprays help set makeup and give skin a dewy look, Winton says.
Apply moisturizer and sunscreens as a base each morning, and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Wash it all off every night and try a heavier, nighttime moisturizer.
"You know the saying, 'an ounce of prevention,'" Lowe says. "Take care of your skin at any age."
