Better With Age: Four Makeup Mistakes That Age You
Getting older has its fair share of perks. For example, a mature woman often carries around a natural sense of refined elegance, is most certainly wiser than her early 20s self and is far more stable in terms of pretty much everything (financially, emotionally, etc.).Here at AOL Shopping, we urge you to own your age. Not only because being an older woman has its advantages, but because wearing the makeup or clothing that a teenager prances around in doesn't do you any favors. (And while we're being honest here, some of those fashion and beauty choices don't do the younger generations any favors, either).
In terms of cosmetics, older women should wear their makeup differently than a woman in her teens, 20s or even early 30s might. While you'd think that super heavy eyelashes and a splash of shimmery purple swiped across your eyelid would create a more youthful look, the exact opposite often happens.
Below are four examples of beauty mistakes that age a woman beyond her actual years. Read them, absorb them and then avoid them at all costs.
Dark, Matte Lipsticks
Sporting the wrong shade -- or even type -- of lipstick can age a woman pretty fast. Steer clear from super dark lipsticks in shades like brown, deep purple or red and choose a creamier, glossier lipstick over a matte. Matte lipsticks tend to settle into and highlight lip lines while creamier options create a more moisturized, youthful appearance.
To keep lipstick from spreading into wrinkles around the mouth, line the lips with a neutral lip liner that's the same shade as your lipstick. We love the quality of Bobbi Brown Lip Liner ($20) and L'Oreal's Colour Riche Lip Liner ($6.78). Maybelline's ColorSensational Lip Liner in Clear ($5.99) comes in hand when sporting lipsticks difficult to match.Some of our favorite age-appropriate lipsticks include NARS Satin Lipstick ($24) and Clinique's Different Lipstick in Ripe Raisin ($14.50).
To create that bee-stung look, try a lip gloss that circulates blood to your lips to make them look fuller and rosier. We like DuWop's Venom Flash ($17) or Physician's Formula Plump Potion Lip Plumping Cocktail ($9.72)
Bright, Shimmery Shadows
A little shimmer is okay, but when it comes to adding color to your pretty peepers, leave green and purple to the Millennial generation. Also, keep the shimmer and sparkle to a very bare minimum, as shimmery eyeshadow can settle into wrinkles and highlight them the same way matte lipstick does to lips.
Instead of sporting the colors of the rainbow, stick to neutral eyeshadow shades. Then, to accentuate your eyes, wear several coats of thick mascara and curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, like this basic curler from Shiseido ($19).As for eyeshadow, you'll find a keeper in NARS Duo Cream Eyeshadows ($33). These shadows are a little on the pricey side, but last for a long time and are easy to blend and are also crease-resistant.
Other eyeshadows we give our 100% approval of include Physician's Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadows ($6.79), Ulta Matte Eyeshadows ($7) and MAC's highly pigmented eyeshadows ($15).
Boring Blush
For some reason, many women shy away from color on their cheeks. This is a real shame, as bright blushes in shades like rosy pink and shimmery, golden mauve highlight a woman's vitality and youth.
On the contrary, choosing a boring blush -- or forgoing blush altogether -- often results in a sunken-in, tired look. And who wants that? Answer: Not this lady (and you shouldn't, either)!If your skin is on the dryer side, opt for a creamy blush and apply with a sponge to blend in. Cream blushes that'll flatter include Philosophy's The Supernature Lit From Within Healthy Cream Blush ($9), LeMetier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tints ($28) and Revlon's Cream Blush ($9.99).
If creamy blushes make you nervous, you can always go with a traditional powder.
Try one of the following shades -- or similar -- for an especially youthful look: NARS blush in Angelika, Orgasm or Taj-Mahal ($25), CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones Countouring Blush in Purely Plum ($5.49) or Trish McElvoy Powder Blush in Peony Pink ($20).
Over Plucked Eyebrows
While the other extreme -- letting brows grow unkempt -- is never good, over plucking your eyebrows can age you just as quickly. Instead of going unkempt or over plucked, find a healthy medium. Also note that as you age, the hairs in your brow line grow much slower and, in some cases, some hairs never return.
You'll find the most flattering look is a defined eyebrow that's shaped and healthy-looking. You can achieve this look by reducing your tweezer's job to an every-other week role and by employing products like eyebrow pencils and eyebrow gel.Use an eyebrow pencil in a shade that either matches your own or is one to two shades darker. Products worth investing in include It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil ($24), MAC's Impeccable Brow Pencil ($15), Clinique's Instant Lift Brow Pencil ($15) and Tarte EmphasEYESTM For Brows High Definition Eyebrow Pencil ($19.50).
Also try an eyebrow kit, like this Brow Powder Duo by Laura Mercier ($24). And after you've defined the brows, set them with a product like Studio Gear Brow Set ($14.50).
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Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
colleen said 11-06-2011 @11:38AM
I think what really ages us is time. And I just don't wan't to stop living.
replyHighest Rank
DKK77 said 11-06-2011 @12:41PM
Folks, when you talk about something like brow shapes and say it ages someone when they overpluck, how about showing what you mean by photos or drawings? Saying someone over- or under-plucks is a very subjective thing! What I think might be overplucked is what another might think is underplucked. Just a thought.
replyLowest Rank
Dragonmary said 11-06-2011 @1:40PM
Where do yall get off telling anyone what to use? Being helpful, are you? Don't you realize that women do not want someone telling them what is right and wrong? What are we, a bunch of animals unless we do it your way? Please stop these insane ramblings. If any women need your service they should buy the magazines you spend so much money promoting.
replyNeutral
KAIE said 11-06-2011 @5:52PM
THERE IS ABSOLUTEY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE "EXPERTS" EXPRESSING THEIR OPINIONS OF WHAT A OLDER LADY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO TO IMPROVE HER LOOKS AS SHE AGES. YOU, FOR ONE DO NOT HAVE TO READ SUCH REPORTS OR IGNORE THEM COMPLETELY AS BULL.....
Neutral
smartone said 11-06-2011 @1:59PM
Each person has their own unique style. She should follow what she likes, not what is dictated by someone else's opinion. Articles like these create insecurity for those with already low self-esteem issues. How about doing something to promote womens' self-esteem rather than tear it down because her blush isn't the right color or her eyebrows don't look like all the models...Media so contributes to women's looks all the time..how about what really matters...the person's heart and soul !!!!
replyHighest Rank
Dee said 11-06-2011 @2:13PM
So true. It's very confusing. Now I stick to what I'm comfortable with. Make-up is being creative, and no I'm not talking about looking ghoulish. Each time I read an article, I'm being advised to try this or try that. My best bet now is to look at the way average women wear makeup. I get my best dos and don'ts from observing!
Highest Rank
Lilithlamere@att.net said 11-06-2011 @2:31PM
FYI - Yet ANOTHER typo/mistake on a blog. Spare us! philosphy's Lit from Within Blush is NOT $9.99. If someone tries to sell it to you for that amount, it is either hot (as in stolen to be resold) or a knock off of philosophy. I suggest you go to QVC and look up their price for this product or visit Ulta's and/or Sephora's websites.
replyNeutral
DonnaR said 11-06-2011 @2:43PM
great advertisement, what a waste of time.
replyHighest Rank
bjv said 11-06-2011 @3:16PM
Just ANOTHER advertisement masquerading as a "helpful" article.
replyHighest Rank
Jenn said 11-06-2011 @3:34PM
*sigh* Tell me Wendy, who made you the expert? I have been in the beauty industry for over twenty years and I can tell you right now, you are so very wrong. Matte lipsticks do not age women, it's a matter of seasons. Purple and green shadows are not colours to shy away from, but to be used in moderation. Green shadow looks good on any eye colour! The shadow quad displayed is matronly and dull, rather a lot like this boring and ill advised advertisement.
replyNeutral
Tammy said 11-06-2011 @3:57PM
I agree with the comments concerning this article. I am 53 and have been wearing my makeup the same way since I was in my mid 30's. I use my husband as my guide. I told him to tell me when my eye makeup starts looking goulish and then I will stop wearing it that way. I can trust him to be honest with me. I don't care what others think of me I am not doing things for them. I have also found that contrary to so called makeup experts, brown colored eye shadow does not make blue eyes pop. It doesn't do anything for me but make my eyes look old and tired.
replyHighest Rank
Christine said 11-06-2011 @5:09PM
I can say that I'm a 45yr old dirty blonde haired scandinavian with blue eyes that pop when I wear brown shadow? The one color that most people compliment my eyes is when I wear brown. The shade is about as dark as a hershey bar, and my eyes shine. Not because I think so, but I've been told that for over 25yrs. I wear many colors and brown stands out for me-and I get reactions like "Wow, I never noticed how beautiful your eyes are/how they pop", etc. I believe them, because most all comments come when I out. The one color that doesn't do anything for me is green, like a forest green. Doesn't look bad, but I might as well skip for it does nothing.
Highest Rank
Kate said 11-06-2011 @6:34PM
I am in my 60's, but really look pretty good, probably because I am healthy, and a nice person. I stopped wearing make-up 2 years ago. I looked at my counter one morning and decided after 50 years of all this junk on my face was enough. I have never felt so free. And people still are nice to me. Imagine THAT!!!!
replyNeutral
Laurie said 11-20-2011 @9:44AM
good for you Kate! I agree!
Highest Rank
rene said 11-06-2011 @7:31PM
less is more when it comes to makeup and my old face
replyHighest Rank
China said 11-06-2011 @8:45PM
Your lead in headline said "Eyebrow shape that makes you look older"
replySo? Where the hell is it?