1.     Lining the bottom lashes only

Eye liners brighten up the eyes, but an incorrect technique can have the opposite effect. Using a thick, black eye liner on just the lower lid make your eyes look smaller. The shadows under the eyes become more prominent, making you appear older and tired.   

That’s definitely not the look your targeting when you are already struggling with dark circles?

Solution: Skip the thick, black eyeliner for a soft, lighter pencil. Line the upper and the lower lash lines. Start with a thin line, close to the lash line and gradually work it towards the outside of the eye, making it thicker. Smudge and soften the line gently with a makeup brush. A dark brown, bronze or grey are colours that look great.

2.     Wrong foundation and too much foundation

Foundation is every woman’s go-to makeup item. It covers up all those ugly blemishes, scars and wrinkles, leaving you with a flawless base to work your other makeup on. Women make two big mistakes when it comes to foundation: first, choosing the wrong shade and second, piling on too much product.

Too much foundation makes your skin look caky and dull. Too dark foundation shows like a mask on the face.

Solution: The shade of foundation should match your skin tone and its undertones. If you see a marked difference between your face and your neck, you are using the wrong shade. Choose liquid formulas over the powder ones. The former blends well creating an even tone. The powdered one settle deep in the fine lines and wrinkles. The same goes for matte finish foundations. Use them only if you have oily skin. Applying a light moisturiser before foundation can keep the foundation from looking flaky. Dabbing the skin with a damp sponge is the best way to blend your foundation.

3.     Thinner, lighter eyebrows

Your eyebrows frame your face. But age thins them out. They look sparse and light and give away your age. While older women make other makeup changes, they tend to ignore the eyebrows.

Solution:  Fill in your eyebrows using a pencil to make them look fuller and your face more youthful. A creamy pencil will give you the best finish. Choose a shade that matches your natural hair colour; it shouldn’t be darker. Fill in the gaps with short, quick strokes.   

4.  Dark Lip colour

Like your eyebrows, your lips get thinner too, Dark colours are not very flattering for thin lips as they make your lips look smaller. Dark shades coupled with matte finishes create a severe and dated look.

Solution: Steer clear of dark, bright and metallic lip colours. Spend instead on rosy hues and neutral tones. Sheer lipsticks are flattering for older women – it adds the pop of colour while also keeping them hydrated like a lip balm does. You might also want to give sheer gloss a try for voluminous lips. If you want to use a lip liner to keep your lipstick from bleeding, use one that matches your natural lip colour or the shade of the lipstick.

5. Too much blush

Older women rely on their blush to add a little colour to their otherwise pale, dull skin.  While there is no harm in doing that, incorrect techniques and shades can make it look clownish. The common blush blunders include blush shades that conflict with the lip colour and skin tone, or applying it on the apples of your cheek. The second draws attention to sagging skin.

Solution: The golden rule when applying blush is that it should look like a natural. Avoid bright coloured, powdery and glittery finishes. Use a cream blush. Do not apply blush on the apples of your cheek. Start at the highest point on your cheekbones, moving upwards, towards the temples. Subtle pinks and peaches look great for fair and medium tones while corals, muted berries and rich bronzes flatter darker complexions.

So, the next time you apply makeup, avoid these mistakes. Follow the tips to keep your skin looking younger, fresher and beautiful.