THE 10 BEAUTY MISTAKES THAT ADD 10 YEARS

Do the wrinkles on your face scream, “LOOK AT ME!” after your standard makeup application? Rather than chalking it up to age, the main thing to consider is your makeup choice. Just like hairstyles, makeup techniques can add or subtract years to your appearance.

Prepare to hop aboard your own personal time machine with these makeup do’s and don’ts

1. Don’t skip or cake on foundation. Skipping out on foundation in your daily makeup routine can have harsh effects. Foundation helps even out your skin tone, whereas going sans coverage can put all of your skin’s flaws in the spotlight. A sheer, translucent foundation corrects the flaws and helps liven up the skin for a youthful, even tone. If you have oily skin, shoot for a mineral powder. For dry skin, tinted moisturizers are the best way to go. Another thing that can put creases & wrinkles on full display is TOO MUCH foundation. Heavy makeup is a one-way ticket to Ageville; it makes you appear older than you are.

2. Face powder on top of lines: Powder is fine for reducing shine on the nose and the chin, but on other parts of the face it exaggerates wrinkles and can make skin look too dry.

3. Using too light of a base. Foundation that’s lighter than your skin tone will only exaggerate wrinkles and fine lines. Try a hue that’s 1-2 shades darker with a hint of shimmer. It will give your skin a fresh glow.

4. Applying blush incorrectly. Blush applied to the apples of the cheeks can draw attention to cheek wrinkles and sagging skin under the eyes. Apply color on the highest point of the cheekbone and brush upward. A rose-tinted shade of blush works great for all skin tones and ages, but don’t over-do it! Heavy color on the cheeks gives off a severe, clownish appearance. A general rule of thumb with makeup: Too much = AGING.

5. Lipstick that migrates: Your natural lip line can begin to fade as you age, which makes lipstick more prone to bleeding and feathering. "Tracing it with one of the new clear lip liners can help the color stay put.

6. Metallic eyeshadow. Frosty-colored eyeshadows magnify creased eyelids and wrinkles. Instead, try a matte or solid color in peach or taupe which work great on all skin tones.

7. Mascara & eyeliner on lower lashes. Applying mascara and eyeliner to your lower lashes highlights two of the things you want to hide most: Crow’s Feet and dark circles. Plus, it makes your eyes looks smaller. For big, bright eyes – coat your top lashes with the blackest mascara to make the whites of your eyes look bright and clear. Also be sure to curl your lashes to make them look fuller – which of course means YOUNGER!

8. Bright lip colors. As you know, our lip fullness deflates with age. Bright, dark, or iridescent shades can be too heavy for thinning lips – allowing the color to bleed from the natural lip line. Bright hues can also be aging in general due to the severity and heaviness of the color. A neutral rose shade is very flattering, and a sheer gloss to top it off adds fullness.

9. Heavy concealer on dark circles: The skin under the eyes gets thinner as we age, making thick cover-up look like concrete. Keep it light and apply it with a brush. "The brush distributes the color more evenly. And put it only on dark areas, not under the entire eye.

10. Sparkly shadow on the outer corners: A little shimmer is flattering and keeps eye makeup from looking too stark, but at the outer corners, it magnifies every fine line. Restrict sparkle and shimmer to the inner corners, the centers of the lids, and just on the brow bones.