These makeup mistakes might be ageing you…

We’re all definitely pro-ageing, right? It’s brought us infinite wisdom and experience, after all (well, allegedly, anyway…). But, obviously, we all also want to look ‘fresh’. Whatever your age, the perfect makeup style is one that helps you look like the best version of yourself – perhaps just with a little stealth camouflage and covert fine-line blurring along the way.

However, according to Amy Conway, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist, many of us are inadvertently cancelling out the effort we put into our skincare routines with some common makeup mistakes. The trick is to be more strategic with formulas and placement, she explains. ‘Makeup can make us feel so much better day to day, but finding the right type with the right tones, formulas and textures for our skin can not only make us look fresh and radiant but can really help knock years off us, too,’ says Amy.

We start to lose collagen in our twenties (though there may be ways to combat this – see collagen boosting for expert advice). This, combined with a loss of volume in the temples that many people begin to see in their thirties, can result in skin that doesn’t look quite as bright and eyes that don’t seem quite as wide and sparkly.

Give yourself an instant eye lift by investing in an eyelash curler (a must if you're over the age of 30) and opt for some clever cover up. ‘For the most flattering finish, apply your concealer to the inner corner of the eye and blend around the eye socket area, avoiding the outer corner, which is where we tend to see more fine lines but not as much darkness,’ says Amy. ‘My top tip for making the most of your eyes is to avoid taking concealer all the way to the lower lash line under the eye. Instead, focus on popping the eye with a thin liner and full lashes, curling the lashes and layering with 2-3 coats of mascara for the most wide-eyed finish.’ And remember: big, bushy brows are instantly anti-ageing.

According to Amy, the number one rule of coverage is to combat texture with the moisturising prowess of your skincare before tackling unevenness using makeup. ‘Not enough moisture in the skin before applying your makeup can really affect how it looks, as dryness instantly makes us appear older,’ she explains. ‘So, upping your moisture content helps ensure your skin looks fresh and dewy throughout the day. Also, opt for vitamin C in your skincare – it adds instant radiance for a youthful glow.’

Avoid blanket coverage, which can be ageing, and stick to hydrating foundation formulas (or think about swapping in a BB cream). If you’re not already acquainted with a primer, now may be the time to introduce it into your makeup repertoire. ‘A common mistake is using too much powder,’ says Amy. ‘Choose smaller brushes – even an eyeshadow brush, if needed – to pinpoint key areas where you need powder, such as the T-zone, forehead and chin. This will ensure you still set your makeup in place and combat shine while keeping that radiant glow through the cheeks.’

‘Opt for lipsticks with moisturising finishes, as these can help smooth out any fine lines in your lips and create a youthful pout,’ says Amy. ‘I meet women who avoid glosses because they were put off by the sticky formulas of the past. But the great news is that today’s modern glosses are chock-full of nourishing oils, which add a real plumpness to lips and can instantly make you look younger.’

Ah, the flush of youth… While it’s a sad fact of life that our skin loses its rosy glow as we get older, there’s plenty of makeup wizardry designed to feign a born-that-way glow. ‘A common mistake is using powder over cream, or skipping blusher altogether,’ says Amy. ‘Cream blush is your one-stop-shop for a beautifully natural touch of colour and dewiness, which has an instant “youthening” effect.’

‘As much as we tend to be drawn to warmer peachy/pink tones, did you know that swapping them for a cooler tone can instantly knock years off you?’ says Amy. ‘Bluer undertone lipsticks, for example, can make your teeth look whiter, while cool brown or grey on your eyes can help the whites look whiter.’