Makeup can be a magical thing. Swipe on a bit of concealer and dark circles vanish and your eyes look more awake. The right color of lipstick can make your lips look fuller while the right foundation can even out skin tone and cover up fine lines.
But, for all the good it can do, makeup can also spell disaster for some people. Making mistakes when choosing the type of makeup you wear or using the wrong colors can actually add, not subtract, years from your look. Treating makeup as a cure-all for every problem can also add years to your appearance. Find out how to make makeup your friend, not your enemy.
Application Errors
Makeup can make you look older and actually contribute to the signs of aging on your face. If your makeup is aging you by making you look older, it’s most likely due to an issue with how you’re applying it and the type of products you’re using. For example, if you have dry skin, using a powder-based makeup, which can settle into the lines and wrinkles on the skin, is going to add a few years.
The color of your foundation is important, too. It’s better to choose one that matches your skin tone instead of one that is too light or dark. If the foundation is a shade lighter than the rest of your skin, the contrast between your face and neck will be considerable, adding a few years to your appearance. A foundation that’s too dark will make your features, such as your lips and eyes, less visible, creating an older look.
Lip color also plays a part in making you look older than your years. Steer clear of shades that are too dark for your skin tone. A dark shade, such as a deep burgundy or dark purple, against fair skin can visually shrink the lips. To get a fuller looking lip, stick with a lighter, brighter shade of lipstick, or even a lip gloss.
Getting eye makeup right gets trickier as you get older, too. While a smoky eye can look sophisticated, if the colors aren’t well blended or if there’s too much thick eyeliner, the results will be more aging than chic. As with lip color, if you want to open up your eyes visually, it’s a good idea to go with lighter colors. Trade black eyeliner for white and you’ll be surprised by how more awake and youthful your eyes look.
Skipping Sunscreen
Plenty of foundations, powders, and other makeup products feature built-in sunscreen. But, it’s important not to replace your regular sunscreen, either applied separately or with a moisturizer, with the sunscreen found in cosmetics. For one thing, the level of sun protection most cosmetics offer usually isn’t high enough. You want at least SPF 30; you might only find SPF 15 or 20 in your foundation. The amount of makeup you use might give you adequate sun protection. Unless you’re gobbing on foundation, it’s most likely not enough to shield your skin and protect it from the sun’s damaging rays.
Skipping Moisturizer
Just as it doesn’t replace your sunscreen, makeup shouldn’t replace your moisturizer. In fact, you might get a better result from your makeup if you wear it over your moisturizer. For best results, apply your moisturizer right after you wash your face in the morning, then apply your foundation on top of that. If you’re looking for a two-in-one product that hydrates the skin while covering up blemishes and areas of uneven tone, it might make sense to try a BB cream. Although BB creams do contain sunscreen, you might want to use a separate sunscreen to make sure you’re getting full protection.
Not Washing It Off
It’s late, you’re tired and the only thing you want to do is go to bed. But not washing off your makeup before bed is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. By nighttime, it’s not just makeup on your skin. You’re also dealing with all the dirt and pollution from your day.
Over time, the habit of skipping a nightly cleansing can lead to more pronounced lines and wrinkles, larger pores, and irritation that causes redness. Washing your face only takes a few minutes each night and should be worth the effort, it means keeping a youthful glow for longer.
Makeup should work with you, not against you. If you are concerned about your makeup choices or are looking for a way to restore a youthful look to your face, Dr. Jessica Kulak, a specialist practicing in Virginia and Maryland, can help. To learn more about your skincare options and possible treatments, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kulak today. Call (703) 481-0002 for the Virginia practice or (301) 222-2020 for the Maryland location.
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