Makeup Tips to Slash Years Off

Another year bites the dust. It's been a roller coaster ride. As experiences led to more wisdom and eye-opening lessons, the skin went on to mature as well. Getting older is generally dreaded, especially after 35. Personally, I believe it's beautiful. The little wrinkles attest to all the times you should never have gotten up, but did. The little bit of salt and pepper says you have learned a thing or two, the reading glasses that you now need to read the fine print just proves that your inner voice is now smart enough to say, "Hey! Read the fine print."

That's not to say that you should just let yourself go. Keeping ship shape regardless of age obviously begins with a healthy life style, you know... healthy diet, plenty of water, regular exercise, the usual, but makeup can help boost your look by kicking a few years off, making you look more vibrant, fresh and that of course, leads to more confidence. Look good, feel good has a lot of truth to it.

Here are a few tips that women can incorporate in their daily makeup routines that lead to more younger look:


1. Use an anti-aging serum: These are usually packed with anti-oxidants to combat ageing effects before your primer or foundation. I don't usually use a primer for everyday wear but I do use serum with a low SPF factor. My favourite one of the moment is The Body Shop Anti-aging Pomegranate Serum.

2. Skip the cream/powder foundations: Use a thinner consistency foundation or the tonnes of BB and CC creams out there that have in built skin treatments as well. Using less is actually key here since thicker formulas tend to just nestle themselves in the fine lines. My go to foundations these days are the MAC Face and Body and Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua (reviewed here).

3. Do use cream blushes: These give a glow from within look. It's more natural and youthful than powders. They also wear well. Blend them in thoroughly for a naturally flushed look.

4. Go for a thinner line on the eyelid: The most natural way is to use an eye pencil as close to the lash line as possible and the smudge it in with an angled brush (with or without eye shadow). Keep as close to the roots of the lashes as possible. Liquid liners, though great for an evening out, will look more harsher in the day.

5. Skip the matte formulas: Everywhere I see mattes are the rage, I love matte lip products myself. huge fan. But simply put, lighter, shinier/sheeny formulas look more appealing and youthful. IF you have to use lip liner, do it carefully and do not, under any circumstances, use one that is darker than your lip colour. As age increases, lips do not, they tend to get smaller. The reflective properties of glosses gives a more fuller illusion. 

6. Go easy on the contouring: Or skip it altogether, instead go for highlighting (strobing) that will lift the high planes of your face. DO NOT use ones with glitter flecks. Use something with a sheen. Place strategically on the eyebrow bone, over your cheek bones, bridge of nose and cupid's bow, and use a matte brightening powder to set a thin layer of concealer under those dark eye circles.

These tips just help in looking more fresh and youthful, but embracing your true self is what is truly empowering. Being beautiful on the inside, is still the best type of beauty out there. So keep on being beautiful, outside, but more importantly, on the inside too.