If you spend a significant portion of your monthly paycheck adding to your cosmetics collection, then you're not alone. In fact, a 2017 article revealed that the average woman shells out $15,000 on makeup over the course of her lifetime. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a little primping and pampering, the trouble arises when the products you're purchasing to help you look younger wind up having the opposite effect.
If you aren't getting the results you desire from your cosmetics, the issue might be that you're using them in the wrong ways. Check out our advice for avoiding these makeup mistakes that are doomed to age the face.
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Applying liner all the way around your eyes
Are you guilty of applying liner all the way around your eyes? Popular among middle schoolers everywhere, this style tends to create harsh borders that narrow the eyes and age you prematurely. For best results, apply your liner along the top lid and outer third of the lower lash line.
Are you guilty of applying liner all the way around your eyes? Popular among middle schoolers everywhere, this style tends to create harsh borders that narrow the eyes and age you prematurely. For best results, apply your liner along the top lid and outer third of the lower lash line.
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Going overboard on the contouring
The Kardashians have turned contouring into an art form and demonstrated its amazing capacity for creating facial shape and definition. Unfortunately, many makeup aficionados take this trend a bit too far. For optimal results, choose a shade that isn't too far off from your natural hue and apply the color only along the top half of the cheekbone.
The Kardashians have turned contouring into an art form and demonstrated its amazing capacity for creating facial shape and definition. Unfortunately, many makeup aficionados take this trend a bit too far. For optimal results, choose a shade that isn't too far off from your natural hue and apply the color only along the top half of the cheekbone.
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Failing to remove your makeup at night
If the acne that haunted your teen years has stalked you into your 20s -- or even your 30s -- the problem might be that you aren't removing your makeup properly at the end of the day. Rather than just giving your face a cursory wash with a gentle cleanser, strive to use the correct products for removing eyeliner and foundation. Your skin will thank you.
If the acne that haunted your teen years has stalked you into your 20s -- or even your 30s -- the problem might be that you aren't removing your makeup properly at the end of the day. Rather than just giving your face a cursory wash with a gentle cleanser, strive to use the correct products for removing eyeliner and foundation. Your skin will thank you.
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Stretching the skin when applying makeup
You might be tempted to pull your skin taut to apply eyeliner or concealer. However, stretching the skin can actually create a jagged line rather than a smooth one and injure delicate facial flesh. Protect your skin and your eye makeup by keeping your face relaxed during the application process.
You might be tempted to pull your skin taut to apply eyeliner or concealer. However, stretching the skin can actually create a jagged line rather than a smooth one and injure delicate facial flesh. Protect your skin and your eye makeup by keeping your face relaxed during the application process.
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Skipping sunscreen on your face and neck
If sunscreen isn't part of your morning makeup routine, then you're taking a serious risk with your skin's health and appearance. To give yourself glowing, damage-free skin for years to come, aim to apply around half a teaspoon of your favorite sunscreen to your face and neck every day. As a bonus, a moisturizer with SPF also functions as a great base for your foundation.
If sunscreen isn't part of your morning makeup routine, then you're taking a serious risk with your skin's health and appearance. To give yourself glowing, damage-free skin for years to come, aim to apply around half a teaspoon of your favorite sunscreen to your face and neck every day. As a bonus, a moisturizer with SPF also functions as a great base for your foundation.
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Applying makeup in the wrong spot
Just because you're choosing the right cosmetic products doesn't mean you're applying them in the correct places. For example, in the middle image below, the model's low contouring drags down her features and makes her look older. Similarly, her eyeliner has been placed too low, while the shadow extends too high above the lash line.
Just because you're choosing the right cosmetic products doesn't mean you're applying them in the correct places. For example, in the middle image below, the model's low contouring drags down her features and makes her look older. Similarly, her eyeliner has been placed too low, while the shadow extends too high above the lash line.
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Using the wrong color foundation
Do you have a bad habit of selecting the wrong shade of foundation? Rather than enhancing your natural beauty, dark foundations can add years to your age. Avoid the dreaded "orange face" by testing new shades on your neck instead of your arm, as you're bound to get a better match that way.
Do you have a bad habit of selecting the wrong shade of foundation? Rather than enhancing your natural beauty, dark foundations can add years to your age. Avoid the dreaded "orange face" by testing new shades on your neck instead of your arm, as you're bound to get a better match that way.
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