Anti-Ageing Makeup Hacks from Top Makeup Artists

Sometimes, the secret to looking years younger can just be sitting in your makeup bag. Makeup pros and beauty editors share their best anti-ageing makeup hacks, from how to hide wrinkles with the right foundation to showing off your bone structure.

Hydrate your skin before applying makeup

Always apply a moisturizer before makeup, and — this is the step most women forget — give your skin time to absorb it. Makeup pros like to put it in with their fingers, and some even use a jade roller. “This also stimulates circulation, and removes puffiness,” explains celebrity makeup artist Elise Cho.

Use a light concealer

As the skin around your eyes become thinner, dark circles become more pronounced. Unfortunately, using a very thick concealer will only exaggerate the problem. It will cake, and accentuate fine lines and crepey skin. “Anything that comes in a pan has a wax base and will look waxy on the skin,” says makeup artist Sue Devitt. She recommends using light-concealer pens, which have a sheer formula. Try:  Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, which has light-reflecting particles that blur imperfections.

Use warmer-toned foundations

You still need to find a perfect match for your skin tone. Just look for a warmer or yellowish undertone. Avoid anything that will make your skin look ashy. “Unfortunately, some makeup foundations with high SPF can look ashy or create a white cast. You may want to use a more flattering base, and then protect your skin with a good sunscreen instead,” says makeup pro Janice Castrodes.

Use a sponge, not a foundation brush

A damp sponge will apply very sheer layers of foundation. “The older you are, the more you need to avoid very thick makeup. It will make your face look cakey and opaque. A sheer liquid foundation, applied with a sponge, will even out your skin and still keep it fresh and dewy,” says MAC makeup artist Samantha Kirby.

Use a translucent powder — and sparingly

For the same reason, Kirby says you should only apply setting powder where you tend to get very oily (like the T-zone) or on your eyelids (to prevent mascara and eyeliner from smearing). Too much powder will make your face look dry and accentuate fine lines.

Switch to cream and gel blush and bronzer

Blush and bronzer are one of the best anti-ageing makeup hacks: it helps fake a natural glow, and can enhance your cheeks and cheekbones. But the trick is to use a creams, gels and liquids.They’ll make you look lit from within, and create that youthful sheen. Apply them with your fingers, so your body heat helps melt the product and push it into your skin. Find some of the best cream blushes in Singapore.

Stop applying blush on the apples of your cheeks

You want to “lift” your cheeks, so apply blush at the highest point of your cheekbones. Swirling it all over your cheeks will just create the illusion of your cheeks drooping downwards.

Apply highlighter on your cheekbones

This also accentuates your bone structure — and is a quick 10-second way of looking slimmer, when you don’t have time to do full contouring.

Get your brows professionally shaped

The shape and thickness of your brows can affect how old you look. That’s why it’s better to have it down at a salon, so you don’t accidentally overpluck. (Find a Singapore salon near you at our Beauty Insider directory.)

Choose a lighter brow powder

FIll in your brows with a brow pencil or powder that’s one shade lighter than your natural color. Makeup artist Brenda Linter also suggests holding the pencil or brush at a 45-degree angle. “Your strokes will be softer, so your brows look more natural.” Trust us, this is one of the most effective anti-ageing makeup hacks!

Never skip curling your lashes

Our lashes become sparser and flatter as we grow older, so curling lashes is no longer optional. Then, use an eyelash primer (read our review) and a lengthening mascara.

Start using eyeshadow primer

The skin around our eyes is very thin, and one of the first places where fine lines appear. Even if you don’t see them yet, the tiny cracks in the skin affects how your eyeshadow looks, and how long it stays. So eyeshadow primer is a must! (Read about some of our favourite long-wear eyeshadow primers.)

Switch to brown eyeliner

Black eyeliner can look very harsh on ageing skin. Get softer definition with a dark brown eyeliner (you can also try deep navy blue, which will make the whites of your eyes look whiter).

If your eyes have started to sag, get an instant eyelift by lining just the outer corners, and do a slight upward flick at the end. If you don’t have time to make a flick, just smudge the tips with a cotton swab.