No matter what you do to enhance your anti-ageing wellness, no one is going to notice if you get your make-up wrong. Much in the same way that you don’t carry around your prized possessions in a bin bag, your packaging needs to reflect the gorgeousness that’s going on underneath. After all, you’re making all that effort to take care of your wellbeing, why let bad foundation get in the way? The colours and formulas you put on your face have an immediate impact on how fresh you look. However, according to Sandy Linter, a New York City celebrity makeup artist for Lancôme, ‘With the right products and application tricks, you’ll appear younger.’
1. Diffuse fine lines
If you’re already slathering on the moisturiser, you might think you have no need for primer, but you’d be wrong. Linter explains, ‘Primers, unlike moisturizers, have smoothing silicones that fill in and soften lines, so your skin naturally reflects light and glows,’ and primers also help your foundation to glide on more evenly, which is especially crucial if you have dry skin. You get double points for using a primer with collagen-boosting amino peptides, such as CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless serum primer.
2. Even out your skin
If you have the odd blemish or unsightly area – such as a sun spot, dark circles or red patch – you may be tempted to fix these problems with concealer, before you move on to your foundation. However, Linter recommends that you ‘reach for foundation first. Then go in with concealer and target what needs more coverage.’ Make sure your foundaton is formulated for ageing skin and is packed with hydrating properties – Korres Quercetin & Oak Anti-ageing foundation is a good choice. Linter continues, ‘Once your skin is evened out, you’ll be surprised at how much less cover-up you need to use.’ Pat a non-too-liquidy concealer (such as Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment) right where you need it, but don’t rub it in – you don’t want to cake in your fine lines.
3. Think pink
When it comes to your lips, you need a lipstick that contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter and glycerin. New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, notes that this is because ‘Skin on lips is thin and lacks oil glands, making lines more noticeable.’ For the best colour, Linter argues that a soft but punchy pink ‘flatters all skin tones.’ If you go for Chanel Rouge Coco Shine sheer lipshine in Romance, you get the added bonus of moisturising ceramides.
4. Ol’ Blue Eyes
Black eyeliner is a staple in most women’s make-up bags, but an eye-brightening teal can take years off. Brian Duprey, a makeup artist in New York City, argues, ‘Vivid shades give just a hint of colour, not an obvious line,’ and Youngblood Incredible Wear gel liner in Lagoon contains vitamin E to condition lashes.
5. Pretty in plum
For your eyelids, you don’t have to stick to boring beiges and browns – why not try a nice plum colour? Duprey advises, ‘If you want to go beyond neutrals on your eyes, try a shade of purple. It’s hands down the most wearable color for all skin tones.’ Neutrogena Crease Proof eye shadow in Stay-Put Plum is worth a go.
6. Go nude, but sparkle
Fusco points out that ‘Dark circles can cast a shadow over your entire eye area,’ which is why you need a light-reflective under eye concealer, such as the one from Temptu.
7. Rosy cheeks
A creamy blusher in enlivening shades of pink can help you to hang on to that fresh glow. Try L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Colour Lift blush in Rose Gold.