Looking Good - November 29, 2017

*-- 10 Beauty Mistakes That Add 10 Years --*
The wrong hair, makeup, or skin-care choices can add years fast. But a few quick tricks will turn back time.

1. Letting Foundation Settle Into Fine Lines

Think you're hiding wrinkles by piling on the foundation? Excess makeup just exaggerates them. The fix: After applying your foundation with a brush, take a damp makeup sponge and gently press it all over your face. This removes any foundation that has settled into lines, and creates a soft finish.

2. Skipping Eyeliner

Even if your Saturday nights no longer end on Sunday mornings,you don't need to start ditching eye makeup. As we age, our eyes start to droop at the outer corners; and liner and mascara can do wonders. Fake a lifted look by lining your upper lashes with black pencil, making the line a bit thicker at the outer corners. Next, curl your lashes and add a few coats of mascara; straight lashes may make lids appear hooded.

3. Not Exfoliating

The older we get, the longer it takes for dead skin cells to slough off. Translation: dull skin. But giving yourself a youthful glow is as simple as using an at-home glycolic peel once or twice a week. It will make any anti-aging products you are using penetrate better.



4. Wearing the Wrong Lipstick

Metallic or iridescent lipstick finishes may look pretty on the runway, but they don't work after 40.

5. Blunt Haircuts

Most of our favorite over-40 stars have layered haircuts;and there's a reason for that. All-one-length looks tend to draw the eyes down and therefore make your face look droopy. Instead, ask your stylist to cut some layers. This brings all the focus to your great cheekbones.

6. Neglecting Your Hands

Even the most diligent skin-care junkie can be guilty of forgetting about her hands. But why spend all that time saving face when your hands tell the world your real age? Once every two weeks, buff the backs of your hands with the same microdermabrasion product you would use on your face.

7. Not Using Sunscreen

We may forget to floss occasionally, but you'll never catch us forgetting to apply sunscreen. Here's why: Nearly all wrinkles and fine lines are due to sun exposure, so skip sunscreen in the morning and you're basically asking for it.



8. Wearing Frosty Eye Shadows

Metallic and frosted eye shadows were iffy back in junior high; and they're even less flattering now. Why? They look too harsh and highlight fine lines. Instead, look for shadows that have a subtle sheen when they hit the light;not a full-on sparkle fest.

9. Loading Up on Bronzer

Everyone wants to look like they just spent the weekend relaxing on the beach. But faking it can just make you look older, because the yellow and brown bases of bronzer give skin a dull appearance. Instead of brushing it all over, create a halo effect by dusting only your hairline, cheekbones, and jawline (and blending well). Avoid putting it around your eyes, nose, and mouth; darkness in these areas can be aging.

10. Getting Overzealous with Your Concealer

Applying concealer with a heavy hand can end up looking almost as bad as letting your dark circles show. The secret: Tap a very small brush into a liquid concealer and pat it under your eyes, focusing most of the color at the inner corners, where discoloration is usually the worst. Then blend it well in a crescent-moon shape under the eyes. When you're done, set it with a little loose powder.

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