5 Makeup Mistakes That’ll Age You, According To Makeup Artists Over 60

It’s easy to fall into comfortable beauty routines and use the same cosmetics and application techniques year after year. But the face you have at 50 isn’t the same as the one you had even a few years ago, so what worked before may not be enhancing your best features.

“Most of us learned to apply makeup when we were in our early 20s, and all we wanted to do then was look older,” said Ariane Poole, a 66-year-old expert in makeup for women over 50 and the founder of Ariane Poole Cosmetics. “If you tell an 18-year-old she looks 25, she’ll be thrilled. But if you tell someone who’s 58 that she looks 65, she’ll be horrified. We don’t want to look good for our age, we want to look good whatever our age, so it’s important to adapt.”

We talked to professional makeup artists ― all over 60 themselves ― about how they help other women let go of what’s no longer working and try new approaches to stay fresh and glowing. They pointed out some of the most common mistakes they see and offered smart techniques to avoid them.

“I firmly believe you can correct anything with makeup,” Poole said. “You don’t need to pile loads of product on your face, and you don’t need filler and Botox, either.”

Foundation absorbs into the skin differently as we age, which may require choosing one with a different formulation.

Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

Foundation absorbs into the skin differently as we age, which may require choosing one with a different formulation.

When it comes to the five key topics below, take note if you haven’t already made adjustments to the products you’re using and the way you apply them.

1. Foundation

If you haven’t used primer before, now is a good time to start. The experts we spoke with hailed it as a lifesaver. “A common problem with foundation is that it disappears within a couple of hours when applied to older, thirstier skin,” said Tricia Cusden, 75, the founder of Look Fabulous Forever. “Eye shadows may crease on crepey eyelids, and lipstick may feather into the lines around the mouth. The solution to all these frustrations is to use primers to help makeup stay put.”

It’s important to reevaluate colors and shades from time to time, too. “The shade you choose should match your neck, not your face,” Poole said. “Test a swatch on your chin and compare. If you feel washed out at first, don’t resort to a darker foundation, but try some bronzer instead.”

Makeup artist Sandy Linter, 76, said that if you’ve gotten used to using powder, you may want to try a reformulation. “I tell my clients they can get a glowier look with a combination of moisturizer, primer and foundation,” she said. If you’ve had bad experiences with foundation before, Linter suggested you reconsider: “Foundations are nothing to be afraid of now, even though they had a bad reputation in the past for being too mask-like. Now there are foundations that improve your skin quality and looks.”

2. Eyebrows

Hair can get thinner and sparser as we age, which can affect the look of eyebrows ― and that has a big impact on overall appearance. “Brows add balance to the whole face and definition to the eye area, so they’re important,” Cusden said. The color you’re using to enhance them makes a big difference, she added, warning against using the same old eyebrow pencil you’ve always used. “Enhancing brows to match one’s original hair color may look a bit heavy,” she said. “If your hair has gone from brown to gray or blonde, then a soft taupe color for brows can look good.”

It’s also a good idea to pay attention to what’s happening with each brow. “They don’t tend to age evenly,” Poole noted. “I recommend using brow pomade or mascara, while noticing if you need more on one brow than another. And remember that the end of your brow should be straight across, not dropping down, which can make eyes seem more hooded.”

3. Eyeliner

Yes, you still can use eyeliner. No, it shouldn’t be black. “Our eyes lose definition and seem smaller as we age, so you definitely need eyeliner,” Poole said. “But it shouldn’t look harsh. Instead of black, opt for charcoal gray or deep navy. Fair skin might do well with muted brown or soft olive. Deeper skin tones look great with navy or deep plum colors.”

Black eyeliner can look harsh on eyes that are losing definition.

Guillermo Spelucin via Getty Images

Black eyeliner can look harsh on eyes that are losing definition.

Still wondering how to do eyeliner like a pro? Here’s Poole’s tip: “Apply the liner along the base of the top lashes, but stop just before you reach the end of the eye. This helps open the eyes and stops the eye from looking downturned.”

4. Concealer

If you’ve been putting concealer on first, it’s time to switch things up and “apply it on top of your foundation or tinted moisturizer,” Poole said. In the past, she explained, concealers tended to be thick and heavy, but they’re now more lightweight. Because of that, you don’t want to displace them when you apply foundation, which is why they go on after.

“And if you’re dry under the eyes, I love using a daytime eye cream, followed by concealer and then foundation,” she said.

5. Blush

Even if you didn’t wear blush when you were younger, you may find it helpful now as your skin tone changes. “I feel that blusher is essential on an older face to restore a lovely healthy glow which lights up the whole face,” Cusden said.

Where should it go? The experts suggested a more thoughtful approach than a quick swipe somewhere between your nose and your eyes. “If you place it too high on the cheekbones, you’ll draw attention to under your eyes and even your jowls,” Poole said. Her suggestion? “Apply it right on the cheekbone, not any higher.”

This might be a good time to toss out your old powdered blush and switch to something dewier. “I prefer a cream-to-powder blush formulation so that you can position the blusher easily as a cream, but then move it with a brush like a powder,” Cusden said.

While Poole prefers applying blush right on the cheekbone, Cusden suggested a more “shaped” approach: “I aim to create a tear-drop shape, but at an angle with the round part on the cheeks and the thinnest point at the hairline, just level with your eyes.” To accomplish this, she suggested starting from the center of the eye and moving down until you can feel the lower part of your cheekbone. “Start to apply the blush there and then, using a brush, blend and sweep the color up towards your hairline,” she advised.

Beauty Is Ageless

Finally, whatever you do, be kind to yourself. “I don’t accept the attitude that aging is some sort of failure of will,” Cusden said. “Everyone gets old, but age is no barrier to fabulousness. Nor does it mean we can’t apply some beautiful products to enhance our looks. I love my older face, because it has all the hallmarks of a good life, well lived.”

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Funny Tweets That Sum Up Your 20s vs. Your 30s vs. Your 40s

Each decade of life is marked by distinct challenges, moments of joy and new adventures. As we evolve and grow, the differences between those decades start to feel totally stark.

That’s how the funny folks on Twitter make it seem, anyway. Below, we’ve rounded up 25 relatable tweets that sum up the difference between your 20s, 30s and 40s (with a few nods to the teen years as well) ― from personal goals and hobbies to what socializing looks like.

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These Are Useful Things To Have For Any Older Person Living Alone

It’s a fortunate thing to be able to watch loved ones age into their senior years, but that privilege can also bring concerns about their ability to live alone safely and maintain a level of independence they may understandably desire.

Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging, said that most older adults want to age in place. She said the benefits include a continued sense of independence, living in a familiar space in which a person is comfortable and maintaining community connections.

Everyone deserves to live with dignity and access the highest quality of life that they are capable of and wish to have, said Richard J. Mollot, executive director for New York’s non-profit Long Term Care Community Coalition.

“This doesn’t change with age,” he said via email. “However, the parameters within which these rights can be safely exercised might change, depending on the individual’s needs and wishes.”

According to both DeMarois and Mollot, such parameters might include home modifications that can make a space safer and accommodating for concerns like limited mobility.

“There may also be a need for help with transportation, meals, cleaning or home maintenance and personal care,” DeMarois said, adding that utilizing local senior services can be one of the most holistic ways of accessing resourses, education and support.

Some of these include government food and nutrition programs, fall-prevention programs that can provide and install low-cost modifications to the home and community adult services that can integrate health and social needs.

“The best advice I can offer to loved ones who want to support an older adult who is living alone is to keep the lines of communication open,” DeMarois said. “Have regular conversations about how the situation is working, if changes need to be made, and what else the older adult needs to feel comfortable and secure at home.”

While these senior care experts did not endorse any specific products, we utilized the resources they provided to build a list of items that might be helpful for any older person to have at home. Keep reading to find ADA-compliant grab rails, highly rated caretaker alert systems and tablets meant to keep your loved one connected.

Please be aware that many of the below items might require professional installation. HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts we consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Amazon

An Amazon tablet pre-installed with entertainment apps

A tablet or smartphone can be useful for a senior living alone as it could help them order food, supplies and services; connect with family and friends; access entertainment and more, said Richard J. Mollot of the Long Term Care Community Coalition.

We think Amazon’s HD Fire tablet can be a good pick, considering it comes pre-installed with easy-to-access entertainment apps includin- Netflix, Amazon and Kindle. It can also be voice controlled using Alexa to make calls to loved ones or control smart home devices without much mobility on the user’s part.

Amazon

A tablet specifically designed for seniors

This other tablet option is designed specifically with older populations in mind. The GrandPad features a user-friendly operation screen, ongoing instructions, easy-to-see icons and 24/7 customer support. Share photos, take calls, send emails, video chat and more without causing frustration.

Amazon

A bathroom transfer bench

According to the California Department of Aging’s fall prevention program, a transfer bench is useful for some older adults to enter and exit the bathtub safely. We chose this highly rated option in particular because of its positive reviews, tool-free assembly and secure construction that can hold up to 400 pounds. The chair is easily adjusted up to 22.5 inches in order to fit most standard size bathtubs, and has extra-large non-slip feet as well as a non-slip surface.

Amazon

An ADA-compliant grab bar for the shower

Susan DeMarois of the California Department of Aging said that installing grab bars for the shower or in other frequently used areas might be helpful. We landed on this grab bar option not just for its near-perfect five-star-rating, but also because it’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Available in three sizes and five finish options, including an extra grip coating, this bar can easily be installed on a variety of surfaces and is capable of supporting up to 500 pounds.

Amazon

A floor-to-ceiling support pole

Another option for adding support throughout the home is this tension-mounted pole. It earned a spot on this list for its double-handled grab bar that swivels 360 degrees and its floor-to-ceiling design that helps to provide support whether someone is sitting or standing. Because this sturdy bar uses tension to stay in place, no drilling or permanent installation is required.

Factor

A weekly meal delivery service

DaMarois said the CDA’s food and nutrition program delivers well-balanced pre-made meals to older adults in their home. If your state doesn’t offer something similar, Factor is a meal delivery service that offers comforting dietician-created classics like garlic pork tenderloin and herb-crusted chicken. You can choose up to 18 meals a week and explore up to 35 different meal options that arrive ready to heat and enjoy.

Amazon

A portable support rail for beds

Inspired by the success stories of individuals from the CDA’s at-home fall prevention program, we picked this assistive, adjustable bed rail that easily slips underneath most mattresses and has a larger load-bearing framework than other bed rails that we found. It has a sturdy and resistive construction that can be trusted.

Wayfair

A portable multi-fold ramp

According to DeMarois, ramps installed over areas such as outside steps can be a helpful home modification for older adults to age safely in place. They can make access easier for people using wheelchairs or scooters or with limited mobility.

We chose this multi-fold ramp because it seemed to be one of the most portable and easy-to-install options. It’s built with an edge-to-edge traction tape surface, has a sturdy welded design and folds up like a suitcase for easy transport.

Amazon

A fall-detection pendant system

Our pick: This alert system comes backed with ADT’s 24/7 monitoring service that can get a loved one immediately connected to critical care to ensure a rapid response in the event of an emergency — all with a press of a button. The portable mobile device allows for two-way communication with ADT’s sensitivity-trained agents as well as GPS location tracking while the wearable and waterproof pendant has automatic fall detection capabilities for added peace of mind. This system does require a monthly service fee, starting at $39.99.

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Justine Bateman Dismisses Plastic Surgery: ‘My Face Represents Who I Am’

Justine Bateman accepts her changing physical features ― even if the internet won’t.

The former “Family Ties” star opened up about aging in the public eye in an interview with “60 Minutes Australia” that aired last week.

“I needed to Google something to do a little research and remind myself of something that happened when I was famous,” she said. “So, I put in my name, Googled my name ― Justine Bateman ― and then the autocomplete came up, which was ‘looks old.’” Bateman, 57, estimated she was 40 or 42 at the time.

Actor and author Justine Bateman visits AOL's Build Series to discuss her book 'Fame: The Highjacking of Reality' on Oct. 10, 2018, in New York City.
Actor and author Justine Bateman visits AOL’s Build Series to discuss her book ‘Fame: The Highjacking of Reality’ on Oct. 10, 2018, in New York City.

Gary Gershoff via Getty Images

“I was like, ‘What?’ And I looked at the pictures that they had as evidence, and I couldn’t see what they were talking about,” she said. “I just don’t give a shit” about what people think, she added.

“I think I look rad,” Bateman continued. “I think my face represents who I am. I like it.”

The actor, who wrote a book about beauty two years ago, also said in the interview that she feels “sad” for women who use fillers and Botox to hide the effects of aging, as they’re “not enjoying life.”

“I feel sad they are distracted from the things that they’re meant to do in life, with this consuming idea that they’ve gotta fix their face before anything else can happen,” Bateman said.

“I’m saying, forget about your face! That is what I’m saying,” she added. “Get rid of the fear that is making you think that the fact that your face is wrinkled is going to X-out a bunch of opportunities for you.”

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Bateman joins a small but mighty number of prominent women ― including supermodel Paulina Porizkova, who was also featured in the “60 Minutes Australia” interview ― who shun cosmetic procedures.

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis shared her thoughts on Botox during an interview with “Today” last year in which she said she was dissatisfied with the cosmetic injection.

“I did plastic surgery. I put Botox in my head,” the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star said. “Does Botox make the big wrinkle go away? Yes. But then you look like a plastic figurine.”

Now, Curtis said, she tells her daughters: “Don’t mess with your face.”

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