Yo You have to be careful here because it may seem like I’m suggesting that we all want and need to look younger than we are. That’s not the case at all. I’m part of the “getting older is a privilege” camp; God, why do I always say that phrase with an American accent? It sounds awfully sanctimonious, but I truly believe that labeling products as anti-aging can lead to a negative relationship with our skin.
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On the other hand, no one wants to grow old. “I wish I looked a little older today!” said no one ever. Well, did you know that your beauty choices… Whether it’s your haircut, makeup application, skincare steps, or lack thereof, they can age you — quite drastically in some cases. Fear not. With the help of some of my favorite beauty experts, I’ve put together a list of how to avoid some of the most common beauty mistakes.
1. You’re not exfoliating enough
As we age, cell turnover slows, meaning skin can look duller and feel rough to the touch. Consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk once told me that not exfoliating mature skin is a beginner’s mistake. “Chemical exfoliation at least once every one to two weeks improves radiance,” she says. Kluk recommends Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Glycolic Essence (£29, sephora.co.uk).
2. Your hair is all one color
Hairstylist Luke Hersheson, who counts Sienna Miller and Victoria Beckham among his regular clients, warns against block-coloured hairstyles, especially for fine hair types. “Highlights or balayage add dimension and texture, which creates the illusion of thickness and volume,” he says.
3. You like carding
I am very concerned that Joan Collins is reading this. If so, Miss Joan, you look fabulous. Ignore this advice entirely. But for mere mortals, Hersheson says, “Backcombing and over-the-top volume can be ageing because the final look is solid, stiff and rigid. There is no movement, which is synonymous with youthful hair.”
4. You use mattifying products
Mattifying products are popular for banishing shine, but “they can cling to every crease and accentuate the appearance of fine lines,” says Kluk. Also be wary of mattifying sunscreens, as they can draw attention to dry, dull skin. The good news is that you have plenty of options when it comes to luminous tinted moisturizers. Don’t be scared when I suggest a stick product (I know these were traditionally quite drying), but the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Skin Tinting Balm (£43, cultbeauty.co.uk) is packed with skincare ingredients and provides a veil of radiant coverage. You’ll be amazed when you apply it.
5. You don’t blend your eyeliner enough
The skin around the eyes becomes thinner with age, so you should use eyeliner very gently. I give you two tips: first, change black for brown, as it is less aggressive. I love it. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eyeliner in Ground Coffee (£24, lisaeldridge.com). Secondly, and possibly more importantly, is the blending. However much you blend, blend a little more with the Charlotte Tilbury Eye Blending Brush (£26, cultbeauty.co.uk), either by gliding it back and forth along the lash line or in short strokes across the eye to blend for a more flattering finish.
6. Your lipstick pools along your lip line.
Lipstick tends to spread into surrounding expression lines. Nowadays, you can skip the unflattering pigments that end up everywhere but your lips and opt for a moisturizing balm that still packs a colorful punch. My pick is Jones Road Lipsticks (£22 each, libertylondon.com). The range runs from red to nude pink and petal pink.
7. You have overdone it with injections in the eye area.
This point is only relevant to those who have opted for the injectable route. Most people rely on Botox to freeze muscle activity in the forehead, but skincare expert Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme warns of the damage caused by the growing trend of using it to alter the appearance of the eyes. People expect it to make them look younger, but it ends up preventing them from puckering up into a genuine smile. “Work with a trusted professional who understands the strength of the muscles in the face. The people best suited for this job will understand the importance of placing it closer to the orbital rim,” says Ejikeme. In simple terms, less is more.
