Your choice of clothing and cosmetics can highlight your sense of style, compliment your best features, and keep you looking fresh and full of life. But sometimes these decisions can backfire an ill-fitting dress that stretches and sags in all the wrong places or a shade of makeup that accentuates fine lines and wrinkles. Women don’t always update their fashion and beauty routines as they get older, but they should; otherwise, the same products and pieces that once worked so well for them could suddenly give away their real age-or worse, make them look even older than they really are.
Here are 18 common beauty blunders, and anti-aging advice from the pros on how to fix them.
Dressing Too Trendy
Unless you’re on an unlimited budget, steer clear of fashions that seem very in-the-moment, you won’t be able to wear them for very long before they (and you) look dated and behind the times. Rather than invest in pieces that may be passé by next season, stick to classic, sophisticated items that will stand the test of time. That doesn’t mean you can’t infuse some edgier styles into your wardrobe, though. Look to trends that are here to stay: leather, military, dark florals, plaid, and slimmer cuts such as tailored pants and pencil skirts.
Being Nostalgic About Clothes
Some people hang on to things that don’t fit right anymore.to hang onto things that just don’t fit right. Some are way too big and boxy; some are so small you can barely button them-but they keep them, either because they spent a lot of money on them or because they have sentimental value. Consider having these pieces tailored, if possible, so you can continue to wear them with confidence, she suggests. Otherwise, donate them, sell them to a second-hand store, or take them out of your closet and store them as memories-not as part of your current wardrobe.
Wearing Your Hair Too Long
Many women associate flowing locks with youth, and short styles-i.e. “mom haircuts”-with maturity, but as you get older and begin to lose fat in your face, really long, straight hair can actually make you look more drawn. Choosing a cut with face-framing layers and lots of body, on the other hand, can help your face appear rounder and more youthful.
Using Heavy Black Eye Liner
Dark, dramatic eyes can be tricky to pull off and they tend to be less and less flattering on most women as they age. Our eyelashes thin out as we get older, and women sometimes try to overcompensate for that with lots of black makeup. All that does, though, is draw attention to the wrinkles around your eyes. Instead of a black liner, choose a dark brown or grey, she says-and remember that less is more. Skip liquid liners, too, which can be too heavy, and opt for a soft, easy-to-apply pencil.
Getting a Tan
Spending time in the sun may give you a temporary youthful glow, but in reality, it’s a fast track to premature aging. Ultraviolet rays from the sun wreak havoc at the cellular level, breaking down the collagen fibers that help skin retain its elasticity and supple appearance; they can also cause pigment changes and permanent dark spots. Research shows that this type of damage can begin after just a few days of exposure without protection.
Ignoring Your Hands and Chest
Of course, even if you’re wearing sunscreen on your face every day, chances are you may be neglecting other parts of your body. Your hands, neck, and chest are also exposed to the sun on a daily basis, and women tend to forget about protecting them the same way they do their face, but these are the areas we tend to see a lot of brown spots and wrinkles-they can be a dead giveaway, even if your face looks really youthful.
Going Too Tight (or Too Loose)
Anything in the extreme-whether it’s too tight, too loose, too short, too long-can draw negative attention. If you’re 80 years old and you’re rocking a skin-tight leopard mini skirt and you feel great, then you’ll look great too, but if you’re wearing it because you think it will make you look younger and you’re ignoring the fact that you’re bulging out of it then that’s all anyone else is going to see, but don’t go too far in the other direction, either.
Not Wearing a Belt
For looser silhouettes that may be comfortable but not ultra-flattering, it’s a good idea to add a belt. Choose one that matches for an overall slimmer picture or one with a contrasting color to really highlight a slim waist and hourglass figure. It’s a great way not to get lost in the heavier material of outerwear.
Wearing Dark Lipstick
A well-defined pout can help define your features, but one that’s too dark (or too bright) may just draw attention to laugh lines.. A lot of women are really stuck on the idea of always using heavy lipstick, but gloss gives a softer, more youthful appearance.
Using Too Much (or the Wrong) Foundation
The solution to fine lines isn’t always to cover them with loads of makeup, says Ping; in fact, if you use too much foundation you’ll risk it settling into those creases, only making them more noticeable. The key is to spot correct only where you need it, with a liquid or cream foundation, concealer, or even just a tinted moisturizer. (Powder-based formulas can cake increases, she says, and they can make the dry skin-a common problem as you age-look flaky.) Also, be sure your foundation matches your skin tone, which can also change as you get older. A lot of women use the same color forever, but you should really reevaluate every few years to see if it’s still the best fit.
Going Rogue With Rouge
Too much blush doesn’t just look bad, it can really label you as an older lady. There was a certain era when more was better when it came to blush, and you can still spot those women today because they’re still piling it on. For a more natural-looking glow, she recommends applying bronzer to your hairline and jawline, then rubbing just a tiny amount of cream blush (again, the powder can flake and settle into creases) into the apples of your cheeks.
Wearing Too Much Shimmer
Stay away from “frost” or “iridescent” eye shadow if your goal is to look younger, says Ping; these light-reflecting formulas actually accentuate fine lines and creases around the eye. Instead, apply a matte shadow to your entire lid and-if you do want a bit of shimmer-apply just a touch to the inner corners.
Not Using the Right Moisturizer
Our skin tends to get drier as we get older, and moisturizer becomes more and more important. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t using the right kind or in the right way. For your face, choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula (which means it won’t clog pores the way a lot of body lotions can), and apply it immediately after washing or taking a shower.
Staying Neutral
So now you know that too much eye or lip color can make you look older, but so can not enough. Darker lips, eyes, and eyebrows seemed to make the most difference, say the researchers, possibly because lips tend to get thinner and eyebrows tend to turn gray as a person ages. A good makeup application will pump up a person’s natural contrast, darkening the eyes and lips (and filling in thinned out eyebrows) without being too obvious or over-the-top.
Dressing Too Young
Wearing something that your daughter (or granddaughter) might pick out? Chances are, people will notice-but not the way you want them to. If you’re a 50-year-old woman and you dress like a 9-year-old or a 19-year-old, it’s not going to gel with our expectations. The incongruence can be pretty harsh, and it can accentuate your age rather than hide it.
Mismatching Tops and Bottoms
Wearing styles that don’t work well together is unflattering for all ages, and can add years to an otherwise youthful appearance. A great rule of thumb is that if you’re wearing a skinny silhouette on the bottom, choose a more forgiving, flowy piece on top. Or flip it: If wearing a tighter top, add a looser, flared skirt or a wide-leg pant to balance out the proportions. Not only does this strategy let you show off your best assets, but it can also hide the trouble spots you’re not totally confident about.
Falling for Color Trends
This coming season, pastels will be everywhere-but unless they are a good fit for your complexion, they can make you look washed out and tired. Instead of banking on fads that will come and go, curate your wardrobe to have a strong base of classic colors like black, navy, gray, olive, camel, and white. Use accent colors like red, purple, cobalt, and emerald-to fill it out and add a punch. Add a perfect pastel accessory, for example, like a pretty tote, statement earrings, or pointy-toe pumps.”
Abusing Your Eyes
The skin around your eyes is very sensitive, but it’s also the skin women tend to be harshest on. We apply all kinds of creams and cosmetics there, but you can do more harm than good if you’re too aggressive. Too much rubbing, poking, and prodding can not only damage the skin, she adds, but it can cause red, puffy eyes, as well as not a good look at any age. Always remove eye makeup at the end of the day (sleeping in it can cause irritation and infection), but use a gentle cleanser and a soft towel or cotton swab; avoid scrubbing too hard or using a rough washcloth.