These 7 Beauty Mistakes Are Aging You!

Heather Anderson
by Heather Anderson

Are you over 40 or 50 and feeling a bit invisible or just not as vibrant as you once did? If you’re starting to notice changes in your skin and overall appearance, don’t worry, you’re not alone. 


Many women experience these shifts as they age, but the good news is that there are simple tweaks to your beauty routine that can make a huge difference. 


As a 51-year-old beauty influencer and stylist with over a decade of experience, I’m here to share seven beauty mistakes that could be aging you by up to 10 years — and how to correct them. 


These tips will help you embrace your beauty with confidence and create a more youthful appearance.

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1. Using the wrong pillow

Believe it or not, the pillow you sleep on can actually contribute to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. 


When we sleep on a regular pillow, our faces often press against it, causing creases in the skin that can deepen over time. 

Sleeping on the wrong pillow

To combat this, consider switching to a pillow designed to reduce wrinkles and puffiness.


Since I started using the Omnia Pillow by Sleep and Glow, I’ve noticed a decrease in both the fine lines and the puffiness around my face.


This pillow’s design cradles your face in a way that reduces skin compression while also promoting proper neck alignment. Over time, this can lead to smoother, more refreshed skin.

Sleeping on the right pillow

2. Over-reliance on tinted moisturizer

Tinted moisturizers are a popular choice for women over 40, but they often don’t provide enough coverage to smooth over imperfections or even out skin tone. 


While they’re great for a light, natural finish, they’re not always sufficient for more mature skin. 


Instead, try combining a tinted moisturizer with a buildable foundation. This creates a flawless, radiant base without looking cakey or heavy. 


I recommend mixing a tinted moisturizer with a cream-based CC cream for an even, silky finish that still lets your skin breathe but offers more coverage than a tinted moisturizer alone.

Base makeup

3. Flat blush choices and poor placement

Another common mistake that can age you is using a flat, matte blush. 


While matte blush can look fine on younger skin, it can leave more mature skin looking dull and lifeless. 


For a fresh, youthful glow, choose a blush with a hint of shimmer. This will give your cheeks a luminous, sparkling finish that makes your face look more lifted and youthful. 


Speaking of placement, you also want to avoid applying blush to the apples of your cheeks, which can pull your face down. 


Instead, sweep the blush along the top part of your cheekbones to add a subtle lift.

Blush placement

4. Neglecting eye basics: primer and color correction

Dark circles and puffiness around the eyes are common signs of aging, but they’re easily addressed with the right products.


First, start with an eyeshadow primer to brighten your eyelids and create a smooth base for your makeup. This will prevent eyeshadow from creasing and make your eyes look more awake and youthful. 

Priming the eyes

For under-eye circles, use a creamy color corrector before applying concealer.


A good color corrector will neutralize the darkness, allowing you to use less concealer, which can sometimes settle into fine lines. 


A hydrating formula is key to avoiding dryness and making sure the area looks fresh and bright.

Applying under-eye concealer

5. Wearing the wrong eyeshadow colors

As we age, our eyes tend to lose some of their vibrancy and depth. 


One way to make your eyes pop is to choose eyeshadow shades that contrast with your natural eye color. 


For example, if you have blue eyes, warm shades like terracotta and orange will bring out their color.


If you have green eyes, try shades of purple, and for brown eyes, blue tones will make them stand out. 

Before vs after eye makeup

By selecting colors from the opposite side of the color wheel, you can enhance your eyes and make them appear brighter, more awake, and youthful.


6. Sticking to nude lipstick

Many women tend to gravitate toward nude lipstick as they age, but this can often make your complexion look washed out and dull. 


Instead, opt for a richer berry or pink lipstick that adds vibrancy to your face. Not only will it give your skin a healthy glow, but it will also make your teeth appear whiter. 


To ensure your lipstick stays on all day, start by lining your lips with a long-lasting lip liner, then apply a moisturizing lipstick. 

Nude vs colorful lipstick

Top it off with a stain or gloss for extra staying power and a plumper, youthful look.


7. Skipping regular treatments

While a solid skincare and makeup routine is essential, sometimes we need a little extra help from professional treatments to maintain a youthful appearance. 


Regular Botox injections, fillers, and laser treatments like Halo or BBL (BroadBand Light) can make a huge difference in the texture and tone of your skin. 


Botox can smooth out wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, while fillers restore volume to the cheeks and lips. 


Laser treatments are fantastic for resurfacing the skin and reducing dark spots. 


These treatments won’t be for everyone, but I personally go for them every few months to keep my skin looking its best. 

Makeup for women over 40​

Beauty mistakes and beauty hacks for older women

Aging doesn’t mean you have to feel invisible or less beautiful. By avoiding these common makeup mistakes and embracing a few simple tricks, you can keep your look youthful and vibrant. 


These beauty hacks, along with regular treatments, can help you maintain a fresh, confident appearance as you age gracefully. 


Remember, beauty is all about feeling good in your skin — no matter your age.


Next, check out these 7 Fashion Mistakes I Avoid Over 50.

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  • Barbara Brown Barbara Brown 3 days ago
    Thanks Abu for reminding older women to stop lining eyes with black eyeliner! It looks ridiculously unnatural. If you must line eyes, use brown or taupe instead.
  • KarenLyman KarenLyman 2 days ago
    It is very interesting how people perceive themselves. I feel like your before pictures make you look younger than your after pictures - you look very natural and youthful. The after pictures with make up make you look false and cheaper. You are a beautiful woman with amazing natural features. Embrace them! The only thing I would change is your dark roots - either touch them up or dye the rest of your hair to match them - the dark roots add to the cheap look.
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