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Makeup mistakes that age you

We all want to look fresh-faced and younger, and makeup can be a great aid to that. Keep in mind that your makeup style needs to evolve and adapt to your changing skin as you age. Tried and true techniques from your high school years will no longer cut it 15, 20, or 30 years later. You might be an old hand at applying your makeup, and if you're not careful, you can end up looking older, too. We've compiled a list of the most common makeup mistakes that will actually add years instead of removing them. Keep reading to find out if you're committing any of these aging mistakes and what you can do to correct them.

Foundation faux pas

Foundation forms the base of any look, but as you age you need to be aware that your foundation needs will change. As Maybelline New York artist Melissa Silver explains, "No foundation is better than bad foundation, but good foundation is best." If you skip foundation, your skin tone will be uneven. If you apply your foundation too heavily, it can settle into fine lines and creases, highlighting your imperfections.

Use a formula that is heavy enough to smooth out your complexion without becoming cakey. Drier skin is common as you age, so you may be happier with a liquid or cream foundation, or even a tinted moisturizer, instead of a powder foundation which can make your skin look flaky. Finally, even if you've been using the same shade of foundation since 8th grade, don't forget to check for a better match or formulation occasionally — you may be surprised at the results!

Blushing beauty

Unless you're actually in high school, don't apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. You also want to avoid using too much blush, applying it too low, or picking the wrong shade. Los Angeles celebrity makeup artist Jan Ping lays it on the line: "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."

Avoid shades that are too brown or red, because they can look muddy when applied. Instead, pinch your cheeks and try to find a blush that matches the natural shade that results. Opt for a cream formulation instead of powder to avoid a flaky finish. Apply a small amount to the center of your cheekbone and sweep upward and back. Make sure to blend well. This will give an instant lift to your face along with a youthful glow.

Lining the bottom lash line in black

Heavy liner on the bottom lid is aging for many reasons. It makes your eyes look smaller, it accentuates the fine lines surrounding the eyes, and it drags down your whole face. To keep things looking youthful, you want your eyes to appear brighter and more open. You can do this many different ways. First, would be to keep the bottom lash liner light.

"Use a deep brown eyeshadow and an angled brush instead of a hard black kohl pencil," explains Washington DC-based makeup artist Ariel Lewis. "Keep gel liner away from the bottom. Use it only on the top of your lids." And she reminds us that it's O.K. to have black liner on the top lid and brown liner on the bottom. Simply blend the brown eyeshadow to from the inner to the outter corner of the bottom lid. You can even wet the brush for a little more control.

Another tip is to use white or nude liner on the bottom waterline Missy Lowe, Oranj Studio makeup artist, explains. "It brightens your eyes and creates a youthful glow." This is a perfect option for the no-makeup, makeup look.