Top 10 Makeup Tricks to Look Younger Fast

Cheap & easy makeup tips to melt away years
By: Gerit Quealy July 27, 2010

This lady really knows what she is talking about which is why I am sharing this article with you.  Also, I have done as she said and tried everything at home.  Some of the products recommended are not available here in NZ so in some cases I have detailed what worked for me - all the tips are so easy, and the results provide a fresh non madeup look.  Read on and enjoy - Rae

Artfully placed highlights in the right places can take years off your face.

Lighten up! Sometimes all it takes applying a little lighter color to your darker corners to brighten up your whole face. A swipe of lip gloss, a little primer, and a few years can magically melt away.

Even if you're someone who normally eschews make up, try just one of these 10 tips on a clean face and you'll see a difference. Try a combination of them to take a few years off. It's certainly cheaper than cosmetic surgery and you probably already have everything you need at home.

   1. Eye lift: A pink pencil (like Benefit's Eyebright) is best but a concealer stick will do the trick too. Just flick a little in those at both inner and outer corners of the eye and blend a bit for an instant lift.
The lovely lady at the Christian Dior counter at Smith and Caughey's department store first showed me the difference a concealer makes to the inner eye corners. Takes years off without the usual dark smudges.  I haven't tried a pink one as I am not sure where to get one here in NZ. I always use Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Touch/ Touche Eclat - #3 Light Peach ( Medium Beige ) 2.5ml/0.1oz  Not exactly a concelaler but it takes away the shadows really well.

   2. Facial resurfacing: A primer (like Laura Geller's Welcome Matte) all over face, especially mid forehead, chin, cheeks and nose, blurs lines and fills in large pores for an instantly smooth surface. You can put foundation on over it if you want—or not.
Agree, I would never walk out the door without a primer on and sometimes just the primer with nothing on top.  Chanel make a great one but I think the best is Christian Dior...Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush 40ml/1.3oz  Use with or without makeup

   3. Cheek lift: A powder blush masks pores, but adding a subtle highlight along the top of the cheekbones gives them a lift, makes them look higher and more chiseled.
Best to use the same highlight eyeshadow you use if you already have one.  Worked for me

   4. Neck lift: The barest hint of highlight along your jaw (like the melt-into-your-skin YSL Touche Éclat), then a subtle shading of bronzer underneath — matte, not iridescent — will give you a more defined jawline and diminish a double chin.
Yep, tried this and it works.  Don't think it will ever become a favourite trick as too much bother but  YSL Touch eclat  is a must in anyone's makeup draw.  Really light.

   5. Brow lift: I never paid much attention to brows – booooring. But brows start to fade, lose hair, go gray as you age. Strong, groomed eyebrows frame the face and give a more defined, youthful look. A pencil, powder, or even some mascara will do the job.
The best example of how to transform your natural eyebrows and eliminate the daily need to use pencil has to be the permanent makeup option - best thing I have EVER done

   6. Younger eyelids: Ever notice the shine on babies and children? You can recreate this youthful glow by mixing a little pink blush with some Vaseline and tapping onto eyelids; I have a light pink (no sparkle) lipgloss that works well too. Go easy so as not to run mascara.
Yes, she is right.  I wouldn't have believed it but the gloss can only be a smidgen. A great look with just that and mascara.

   7. Spa vacation: A makeup artist told me her secret for a youthful glow was to use a bronzer on the apple of cheeks to make you look more rested, plus a sweep across forehead, nose, and chin. Then top it off with an irridescent pink blush to the same spots. It works! (then I discovered Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer which does the same thing in one step).
Well, I used the one I already had which is a mosaic of bronzes by Napolean which I have had forever.  I still prefer a bit of colour but I guess it depends on your skin colour.

   8. Lash lift: Trick? well... Long lashes make you look younger, which is why mascara is the most popular makeup. If nothing else, just brush across the tips to make sure the light ends are visible. Or start at the roots and lift up to open the eye, and avoid using an eyelash curler which can accelerate lash loss. My current favorite is L'Oreal's Telescopic Clean Definition for it's easy-to-use wand.
For my money I don't think the Christian Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara - # 099 Kohl Black 10ml/0.33oz can be beaten.  Seems to suit everyone but we all have our favourites.

   9. Skin smoother: Moisturize every day. Older skin dehydrates fast and so giving it a drink (like Olay's Total Effects Daily Moisturizer) is healthy; and it always softens fine lines and makes skin look fresher.
I think this is a given at our age - or mine anyway. Haven't tried the Olay one she is talking about though.

  10. Lip line eraser: A sharp lip pencil to line lips helps lipstick from seeping into the lines forming around the mouth. Lip gloss is a must too, for masking fine lines and making lips look fuller. Even better, the briefest hint of highlight (a light concealer) on upper lip or a lip plumper like the one from Benefit will keep color from bleeding into fine lines.
Try the Poppy  Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner then you only need one lip liner plus the Touche eclat  on the top lip to create definition works really well.

      Do try these at home!

And while you are trying easy solutions.... try this great and very cheap cleanser -
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser  - Lois Johnson of Vibrant Nation says: "I have yet to meet a dermatologist who didn't suggest this pH-balanced, low-lather face wash. Whenever I am faced with irritation, redness, or dermatitis (a definite con side effect of being a beauty editor and trying hundreds of products a week), this comes out of the cupboard.It’s great for vulnerable, dry, sun-damaged irritated skin, especially in the morning. You'll have to add a warm, wet, clean washcloth to gently remove makeup though in the evening."

And I agree.  Any time I ever have nasty skins things burnt off by me skin specialist I am always given little tubes of this.  Always keep one on hand.

While you are reading - here are the top 10 things that make you look older