Beauty Mistakes That Age You Over 40

I’d like to state once again, for those of you in the back, that beauty was actually my first love. Even as a young girl, I was inspired by makeovers and the transformative power of the perfect lipstick.

Nothing can so quickly change how we feel about ourselves than a beauty update, whether it’s a fresh cut and color or a CC cream that makes your skin glow.

Beauty is instant gratification.

Except for skincare. But I digress.

Because beauty is so critical, and our portrait (our face, hair and shoulders) is the center of attention in most interactions (and the only thing people usually see in Zoom calls and Facetime chats), it’s essential to get it right.

Let’s face it. Most of us have more to think about than lipstick and manicures. Crushing, really, but there you have it. We have a lot going on. And that’s why it’s all too easy to stick with the same-old same-old when it comes to beauty routines and then one day, wake up and find that our look is dated.

The mistakes I highlight here are ones that most of us have made, and that, for the most part, are easily fixable. Many of these are small, simple changes that can make a big difference.

As always, I’ve created a catalog where you can find all of my beauty fixes in one place!

What’s done is done. I get it. Many women overplucked their brows back in the day, and are now regretting it. Brows just don’t grow back as quickly (or thickly) as they used to, if at all, so brows that were pencil thin back in the day are thinner than ever now, creating a look that is harsh and unnatural. Once you put down your tweezers, you’ll be happy to learn that there are solutions. I prefer to use a brow gel with a mascara-type wand, or a brow powder with a stiff brush, to fill in brows. I believe they create a more natural look than a pencil.

My real secret, however, is a brow-boosting serum. Rodan + Fields Brow Boost gives color and hold while helping to regrow your brows, and it truly works. Here are some of my favorite brow products. The Merit Beauty 1980 Brow is a volumizing pomade/gel that quickly keeps brows in place, while the Anastasia Brow Powder duo has two shades for a more natural look. (I usually choose the lighter one!). Vegamour Brow Serum is an all-natural product that helps regrow brows over time, while the Rodan + Fields Brow Boost delivers quick brow growth as well as color and hold – an all-in-one product!

One of the things that can be helpful when it comes to looking at beauty routines is the difference between basic hygiene and actual skincare and self care. Washing your face is hygiene, and as essential as showering and brushing your teeth. Everything that comes after that is skincare. In other words, we don’t get any extra credit for the basics. A solid skincare routine that includes retinols/retinoids in the evening and antioxidants and sunscreen in the daytime is critical.

A simple classic manicure is the chic-est and the most flattering look on anyone, but especially on aging hands. Over the top, overly embellished, or crazy long nails aren’t a flattering or practical look for anyone, and thick acrylics with unnatural French manicures look dated. Keep nails short to medium, in a flattering shape, for the most stylish look. At a shorter length, I still usually opt for a nude, red, or pink shade, but fun and funky shades are easier to pull off on shorter nails as well.

Lipstick that bleeds into the fine lines around your mouth and, worse, your teeth, is never a good look. Try lining your lips all over with a pinky nude shade before applying lipstick, or try a longwearing lip product to prevent lipstick from migrating around your lips.

Yellowing teeth are definitely a sign of age, but fortunately it’s easy to whiten your teeth at home. Crest White Strips are a simple and affordable option, and full home tooth whitening kits are another option.

Excessive, powdery makeup is unflattering and can settle into fine lines, accentuating them. Instead, consider some of the new cream, gel, or liquid alternatives, which look more natural and don’t accentuate fine lines.

A little bit of a golden glow can be flattering, but a deep dark tan that comes at the expense of healthy skin is never a good idea. If tanning beds or sunbathing are still part of your schedule, then consider alternatives like self-tanner and brozing creams. These can add a little color to winter-fair skin safely.

Thin sharp lines can be harder to pull off on crepey skin, so you might find a smudgier or softer line more flattering. Or try Revant, an eyeliner specifically designed for aging skin that creates a clean line that stays put.

There is no step in your skincare routine that is as critical as consistently and thoroughly applying sunscreen every single day, even if you never plan to go outside. Find a sunscreen that you are comfortable using everyday, and althoug a physical sunscreen is preferred, your best sunscreen is one that you will use.

One of the primary signs of aging isn’t wrinkles, but loss of glow. Fortunately, it’s easy to replace with makeup. Skipping heavy and powdery formulas can help with this, but adding a glow with highlighters, moisturizers, and primers can also help restore the glow.

Like brows, lashes get sparser with age. Fortunately, from lash-boosting serums to age-defying mascaras, there are products designed to bring back your youthful lashes.

Skin looks fresher and more vibrant when it’s even toned, so it’s worth it to find a CC cream or tinted moisturizer than can give you a natural, even look quickly and effortlessly.

Skincare should extend beyond your face to your neck, chest, and even the backs of your hands. I extend my entire routine, morning and night, to those often neglected areas, and I’m especially vigilant about applying my retinol there in the evening and my sunscreen in the morning.