How to make yourself look young

Knowing how to choose makeup and apply it are not tidbits of knowledge that every woman is born with. Some women avoid makeup simply because they were frustrated by previous attempts to purchase or apply it. Makeup can be a wonderful way to accentuate your inner beauty and help you feel better about yourself.Did you know that wearing the wrong makeup can actually make you look years older and that certain makeup application techniques help you appear slimmer? We all believe we still look 18, until we look in the mirror and are shocked by the face staring back at us. That Freshman 15, those ten stubborn pounds of baby weight, years of senseless sun exposure and tiny laugh lines all transform that smiling, girlish face into one we hardly recognize at times. While no makeup on Earth can miraculously make you look like a teen again, there are a few tips that can help you discover how to choose makeup that makes you look and feel your best.Fun In the Sun
That sun-kissed, healthy glow that comes from spending time outdoors or in the tanning bed is wonderful. What isn't so wonderful is the damage that UV exposure leaves behind. Wrinkles, sun spots, uneven skin tone and dryness can all add years to your face. Knowing how to choose makeup that disguise these problem areas help, but prevention is still the best medicine.Never leave the house without sunscreen on your face. Facial skin is very delicate and must be protected year round from UV exposure, even on overcast days. If you choose to go without foundation, at least apply a moisturizer that contains sunscreen.

By mixing a small amount of foundation with your moisturizer, you can get a sheer, healthy boost to your complexion. Liquid bronzers are another great way to achieve a sunny glow without damaging your skin. Have fun in the sun, but protect your skin.Choose The Right Foundation
Choosing the right foundation can be especially problematic. Getting the makeup to match your natural skin tone can seem nearly impossible. Most women will need a foundation that has either neutral or cooler undertones. Those warm, honey colors may look tempting in the bottle but they can make your complexion appear unnatural.A few women have warm undertones to their skin. These women often have red hair and look best in clothes that are golden or yellow based. They can wear warm gold and apple green chartreuse without their pores glowing a sickly hue. They even get compliments when wearing the colors that most women avoid at all costs.Matching a foundation closely to your skin tone is fairly simple. Apply a small dab to the underside of your forearm or the back of your hand and blend it in well. If the edges fade seamlessly into your bare skin and the covered skin appears natural yet flawless, you've found your match! When applying the foundation to your face, be sure to blend it into your jaw line and neck. You may even want to apply the foundation to the back of your neck if you are planning on wearing your hair up or have a shorter hairstyle. Don't forget to blend well around your hairline and ears as well to provide a natural looking finish.

Cover Up Those Lines, Don't Highlight Them!
Wearing a heavy foundation can sometimes draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles as the day wears on by settling into creases instead of smoothing over them. Setting your foundation with a dusting of translucent powder can prevent this.If you are fond of a powder foundation, be sure to apply a good moisturizer first and wait several minutes before applying your foundation. This allows the moisturizer to be absorbed by your skin and helps plump fine lines. Allowing the moisturizer to dry before applying your powder foundation will help provide a smooth, even application, without caking powder into lines and wrinkles.Proper skin care is one of the most important aspects of good makeup application. Using a quality cleanser, toner and moisturizer each day will help improve the condition of your skin and provide a naturally beautiful canvas for your makeup.Go Matte as You Age
Shimmer eye shadows and blushes are fun and provide a nice change from time to time, but they are not favorable to aging skin. Glitter tends to settle into fine lines and creases. They reflect light and draw attention to wrinkles. Matte colors are better suited for older skin. You can still go with a little glitz from time to time, just apply glittery shades sparingly.Have You Lost Weight?
Do you want to take a few pounds off of your face? Don't we all? By applying a few subtle strokes of a natural colored blush in the right places, you can look thinner instantly. Apply the blush lightly just above your cheekbones, pulling the brush downwards and letting in fall off of your face as your cheeks curve, avoiding the round balls of your cheeks.
Apply a few light strokes just above each brow bone, across the tip of your nose and your chin for a balanced, healthy, subtle glow.Are you troubled by a little extra padding under your chin? Applying a neutral colored blush down both sides of your neck can help create a few artificial shadows that will give the appearance of a slimmer neck. This is a great way to shave off a few pounds, instead of pulling on a turtleneck sweater or layering necklaces to try to hide your plump chin.Get That Well Rested Look
Dark circles can add years to your face. Getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water and avoiding allergens can help decrease the occurrence of these unsightly under eye blemishes. If swelling accompanies your circles, witch hazel can help give you an instant eye lift. Ironically, hemorrhoid pads contain witch hazel and can be used to reduce eye puffiness, just don't get too close to your eyes.A light purple concealer can quickly eradicate dark smudges and give you a well rested appearance. It is important to apply under eye makeup with care. The skin under the eyes is especially fragile and thin. Use a sponge to apply makeup with gentle dabs and blend lightly without pulling on the skin.Still need a quick pick me up for your face? Using white eyeliner on your inner eyelids can help give you that wide-eyed, well rested look. Applying a dab of light colored eye shadow to the middle of your lower lid and sweeping it across your brow bone can also make your eyes appear more open and youthful.
Keeping Your Look Fresh
Every season, new colors that claim to be the latest trend in makeup are introduced. By updating your makeup collection twice a year, in the spring and the fall, you can keep your makeup form appearing dated. Browse the cosmetic aisles and look for displays that showcase seasonal collections. Choose one or two colors that appeal to you. They may only be a shade or two different from what you normally wear, but the updated hue will give your look a refreshing change.These few tips can help you take the mystery out of how to choose makeup that helps you look and feel your best. While nature may not always be kind as we age, it is possible to age gracefully and trick Father Time a little by knowing how to apply a few strokes of makeup to minimize the signs of aging.Are You a Makeup Maven or a Makeup Mishap?
Most women experiment with makeup beginning in their adolescence, which means they should have plenty of time to figure out which products and techniques work best for their face. However, some women never learn, and perhaps you are one of these makeup offenders. Find out now if the foundation of your makeup knowledge is well-blended, or caking under layers of bad makeup habits.