Ever feel like your makeup routine is betraying you a little? Like, one day you’re applying your usual go-to glam, and the next—bam—you catch your reflection and suddenly it’s giving “tired aunt at brunch” instead of “timeless beauty icon”? Yeah, same.
The truth is, after 60, your skin changes, and what used to work might now be highlighting all the things you’d rather blur. But don’t panic—this isn’t about throwing out your makeup bag or resigning yourself to “natural only” forever. It’s about leveling up and making smarter, softer choices that enhance your features instead of fighting them.
From foundation flops to eyeshadow oopsies, here are 14 common makeup mistakes that might be aging you fast—and the easy swaps that’ll have you glowing, lifted, and looking like you, just brighter. Let’s fix that face in the kindest, most fabulous way possible.
1. Overdoing the Foundation
Slathering on thick foundation might seem like a good idea to cover up imperfections, but it often has the opposite effect. Heavy layers can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more pronounced. Instead, opt for a lightweight, hydrating formula that evens out your skin tone without caking. As makeup educator Rose Siard advises, using hydrating formulas can keep the skin plump and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Additionally, applying foundation with a damp sponge can help achieve a more natural finish. This technique allows the product to meld seamlessly with the skin, avoiding the mask-like appearance that heavy application can cause. Remember, less is more—building up coverage gradually ensures a youthful, radiant look.
2. Skipping Primer
Primer isn’t just an extra step; it’s essential for mature skin. It creates a smooth canvas, helping makeup glide on effortlessly and stay put. Without it, foundation can cling to dry patches and emphasize texture. According to Southern Living, using a good primer before applying makeup ensures it stays in place and doesn’t settle into fine lines.
Moreover, primers infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can provide an added moisture boost, combating the dryness that often accompanies aging skin. This not only enhances the longevity of your makeup but also imparts a dewy, youthful glow.
3. Ignoring Your Brows
Thin, over-plucked brows can age your face significantly. Fuller, well-groomed brows frame your face and give a youthful appearance. If your brows are sparse, use a brow pencil or powder to fill them in with soft, feathery strokes. As noted by Sixty&Me, skipping your brows or overdoing them can both be aging mistakes.
Additionally, using a tinted brow gel can help keep hairs in place and add dimension, creating a more natural and lifted look. Regular maintenance, like trimming and shaping, ensures your brows complement your facial features without appearing overdone.
4. Using the Wrong Concealer
A concealer that’s too light or heavy can draw attention to under-eye circles and fine lines. Choose a creamy, hydrating concealer that’s a shade or two lighter than your foundation. The Sun emphasizes the importance of selecting the correct concealer color to avoid adding years to your face.
Furthermore, applying concealer only where needed and blending it well can prevent it from settling into creases. Using a damp sponge or your ring finger to gently tap the product ensures a seamless finish that brightens the under-eye area without emphasizing wrinkles.
5. Applying Blush Incorrectly
Applying blush too low on the cheeks can drag your face downward. Instead, apply it slightly above the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards the temples. This technique lifts the face and adds a youthful flush. Vogue suggests applying blush without smiling to avoid lower placement that can accentuate wrinkles.
Additionally, opting for cream or liquid blushes can provide a more natural, dewy finish that complements mature skin. These formulas blend seamlessly and are less likely to settle into fine lines, enhancing your complexion’s radiance.
6. Heavy Eyeliner
Thick, dark eyeliner can make eyes look smaller and draw attention to fine lines. Opt for softer shades like brown or gray and apply a thin line close to the lash line. This enhances your eyes without overpowering them. As we age, our eyelids tend to lose firmness, so heavy liner can look harsher than it used to.
Instead of a dramatic cat eye, consider a smudged pencil or eyeshadow to define your eyes gently. A tightline technique—lining just the upper waterline—can also make lashes look fuller without adding bulk. Avoid winged eyeliner unless it’s super subtle and well-blended. The goal is definition, not distraction.
A little mascara and a lifted shadow can do far more to open your eyes than a sharp, heavy line. And remember: soft and smoky beats harsh and heavy every time.
7. Neglecting Lip Liner
As we age, lips can lose definition. Using a lip liner helps prevent lipstick from feathering and gives your lips a fuller appearance. Choose a liner that matches your natural lip color for the most flattering effect. It acts as a subtle boundary to keep everything in place.
You don’t have to draw a new mouth—just gently define the natural shape and blend slightly inward for a more cohesive look. Skipping this step can lead to that dreaded “bleeding lipstick” look that emphasizes vertical lines around the mouth. Plus, lip liner helps lipstick last longer, so you’re not reapplying all day.
It’s a small step with a big payoff, especially when wearing bold or creamy lip colors. And if your lips are uneven? Liner gives you the power to balance them out like a pro.
8. Choosing the Wrong Lipstick Shade
Dark or matte lipsticks can make lips appear thinner and emphasize lines. Opt for creamy, hydrating formulas in rosy or peachy tones to add volume and a youthful glow. These colors brighten the face and bring warmth without looking too stark.
Matte formulas often cling to dry patches and fine lines, which becomes more noticeable with age. Instead, go for satin or sheer finishes that reflect light and soften the appearance of your lips. If you’re craving a bold look, try a berry stain or a tinted balm for a more forgiving finish.
Also, skip anything with too much shimmer—glittery lips aren’t forgiving, either. Your lipstick should make your lips look plump, not parched. And bonus: moisturizing formulas feel as good as they look.
9. Over-Powdering
Too much powder can settle into fine lines and make skin look dry. Use powder sparingly, focusing on areas prone to shine, and choose a finely milled, translucent formula. Mature skin needs luminosity, not matte flatness.
Powdering the entire face is rarely necessary and often backfires by emphasizing texture. Instead, dust just the T-zone and skip the cheeks altogether unless you’re using a glow-enhancing formula. Pressed powders tend to sit on top of the skin, while loose powders can blend more seamlessly.
You can also try a setting spray instead of powder to lock in your makeup without the dry-down. And don’t forget: blotting papers exist for a reason! They soak up shine without depositing more product, which is often the better move.
10. Ignoring Skincare
Healthy skin is the foundation of great makeup. Regular exfoliation, hydration, and sun protection keep your skin smooth and radiant, allowing makeup to apply more evenly and look better overall. When your skincare is dialed in, you actually need less makeup to look polished.
Dry, flaky skin will sabotage even the best foundation. So will skipping moisturizer or going without SPF, which leads to faster signs of aging. Investing in good serums and hydrating masks can make a bigger difference than any concealer ever will.
Even five minutes of daily skincare—cleanse, hydrate, protect—pays off in smoother application and longer wear. Think of it as priming your canvas. After all, makeup works best when your skin’s already glowing underneath.
11. Using Shimmery Eyeshadow
While shimmer can be fun, it often accentuates wrinkles and crepey eyelids. Matte or satin finishes are more flattering on mature eyes, providing a smooth, elegant look. Those glittery shadows you loved in your twenties? Time to retire them—or at least move them to the inner corners only.
Shimmer has a tendency to settle into fine lines and magnify them, especially in areas with looser skin. If you can’t live without a little sparkle, go for formulas with a subtle sheen rather than chunky glitter. Cream shadows are also a great option because they blend more easily and stay put longer.
A soft taupe or warm rose in a matte finish can brighten the eyes without the visual noise. And for added lift, always blend upward. The goal is radiance, not disco ball.
12. Applying Mascara to Lower Lashes
Mascara on the lower lashes can cast shadows and highlight under-eye circles. Focus on the upper lashes to open up the eyes and create a lifting effect. Lower lash mascara may have looked great once, but now it can age the face by dragging attention downward.
Plus, mascara smudges more easily as we get older, especially around the delicate under-eye area. A little black smear under the eye isn’t the statement you want to make. Curling your top lashes and adding lengthening mascara there does more for your look than painting the bottom row.
If you really must, opt for a waterproof formula and use a very light hand. But skipping the bottom entirely is often the smarter, more flattering move. Less panda, more perk.
13. Not Updating Your Makeup Routine
Sticking to the same makeup techniques for decades can be aging. As your skin changes, so should your makeup routine. Stay open to new products and methods that enhance your features. What worked at 40 might not hit the same at 60—and that’s okay.
Switching from matte to dewy finishes, from powder blush to cream, or from heavy liner to tightlining can freshen your look instantly. It’s not about chasing trends but finding new ways to feel vibrant and confident. Brands now make products specifically for mature skin—take advantage of them!
And remember, just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. A modern routine doesn’t erase your beauty—it updates the frame around it. Keep evolving, queen.
14. Forgetting to Blend
Harsh lines and unblended makeup can look stark and unnatural. Take the time to blend foundation, eyeshadow, and blush thoroughly for a seamless, youthful finish. Unblended contour or blush can make features look muddy instead of defined.
Use the right tools—sponges, fluffy brushes, or clean fingers—and check your look in natural light. Even a perfect foundation match can look jarring if it’s not properly blended at the jawline or hairline. Blending is like good editing—it’s what makes the whole thing work.
Think of your face as a painting: no harsh brushstrokes, just soft transitions. Smooth, natural gradation brings out your best features without screaming “I’m wearing makeup!” Take a minute or two extra—it’s worth it every time.