9 Makeup Tips to Help You Look Younger

Less Is More Wearing too much makeup can actually add years to your face. Instead of attempting to hide your age under a mask of products, learn to enhance your features with the right application techniques.

Ditch the Powder Though face powder has likely been a staple of your makeup bag for years, it's time to say goodbye. Powder tends to settle into creases and makes wrinkles appear more prominent. Stick to using a light foundation for sheer coverage.

Re-Evaluate Your Skin Tone Your skin tone does not stay constant as you age, so the foundation that you've been using for 20 years may no longer be right for you. Head to the cosmetics counter to find the color that most closely matches your skin tone today.

Get the Red Out Dingy, tired-looking eyes will rob you of your youthful look. Give your eyes an instant pop with eyedrops that are specially formulated to whiten and brighten.

Do the Curl Just as the hair on your head thins as you age, so, too, do your eyelashes. To play up your peepers, shape your lashes with an eyelash curler, then apply blackish-brown or brown mascara.

Shape Those Brows A well-groomed eyebrow gives your entire face more definition, and also gives the illusion of lifted eyelids -- drawing attention away from any sagging skin.

Renounce the Racing Stripe 'Fess up if you're guilty of sweeping that blush in a straight line from your cheek to your temple. While that technique was all the rage in the '80s, get with the times and start applying your blush in the center of your cheekbone, focusing on the apple of your cheek, and blending in the color for a natural look.

Pencil It In You may have noticed that over the years, tiny wrinkles have developed around your mouth. To prevent your lipstick from "bleeding" into these fine lines, use a lip pencil to create a barrier that keeps your lip color where it belongs: on your lips only.

Break Out of Your Rut If you've been devoted to the same color palette for years, your makeup choices may seem dated. At the same time, an over-40 woman shouldn't fall victim to the latest fads. To get perspective -- and a modern look that works for you -- schedule a professional makeup application.