11 Old-Fashioned Makeup Techniques That May Date You

Is your makeup making you look older? While the goal of wearing lipstick or eyeshadow isn’t always to look younger, aging yourself with outdated or unflattering makeup techniques is simply unnecessary. For example, wearing the wrong shade of foundation, concealer, or contour can make your skin look tired and dull. Piling on too much product can have the same effect. If you want a fresher look, consider giving up the following.

In the ’80s and ’90s, foundation liquid formulas were thicker and more opaque. Even powder foundations weren’t as refined as they are today, which often resulted in an unsightly cakey finish. The foundation can sink into your skin, settling between fine lines and making the pores more visible. This also makes your skin look dry, not to mention at risk of breakouts.

Now, the options are endless. You can get a long-wearing liquid foundation for high coverage, a serum foundation for light to medium coverage, or a CC cream for a more natural finish. These formulas are also not as oily as they used to be, hence, there’s no need to “seal” the look with lots of powder. To avoid caking, choose the right formula for your skin type and avoid using too much product.

In the past, people used concealer to brighten undereye circles. These days, you can use concealer to sharpen the lines of your eyebrows, add height to your nose bridge, or give the illusion of a wider forehead. It’s an all-around product that’s too easy to overuse – and this becomes so much more obvious when you use the wrong shade.

Choose a concealer that’s only two shades lighter than your skin tone. Consider the yellows and pinks in your skin, too. It's best to always have two shades in your beauty arsenal so you can adjust it depending on what your skin needs for the day.

As you probably already know, primer is totally optional. You don’t need to spend money on it if it’s not within your budget. However, applying primer before your makeup can make a world of difference especially on oily and textured skin. Mattifying primers can keep shine in check while helping makeup adhere better to your skin. It also smooths out the pores, resulting in a more even base.

Cartoonish eyebrows are a no-no unless it’s for a Halloween eye makeup look. To make them look natural (not Ursula), don’t draw a straight line from one end to the other. There are several makeup techniques for achieving natural brows. The easiest way is by drawing short, light strokes that resemble the hairs. Use a pen or pencil that is one shade lighter to keep the lines from looking too harsh. When in doubt, leave your eyebrows alone or use transparent mascara to brush them into place.

The easiest way to look very ‘80s is by layering heavy eyeshadow on your lids. Powder eyeshadow, in particular, is notorious for weighing down the eyes, getting into creases, and falling on your upper cheeks – emphasizing lines and texture. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t use it. Avoid going overboard by using too much product, doing glitter on glitter, or using very dark shades. Blending your eyeshadow well is also crucial. You can use cream or stick eyeshadow for a lighter, more youthful look.

Drawing a dark, heavy line around your eyes adds years to your look. If you’re not going for a goth or grunge aesthetic, skip the lower line. You can also use brown eyeliner instead of black for a more modern look. If you want to take it a step further, apply white eyeliner on your waterline to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Kawaii!

Glitter is often associated with youthfulness and being childlike. However, applying too much glitter or shimmer makeup can make your skin look dryer than it is. In addition, applying shimmer on the wrong areas (such as too high on the cheekbones or too close to the eyes) can make your peepers look puffy. Use shine sparingly to highlight specific points on the face.

Glossy magazines used to tell us to apply blush in the hollows of our cheeks, making sure to brush all the way up to the ears. This streaky style is very dated and is not suited to all face shapes. Since the goal of blush is to soften the features, not contour, embrace your natural face shape by applying color on the apples of your cheeks and blending outward.

It may seem like it was yesterday, but Kim Kardashian’s famous makeup techniques “broke the internet” almost a decade ago. While many people still contour (and that’s okay), the heavy-handed style that was all the rage back in 2015 now looks dated and excessive.

These days, contouring is all about achieving a well-blended, soft-focus effect. Use bronzer instead of contour powder, which sinks into fine lines and tends to dull the longer it stays on your skin. Most importantly, remember that less is more. Sculpting your face with too much “shadow” can – you guessed it – make your features look sunken and your skin sullen.

The antithesis of mature skin is dewy skin, which is all about plumpness and hydration. Applying powder all over your face erases this dewy glow and leaves you with an unnaturally matte complexion. Keep things light by dabbing powder only on shine-prone areas, such as your T-zone. You still want to see skin through the makeup!

Having a consistent skincare routine helps you achieve a smooth canvas for makeup. But more than that, starting with a clean, moisturized base helps your makeup look better and last throughout the day.

At fashion shows, makeup artists massage models’ faces with serums. If you don’t like using primer, you can do this to prep your skin. Apply POND'S Aloe Vera Jelly Moisturizer on a clean face. This oil-free moisturizer has 100% natural origin aloe vera extract and vitamin B3, and leaves the skin fresh and hydrated.

Finally, don’t forget to remove your makeup before going to bed to avoid breakouts. Use Eskinol Naturals Micellar Water Hydrate with Natural Aloe Extracts as a first step in your double cleansing routine. Its hydrating formula gets rid of all traces of dirt and product without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Follow with your usual cleanser.

Your makeup techniques can make or break your look, so make sure you’re using methods that suit your skin and face shape. To learn what’s flattering on you, study your features, watch makeup videos, and experiment with different looks. And in case this article doesn’t state it enough, stop caking on the powder!