AGE-DEFYING MAKE-UP TRICKS

• As you age, less is definitely more, but do not make the mistake of going totally bare-faced. Women who wear make-up often have less environmentally damaged skin.
• If you are still wearing the same make-up you did 10 years ago, it is worth booking appointment with a make-up artist at your favourite beauty counter. They will be able to show you how to make the very best of your face.
• Start using a foundation that contains an SPF, vitamins and antioxidants, to protect your skin from future signs of age.
• Apply base with your fingers or a foundation brush rather than a sponge, which will deposit too much, making fine lines and open pores more visible.
• Avoid heavy, matte foundations or powder-based products, which can settle into fine lines. Instead, go for a 'light-diffusing' or 'line-smoothing' liquid base to give a luminous finish while still hiding what you do not want to show.
• Mineral make-up is great for sensitive skin conditions, and also contains skin benefits such as a natural non-irritating SPF and time-release antioxidants. It is also non-pore-blocking so won't add to hormonal spotty problems, while giving very good coverage for age-related imperfections.
• Instead of shimmery face powders, go for a little pearly highlighter on brow and cheekbones to give your face a lift, and add radiance that may no longer come naturally!
• To give your face the illusion of lift, choose a foundation one shade lighter than your normal one. Apply it around the entire eye socket and on top of your cheekbones to create lightness across the centre of your face.
• A flattering blush can take attention away from your eyes (and the crow's feet around them), and bring back a youthful glow. For fresh look use a mauve or rose-based colour, which will mimic the natural flush of your cheeks. And remember, blusher is not for contouring, so use a light hand to apply just over the apples of your cheeks.
• Strong colours look hard on older skins and draw attention to places you may not desire to highlight after a certain age! Instead, choose softer versions of the more intense colours you normally wear, or switch to neutral shades like nude, peach, rose and brown.
• Shimmery eyeshadows will only highlight laughter lines and crepey eyelids, so avoid them at all costs.
• Nothing opens up eyes more than curling your eyelashes. Also, match mascara to your lashes (black mascara on brown lashes is very ageing).
• Wax eye pencils will drag your eye all over the place, so choose a cream-to-powder liner, which is easier to apply and more long-lasting.
• Keep your brows well defined to stop them from looking sparse. Use a soft pencil (blunt the end on the back of your hand first) or matte eyeshadow applied with a stiff brush, and choose a colour one shade lighter than your brows.

Choose softer versions of the more intense colours you normally wear, or go for neutral shades like nude, peach, rose and brown.