YouTube | Shani Grimmond

13+ Makeup Mistakes That Are Actually Aging You

Makeup can be a total life saver if it's done right. But if it's not, you're probably better off not wearing any at all.

Having a skin care and makeup routine that's right for you and your skin type can keep your face looking fresh, flawless, and gleaming, every day of the week.

Who doesn't want that?

Pulling your eyelid to draw on your eyeliner.

YouTube | Birchbox

Applying liquid eyeliner is probably one of the hardest things to do, when it comes to doing your makeup.

Making sure both wings are even, is nearly impossible. But pulling your eyelid sideways to try and make a flatter surface to draw on, is a bad idea.

Try going using one hand to apply your eyeliner instead.

YouTube | Alissa Ashley

Over time, tugging on your eyelid can make the skin loose, and eventually saggy. It might be harder to put on eyeliner without trying to position your eyelid, but it's definitely worth it.

Not contouring.

YouTube | Shani Grimmond

Simply blending in a slab of foundation on your face and adding powder is going to make you look flat and ghost-like.

Taking the time to contour and enhance your features will make all the difference.

Wearing too much blush:

YouTube | itslikelymakeup

Blush is one of those things where a little goes a long way. Applying too much blush can age you instantly, drown out your features, and possibly make you look like a circus clown.

Try this instead:

YouTube | Allie Glines

Try a blush that has more neutral hues, instead of bright pink or red, and apply it as sparingly as possible.

Sometimes, adding a thin layer of translucent powder on top of that can help fade the loudness of the pink as well.

Not using lip-liner.

YouTube | Leyla Rose

Many people think that lip-liner is a useless thing we've been tricked into spending our money on.

But the truth is, it helps you stay in the lines, and smooths the edges of your lips.

Try using your finger instead.

YouTube | Kayla Marie

Even a cheap drugstore lip-liner will do the trick. But, if you're really trying to avoid using lip-liner altogether, try using your finger to smooth the edges of your lips after applying lipstick.

Neglecting your brows.

YouTube | Ali Andreea

If you're not filling in your brows, they can look thin, and sparse, a definite sign of aging.

Emboldening them can make a major difference in your overall look.

Try out a full eyebrow routine instead.

Instagram | @hey_itsbeautiful

Invest in an eyebrow brush, a spoolie, eyebrow filler, and concealer.

Comb out your eyebrow hairs using the spoolie, fill them in using the eyebrow brush and filler, then outline your brows using concealer, and blend.

Over-plucking.

YouTube | Samantha Reilly

This goes without saying, but over-plucking your eyebrows is a huge mistake. You'll be left with thin, shapeless looking brows, that will definitely make you look years beyond your age.

Try using castor oil before bed.

YouTube | mayratouchofglam

If the damage is already done, try using castor oil on your eyebrows before bed.

It's a natural way to promote hair growth in the areas you've accidentally over-plucked.

Try this instead.

YouTube | Carli Bybel

It's a bit of a hassle, but it completely enhances your facial features, adding a ton of dimension, and bringing out the features you like most. It can hide the look of a double-chin, enhance your cheekbones, and make your nose and forehead look smaller.

Not using primer under your foundation.

YouTube | Denitslava Makeup

Primer is another one of those things that many people don't bother using because they don't fully understand its purpose. Without primer, your foundation is just going to sink into your fine lines and pores, making them even more visible.

Try using a primer before putting your makeup on.

YouTube | Rita Almusa

After washing, toning, and moisturizing your face, add a dime-sized amount of primer to your face before putting on foundation.

It softens your lines, and pores, and reduces redness, so that your foundation sits perfectly on top of your skin with a smooth finish.

Using too much powder.

YouTube | Jaclyn Hill

Be careful about not over-doing it, when applying powder, otherwise, you can end up looking like a jelly donut.

Matte, when used tastefully, can be a great look — but not when it's making you look like you just dipped your face in flour.

Try using a highlighter for a dewier finish.

YouTube | Katy

After applying powder to your face, try using a highlighter on your cupid's bow, cheek bones, chin, nose, and temples to create the illusion of dewiness.

Clumpy mascara.

YouTube | NICOLE SKYES

Clumpy mascara is never cute. It doesn't age you, but it does make you look like you're in the seventh grade again, experimenting with makeup for the first time.

Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Try eyelash primer.

Instagram | @eyeko

Before applying mascara, apply a thin layer of eyelash primer. Then, after it's dried, apply an equally thin layer of mascara.

To further avoid clumping, only apply the mascara to the fronts of your eyelashes, instead of the front and back, and invest in a higher-end mascara if possible.

Not using moisturizer or sunblock under your makeup.

YouTube | yessi.delapaz

Dry skin is a definite sign of aging, so not moisturizing before applying makeup is a big no-no.

Makeup on top of dry skin is only going to make your skin look dryer, and it will be more likely to come off throughout the day, no matter how much setting spray you use.

Always moisturize before applying any makeup to your face.

YouTube | Michelle Hyatt

After washing and toning, always apply a facial moisturizer, and give it a few minutes to absorb into your skin before applying your primer and foundation.

Brightly colored eyeshadows and lipsticks.

Instagram | @karolinazientek

Bright, bold makeup can look amazing if it's done properly.

But otherwise, it could leave you looking amateur, older than your age, or even way younger than your age. But not in a good way.

Try neutral colors instead.

YouTube | Mia Randria

I cannot stress this enough. Neutral colors are your friend. You can layer them, use them for a subtle everyday look, or a more glamorous nighttime look.

The possibilities are endless.

Not using the proper tools to apply your makeup.

YouTube | Carli Bybel

If you aren't using the right tools to put on your makeup, the results can be disastrous.

Investing in a set of makeup brushes, and knowing exactly what each one is used for, is going to change your makeup routine forever and make you look substantially more youthful.

Not applying lip balm under lipstick.

YouTube | Foxy - Makeup Tips and Tutorials

Similarly to not moisturizing your skin before applying makeup, you should also be moisturizing your lips before applying lipstick. If not, your lipstick can get dried up, cracked, and make you look like you've been wandering the desert for a weeks without a drop of water.