We all want to look fresh-faced and young, and makeup should help that. But if you do it wrong, makeup can add extra years to your face! Using the right techniques, avoiding beauty blunders and evolving to adapt your makeup as you age will keep you looking youthful. Here are some mistakes that can make you look older, so avoid these at all costs!

Forget primer

Everyone needs to use primer. Without it, your makeup can look muddy or melt off, and that’s not youthful.

Pack On or Skip Foundation

Too much foundation can make you look heavy and older. But no foundation exposes all your flaws, from dry or shiny skin, or uneven pigmentation. The right foundation should have a sheer, translucent finish that corrects any issues so your skin has an even, youthful glow.

Go Heavy on Concealer

Be careful trying to conceal fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes — concealer can crack as it dries and actually accentuate those areas. Instead, moisturize and choose products with luminosity to create radiance and lighting up your face.

Over Contour

Going overboard with contouring is not flattering. Too much definition can highlight fine lines that are better left concealed.

Highlight

Too much shimmer on your brow bone can look dated and pull down the eye. Also avoid highlighter in your smile lines or in the crease of the eye.

Apply Blush Incorrectly

Too much blush on the apples of your cheeks can make you look clown-like. And blush too far below the cheekbone pulls down the face, making you appear jowly. Also, don’t use a too dark or too brown or blue of hue, which can make you look bruised or ashy.

Use Setting Powder

Nope — powder tends to seep into fine lines. Avoid it.

Ignore Your Brows

As we get older, eyebrows can become thin, pale and sparse brow. Well-defined and well-shaped brows are more youthful, so fill yours in with quick, short strokes of an eyebrow pencil slightly lighter than your natural hue.

Line Only Your Lower Lid

This can make your eyes look small and bottom heavy, dragging down your face. Instead, line your top and bottom lids in an understated shade of gray, brown, navy or violet.

Overdo Lip Liner

Dark, heavily lined or over-lined lips will cause your lip color to move into the fine, feathery lines around the mouth. Use creamy lip pencils for better results.