15 Beauty Mistakes That Are Making You Look Older Than Your Age

The whole point of dusting on powder is to decrease shine — but is the product you're using highlighting your flaws? Look for an HD formula: the microfine particles won't settle into (and draw attention to) fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores.

Just like wearing the wrong powder formula can age you, so can skipping out on primer. The whole point of primer is to give you a perfect canvas upon which you can apply your foundation. Silicone-based primers are especially effective at smoothing out your complexion and filling in wrinkles and pores, so when you apply foundation on top, you'll look flawless — and your makeup will last much longer.

That raven-black dye job was cute in high school, but now that you’re a little more mature, it looks way too severe. Visit a colorist and ask them about adding dimension to your color. Brighter face-framing layers will warm up your complexion and make you look more youthful.

Exfoliating is essential for all ages. Not only does it prevent bacteria from building up in pores and turning into acne, but shedding those old, dead layers triggers cellular turnover. That means your skin will work harder to create fresh new cells. You should be exfoliating your face and body at least twice a week. Bonus: a chemical exfoliant (like a peel) will reduce wrinkles with consistent use.

Hydrated skin is firm, radiant, and healthy. While regularly moisturizing (every day!) goes a long way, you can give your skin a major boost by helping it glow from the inside out. Drink up! Click here to learn how to figure out how much water you should be drinking daily.

This should seem like an obvious point, but it bears repeating: you should wear sunscreen every single day. Even if it's not sunny outside, even if it's Winter, and even if the only times you'll be outdoors is walking from your car to your office and vice versa. So put it on. Sun damage happens instantly, and its the top cause of maturation on the skin.

While it's OK to skip conditioner once in a while — especially if you have fine, straight hair — we don’t recommend that you give up on it forever. As you age, your hair gets drier and duller (and often coarser!) because the shaft gets weaker. Nourish it by applying conditioner several times a week. (We use a light spray formula that doesn’t weigh down our strands.)

You may have rocked the raccoon look in your youth, but now it’s time to put away the liquid liner and forgo the aggressive waterlining. That harsh hue is drawing attention to your crows' feet! If you can't give up lower liner, consider a softer shade like charcoal or chocolate.

Now that you've nailed wearing sunscreen on the daily, bring it on down to your chest and hands. After your face, your hands are the body parts that get the most sun exposure — thus aging you — so protect them. Don't you want to keep your décolletage taut, smooth, and wrinkle free?

Due to years of overplucking or just general aging, your brows probably channel Clara Bow more than they do Brooke Shields. Look more youthful by faking fuller arches with one of these products.

Ask your stylist to add some layers at your next salon visit. Stark, choppy strands look harsh. Lighter layers feel more of-the-moment without being too trendy. You've already added classic fashion staples to your wardrobe so it's time to get the hairstyle to match.

Don't restrict them to beach vacations — proudly wear a chic pair of sunglasses all year long! By not squinting at sunlight, you'll be staving off crows' feet.

Frosty, glittery shadow formulas draw attention to sagging eyelids, fine lines, dark circles . . . the list goes on. Stick to satin or silky (not chalky!) matte shades instead.

While we can totally relate to a mascara addiction, we suggest you pass on applying to your lower lashes. Just like wearing too much liner, bold lower lashes can draw attention to your fine lines, under eye bags, and dark circles — all those fun things (ugh!) that pop up when you hit 30.

You mastered applying red lipstick without a mirror long ago. It’s time you incorporated liner into that routine. As you mature, fine lines form around your mouth (especially if you were or are a smoker), and color can migrate into those lines. Keep your lip look on lock by lining your pout first — the firm formula of the pencil will prevent creamy product smears.