Does Mascara Make You Look Older? Don’t Make These Mascara Mistakes!

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In a time when eternal youth is worshiped and pursued enthusiastically, it’s not easy to believe that less is more… and that even a little can be enough! We’re talking about makeup and how it’s all too easy to become influenced by undue pressure to remain “forever young”. 

So many of us reach for our makeup bag to make the best of what we have, which is perfectly okay – provided you “know your limits”. But the question is:

Does mascara make you look older? Sure it adds sophistication and drama. That’s awesome. But it can also make you look older than you need to look.

We’ll discuss this below!


Contents

Does Mascara Make You Look Older?

Our trusty mascara wand must be one of the quickest and most convenient ways to attain a striking, bold look. However, too much of anything is never a good thing. 

Applying too much mascara can quickly have the opposite effect of looking awake. For instance, spidery, clumpy lashes, or the old and weary “raccoon eye” can make you look tired and rundown, adding unnecessary years to your appearance, no matter your age. 

Spidery, clumpy lashes, or the old and weary “raccoon eye” can make you look tired and rundown, adding unnecessary years to your appearance, no matter your age. 


Mascara Tips to Stop the Smudge!

  • Apply the mascara to your lower lash first to avoid the top lashes from smudging when you look down. 
  • Waterproof mascara is less prone to smudging. Using a proper eye makeup remover every night to remove it also avoids dark smudges the following day. Besides, leftover mascara on your lashes will undoubtedly create a clumpy look! See also How To Remove Waterproof Mascara Without Makeup Remover
  • Special occasions call for an eyelash curler! It will add dimension without layers of mascara. Layering mascara too much is a sure-fire way to create clumps and bubbles.

Tips for Applying Mascara Perfectly

Don’t use mascara that’s passed its expiration date. Dry, flakey mascara won’t go on smoothly. Also, don’t pump the applicator vigorously back and forth – this only forces more air into the container, causing the mascara to dry out even faster. 

Clean your mascara applicator after every use; if it’s caked in dry, old mascara, it will only complicate the application, creating clumps and spidery lashes.

Avoid adding too much product to your mascara brush.

You’ll want to focus on using more product at the base of the lashes, working your way up in a slight zig-zag motion to ensure you cover every lash. Focus on using the tip of the wand on the ends of your lashes.

Stick to a maximum of two layers of mascara – overdoing this step is the one way to create a heavy look, and some even report feeling the weight of it at the end of a long, busy day. It’s also a good idea to wait at least 30 seconds before applying a second coat.

Stick to a maximum of two layers of mascara – overdoing this step is the one way to create a heavy look, and some even report feeling the weight of it at the end of a long, busy day.


Eye Care for a Younger Look

Before you even begin applying makeup, any aesthetician will advise that eye care is essential from a young age: 

Use a good quality eye cream every morning and evening. These products can be pricey, but they last very long since you only need to dab a tiny amount around the eye area where laugh lines tend to appear first. 

People who understand the importance of a good “beauty sleep” know that limiting screen time and the resulting eye strain is good for your skin too.

Avoid the temptation of scrolling through social media for hours before turning in, and make sure you give your body the time it requires to reset and rest adequately for the next day. 

You’ll find many facial rollers for a regular, well-deserved facial massage to maintain elasticity, circulation and tone. Many skin care professionals concur that it does make a difference and helps maintain more youthful skin.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on beauty products. For instance, place a few slices of cool cucumber over your eyes for rest and rejuvenation or lukewarm chamomile tea bags for brighter eyes. 

Make time in your beauty routine to apply a mask at least twice a month. Some masks are specifically for the eye and forehead area, but do your research and choose the best product for your age, budget and skin type.

If you have dark circles under your eyes, you’d be wise to invest in a good quality concealer with enough moisturizer to hide the flaws of the sensitive eye area.


Conclusion

Mascara won’t make you look older if you apply it correctly and take care of the sensitive skin around your eyes with a regular beauty routine. Replace your mascara at least every three months to ensure you’re working with an excellent, “fresh” product. 

Always remember, “less is more” when it comes to any makeup, especially when you’ve been around the sun many times… 

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).