Aging is inevitable, and facial wrinkles, drooping jowls, sagging chins and graying hair are natural consequences. In a society focused on youth and beauty, it's not surprising that many people look for ways to camouflage and minimize these changes. Although there may not be a fountain of youth, you can employ strategies that may help you turn back the clock on your appearance. Use them faithfully for the next 10 weeks, and the mirror could reflect a younger-looking you.
Step 1
Shrink the pores on your face by using a facial cleanser with salicylic acid to help recapture the tight, virtually poreless look of young, fresh skin. Dermatologist Fredric Brandt, quoted on the Allure website, says the salicylic acid can remove oil from pores and help slough away dead skin cells.
Step 2
Apply a daily moisturizer to help give skin a smooth, glowing look and to reduce the appearance of fine lines. "Good Housekeeping" magazine notes that your moisturizer should contain a hydrating agent, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to draw water into the skin; other beneficial ingredients to look for are petrolatum and lanolin, both of which act as emollients to keep moisture from escaping. For a natural moisturizer, try olive, sunflower, or coconut oils; these have hydrating qualities as well.
Step 3
Purchase an over-the-counter retinoid cream, or see your dermatologist for prescription-strength cream, and apply nightly to reduce fine lines and age spots. According to "Good Housekeeping," these vitamin A derivatives can reduce signs of chronological aging within a matter of weeks.
Step 4
Visit your hairstylist for a youthful haircut, especially if your hair is long and lacking in body. Unless you're a teenager, long hair can drag your face down, making you look haggard. Haircut Tips notes that you will look more youthful if your hair is between chin and shoulder length; this length minimizes the look of wrinkles, calls attention to eyes, and lifts the whole face.
Step 5
Visit a professional colorist to have your hair colored in an age-appropriate way that will play up your good features. Haircut Tips says you should avoid harsh colors; choose rich brown rather than black, and warm honey blonde over platinum. Skillful highlighting and lowlighting around your face can also enhance good features and create a more youthful appearance.
Step 6
Use a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer to get the best coverage for your skin, and press any wrinkled areas after application with a damp makeup sponge to remove excess makeup. Look for a product with luminescent particles, which can add a glow that mimics the natural reflectiveness of youthful skin. Allure warns against using a thick layer of heavy makeup; this can develop a "cakey" appearance and can become trapped in wrinkles, accentuating their appearance.
Step 7
Use lip gloss in a neutral rose shade, and pair it with rose blusher for an uplifting, youthful effect. Lips tend to get smaller with age; the shininess of the gloss helps counteract the narrowing effect. According to Allure, avoid lipsticks that are very bright, very dark or metallic, while also avoiding blusher in shades of wine, bronze or cinnamon; these can be aging.
Step 8
Use an eyelash curler to maximize eyelash length, giving the illusion of younger, bigger eyes. Follow with a coat of black mascara on top lashes only. This has a brightening effect on the whites of your eyes.
Step 9
Practice standing with perfect posture, with your earlobes in line with the middle of your shoulders, your shoulder blades back and your chest forward, and your stomach tucked in. According to Alive.com, good posture promotes fluid, efficient movements and helps prevent constriction of blood vessels. It can also help you project an aura of suppleness, confidence and youth.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid glittery or metallic eye shadow; these can attract attention to swollen areas and wrinkles. Use a deep, rich matte finish shadow instead.
- Retinoid creams can have an irritating effect on your skin until tolerance builds up. If you experience reddening, "Good Housekeeping" advises using the cream every second or third night.
Things You'll Need
- Facial cleanser containing salicylic acid
- Commercial moisturizer with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum or lanolin
- Olive oil, sunflower oil or coconut oil (optional)
- Retinoid cream, over the counter or prescription strength
- Sheer foundation with luminescent particles
- Makeup sponge
- Neutral rose lipgloss
- Rose blusher
- Eyelash curler
- Black mascara
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