Lipstick, that is. Deep Bordeaux shades can tack years onto your face, says Rebecca Restrepo, a celebrity makeup artist. "Dark colors make lips look thinner and smaller. Plus, skin tends to get paler with age, so a bright lipstick is better," she says. Try Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Pink Punch ($25, elizabetharden.com).
Youthful skin reflects light. To fake it in the most convincing way, apply a natural finish foundation, which makes skin look fresh and healthy. Apply it only where you need it most. Try Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation ($38, narscosmetics.com). Then dab moisturizer or even Vaseline ($2, drugstore.com) on the high points of your face — the tops of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, your brow bone — says Lauren Andersen, a celebrity makeup artist for Avon. "It gives skin a luminous quality that reads like a dewy finish."
Whoever said good things come to those who wait clearly hasn't tried the latest generation of topical wrinkle fillers. Known as skin finishers, these silicone-heavy formulas erase lines on contact. "They're more sophisticated than previous versions," says Patricia Wexler, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. "They last longer — some up to 12 hours — and can be worn over makeup." Pat, don't rub, the cream on, and just like that, wrinkles disappear. Two you should give a go: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother ($25, drugstores) and Nanoblur ($20, Walgreens).
Going too "highbrow" can make you look old, says Maribeth Madron, an eyebrow specialist and makeup artist for Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger in New York City. "When your arches are severe, the ends of your brows look as if they're sagging in comparison," she explains. To fix, brush on a tinted mousse or gel to subtly fake softer, lower arches that peak just above the outer edge of your irises. Try Benefit Gimme Brow ($22, benefitcosmetics.com), a gel with brow-building fibers. To maintain perfect brows, see a pro for shaping every four weeks. Between visits, pluck only the strays that fall below your natural brow line.
For a sexy flush, take inspiration from your cross-trainers. "Apply your blush like the Nike swoosh to hit all the right spots," Andersen says. Swirl a peachy-pink powder on the apple of your cheek, then swipe the brush up along the cheekbone. Try Yves Saint Laurent Blush Radiance in 9 ($45, yslbeautyus.com). Just do it!
Shiny pink nails give your hands a healthy, youthful sheen, says Jin Soon, a manicurist in New York City. Try Revlon Brilliant Strength Nail Enamel in Enamor ($8, drugstores). Paint it on short- to medium-length nails with rounded edges for a more natural look that can easily shave off another few years.
Imagine there's a line that runs from the outer corner of your eye to the outside edge of your brow. "Keep your eye shadow above that line and never below it, or your eyes will appear droopy," Restrepo says. Just soften the edge with your fingertip.
To get a firming fix, stash your face creams in the refrigerator and apply them chilled, Dr. Wexler says. "The cold constricts blood vessels and deflates any puffiness, giving skin a tauter, more toned look," she explains. Or apply cold compresses to your skin for five to 10 minutes. Then immediately smooth on a polymer-rich skin-tightening treatment, like Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Reviva-Concentrate ($120, lancome-usa.com).
Your lashes become thinner and shorter as you get older. So for every decade after age 30, apply an extra coat of mascara to boost them, says Ramy Gafni, a celebrity makeup artist and eyebrow expert in New York City. Don't forget about the top side. Use the tip of the wand to paint mascara on the individual hairs, lending them a more three-dimensional look.
"Hair color loses its luster with age," says Kyle White, a colorist for the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City. The simple solution: an at-home color-depositing glaze, which coats each strand so that hair is more reflective. Choose one designed for blondes even if you're a brunette or a redhead, because it will add subtle golden tones. "Warming up your hair brightens your complexion, making you look younger," White says. Try Rita Hazan Ultimate Shine Foaming Gloss Enhances Golden Tones ($26, sephora.com).
Hair-care brands are taking cues from facial products to reverse the signs of aging tresses. Scan labels for these powerhouse ingredients:
Conventional wisdom says you should part with your long locks after a certain age. Not true, says Jen Atkin, a celebrity hairstylist for Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy. "It's stiff, lifeless hair — at any length — that ages you." Ask your stylist to snip layers around your face and crown to give your hair swing and body.
Originally published in FITNESS magazine, September 2013.