Everybody talks about how to correctly apply foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, and more, but even the best technique can't make up for an unprepared base.
According to OnSkin's cosmetologist-aesthetician Valerie Aparovich, your pre-makeup routine is key to creating a beautiful visage once the products go on.
The expert spoke exclusively to GB News about how to cultivate the perfect base, particularly if you're over 50 and up against inevitable signs of ageing.
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"When prepping for makeup, pay special attention to the delicate skin around your eyes and on your lips," Valerie advised.
"These areas are more prone to dryness and tend to show signs of ageing more visibly, which the wrong makeup can further emphasise."
Around the eyes
Under-eye bags and puffiness are common with age, but with the right tips and tricks, they're easy to alleviate.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology explained that over time, tissues around the eye gradually "weaken and sag".
'Nourish the skin around the eyes with a dedicated eye cream'
|GETTY IMAGES
"This allows fat to shift forward into the lower eyelids, making them look puffy and swollen," the experts added.
To combat this, Valerie advised: "Before reaching for your skin care and makeup products, apply a cooling gel bead eye mask for 10 to 15 minutes to alleviate fluid stagnation and stimulate lymphatic drainage in the area.
"The cold compress therapy will help reduce fluid buildup and constrict capillaries, decreasing puffiness and making the eyes appear brighter and more awake."
For long-term results, investing in products that contain active ingredients is a must.
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'Follow with a nourishing lip balm enriched with plant oils and natural waxes'
| GETTY IMAGES"Nourish the skin around the eyes with a dedicated eye cream packed with peptides, collagen, or ceramides," the cosmetologist-aesthetician suggested.
"It will deliver the much-needed moisture to the skin and reduce creasing and wrinkling, and the likelihood of the makeup settling into the lines."
Lips
Gone are the days of simply smacking your lipstick on without a care in the world. As age-related changes emerge over time, there are a few tasks to tick off to ensure your pout maintains its wow-factor.
The skin care gurus at Paula's Choice explained: "As we age, the supporting collagen, fat pads, and muscles in and around the lip area steadily diminish, resulting in thinner lips that are more visibly lined. Simultaneously, the redistribution of soft tissue can result in a flatter lip look.
"Bone loss may also contribute to a more caved-in appearance of the mouth/lip area, while blood vessels decrease in the lip vermillion (the border between your lips and the surrounding skin)."
This causes the "richness" of lip colour to weaken, resulting in a more "aged, drained" appearance.
To combat this, restoring moisture for a plumper look is key.
Valerie said: "Before proceeding to lip products, gently exfoliate your lips using a small silicone brush.
"Dead skin buildup can cause flakiness and tightness, and make the lips appear thinner and more wrinkled. Gentle exfoliation will smooth the lips, ensuring that lip products glide on evenly.
"Follow with a nourishing lip balm enriched with plant oils and natural waxes to help the lips replenish and retain moisture and appear fuller and rejuvenated."
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