5 Ways to Look Younger Instantly

Sure, you’re a woman of substance. You appreciate all the amazing experiences you’ve gained through the years and know you’ve earned each fine line that may have already showed up on your gorgeous face. You also realize that those tiny imperfections make you the beautifully complex individual you are today.

Blah, blah, blah. Even the most intellectually evolved female would be lying if she said she didn’t occasionally long for the fresh-faced glow of her teens and 20s. Even the most emotionally mature among us would be fibbing if she claimed to enjoy waking up with dull skin after partying a little too hard—or staying up with an infant—the night before.

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting an appointment with a plastic surgeon. But what if we told you all it took was five minutes of simple makeup application to turn back the clock at least five years? That’s right, sister, what you need to look that much younger is right there in your cosmetics bag, so read up.

1. Protect and moisturize. This No. 1 beauty rule should be a no-brainer by now, you’ve heard it so many times. Slathering your face with a full-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 each and every morning, no exceptions, is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your youthful complexion. And, because your skin gets drier the older you get, despite how much water you drink, you must moisturize from the outside in. Choose a lotion, such as one from the popular CeraVe line, that contains skin-plumping ceramides and free-radical-battling antioxidants. Every third night before bed, swap your regular moisturizer for one containing retinoids, which combat dull skin by increasing cell turnover (another thing that decreases with age) and boost collagen production. The result? Firmer, more “lifted” skin. (Read our interview with dermatologist Jacqueline Dolev for more information on facial moisturizers.)

2. Ditch the heavy foundation. As soon as we start to see those first lines, we might be inclined to reach for the rich makeup base. Stop! Applying an opaque foundation all over your face actually has the opposite effect you’re going for. Instead of smoothing out imperfections, thick makeup can settle into wrinkles and make them look more pronounced. You’re much better off reaching for a semi-transparent cream with a dewey finish, such as Dior Skin Nude BB Cream, or for a tinted moisturizer with light-reflecting particles that make skin glow (Laura Mercier’s version is a cult fave). For a lit-from-within effect, dab a few drops of liquid illuminator, such as Revlon’s PhotoReady Skinlights, onto cheek and brow bones before you apply makeup. If you must  use foundation, opt for a moisture-rich variety with a velvety texture, such as makeup artist’s favorite Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, and use sparingly on problem areas only with a foundation brush (Sheseido makes a great one).

3. Make your peepers pop. The sad truth is that as we age, we not only start to acquire lines around our eyes, but our lashes and brows begin to thin. Look younger in seconds by brushing a volumizing fiber gel over your brows (we love Benefit’s Gimme Brow) and plumping them up instantly. Next, give your lashes a boost by curling them (try Shu Uemura’s iconic lash curler) and then coating with a lengthening mascara (such as Lancôme’s Définicils). If you’re good at sticking to routines, go for permanently lusher brows and lashes by applying a thickening serum like RapidLash before bed at night. Night on the town? Think big and beautiful, and reach for a cream-based shadow with a silky, matte texture. (Heavy, sparkly shadow can, like heavy foundation, sink into creases and actually make those crow’s feet look more pronounced.) Sweep a neutral shade over your lids with a brush and, for extra credit, highlight the corners of your eyes with an illuminating pen like Yves Saint Laurent’s award-winning Touche Éclat to make them pop. To create a huge, smoldering cat’s eye, line your upper lids with a easy-glide black or dark-brown liner pencil (we love Makeup Forever’s Aqua Eyes waterproof liner pencils) and flick the corners up and out toward the edges of your brows. Meow!

Want to go all-out big and beautiful? Read our story about how to apply false lashes.

4. Give yourself lip service. If big, bright eyes are a sign of youth, so are full, rosy lips. If red or nude lipstick has been your mainstay, you might want to rethink your routine. Yes, nothing is more polished and sophisticated than a crimson pout (see our story “Rocking the Red“), and the nude look is so fashionable right now. But the first option can make your lips appear smaller, and the second can make you look washed out. Instead, emulate youth’s rosy glow with a warm pink or berry shade in a moisture-rich formula (try MAC’s Mineralize Rich Lipstick).

Before applying, eliminate any dryness by exfoliating with a lip polish (we love Fresh’s Sugar lip polish) and applying a moisturizing lip balm. Line lips with a nude pencil, drawing slightly below the bottom lip line to create a fuller mouth, before filling in with lipstick. For a more subtle glow, fill in the entire lip with liner before coloring in with a lip balm stain, such as Revlon’s ColorBurst, and blotting. For an extra perky pout, dot a clear gloss (try Victoria’s Secret’s Beauty Rush lip gloss) onto the center of your bottom lip. Move over, Angelina.

Another important trick to remember is that whiter teeth look more youthful than yellow or stained ones. Read about how you can get whiter teeth here.

5. Nail it with pink. If you’re a busy working woman or mom, it’s easy to neglect your hands. But because smooth hands and nails are a sign of youth, you shouldn’t skip this important step in your beauty regimen. Here it helps to go simple. Keep nails clean and trimmed to no longer than 1/4 inch beyond your fingertips, and maintain suppleness by slathering on a moisturizer with SPF every day before you leave the house (sun damage on the hands can be insidious). For manicures, opt for soft, creamy, pink-tinged tones that reflect light and draw attention away from any imperfections (try OPI’s My Very First Knockwurst or Essie’s Topless and Barefoot). For a more glamorous night-time look, try a a bright or tomato red with a hint of orange (try Nars’ Dovima or Essie’s Russian Roulette), flattering shades that, unlike blue-based reds, won’t highlight veins. As part of your nighttime ritual, consider applying a retinoid cream to hands a few times a week, and rubbing nails sporadically with a lemon wedge to eliminate any discoloration.

There you have it. Minimal makeup. Glowing skin and hands. Big eyes and pretty, pouty lips.

Don’t forget your I.D. when you head out tonight, because chances are you will get carded.

Now it’s your turn: Share your age-rewinding beauty tips with us!