Experts Say These 7 Makeup Cheat Codes Help You Look More Youthful

The top of how to slow down the appearance of aging is so prevalent these days. Everyone and their mother (literally) are calling out tips and tricks to take years off our faces. Most times, it's innocent enough. A product recommendation here, an eye makeup trick there. Even if your goal isn't to look younger than you actually are—whether that's because you're a 20-something or a badass 50-something—you probably still don't want to age yourself unnecessarily with rookie makeup mistakes that chip away at your most radiant reflection. Fair?

We learned from celebrity makeup artist Shannon Pezzetta and Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s global director of artistry and education, Nick Lujan, that creating a more youthful look with makeup is actually really simple. Not surprisingly, heavy-handedly covering every single imperfection is the last thing we should do if looking younger (or at least not older) is our goal.

We love a good beauty cheat code, so we asked our pros for their top makeup tips for those looking to put their youngest-looking face forward. And as a friendly reminder, we don't believe, nor do we want you to believe, that younger equals better. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. Full stop. A radiant and glowing mug is a move we can always get behind, and if our efforts leave us looking a little younger, then that's just a bonus! Read on for the artist-approved tips and the best products to execute them IRL.

Cheat Code #7: Ditch Heavy, Matte Foundation

Cheat Code #6: Use More Liquid Formulas

Cheat Code #5: Conceal Wisely

Cheat Code #4: Step Up Your Brow Game

Cheat Code #3: Lean Into Fuller-Looking Lips

Cheat Code #2: Less Is More

Cheat Code #1: Prioritize Skincare

The takeaway: Take care of your skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and SPF.

Up next, I'm 55—these are the five fountain-of-youth makeup hacks I swear by.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.