Workplace Fitness: 6 makeup mistakes that will make you look older

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Dec 12th 2007 6:00AM

Depending on what you do for a living, if you're a woman chances are you wear makeup to work. Very few of us look good or normal with absolutely no makeup on at all, so it becomes a huge part of how we present ourselves to the world. What if that big part of how you present yourself, of how you work to make yourself look better, was actually making you look worse? What if it was adding years to how you look instead of taking them off? What a shame to work so hard to stay a healthy weight and keep in shape only to sabotage yourself with your makeup!

Now of course no amount of bad makeup can equal the negative impact of being overweight or unhealthy, but there is something to be said for the magnifying power of how you do your face. You can either magnify the good things or you can magnify the bad things: anybody up for some painfully obvious wrinkles?

Here are 6 beauty blunders to avoid, unless of course you're going for an "antiqued" appearance:

Source

Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

daisy 12-12-2007 @ 9:37AM

What about wearing too mucy perfume. I work with an older woman who goes by the adage if a little perfume is a good thing, than dousing yourself in a vat of it is the best. This woman will wear Opium which is an over powering scent (and so 80's) every day. I have a headache by the end of the day if we are working on a project together.

I love light scents that people can only smell if you are close. My new favorite is Euphoria by Calvin Klein which I got at Sephora

I buy most of my stuff at an online shopping mall that gives me between 5-55% back in cash Sephora, Apple, The Gap, Target (great for soo much), Macy's. I also wait for sales so I get my cash back and the lowest price
http://www.dailyoink.com The site is ugly, but well worth it.

Susan 12-12-2007 @ 10:13AM

I agree about the Scents, some people LOVE Vanilla or Cucumber Melon, but others are offended by those things!
I work with the public and as well as keeping my makeup soft and natural looking, I try to wear calming scents, like a Lavander, people don't know why they feel comfortable with me, but they usually do and I like to think it's the soft scent. and soft eyes.

Kelly 12-12-2007 @ 10:11AM

Mineral make-up, which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and other imperfections, is also a great way to look younger and more healthy. Visit www.ferrocosmetics.com for more great information on true mineral make-up.

nancy 12-12-2007 @ 10:57AM

Who in the world would want to look like these people?? This advice stinks!!

Cynthia 12-12-2007 @ 11:13AM

Very few of us look good or normal with absolutely no makeup on at all, so it becomes a huge part of how we present ourselves to the world.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME????? Who cares what the world thinks? You are a very shallow person. To place beauty on make-up instead of who you are in your heart and how you look is the very reason girls live in fear of themselves, have anorexia, or spend money on operations to make them "feel" better about themselves. Money that can have better uses in society. In the end, they never feel any better about themselves. You need to work on your heart before you make ignorant statements such as these. Make up is fine, in moderation, but to make it the end all to be all, is ignorance at its best. Who are you to decide if women dont look their best without make up? YOU are a joke.

BellaBellaB3 12-12-2007 @ 11:14AM

Susan, lavender is not calming to some people. I choke at the scent. "Soft eyes?" I hardly think that people are "comfortable" with you because of lavender perfume and invisible eyes. Must be your personality or customer service skills, but it's not your makeup nor that particular scent.

Lori 12-12-2007 @ 11:54AM

Cynthia,
I truly believe you are the SMARTEST one here.......I also believe that make up does not make a Woman "better", it is her heart.....

di 12-12-2007 @ 12:18PM

Wow--yes, Cynthia--thank you for that! Someone had to say it...

I personally feel as I get older, I look better with less makeup. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older and I don't have to "prove" anything or "compete" with anyone, I don't know!

lori 12-12-2007 @ 1:25PM

1. Choose the right color
2. Use a product that is AGE appropriate.
3. There are products today that HELP you look younger.
The list goes on and on...
I sell and apply make up to people everyday...I know.
Not only do I sell Lip Color that stays on until YOU take it off, but the line I sell just came out with this "PEARLIZER" that makes your skin look GREAT!! You can wear it mixed with your Moisturizer ( and wear it alone ) OR mix it in with your Foundation...please...check it out:

WWW.LALALIPS.COM

jjs31rott 12-12-2007 @ 2:08PM

My eyebrows and eyelashes are practically colorless. I simply must have makeup. As a senior citizen, I would like to see more illustrations of how we older women (baby boomers) can look younger (or look our very best at the least). I did a trial of mineral makeup once upon a time. It emphasized the lines around my mouth. I don't think any company has the answer for making lines around the mouth invisible.

Julzz 12-12-2007 @ 2:15PM

It is so frustrating to read an article about things to avoid and they show you pictures that have ABSOUTELY NOTHING to do with what they are talking about. How about some pictures illustrating the points they are trying to make? A picture of over plucked brows, bright blue eyeshadow, heavy foundation...

zebra 12-12-2007 @ 2:22PM

"How about some pictures illustrating the points they are trying to make? A picture of over plucked brows, bright blue eyeshadow, heavy foundation..."

It would even be more useful if they would show the same person doing it the right way and the wrong way...then you could actually see why it is a mistake!

Carol 12-14-2007 @ 8:03AM

these pictures have nothing to do with the content of the article. There is nothing in this article of value.

Edie 12-14-2007 @ 9:29AM

jjs31rott Try AVON's Anew Clinical Plump & Smooth Lip System. One end help lips feel instantly fuller and the other smoothes fine lines around lips. The entire Anew line is excellent for cutting edge Anti-aging products.
order directly from. www.youravon.com/edelorme

Jay Hall 12-14-2007 @ 11:22PM

It appears that make-up works wonders on some ladies but other may need a little help with their selections. I think if you are unsure about your look with make-up, you should seek professional advice from well-informed make-up consultants.

http://romanceexpressions.com

http://romanceexpressions.com/1-fashion.php

http://romanceexpressions.com/1-gifts.php

Marian 12-15-2007 @ 8:19PM

First let me say that I am a stylist/skincare specialist/makeup artist. (my clients love me)
I feel most comfortable not wearing makeup and wearing my hair in a natural style. I know I am beautiful inside and out. A tube of lipstick isn't going to change that, all it does is enhance it. Cleanse, tone and moisturize is all one really needs to do. There are many fine products out there but the inexpensive is just fine for those who can't afford it.
I teach my clients not to listen to the fasionistas and to do what makes them happy with themselves.
It amuses me that most of the replies on these pages are people trying to hawk their wares.

K 12-15-2007 @ 4:32AM

This article was CRAP

Eve 12-17-2007 @ 12:57PM

Those pictures were rather interesting... but I loved the advice. I thought it was great. Beauty IS emphasized on your looks more than your personality, believe it or not. It's the truth, it hurts feelings, and causes those who can't handle it to lash out or run to the bathroom; and vomit when they take advice as an indication that they MUST look a certain way and they are not good enough.

The advice definitely is NOT for older women or developing minds with no confidence. More like guidelines for the youthful generation to consider when looking for tips on what not to do to look ungracefully older and undesirable. I'm 19... I don't want to look 30.

I don't wear make-up much because I don't need it. For those who do, it can make them look fantastic and give their skin a radiant, healthy complexion that turns heads if they use it right.

Overall. I agree with Marian, do what makes you happy with yourself. Be yourself. Even if it comes off to others as being innane and frivolous.

Angie 12-18-2007 @ 12:21AM

I am a beautiful chunky baby boomer. It bothers me when people say that the worse thing in life is to be overweight. The worst things are rudeness, halitosis and body odor. "Ugly" comes in all sizes; some skinny people are quite ugly too ...