6 easy makeup tricks to look younger instantly

#1 Rosy Cheeks

They always signal health and youth. We’d recommend blushers in bright pink or apricot shades for flattering colour. These may look very bright in the pan, but actually go on quite sheer. If you have high cheekbones, makeup artist Larry Yeo suggests dusting a sheer wash of blusher below the cheekbones, focusing on the area close to the mouth beneath your cheeks – it’ll give you a pretty just-in-from-the-cold flush.

#2 Define Your Eyes with a Nude Liner

Use it along the lower lash line and waterline – it will give you a wide- eyed look, making you appear more awake. Larry says that a nude liner (or a pale gold one for darker skin tones) can also tone down the redness in your eyes – perfect if you’ve had a late night.

#3 Illuminate Your Skin

You want a radiant complexion, not a shiny one, as it can appear oily in our climate. First, prep with an oil-free moisturiser to smooth and plump up skin. Then, apply a highlighting cream or powder just above the cheekbones and down the length of your nose.

This creates the impression of a youthful, dewy complexion. You can also apply a radiance primer on your whole face before foundation.

Larry explains: “Avoid makeup with an overly shiny finish. The less shine there is, the smaller your pores will appear, and you’ll look like you have better skin.”

#4 Beef Up Your Brows

Wear your eyebrows thick, with a slight arch – this look resembles that of young girls who have yet to shape their eyebrows, so it makes you seem instantly younger.

After filling in your natural brow shape with eyebrow pencil or powder, thicken your brows by filling them in from the bottom up, and add more colour to the inner edges of each brow for more definition, says Larry.

#5 Use A Lengthening Mascara

Our lashes become thinner with age. In order to get them to stay curled and make your eyes look defined, you should use a lengthening mascara.

It will not weigh down your lashes unlike volumising mascaras, which generally come in heavier formulas.    

#6 Plump Your Lips

Make your lips look fuller and more youthful by wearing a light-coloured lipstick with a glossy finish. Darker lip colours tend to make the lips look smaller so if you prefer wine hues, layer on a clear gloss to create plumper-looking lips. 

This article was originally published in Simply Her August 2014, additional reporting by Simone Wu.