Makeup Artists Reveal Common Mistakes That Highlight Fine Lines

You’ve probably noticed that the makeup techniques that worked beautifully in your twenties and thirties suddenly seem to be working against you. Foundation that used to smooth your complexion now settles into creases you didn’t even know you had. Powder that set everything perfectly in the past now makes your skin look flat and dry. And that full-coverage routine you relied on for flawless skin? It’s somehow making you look older, but not wiser (at least when it comes to putting on makeup!).

Well, here’s the reality of what’s actually happening: as skin matures, it becomes drier and thinner, which changes how makeup sits on the surface. Products that used to blend seamlessly now cling to texture. Formulas designed to stay put all day can settle into fine lines and actually draw attention to what you’re trying to minimize. And many women over 50 make outdated application mistakes without realizing it.

Celebrity makeup artists who work with mature skin daily see these mistakes constantly, and they’re eager to set the record straight. Some of the most widespread makeup “rules” for aging skin are actually making things worse. We talked to artists who’ve worked with everyone from Chelsea Handler to Quinta Brunson to find out what subtle errors emphasize fine lines—and what to do instead.

Related: 11 Best Skin-Tightening Moisturizers, According to Celebrity Derms

This Beauty Mistake Can Emphasize Fine Lines, Makeup Artists Explain

The experts identify several culprits, but they all circle back to one core issue: using too much of the wrong thing.

Molly R. Stern, celebrity makeup artist who’s worked with Chelsea Handler and Maya Rudolph, gets right to it. “Too much makeup will always emphasize fine lines,” she tells Parade.

Her solution? “Women should spend time stimulating their skin—getting the blood flowing, feeding it with plumping nutrients.” She says this will give your skin a quenched glow, and bonus: you can use less foundation.

Renée Loiz, who works with celebrities such as Quinta Brunson and Uzo Aduba, sees a specific combination causing problems: full coverage foundation combined with too much powder. “It can settle into fine lines and make the skin look dry and textured,” she explains.

She recommends a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation with a light dusting of powder only where needed to achieve “healthy, luminous skin.”

As far as the issues with too much foundation, celebrity makeup artist Jenepher Reynolds, who’s worked with Norah Jones and Harry Connick Jr., identifies texture as the enemy. She’s very much against matte formulas on mature skin.

“As the skin becomes drier over time, matte products can grab onto fine lines and make the skin look flat and dehydrated,” she says. “Instead, look for textures with a natural or slightly radiant finish. They bring life back into the skin and help soften the look of lines.”

The consensus? It’s not about avoiding specific products entirely—it’s about choosing better formulas and using less.

Related: 10 Best Contour Sticks for Mature Skin, According to Professional Makeup Artists

4 Other Makeup Techniques That Can Make Wrinkles Worse

Beyond foundation and powder, several other application mistakes can age your face.

1. Shimmer placement

Shimmer placement trips people up constantly. “There is nothing wrong with a bit of glow, but it is important to understand what shimmer does: it draws attention to the surface of the skin beneath it,” Reynolds says.

She adds that if the skin has texture, shimmer will reflect it right back. A soft luminosity is much more forgiving and gives you that fresh look without highlighting what you are trying to soften.

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2. Not using color correction under the eyes

The under-eye area requires a completely different approach than the rest of your face. “Most of us need a touch of colour correction first,” Reynolds says. “Peach works well for blue/purple tones, and a soft orange helps neutralize deeper brown discoloration.” And, as an added bonus, when you correct first, you use less concealer!

3. “Dragging” products across the skin

Application technique matters just as much as product choice. Reynolds is specific about this: “Press and tap product into the skin with your finger or a brush. Avoid dragging.” This tip allows you to keep everything in place and give you a more natural finish.

4. Using a lot of heavy cream formulas

It’s worth noting that Avital of Puzzle Makeup (and whose clientele in the past has included Sheryl Sandberg) challenges conventional wisdom entirely.

“One of the most common pieces of advice women over 40 receive is to ditch powder and switch to cream formulas. And most follow it without question,” she says, pointing out that heavy cream products can move, crease and break down throughout the day, and settle directly into fine lines. The result? Emphasizing exactly what you’re trying to minimize.

Her take? Use the right formulas for mature skin, whether powder or light cream foundations, blushes, bronzers or shadows. Stay away from heavy cream formulas that shift and sink into lines as the day goes on. This is in keeping with all the other advice—less product, fewer problems.

Related: The One Thing Women Over 50 Don’t Realize About SPF, According to a Pro Makeup Artist

Expert-Backed Makeup Tips To Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines

The makeup artists share that it’s most important to start with skin prep (a plump, prepared canvas in the first step), and then use less product with better techniques.

As far as foundation application, Avital recommends specific tools and methods.

“Dispense a small amount—one pump or dime-sized—and apply using a wedge sponge, blending outward from the center of your face in gentle stroking motions. No pressing, no scrubbing,” she says. Pro tip: start with less product and build only where you need it.

“The wedge sponge’s thin side applies the formula thicker—the thick side applies it thinner,” she adds. “Use whichever gives you your preferred finish.”

Related: A Dermatologist Is Begging Women To Stop Making This Mistake With Their Beauty Blenders

For under-eyes, Reynolds has a specific setting technique, recommending, “Opt for a light mist of setting spray to set the under eyes. It sets the product while keeping the skin looking hydrated and smooth.”

Reynolds sums up the entire philosophy perfectly: “At the end of the day, it is not about adding more. It is about choosing better textures, using less product, and placing it with intention.”

She says this is what makes the skin look fresher, softer and more like you. And isn’t that what we all want?

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Sources:

• Molly R. Stern, celebrity makeup artist

• Renée Loiz, celebrity makeup artist at Renee Loiz Makeup

• Jenepher Reynolds, celebrity makeup artist

• Avital, makeup artist with Puzzle Makeup

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.