Anti-aging Beauty Tricks

At the first appearance of our fine lines and wrinkles, most of us are not quite ready to go under the knife for cosmetic procedures. They can be both painful and expensive. Over the years, I have discovered a variety of beauty tricks that can take years off of your face.

The most important rule to younger looking skin is clean skin. Never sleep with your makeup on. Our skin needs to breath, and sleeping in makeup can cause breakouts. Hydration is also important to younger looking skin, so make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. A good moisturizer used both at night and before makeup application is also essential.

The right foundation creates the illusion of flawless skin, and acts as a canvas for the rest of your makeup. Prior to the application of foundation, a primer like Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer ($8 at www.walmart.com) will provide a surface for your foundation to adhere to.

As we age, our facial skin may consist of two, or even three different tones. This is the reason that I use two foundations to create an even skin tone. For the darker areas, (under eyes, around nose, and corners of the mouth), I use Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Foundation in Natural Ivory ($14 at drugstores). For more normal toned areas, (forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck), I use Almay Nearly Naked Makeup in Tan ($14.50 at drugstores). Smoothing foundation onto your face with your fingertips will provide even coverage. Use a cosmetic sponge to blend foundation around the hairline and neck area.

After foundation application, a good concealer is a must-have beauty product. I recently fell in love with Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette ($8 at www.walmart.com). The green shade blends away any redness. I use the lilac shade to further brighten the area under my eyes, and the yellow is great for discolored or dark eyelids.

Another great anti-aging makeup trick is to use your bronzer to achieve a face-lifting effect. I am currently using Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer, ($12.54 at www.walmart.com). Using a large applicator brush, sweep the product upwards on your cheekbones, blending up towards your brow and into the hairline. Next, sweep the product from cheekbone to ear, and down under the jawbone. You are essentially applying the bronzer in an E shape on each side of your face.

To finish off the lifted effect, a good blush/highlighter duo can give you a rosy glow and brighten the eye area. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush and Highlighter in Sunkissed Glow ($10.54 at www.walmart.com) is my product of choice.

Keep reading for even more anti-aging beauty tricks and tips from yours truly. XOXO