How To Look Older Gracefully

Age is just a number. How you feel about yourself is far more important than those two simple digits. Still, learning to be comfortable in your skin can be especially tricky when you have a baby face and look younger than your age. 

Our skincare products at Miami MD cater to people looking to defy their age, but there’s more to aging gracefully than trying to turn back the clock. Our focus on functional beauty products means we can help guide you through any stage of life and help you look older gracefully.

It’s Not About Makeup

It’s a common misconception that wearing a lot of makeup will make you look older. Not only is that untrue, but it can also have the opposite effect.

You should only wear makeup because you want to wear it. If you’re wearing makeup because you feel obligated to or because you’re trying to get people to take you more seriously, you may be doing more harm than good. If you feel uncomfortable wearing makeup or use makeup to cater to someone else’s idea of elegance, that lack of confidence will make you look even younger.

If you genuinely love makeup, here are some ways you can look older (and support your skin!) while wearing makeup.   

Steps Towards Aging, Gracefully

Make Sure To Wash Your Face Before Bed

By the time you go to sleep, your skin has collected a day’s worth of dirt, grime, and build-up. Makeup, pollutants, dust, sebum (oil), and bacteria form a layer on the epidermis that can harm your skin if left unattended. 

If you get into bed without washing the day’s build-up off your face, you’re doing your skin a massive disservice. If you allow build-up to have free reign on your pores all night, you’re far more likely to have clogged pores, dull skin, and even blemishes when you wake up in the morning. 

Over time, this can make you look older — but not in a good way. Help your skin help itself by washing your face every night, without fail.

Avoid Makeup Wipes

Yes, at a glance, makeup wipes look incredibly convenient. However, they aren’t nearly as helpful as they seem.

Makeup wipes don’t cleanse the skin. Instead, they smear makeup and environmental debris around your face. Nothing is removed, just moved around. Using makeup wipes is like applying a facial cleanser to your skin without washing it off. 

Plus, the vast majority of makeup wipes use water-soluble ingredients. While water-soluble ingredients can be helpful for your skin, like the powerhouse alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) glycolic acid, water-soluble wipes will do very little to remove makeup or sebum. That is because most makeup tends to be oil-soluble.

Wear the Right Makeup

If you want to use makeup to look older appropriately, we have a few tips.

If you wear foundation, look for products that are more matte and less dewy. Dewier products are great for older skin, as they can help it look younger and more radiant. However, if you’re trying to add years to your appearance, a dewy foundation can work against you. You’ll also want to practice contouring. A good contour can change the appearance of your face, adding temporary features that will subtly age you. 

Focusing on your lashes can also help. If you’re lucky enough to have full, dark lashes, it’s often sufficient to find a complimentary mascara. If not, you may want to try false lashes to give you that extra boost. 

Finally, there is something sophisticated about a red lip. While people of all ages can wear a red lip, the color can add years—in a good way. Although they can be fun, brighter colors and softer pinks will make you look more youthful. Stick with a matte lipstick, too, as glossier lips will take years off instead of putting them on. 

High Heels Don’t Help

While there are plenty of ways to use fashion to your advantage, wearing high heels isn’t one of them. 

Although there isn’t much research on whether high heels can damage your feet and back, they can temporarily hurt your feet. If you’re trying to look older but end up walking awkwardly due to foot pain, it may make you seem younger and more inexperienced instead. 

Fashion Tip #1 – Look For Subdued Colors

You’ll want to stick with more subdued colors if you’re trying to dress older. Think greys, tans, whites, and light pinks. These colors are less intense and tend to be closer to a neutral color palette. Black is also a great color choice, no matter your age.

Fashion Tip #2 – The Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts are classic, sexy, and your best friend when using fashion to look older. You can dress them up for a work event or wear them to get drinks with your friends. You can even go a little wild with a leather pencil skirt. Pencil skirts necessitate a little styling oomf, and you’ll look much more put together when you’re forced to accessorize.

How You Wear Your Hair Matters

It’s not just about the clothes you wear and what you put on your face. Your hair can also make a difference. 

If you’re trying to look older, especially if you have an event or an occasion, wearing your hair in an updo can help. Not only does it add a few years, but it can make you look more professional. Many people who have a baby face have trouble being taken seriously. This is especially true in their careers. 

A simple updo, like a classy bun or a sleek ponytail, can make a world of difference. Try out different styles, and don’t be scared to experiment until you find the right one. Having your hair cut in a style that helps you reach your goals can help, too. Ask your hairstylist for their advice. 

Ways To Support Your Skin, No Matter Your Age

The beauty of skincare is that it is adaptive. Your skincare routine can grow and change with you, and every stage of your life comes with specific skincare challenges. Acne, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dark under-eye circles — each of these concerns requires a different treatment. Adjusting how you manage your skin’s appearance is part of keeping it healthy and looking its best throughout your life. 

One thing that doesn’t have to change is our Miami MD Total Beauty Matrix skincare supplement. Each bottle has optimized dosages of key ingredients to help keep your skin looking strong and radiant, and it can help your hair, too!

Each capsule contains hydrolyzed collagen peptides, saw palmetto, lysine, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), biotin, and our proprietary mineral complex. They target visible signs of aging and can aid in healthy aging before those visible signs begin to appear. Just take two capsules every morning with a full glass of water. 

Creating a customized skincare routine that works with your skin is essential. Moisturizer and SPF are two of the most critical aspects of skincare, regardless of age or current skin concerns. Moisturizer helps maintain your all-important moisture barrier, which keeps your skin hydrated and protected. Meanwhile, SPF helps protect your skin from the UV radiation from the sun, which is one of the main components of premature aging and skin cancer.

In Summary

Learning how to look older gracefully can help if you struggle with people taking you seriously. Although it may seem like a blessing to be told you look younger, it can negatively impact how you’re treated and how you see yourself. 

Miami MD skincare products cater to people who want to age gracefully, and part of that process is supporting younger skin. Getting ahead of the aging process is never a bad idea, even if you’ve been blessed with a baby face. Aging is a beautiful process, and skincare can help ensure that you look as good as you feel.

Sources:

Face washing 101 | American Academy of Dermatology Association (aad.org)

Are High Heels Bad for Your Feet? | University of Utah Health

Vitamin C and Skin Health | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University 

Cosmetics Alpha Hydroxy Acids | FDA