Grandma Tries 7 Makeup Tips to Look Younger. Here's the Result.

You can find a lot of makeup tips to look younger online. To see if they really work, I asked my grandma whom we call nanay (a Filipino term for mother) to be my model for the day so we can test seven age-defying makeup tips.


Nanay is turning 80 in July. She loves telling us stories about her younger days, about surviving World War 2, her love story with my grandfather, and how she raised her four children. She would also tell me how fair her skin was back in the day and how she would use Revlon Love Pat pressed powder in the 1950s to 60s to look radiant and fresh.  

She was hesitant to model for me, because she wasn't feeling confident about her hyperpigmentation spots and wrinkles. But I assured her that we will not emphasize these marks and highlight her best features instead. I trust that the makeup tips to look younger from various sources online will actually work!

Tip 1: Moisturize (Allure).

Mature skin tends to be dry. When we apply makeup (especially powder) on dry skin, it emphasizes the lines on the face. To prevent this from happening, we need to slather on some moisturizer. I used a lightweight serum with Vitamin C since it was hot and humid that day.

To enhance the absorption of moisturizer, I lightly swept an alcohol-free, brightening toner over nanay's freshly cleansed face.

Products used: Lightful C Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion, Goodal Green Tangerine Moist Serum

Tip 2: Less-is-more when it comes to foundation (Elle).

Following Elle's tip, I used only one layer of medium coverage foundation and focused on parts where pigmentation and veins are visible. I also applied a primer underneath to smooth out the skin's surface.

Good Housekeeping recommends using a foundation with a warmer tone instead of wearing one that exactly matches your skin tone as the latter can make you look pale.

I also used a foundation with a dewy finish, as matte and satin finishes make dry skin appear even more parched and older.

For the hyperpigmentation spots, instead of layering on foundation, I used a brightening liquid concealer to cover them up. I also applied dots of concealer under her eyes.

Product used: L'Oreal Infallible 24H Stay Fresh Foundation in Golden Beige, Banila Co Hydrating Primer, Happy Skin brightening concealer

Tip 3: Fill in your brows, but don't create a bushy brows. (Total Beauty).

We want to lift the brows and make them appear fuller, but we don't want them to look bushy as this will not look right when you already have droopy eyes. We also need to avoid severe arches or arches that are too high. 

Nanay's brows are naturally arched, so I just followed their natural shape.

Product used: The Face Shop Designing Eyebrow Pencil in Brown

Tip 4: Don't be afraid of color (Reader's Digest).

Reader's Digest says neutral and brown colors can make mature skin look dull. They recommend adding a bit of color to look healthier and younger.

I combined golden and peach tones to add a bit of color without looking tacky.

Nanay has heavy, droopy lids. To open up her eyes, we added depth to the lids by applying a light brown eyeshadow into the crease and a highlighter shade on the inner corners of the eyes. This suggestion came from Prevention.

I also lined her lower lashline with a nude eyeliner.

Products used: Covergirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette, Etude House Juice Bar Palette, Etude House Super Slim Proof Pencil Liner #03 Skin Beige

Tip 5: Use a peach blush (Beautyeditor).

Peach is a happy, flattering blush color on mature skin. I have to avoid shimmery highlighters because these may draw attention to the lines on the face. I also avoided a matte powder blush as this looks dry. 

We want to get that dewy look, so I chose a baked peach blush that gives the cheeks a dewy glow. If you can't find a baked blush, cream blushes are also a good blush formula for mature skin. The goal is always to get a fresh, dewy look.

Product used: Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Tip 6: Use a pink gloss (InStyle).

InStyle says matte and dark lipsticks draw attention to thin lips. To plump it up, they recommend using a pink gloss. Nude lip liners will help prevent bleeding and define lip lines. I picked a peachy-pink gloss that's great for day wear. We also applied an argan-oil based lip balm underneath.

Product used: Laneige Intense Lip Gel, Andalou Naturals Argan + Mint Lip Remedy

                                                                 

Tip 7: Let go of powder (Instyle).

Powder makes the skin look dry because it absorbs oil on the face. To maintain a dewy look, we skipped the powder.

Natural outdoor light.

I think all of these makeup tips to look younger will work, not just for grandma, but also for women in their 20s and up who want to look more vibrant and youthful.

Did nanay look younger? What do you think?