I’m a makeup artist in my 50s -the eyeliner mistake which is instantly ageing you…& how to look 10 years younger

INSTAGRAM is buzzing with makeup hacks that promise to turn back the ageing clock.

It’s awash with tutorials and tips on how to keep eyes looking youthful with the eyeliner trick and there’s pointers on how to use blush to conceal annoying wrinkles.

But new research by Vitabiotics Perfectil, reveals that we actually prefer word of mouth when it comes to beauty advice and 21 per cent seek it from beauty professionals themselves.

So who better to give tips than a pro with 30 years experience?

Midlife makeup artist and influencer Kate Hughes knows first hand the skin woes which women face when they reach a certain age.

“I understand the frustration when your appearance doesn’t match how you feel inside,” says Kate, 54. “Entering my 50s, I felt a little invisible. My skin became a lot more dryer and lost some of its radiance. Menopause played a role too.

“Incorrect techniques, colours and some textures can be a game-changer as we get a little older. However, with a few straightforward hacks, you can restore that youthful glow and luminosity.”

Here, Kate reveals some quick and extremely easy secrets to have a more fresh and updated look.

Oh so natural eyebrows

To give your face a natural lift, focus on the eyebrows. 

I use a pencil, which is soft but sharpened, to give my brows a long tail and make sure you use a brush to brush the hair upwards. 

Beauty fans must avoid drawing straight across and dropping the eyebrow down as this will give a more tired look. 

The NYX Thick it Stick it eyebrow mascara, which costs £11 from Superdrug is also great for this.

Soft shadow for eyes  

Give your eyes a flick with some eyeliner to create an instant, more youthful face.

Use a slanted eyeshadow brush, and a chestnut brown eye shadow – rather than black – as this is softer on mature skin. 

Make sure you start where the hairs start and draw your line really close to the lash and then flick it up at the end. This will give it some lift. 

Don’t start in the corner and draw it right the way along because that will make the eye droop downwards. 

This technique can also be done with a eyeliner pencil too. I recommend using the Rimmel ScandalEyes which currently costs £2.24 from LOOKFANTASTIC.

Bronzer and blush 

Achieve a fresh glow by making sure you use your bronzer and blush together.

You want to put your bronzer nice and high on the cheekbones and use what’s left on your brush over the rest of your face.

Then apply your blush on the cheek bone over the the top for that added fresh flush.

Applying blusher and bronzer too low below the cheek will pull the face down and that can encourage a more tired look – we want a nice lifted look.

Opt for a product with a subtle sheen to add radiance, but be cautious not to use too much, as you want to avoid accentuating fine lines or wrinkles. I like to use the Maybelline City Bronzer, which costs £8.99 from Boots.

Lips lifter

For a fuller, fresher appearance, focus on your lips and where you add the liner to them.

You want to draw your lip liner very slightly over the lips leaving the inner corners of the lips completely clear.

This is going to lift the lips and not pull down the corners.

Avoid taking the lip liner right into the corners too as that can cause lips to droop. 

Don’t be afraid of a vibrant colour – a bright colour can boost your confidence. I like to use the e.l.f Cream Glide Lip liner, which costs £3 from e.l.f UK.