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The 5 biggest makeup mistakes women over 50 make — and how to fix them!

As your skin changes with age and factors like menopause cause dryness, makeup techniques that once worked like a charm may no longer be doing the trick.
/ Source: TODAY

As your skin changes with age and factors like menopause cause dryness, makeup techniques that once worked like a charm may no longer be doing the trick. But have no fear! We asked Lancôme Beauty at Every Age Expert Sandy Linter, who has been the personal makeup artist for such age-defying famous faces like Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs, for advice on putting your best face forward in any season of your life.

1. Being loyal to products

It’s not unusual for a woman to have used the same lipstick, foundation or mascara for eons. But Linter says that refusing to venture out of your comfort zone to try new products and colors can make you look dated. You may also be missing out on increasingly better technology and ingredients that make many of today’s formulations easier to use and more beautiful than ever before.

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“Keep up with the times and check out new products — it’s so easy now that all the info is online!” says Linter. Instagram, YouTube and websites like Today.com contain multitudes of tips and product recommendations.

If you prefer shopping in stores, try browsing the trend displays at stores like Sephora and Ulta, where you can sample and play with new launches. And if you feel intimidated, you can always try a department store makeup counter consultation and ask to be shown the latest launches. (Before sitting down for a consultation, we recommend asking if there is a minimal purchase amount for a makeover!)

RELATED: The 3 biggest makeup mistakes women make in their 20s — and how to fix them!

2. Using powder blush

One of beauty’s most old school standards that is still going strong is the classic powder blush – but the dry finish can accentuate signs of aging on mature skin that is already dehydrated. Powder blush also tends to visibly sit on top of skin, instead of melting into it, so it looks like you’re wearing blush instead of naturally blushing.

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Switch to a cream product. Look for one that has a transparent (not metallic) sheen for your cheeks to recapture a youthful glow by allowing some skin to peek through the warmth. Using either your fingers, a brush or a stick swirl-up product, tap dots onto the apples of cheeks while smiling and blend outwards. Try Wander Beauty On-The-Glow Blush And Illuminator, which pairs a natural flushing shade with a sheer highlighter that’s ideal for adding luminosity to the top of cheekbones and brow bone.

3. Setting your whole face

While powder can be a quick, easy way to apply coverage, it’s not necessary to use it all over your face. Doing so will create an aging, inauthentic finish, says Linter.

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Powder is useful in certain areas where you may want coverage, like the center of the face. So apply it there, but keep other areas free of powder. And be sure to let one area shine through that actually gets better with age. “As women get older, their amazing cheekbones start to show,” says Linter. Never apply powder to the top of cheekbones, instead allowing them to glow with a radiant, creamier finish to take advantage of this bonus.

4. Playing it too safe

As we age, blood circulation in the face naturally slows, which draws that natural flush of color out of our cheeks and lips. If you opt to keep your face too neutral by choosing all nude colors, your skin can risk looking drawn out and sick.

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Whether it’s your cheeks or lips, Linter recommends adding a sheer, radiant pop of color somewhere. That doesn’t necessarily mean picking up that fuchsia lipstick; instead opt for natural-looking pinks, peaches, berries and other balmy shades that mimic the flush that appears after an invigorating sprint around the block.