Beauty: Beat beauty bungles and look younger

We can't seem to get away from the constant stream of new beauty products out there that promise this, that and the other, yet we hear very little about what we shouldn't be doing in terms of beauty. We've put together a list of beauty no-nos to save you from investing pointless time and money into beauty steps that make you look older. Stay looking youthful and beautiful by avoiding these mistakes

BLUSHER ON THE APPLES OF YOUR CHEEKS

We all love a subtle flush of just-pinched pink on our cheeks to keep us looking fresh, but don't apply it to the apples of your cheeks. As we age, the skin on our cheeks tends to sag - and what quicker way to make you look older than to highlight this? Instead, focus on your cheekbones. Sweep blusher up towards your temples to create the illusion of a thinner face and more defined cheekbones.

TANNING BEDS AND SUNBATHING

Yes, you look great with that gleaming tan and yes, it sure does make your teeth look whiter - but is it really worth the risk of skin cancer and ageing skin? We all know the risks associated with sunbeds and sunbathing, but it really is a huge beauty blunder to avoid if you'd like to stay looking youthful. Even if you're only venturing into the garden to hang your washing out, make sure you apply sunblock. If you're going for the bronzed goddess look, get it out of a bottle.

LOOSE POWDER

Powder is great for setting makeup, adding light coverage and helping with oily skin. The problem is though, the dusty quality of loose powder dries out your skin and highlights any fine lines, a recipe for making you look instantly older. Opt for pressed powder instead; this will still blot away oil and provide light coverage, but you're less likely to apply too much.

DARK LIPSTICKS

Don't channel your inner goth if you want to look younger. As we age, our lips tend to lose some of that youthful plumpness that we used to brighten with a pop of colour when we were younger. Dark colours accentuate thinner lips and can add years to how old you look. Opt for flattering hues such as pretty pinks and muted berry colours instead.

NEGLECTING YOUR BROWS

If your brows are sparse, giving them a little TLC can take years off your age. Use a brow pencil, no more than one shade darker than your natural brow colour, to gently fill in any gaps. If you'd prefer a softer look, use a powder and an angled brush. This is a fail-proof way to take years off your age.

LONG, LIFELESS HAIR

If your skin looks like it's heading south, a long hairstyle will only accentuate this, particularly if your hair is limp and lifeless. Opt for an angled style that creates shape and volume around your face - layers are an excellent way to achieve this look. We aren't suggesting that you start chopping your hair into a bob if you'd like to keep it long, but make sure you add definition around the face with some layers if you are keeping it long.

STRESS

We all know prolonged periods of stress are bad for our looks, but rarely do we take this on board and do anything about it. Stress prevention is the golden rule for a youthful you, and while it's good to feel stress under certain situations where you need to take action, too much can seriously age you. What better excuse to treat yourself to a massage.

SKIPPING THE PRIMER

If you thought primer was only used for those odd DIY jobs around the house, think again. Primer works miracles with older skin, as it helps to smooth out any lines you have on your face. It also provides a good surface for makeup application. This means your makeup will have something to hold on to and so, by the end of the day, you won't look as smudged and abstract as a Picasso work.

LACKING MOISTURE

Nothing screams "older lady" like dry, lacklustre skin. Invest in a good moisturiser that is suited to your skin type and use it as part of your morning and evening skincare routine to keep skin from looking dry and wrinkly. Healthy, hydrated skin is the most important step to keeping you looking beautiful, youthful and fresh as a daisy.

GLITZY EYE MAKEUP

Once a woman gets to a certain age, glitzy eye makeup becomes a no-no. Anything too glam and shimmery around your eyes will draw attention to those laugh lines and powdered shadows will sit within your crinkles. If you've managed to reach your 40th birthday (we hope you partied like a wild thing) you might also find your eyelids have become slacker. Plain, light, matte shadows will help create a less droopy look and make your eyes look larger and more youthful.

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