Erica Taylor Reveals the Makeup Mistakes That Are Aging You—and a Viral Dollar Tree Beauty Buy

At this stage of life, odds are you’ve got your makeup routine down pat. But what if we told you that the undereye concealer shade you’ve been using for years—or the blush trick that worked in your teens—could actually be aging you in midlife? We spoke to Erica Taylor, renowned makeup artist, beauty educator, digital creator and author, to break down the surprising makeup mistakes that could subtly be making you appear older than your years. We’re revealing what to do instead, plus affordable makeup products (including a Dollar Tree find) that help you look and feel your best. The best part? These anti-aging hacks take 60 seconds or less!

5 surprising makeup mistakes that are aging you 

Here are five common makeup mistakes Taylor sees in midlife and her easy fixes:

Using concealer that’s too light 

Wearing a concealer that’s a shade too light for your complexion (a trend popular in the mid-2010s) can bring more attention to under-eye texture, leaving the area looking tired rather than brighter, explains Taylor. 

Quick fix: “Instead, choose a shade that works with your skin tone and use less product,” says Taylor. “I also recommend using a hydrating formula and properly prepping the under-eye area first. I love a good eye balm, because hydrated skin gives concealer a much smoother, fresher finish.”

Wearing foundation that’s too matte or light 

“For years, we were taught to go lighter with foundation and then add color back with blush and bronzer,” says Taylor. “That approach is dated.” An overly matte or too-light foundation can make your face look flat and bring attention to dryness and texture, which are more common problems as we age. 

Quick fix: “Rule of thumb: If you feel like you have to immediately run for your blush or bronzer after applying your foundation, your foundation may be too light,” explains Taylor. “Your foundation should match your skin properly, and sometimes going just a touch deeper can make the complexion look healthier and more awake.”

Using black eyeliner on your waterline

We’ve all done it. But black eyeliner in the waterline can highlight redness in the eyes (often triggered by dry eye that flares up in midlife) and make the eyes look smaller, says Taylor. 

Quick fix: “Instead, try a softer bronze or brown liner, and smudge it along the outer portion of the eye,” recommends Taylor. “It gives you definition while helping the eyes look larger, softer and more rested.”

Wearing your blush or bronzer too low 

“Placement makes a huge difference, especially as we age,” explains Taylor. “When blush and bronzer are applied too low on the face, they can visually pull the face downward.”

Quick fix: Taylor provides an analogy for blush and bronzer. “Think about rerouting traffic upward,” she says. “Apply your blush and bronzer slightly higher to create a more lifted, youthful effect.”

‘Baking’ under the eyes

“Heavy baking [applying a thick layer of powder to ‘set’ makeup before brushing it off] is not my favorite technique for mature skin, especially underneath the eyes,” adds Taylor. “If you have any texture or fine lines, powder can settle into them and make them much more noticeable.”

Quick fix: Taylor recommends applying a very light “dusting” of powder just to the areas where you need it and skipping a heavily powdered under-eye. “I also love finishing with a hydrating setting spray to help the makeup melt into the skin and bring back a fresh, more natural-looking finish,” she adds. 

3 instant makeup hacks for more youthful skin

For healthy, radiant skin in a flash, try these quick tricks:

Gently exfoliate first

“Beautiful makeup starts with good skin prep,” says Taylor. “Gentle exfoliation can help remove surface buildup and create a smoother canvas for makeup.” Just avoid over-exfoliating, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin, she adds. 

Hydrate your skin before makeup 

“I love hydrating primers, eye balms, serums and creams instead of overly matte or heavy blurring primers,” explains Taylor. She adds that when your skin is hydrated, makeup has a smoother, fresher and more natural look. 

Restore moisture with the right products 

“I always say that the right skin prep is 70 percent of the battle for a beautiful makeup application,” adds Taylor. “Look for hydrating and plumping products that help your skin look smooth and moisturized before you even pick up a foundation brush. When the skin is properly prepped, you can often use less makeup—and less makeup can look much more youthful on mature skin.”

4 affordable makeup picks Taylor recommends for mature skin

Now you know the makeup mistakes that could be impacting your look and the simple hacks that can help, but what products should you pick up? Here are a few of Taylor’s top picks:

• Global Beauty Care Hydrating Double Face Serum ($1.25) “This is one of my favorite budget finds,” says Taylor. “I discovered the Global Beauty Care Double Serum at Dollar Tree, and it has gone viral with my community. It’s become a favorite because of how affordable it is and how beautifully it works as part of a skin-prep routine.”
• L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Bounce Serum ($12.79) “A very affordable option for makeup prep,” adds Taylor. “I love products that help hydrate and plump the skin before makeup, and this is a great drugstore find.”
• L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush ($14.99) “A beautiful, affordable way to add that healthy, fresh-looking flush to the complexion,” says Taylor.
• Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer ($13.99) “Cream bronzer is a great choice for mature skin because it can give the complexion warmth without looking dry or powdery,” explains Taylor.

The bottom line on correcting common makeup mistakes 

Aging does not mean giving up the things you love. You can still wear the bold blush that brings warmth to your cheeks or the eyeliner that makes your eyes pop, but the way you use those products may change. And now you know exactly what to do.

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