Celebrity Makeup Mistakes: Experts Reveal Common Midlife Blunders
As we naturally age, maintaining a youthful appearance becomes increasingly challenging, making a carefully crafted makeup routine more essential than ever. However, experts warn that overdoing powder and highlight can create a faded, washed-out look, while incorrect eyeliner or eyebrow application can leave one appearing dated and tired.
Despite access to top makeup artists, numerous celebrities have fallen victim to such errors. Notable examples include Claudia Winkleman, renowned for her dark eyeliner, alongside television stars Stacey Solomon and Holly Willoughby.
Expert Insights on Modern Makeup
Fortunately, beauty expert William Grande and makeup specialist Carly Cochrane from Cosmetify are on hand to share the ultimate makeup mistakes to avoid and, crucially, how to correct them.
"There's a certain kind of makeup look we've all seen technically done but somehow stuck in another era," William told The Daily Mail. "Makeup should move with your face, your style, and your age. When it doesn't, that's when things start to feel dated rather than polished."
Read on to discover which midlife makeup errors to steer clear of and the A-listers who might benefit from tweaking their beauty rituals.
Using Heavy Eyeliner
Heavy eyeliner is a common mistake often seen on celebrity red carpets, risking eyes looking smaller and more dated, according to William. Carly warns that thick eyeliner on the lower lash line can appear dark and overly harsh, potentially emphasising tiredness.
While William acknowledges that Claudia Winkleman's signature eye look is integral to her public persona, he fears it may feel a little dated. "The very dark smoky eye paired with a nude lip is a very 2016-era style rather than a fresher, more balanced modern finish," he added.
Similarly, he suggests Ruth Langsford should reconsider black waterline and liner as it can close off the eyes slightly. "Switching to softer tones or a more diffused liner would be much more flattering," he advised.
For those who enjoy eyeliner, both experts emphasise it doesn't need to be avoided altogether. Instead, focus on softening the look and smoking it out. "Keep it thinner, or focus on lifting the outer corner instead of closing the whole eye. Work out what eyeliner works best for your eye shape," William added.
Neglecting the Neck and Chest Areas
A significant error in midlife makeup is having a flawless face with a completely different coloured neck, according to William. Carly noted that most people focus on the face and often neglect the neck and chest, which can disrupt a natural, cohesive appearance.
"Applying foundation only to the face can create a stark contrast and disrupt an otherwise seamless look, especially in natural light," she explained. "It's important to blend foundation along the jawline and slightly onto the neck so it transitions smoothly without harsh lines."
To resolve this, Carly recommends using whatever is left on your brush or sponge rather than applying a full new layer of foundation to the neck and chest. "This allows for a softer, more diffused look and helps avoid creasing where the skin naturally folds," she said.
Opting for a Darker Lip Liner
While defined lip liner can feel reminiscent of the early 2000s, it risks looking washed out quickly if the shade doesn't match your skin tone. William explains that Scottish personality Lorraine Kelly, who often favours a darker lip, could benefit from refining the finish for a more modern and seamless look.
"Lip liner can enhance the shape and definition of the lips, but overly sharp lines can feel dated and make you look older unintentionally," he noted. Carly added, "Instead, blend the liner into your lipstick and choose a shade close to your natural lip colour or the lipstick you're wearing. This creates a softer, more effortless finish."
Over Powdering and Over-Highlighting
Excessive powder and highlight, once all the rage in 2016, can instantly dull the skin's natural radiance, according to Carly. She explained that too much powder is easy to apply, while overdoing highlight can leave you looking sweaty or overly shiny rather than naturally radiant.
A celebrity who has mastered this balance is Amanda Holden. William praised her makeup as consistently strong and well executed, achieving full coverage while maintaining a radiant, luminous finish.
To avoid overdoing it, William suggests powdering in small layers, not aggressively, and focusing on the T-zone with a powder puff. For a glowing look, focus on the tops of the cheekbones and a touch on the nose. "Skin should look lit from within, not reflective from space!" he quipped.
Not Changing Makeup Products as You Get Older
While it's tempting to stick with familiar products, our skin changes with age, necessitating an evolution in makeup routines to maintain a youthful glow. Carly emphasised that not switching up your routine can make your look appear duller, drier, and emphasise fine lines.
"As we age, our skin loses elasticity, so it's important to switch to more hydrating, creamy formulas to maintain a youthful glow," she advised. "I recommend re-evaluating your makeup every few years to ensure it still works for your skin."
William noted that social media personality Sue Radford could benefit from adjusting her makeup look slightly, as it appears flat and lacks warmth or dimension. He also suggested moving with the times as brands often reformulate products to be better.
Relying on 'No Makeup Makeup' Instead of New Looks
The growing trend of 'no makeup makeup' can backfire, according to William, while Carly warned it can create a lacklustre look, especially in photographs. William explained that Holly Willoughby serves as a perfect example of the natural makeup look but suggested introducing slightly more blush or bronzer to add dimension and warmth.
Instead of fully embracing this trend, both experts recommend incorporating a touch of structure, brows, lashes, and a hint of blush to enhance features rather than erase them. "Small enhancements, such as bronzer, blush or defined brows, can make a noticeable difference and add structure and brightness to the face," Carly explained.
Overemphasising Your Eyebrows
William warned that overly dark and blocky brows can overpower the face and look harsh, with Carly noting they can draw attention away from other features. He pointed out that television personality Ferne Cotton illustrates the importance of correct brow placement for facial balance.
Stacey Solomon, approaching midlife at 36, could benefit from softening the eye area slightly to keep everything looking lifted and effortless. To avoid this mistake, Carly emphasised choosing a shade slightly lighter than your natural brow colour and using light hair strokes for a natural finish.
Incorrectly Matching Your Shade
Failing to correctly match foundation to your skin tone is the biggest giveaway, according to William. He noted that a foundation that's too orange, pink, or sits on top of the skin will instantly age the entire look. Carly added that it's easy to overlook changes in skin tone over time, disrupting an otherwise refined appearance.
One celebrity who gets this right is Paris Fury, approaching midlife at 36. William praised her radiant complexion, soft glow, and well-chosen nude-pink lip combination. To fix this issue, he suggests matching foundation to your neck or chest rather than your face and checking in natural light. "Your foundation should disappear, not announce itself," he concluded.
