This one’s for you, Sara — I’m sorry it took me so long!

I did actual theatre-style age makeup for a recent drama production, but that’s not what we’re aiming for today. Rather, we’re trying to go from wow-I’m-twenty-but-look-twelve to I-actually-look-my-age! Surprisingly, it’s harder to age yourself five years than it is to age yourself fifty.

So, here are the tips! They’re not going to make an actual twelve-year-old look old enough not to be carded (because that’s just weird and creepy,) but they will hopefully help those of us that look substantially younger than we are to look our ages. But remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to makeup. Whatever works, works!

Wear mascara

Alright, so this comes with a rule — don’t let it clump. Pick up some mascara spoolies the next time you’re at Sephora, or buy a lash comb, and make sure to comb out those clumps! (90% of the reasoning behind this rule is simply that I hate clumps. The other 10% is because there’s no point in wearing mascara if you’re just going to look like a little girl who got into mother’s makeup bag.)

For whatever reason, mascara and lipstick are those “coming of age” markers that are for whatever reason recognized by Western socity. Think about it: of all the women you ran into today, how many of them were wearing mascara?

Banish “baby face”

Here’s where contouring comes into place, weather you’re doing it with bronzer or blush. Honestly, I think that contouring is one of those things that should be done subtly on a daily basis — once you get the hang of it, it literally just takes seconds, and it makes an incredible difference in how polished you look. (The first time I contoured for my sister, she remarked that she had cheekbones — “wow, Rae!” — and that she looked her age, but also that it was subtle.)

Flaunt (or fake) great skin

Once you hit your twenties, skin tends to clear up — so your base is a very important starting point. (Hey, I pressure everyone to star with a great base, no matter how old or young, or even the look they’re going for!)

Try a luminzing, oil-absorbing primer, then (to keep your skin looking natural, and to let it breathe!) wear a light powder or tinted moisturiser, spot concealing only where you need to, rather than a full-coverae foundation. We still want to see you and your skin! Set with a touch of finishing powder and you’re good to go.

Remember High School, and avoid it like the plague.

There are three things that just scream “under twenty” to me (but feel free to disagree!) They are, from the most-to-least-offensive, the overbronzed/orange face, the eyeliner overload, and the overglossed lip.

You better have noticed the commonality in that: over. Everything in moderation; the #1 rule is not to look like you’re trying too hard! Clean up those black raccoon eyes, embrace your natural skintone, and stop going through seven tubes of gloss each month. Try a finer-tipped liner that doesn’t smudge, and switch that gloss for a stick-gloss, a moisturising lipstick, or even just a lighter coat of the same gloss you’ve been using all along! (“Stained,” like I’ve done with this gloss.)

It’s a healthy move to make. I promise.

So: helpful? Not helpful? Feel free to add to or provide rebuttal for these tips in the comments!