9 Age-Busting Tricks to Look Younger Right Now

1. Look more alive in 30 seconds

The smallest steps in your routine can make a big difference in how vibrant your face looks – even when you’re not wearing make-up. Case in point: using an eyelash curler to open up your eyes. “Curled lashes can make eyes look more youthful and awake,” says make-up artist Jessie Powers. For long-lasting bend, clamp an eyelash curler (such as Revlon Eyelash Curler), at the base of your lashes, holding for 15 seconds on each eye.

2. Try this dermatologist-recommended regimen

For healthy, glowing skin at any age, start with this dermatologist- recommended regimen: In the morning, in addition to cleansing, use a serum targeted to your complexion, moisturiser if needed, and then SPF 50+. At night, apply a treatment serum followed by a moisturiser. And don’t wait for complexion issues to appear or worsen. Consistent use of skincare products is key, as results are visible over months (and years) of use, scientists have found.

3. Apply SPF to your eye area

Experts agree that wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is the number one way you can help prevent signs of ageing. But the eye area is often missed. “Eyelid and under-eye skin is the thinnest on the body, so sun damage shows up quickly there in the form of dilating and increased blood flow,” says dermatologist Dr David E Bank. “As a result, you can see a dark colour through the transparent skin.” Prevent eye irritation by opting for a sunscreen designed for use around the eyes, such as Natio Daily Defence, SPF 50+ Face Moisturiser.

4. Brighten your hair colour

If you have dark hair and a lighter scalp, the thinning that can come with age may be even more visible. Single-tone dark strands can also cast shadows on your skin, making wrinkles look more pronounced. Give your shade a youthful lift by going two to three shades lighter with permanent colour or adding subtle highlights around your face, recommends colourist Sharon Dorram.

Try: Schwarzkopf Fibre Clinix Shampoo and Conditioner, which is formulated to enhance colour vibrancy.

5. Choose a softer cut

Just as harsh, overdone make-up can make you look older, so can a severe haircut. Forget the idea that you have to go short with age. If you want a compact cut, request that your stylist snip it slightly shaggy so it’s both modern and manageable. Excessive length, on the other hand, can drag your hair down, so consider a choppy long bob that sits just below the collarbone, suggests spa and salon founder Paul Labrecque. “Asymmetrical or less-than-perfect shapes deflect attention away from wrinkles,” he says. Generally, layers around the face and throughout hair make it look more voluminous and soften features. To enhance the shape and movement of your cut, spritz on a texturising spray and then tousle strands.

Try: Klorane Volume And Texture Leave-In Spray

6. Get vitamin C from fruits and vegies

It’s great for immunity, but vitamin C’s antioxidant properties also naturally stimulate the skin’s collagen synthesis, which can help keep your complexion firm and youthful-looking, explains dietitian Stefani Sassos. Aim for daily servings of vitamin C-rich produce, such as red capsicum, strawberries and citrus fruits, to promote skin smoothness.

7. Remove eye-makeup gently

You may be in a rush to take off your face before bed every night, but doing it carefully can improve the look of eye-area skin in the long term. “Constant tugging at the delicate skin around the eyes increases sagging and, as a result, can lead to more wrinkles down the road – the more you can avoid that, the better off you are,” says Paula Begoun, a skincare expert and the founder of Paula’s Choice. “Pulling as little as possible around the eyes can make a big difference over time.” Consider using a mild cleansing oil or balm to remove make-up; the oils in these formulas can help dissolve the pigment with minimal tugging.

We like: Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil and The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter.

8. Moisture, moisturise, moisturise!

As you age, hormone levels drop and skin can get drier. While you may want to reach for a richer foundation, think twice. “Thicker formulas are usually made to provide fuller coverage, which means they’re packed with more pigment,” Powers explains. “And pigment is basically powder,” which can dehydrate skin. To counteract dryness, smooth on a rich face moisturiser or a hydrating primer first to keep skin soft under make- up, helping to prevent it from flaking or settling into lines. (For a dewy finish, dab on foundation with a damp make-up sponge such as EcoTools Perfecting Blender Applicator.

We like: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer and Olay Luminous Whip Face Cream Moisturiser.

9. Make dark circles disappear

“Just when you really need to use a concealer, it can let you down by sinking into lines,” says make-up artist Sandy Linter. Keep concealer from drawing attention to creases by applying it only under the inner halves of your eyes to mask any darkness. Or swap out concealer for a brush-on pen highlighter, which will brighten the area without the heavy pigment of a cover-up.

Our picks: Clinique Airbrush Concealer, David Jones and Sisley Paris Stylo Lumière Radiance Booster Highlighter Pen.