Did I get your attention with that headline?! I thought I might! I’m certainly no beauty expert, and I’m not really much of a product junkie…but I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of extremely talented beauty professionals and glam squads…and therefore have amassed some great tips and products.

I’m no longer a spring chicken (forty-four to be exact, however I prefer to keep the second four silent), and the evidence is staring back at me in the mirror. I am trying my hardest to age gracefully (whatever that means), but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to look my very best. Of course there are the obvious things we can do, like getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, and taking care of our skin, but there’s also a lot to be said for the power of makeup!

I’ve changed my makeup routine and products over the years, to both flatter and adapt to my skin as it ages. And while it’s tempting to stock-up on all the latest and greatest, I’ve learned that less is more, and can do this everyday makeup in less than five-minutes!

My goal isn’t to cover my face, and thereby my wrinkles, because that actually works in the opposite, but rather, to look fresh and luminous.

Favorite White Jeans (30% off! size down one) | Hoop Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Backseat Besties’ (only $7!) | Lipstick in ‘Punch’

Five Makeup Tips to Make You Look Younger

1 // Use cream-based products, not powders

Powders actually add more texture to your already textured (thanks, crows feet!) skin. Prep your face with plenty of moisturizer to plump it up before adding any product.

2 // Use under-eye concealer sparingly & be sure to blend it well

Too much product under the eyes settles into fine lines and acts as a magnifier.

3 // Add life with rosy blush & lipsticks

Remember the flushed face of your youth?! #sigh Matte lipsticks can be aging, so stick with creamy lipsticks and glosses for a plumper look.

4 // Brighten eyes & raise cheekbones with highlighter

Older skin tends to be duller, so this step helps to lift your face and make it glow.

5 // Define your brows & lashes

Well defined brows can help a face of any age look bright and awake.

This last step is by-far my favorite, and a step I’m almost-never skip! Our brows tend to get thinner and more sparse as we age, taking away the focus on the eyes. This is even more evident for us blondes, as our brows also get lighter. It’s like taking a picture out of its frame, and tacking it on the wall by itself.

Here’s my full makeup, but with my natural brows (and crazy-eyes!).

Using Anastasia ‘Brow Whiz’ mechanical pencil in ‘Soft Brown’ (available in a thicker pencil here), I quickly outline my natural brow line, then fill it in to create a darker, more prominent frame. Then using the comb-end of the pencil, I blend any hard edges and lines for a natural look. The whole thing takes less than 30-seconds…the key is not to overthink it! #stepfordwivescalled

For a more step-by-step guide, this video is a great how-to resource.

Sidenote: Did you know Nordstrom’s site is chock-full of amazing, helpful beauty tutorials?! Find the full video library here.

And here’s a side-by-side comparison, with my brows as the only difference in my makeup. Pretty dramatic, right?! Ladies…get yourself a brow pencil!

Before & After Brow Pencil

I can’t give you my best tips without also sharing my favorite accompanying products! This isn’t my full makeup bag, but it’s definitely the heavy-hitters!

Update: Many are on unprecedented sale right now!

one // Nars Blush in ‘Amour’ Everyone knows this brand for the cult-favorite ‘Orgasm’ hue, but when the makeup artist for my Redbook cover shoot used this shade on me #humblebrag, I immediately switched and never looked back. I brush it on the apples of my cheeks for a natural flush.

two // Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color This lipstick wears like a stain, but feels and looks like a creamy balm. It also goes on fairly sheer and becomes more opaque with the number of layers.

three // Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer This is the lightest, creamiest concealer I’ve found, but still has good coverage without looking crepey.

four // Anastasia Highlighting Duo Pencil I use the concealer end to outline my brows for a more defined look, and the creamy highlighter brightens the brow bone, corners of the eye, and even the cheekbones.

five // Bobbi Brown ‘Eye Opening’ Mascara I’ve been a longtime drugstore mascara fan…until finding this formula, and now I can’t stop telling everyone I know about it. In fact, the day I started using it, two friends asked me if I have eyelash extensions! (I don’t!) The fat brush takes a little getting used to, but the formula is light and layers easily. After a single coat on all my lashes, I concentrate the second coat on the outer lashes to really open the eye.

The formula is really wet, so it glides on easily and builds without clumping. It’s also a cinch to wash off! I can’t say enough about this mascara, and I’m already stocking up on more tubes while it’s on sale!

Crepe Shirtdress in ‘Wine’ | Tassel Earrings | Necklace | Mascara | Lipstick

My makeup routine is pretty much the same, regardless of the occasion…the only difference is the shade of lipstick. Which is almost-always a bright shade of pink or red, a trait I picked up from my grandmother.

Chiffon Maxi Dress (40% off!) | Tassel Earrings (similar) | Tanning Towels | Satin Lip Pencil in ‘Yu’ | Texturizing Spray

Eyeshadow Pack (15% off!) | Lipstick in ‘132 Caprice’ (on sale!) | Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Color Binge’ (only $7!) | Similar Dress

Favorite White Jeans (30% off! size down one) | Hoop Earrings | Nail Polish in ‘Backseat Besties’ (only $7!) | Lipstick in ‘Punch’

There’s definitely a pressure to be ageless, especially in this world of perfectly curated social media. But nothing compares with the confidence and contentment that comes with being older, and I wouldn’t trade that for a fuller face. I might, however, cut some bangs to disguise it! 😉

What best tips do you have for looking younger? And which products do you depend on most? You can read my thoughts on turning 40 here and more beauty posts here.

And why yes, I do have this dress in three colors now!

{Shop My Makeup All-Stars (most on sale!)}

*Photos by the darling & talented Mary Summers. This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all opinions, product faves & awkward headshots are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*