Is your make up adding years?

1 Ditch the powder blush
As skin tone dulls with age, adding a youthful flush will take years off. Choose a cream formula which gives a fresh bloom to cheeks without a hint of flatness. No 7 Blush Tint Cream Blush comes in three natural shades and is suitable for sensitive skin.

2 Switch fr om liquid
eyeliner The sharp line is too severe, and do hold off on the black. Greys and aubergine shades work well, and you can't go wrong with the universally flattering dark brown. A pencil or dark eye shadow are much more forgiving than a liquid line and easier to apply. If you're wedded to a stronger line, try a gel formula such as Bobbi Brown's Longwear gel eyeliner – it's budgetproof.

3 Brighten up your lips Dark shades make lips look smaller so try a brighter colour– you'll be surprised the lift it gives.

If you're wary of overkill go for a sheer texture. Leave matte formulas for the young, but a touch of gloss adds a modern touch.

4 Fill in Brow s Wispy faded brows are a no no, so keep them shaped and filled in with a neutral taupe shade – it suits most colourings and is not too harsh.

5 Highlig ht Banish dark pockets at inner corners of eyes and under-eye dark shadows with a brightening pen. They're also great for deflecting light from nose to mouth lines.