9 easy ways to look 5 years younger fast!

Less is more

Keep eye makeup clean and simple. Use a cream concealer on the inner corner of your eyes to instantly brighten your entire face and make you look well rested. Instead of relying on dark eyeshadow or eyeliner to define your eyes, let your lashes be the focal point. 

Maybelline New York Total Temptation Mascara, $12, walmart.ca.

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Get your glow on

Youthful skin is luminous. The quickest way to fake that glow is with high-lighting. Stick to cream or other highly emollient formulas for the most natural effect.

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, $68, bobbibrowncosmetics.ca.

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Pulled back

Wearing your hair down or pulled back into a low bun won’t make you look more youthful. Instead, try a taut ponytail, says Bridget Brager, celebrity hairstylist for Herbal Essences. It pulls the cheekbones up visually, making the face seem more lifted.

Goody Ouchless Clear Latex Elastics, $5/pkg of 52, walmart.ca.

Sweat sesh

Health Canada recommends adults get at least 2½ hours of physical activity per week,  benefiting your body, mind and face. Cardio boosts circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells. Plus, sweating opens pores and helps loosen dirt.

Invisibobble Multiband,
$11, beautyboutique.ca. 

Blush up

“As we enter our 40s, we begin to see volume loss in the cheeks and chin, brought on by a decrease in facial fat, ” says Toronto-based plastic surgeon and SpaMedica founder Dr. Stephen Mulholland. If dermal fillers are off the table, try blush to create the illusion of fullness. 

Stila Convertible Color, $33, beautyboutique.ca.

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Brows that wow

Just like a new hairstyle can trim away the years, a well-groomed set of arches can give a youthful look. If you’ve plucked away most of your brows, or if you’re starting to see natural thinning with age, consider using a brow pencil or a brow gel. Another option is tinting.

Benefit Brow Contour Pro, $42,
benefitcosmetics.com.

White now

Pearly whites can take a few years off your appearance. Try Crest’s newest at-home system: Strips are used in conjunction with a blue light so you can DIY with professional results.  

Crest 3D White Whitestrips
With Light, $120, walmart.ca.

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Peace out, powder

Nothing can make you appear older faster than makeup that has settled into every line and wrinkle. If you have dry skin, skip powder altogether; if you have oily skin, proceed with caution and use it sparingly. Feel naked without a dusting? Opt for a light-diffusing translucent powder, rather than a matte, opaque version. 

Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder, $41, sephora.ca.

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Prime time

Skin gets thinner and drier with age, so lines and wrinkles become more prominent. Applying primer before makeup helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores by filling them in with a light-reflecting primer.

Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base, $58, chanel.ca.

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