{"id":17735,"date":"2025-05-19T12:59:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T16:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journee-mondiale.com\/en\/my-70-year-makeup-habit-was-adding-years-to-my-face-the-aging-technique-i-finally-stopped\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:59:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T16:59:49","slug":"my-70-year-makeup-habit-was-adding-years-to-my-face-the-aging-technique-i-finally-stopped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journee-mondiale.com\/en\/my-70-year-makeup-habit-was-adding-years-to-my-face-the-aging-technique-i-finally-stopped\/","title":{"rendered":"My 70-year makeup habit was adding years to my face (the aging technique I finally stopped)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I never thought my makeup routine could betray me after all these years. Like many women embracing their 70s this spring, I’ve been reflecting on my beauty journey while sorting through old photos with my grandchildren. The revelation hit me like a summer storm \u2013 that sculpted look I’d perfected and proudly worn for a decade had actually been aging me prematurely.<\/p>\n

How contouring became my daily mask<\/h2>\n

Back in 2015, when contouring exploded into mainstream beauty culture, I embraced it wholeheartedly. Every morning, I’d meticulously shade the hollows of my cheeks, jawline, and temples. The technique became my facial armor<\/strong> \u2013 giving me confidence through defined features and a seemingly slimmer face.<\/p>\n

“Many women developed an emotional dependency on contouring during the 2010s social media boom,” explains Dr. Lisa Donofrio, dermatologist and facial volume specialist. “The problem is that what works on camera at 40 can actually emphasize volume loss at 70.”<\/p>\n

The moment I realized my makeup was aging me<\/h2>\n

It wasn’t until my 70th birthday celebration this April that reality struck. Looking at recent photos beside ones from my 60s, I noticed my once-plump cheeks appeared increasingly hollow and gaunt \u2013 not from aging alone, but from a decade of training my eye<\/strong> to see shadows where fullness should be.<\/p>\n

This realization parallels what many women discover about their skincare routines. Just as using the same moisturizer for years can accelerate aging<\/a>, static makeup techniques fail to adapt to our changing faces.<\/p>\n

What experts say about long-term contouring<\/h2>\n

“The secret to a youthful complexion is not just about covering up, but enhancing natural features without looking overdone,” says makeup artist Natalie Jobe. “Contouring should evolve as your face does.”<\/p>\n

Charlotte Tilbury, legendary makeup artist, notes: “The right contouring can create the illusion of lifted features, but it’s crucial to blend well and avoid harsh lines \u2013 especially as skin matures.”<\/p>\n

“Think of contouring like carving a sculpture \u2013 the novice creates deep cuts while the master makes subtle impressions that catch natural light.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How aging changes your contouring needs<\/h2>\n

As we age, our faces naturally lose volume and elasticity<\/strong>. What worked in our 50s and 60s needs adjustment in our 70s. Consider these shifts:<\/p>\n