While millennials are famously looking younger than ever, there are some telltale makeup application signs that give away their age.
From refusing to part ways with their beloved Naked palettes – not to worry, there is a new and improved one – to ignoring the rules of contouring, here are the major beauty mistakes millennials (age 30 to 45) are making when they undergo their glam routine.
Millennials might have learned to do their makeup after visiting Mac counters or watching YouTube beauty tutorials, but techniques have evolved over the past 20 years.
Now, beauty experts are telling the Daily Mail why it is time to ditch matte makeup, say goodbye to harsh lines and embrace radiant, softer makeup.
Of course, as millennials head into their 40s, it can become more important than ever to choose flattering beauty looks. And while it is not about keeping up with Gen Z, it is about making sure makeup is not aging you accidentally.
Steve Kassajikian, global makeup artist for millennial-favorite brand Urban Decay Cosmetics, told the Daily Mail that go-to millennial techniques that stand out – not in a good way – include bold sculpted eyebrows, harsh cut crease eyeshadow, matte skin, strobing highlighter and full contour. The Kardashians certainly popularized the look during the 2010s, but for some ladies, it still reigns supreme.
Kassajikian, who has worked with celebrities including Bebe Rexha, Tinashe and Chloe Cherry, called the 2016 beauty look a ‘millennial aesthetic leaning into the maximalist era of that time.’
For your next night out, say goodbye to matte lipstick and full on glimmer, and try some of the makeup artist-approved tips laid out below instead.
Matte makeup was all the rage a decade ago, and some millennials like Kim Kardashian, 45, had a hard time parting with their favorite full glam
Kylie Jenner was the queen of 2016 glam, embracing the matte lips with her famed lip kits
Hailey Bieber has become known for her natural beauty look that contrasts the over-done faces of the 2010s
Swap cool toned contour for buildable blush
Makeup artist Grace Harrison said the biggest mistake millennials make is clinging to the good old days and refusing to part ways with their favorite 2016 techniques.
A decade ago, makeup was about cool tone bronzer with no blush at all. Now, blush is all the rage with Gen Z celebrities – including Zillennial Hailey Bieber who embraces sun-kissed, glowy formulas.
Blush may well be a staple, but experts say to avoid powdery products that look unnatural.
For millennials hoping to update their go-to glam (which can easily be done with the same products), Harrison suggested a more refined, softer take that looks fresh and dimensional. To achieve this, she said it is all about ‘liquids over powders,’ recommending Shades by Shan liquid blushes and bronzers for their buildable coverage.
Harrison advised against matte lipstick, matte foundation and powdery highlighter, which are all tell-tale millennial makeup signs.
Stop painting products onto your face and place them carefully instead
While she appreciates a bright concealer, Harrison also called it a millennial makeup faux pas – especially since ‘under eyes can show creasing and imperfections the brighter it gets, almost aging you.’
Of course, it could also simply be the application that is going wrong.
‘I see a lot of painting versus placing products with intention or understanding why they are applying certain products,’ Harrison told the Daily Mail.
This can lead to makeup looks where ‘nothing is blended,’ and there is ‘harsh nose contour or harsh lines in general.’
YouTuber James Charles was another major fan of going glam with all matte products
Kassajikian said the 2016 beauty look is a ‘millennial aesthetic leaning into the maximalist era of that time’
Nicole Richie hosted a mock funeral for the original Naked palette. It was filmed by the brand as an announcement of the discontinuation
Urban Decay’s discontinued Naked palette seen at the mock funeral hosted by Richie and the brand
Look for natural lashes instead of heavy strips
Another staple of the YouTube beauty guru time period when James Charles and King Kylie reigned supreme was full lash extensions, which Harrison joked looked like ‘caterpillars.’
These days, there are plenty of far more natural options, like Lashify, which offers DIY at-home extensions that are easy to apply. To achieve the look of today, our experts recommend choosing shorter options.
Instead of going for professional lash extensions, you can also try the new Yumi Lash Lift, which claims to gives women a curl that last for up to two months. The process is beloved by celebrities including Ashley Graham, and it can help you ditch the curler and extensions for good.
Zoe Kravitz is among the celebrities sporting the eye makeup look dubbed the soft wing
Emma Stone has been seen in barely-there soft wing eye makeup
Trade heavy eyeshadow and eyeliner for a soft wing
Many millennials have not updated their beauty kit in the last 20 years. One staple is the famed Urban Decay Naked Palette. It was so beloved that Nicole Richie hosted a funeral for her palette when the brand announced they were discontinuing it.
Kassajikian said it is easy enough to update the palette without giving up on the beauty staple altogether.
He suggested swapping an old, trusty palette (that could potentially be expired) for the brand’s new and improved Naked3 or Naked Shaped.
Additionally, he said it is no longer about excessive highlight or color all over and up to the brow bone.
‘Applying a soft wash of color in the crease and pressing a shimmer onto the lids with a finger to brighten’ will help you achieve today’s look worn by celebrities including Zoe Kravitz and Emma Stone, Kassajikian advised.
‘You can also create a soft-smoked wing using shadows, or define the eyes with all-matte shades for a soft contour, adding a pop of shimmer to the inner corner,’ the Los Angeles-based beauty guru said.
