Everyday habits that can make you look younger

You may be trying for shadows to create a high-cheekboned look, but placing blush under cheeks just makes you look bony. Go for a rosy look instead. “Place it high on the apples of the cheeks and use a big fluffy powder brush to apply it in a nice natural flush,” Carmindy says. “Small brushes blend on too much, and placing blush under the cheeks make faces look too angular and severe.”

Letting go of toxic relationships and nurturing those that are healthy are good for your body as well as your mind. Research shows love releases the “feel good hormone” oxytocin, which can lower blood pressure, and better blood flow leads to a more radiant appearance. “Positive relationships nurture the positive energy in you,” Dr. Orloff says. “Love and appreciation from others makes you happy, more relaxed, and more attractive.”

Here are 12 things you should never do after a relationship fight. 

As with sugar and salt, it’s best not to overindulge in alcohol because of its negative effects on the body – even at the cellular level, studies have found. “Alcohol can dehydrate skin and increase inflammation, both of which can accelerate ageing and give skin a dry, wrinkled appearance,” Palinski-Wade says. Although alcohol may have some health benefits, it’s best to drink in moderation, along with plenty of water.

Our lean muscle mass is made up of protein, so getting enough in your diet can help build and maintain your muscles to keep fit. “A loss of muscle can lead to a loss of strength and balance, accelerating the ageing process,” Palinski-Wade says. “Less defined muscle on the body can also cause the appearance of looser, sagging skin, making you appear older than your biological age.” Focus on plant protein rather than a lot of meat for a healthy diet.

Here are 12 high-protein, low-carb foods to help you lose weight. 

“Age spots” are really sun-damaged skin. “The key to removing age spots is to exfoliate skin to remove the darkened areas,” Dr. Patel says. Lightening serums may work, and professional chemical peels or laser removal are options, too. “People concerned about age-related spots should consult with their board-certified dermatologist on the best treatment for their case,” Dr. Patel says.

You need the right cut to make long hair work for you as you get older. “Some women feel attached to length because they think it makes them look younger, when in fact, it just hangs and doesn’t do anything to flatter or soften features,” says Mast. “Long, heavy hair really pulls down the face. Lifting up layers and adding texture to frame the face will take years off.”

Here are 40 of the best hairstyles for women over 40. 

Beauty sleep is a real thing – your body needs the rest time (seven to nine hours) to rejuvenate and repair your body’s cells and get gorgeous overnight. You know lack of sleep causes puffy eyes and dark circles, but there are other effects, too. “Lack of sleep dries out your skin, making wrinkles deeper and more visible,” says sleep expert Richard Shane, PhD, creator of the Sleep Easily method. “Collagen production increases during sleep, preventing sagging, and blood flow increases so your complexion looks better and younger.”

Try these 11 tricks that really do help you fall asleep.

You might think a fringe hides forehead wrinkles, but that doesn’t mean it should be a straight, full curtain across the face, Mast says. “Too often I see women with these awful, unflattering, boxy fringes that they have because they think it makes them look younger, when it really just ages them further,” she says. “If you have a fringe that suits you, it will bring out your facial features and distract from your problem areas.” A soft sweep across the forehead may be all that’s needed.

Whiter teeth can give you a brighter smile and the appearance of a young, fresh mouth. “Yellow or discoloured teeth makes people look older and less attractive,” says dentist Nancy Rosen, DMD. You can have your teeth whitened by your dentist in the office or using an over-the-counter method. Also avoid teeth staining foods and drink such as tea and red wine.

Menopause rears its ugly head on our heads, too! “I suggest investing in root concealer to fill in the hairline or spray on the scalp where hair is more sheer,” Mast says. “Another tip is to shorten up if you’re getting really thin. Better to have less that looks fuller than long strings of barely there hair.” Volumising products can also help give more fullness, and hair colour that more closely matches your skin tone can better conceal thinning and these natural hair loss remedies are worth a try.