How to Fake a Facelift with Makeup

Hi Ladies! How often have you stared into the mirror, pulled up the skin on your sagging jawline, and wondered what the heck you can do about it?  Yes, you can get a facelift, but I’m all about options. Not everyone wants to go under the knife! 

Luckily, makeup products have come a long way, and you can mimic the effects of a facelift with the proper application and a little contouring. It’s easier than ever, and everything you need to create a more snatched jawline and youthful face is at Sephora or  Amazon Beauty.

Here’s how to fake a facelift with makeup in 5 easy steps! 

Prepping Your Skin

Moisturize and SPF

For your makeup to glide on effortlessly and appear flawless, you must start with a well-cleansed and moisturized base.  There are many good moisturizers, but for maximum hydration, look for one that contains hyaluronic acid or add a hyaluronic serum to your moisturizer.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in our body that decreases as we age. It binds over 1,000 times its weight in water and keeps your skin plump and healthy. 

Some of my favorite hyaluronic serums are: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Olay Hylauronic + Peptide 24  Serum.

In addition to a good moisturizer, remember to apply 40+ sunscreen. Sunscreen is important to keep the wrinkles away and will also help ensure smooth makeup application.  Use your sunscreen closest to the skin first, then add the moisturizer on top.

My favorite sunscreens are: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46, CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face and Body.

The Perfect Base with Primer

Have you ever used a makeup primer? I only started a few years ago, and now I can’t live without one. Makeup primers are fantastic to smooth the surface of your skin and fill in any cracks for flawless foundation application. 

Minimizing your pores and wrinkles will be your primary goal, so look for a primer with a blurring or mattifying effect and apply generously once the moisturizer has started to absorb. I’ve had excellent results with Smashbox Photo Finish.

How to Create the Facelift Makeup Effect

Step 1: Start with a Great Foundation

Foundation comes next. A matte finish foundation with medium to full coverage will give you the most dramatic results, but you can also use a more glowy foundation. Be sure you choose the exact shade of your skin tone.  Begin by applying a few drops evenly to your entire face.

Then, use a makeup sponge or foundation brush to blend into your neck and hairline for an airbrushed look.

Currently, I’m using the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation, and I love it. Her Airbrush (matte) Foundation is good too. Both give a youthful look.

Step 2: Conceal Imperfections

Imperfections, discolored spots, and even blemishes can age you more than wrinkles. Another makeup tip to look youthful is to apply a good concealer that matches your base skin color to hide all dark spots and create an even tone. Always lighten the area under your eyes to give them a lift!

I like to lighten the inside corners of my eyes to make them look bigger and brighter. My favorite concealer is Bye Bye Under Eye. Bobbi Brown Under Eye Corrector is also a great one. 

Step 3: Define Your Face with Contour

Contouring is when the magic happens. It’s the all-important step of defining the angles of the face with makeup to create the illusion of a facelift. To get it right,  apply your contour with a bronzer one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone and has a matte finish.

My current favorite is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo.

Contour should focus on these three areas:

• Jawline: Use it to define the edge of your jaw and your chin and give you a more sculpted, youthful jawline
• Cheekbones: Place it directly underneath to lift and sculpt 
• Nose: Brush it down the sides of your nose, right under your corner eye line, to create a nose-slimming effect.

Be sure to use a brush to buff out your contour lines to avoid hard lines and edges. You don’t want to look like you are wearing war paint!

Step 4: Get the Lift Effect with Highlighter

A highlighter is the best way to draw attention to the best parts of your face to create a youthful, lifted look. Add a bit of light, shimmery powder highlighter to the following spots:

• The apples of the cheeks (tops of your cheekbones)
• The middle (bridge) of the nose ( where the sun would naturally hit your nose)
• The cupid’s bow (middle rim of the upper lip) to make your upper lip look uplifted
• The corners of the eye to widen and open the eyes

Step 5: Set Your Makeup and Yourself Up for Success

Use a translucent setting powder sparingly to keep your makeup from setting into the creases and fine lines on your face as the day progresses. Dust lightly! This Airbrush Flawless Setting Powder by Charlotte Tilbury is nice.

Creating a sculpted, youthful look with facelift makeup takes a little practice but is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. This easy Facelfit makeup hack is the natural, non-evasive way to give your face a nip and tuck, and the one-time faking it isn’t such a bad idea!

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