SOMETIMES exaggerating your beauty might reveal or add to the defects you already have and might even age you, according to Dalia Ibrahim, a 34-year-old beauty expert, who suggests the following tips to make you look young and beautiful. “Shimmery eye shadow may be trendy, but proceed with caution. Your eye area is the first to show signs of ageing, because the skin in that area doesn't have oil glands and takes on a ‘crepe-y' look as we get older," she says. "Shimmery shadows can settle in the creases and make you look older. So opt for matte powder shadows, which can provide the same depth of colour without unflattering effects. " She adds that having a cut/style that is too long, hangs heavy around the face and is too flat on top is a big mistake, as it drags an already southward-moving face even more down. Instead, a cut/style that is angled to give lift to cheekbones and layers to give top volume will remedy this. “Another mistake is applying bronzer too close to your eyes, as this creates darkness around the eyes, a muddy look on the face and ages women. To create a youthful, healthy glow, put bronzer on the outside of the face to create a halo effect,” adds Dalia. "Bring it down to the jaw line and neckline so they are one colour. This will give a glowing complexion.” The beauty expert stresses that it's not a good idea to blend your foundation with a sponge. "Think you're hiding wrinkles by piling on foundation? Excess makeup can have the opposite effect," she told the Egyptian Mail. "After applying your foundation, create a soft, airbrushed look by gently pressing a damp makeup sponge all over your face, which removes makeup settled into lines. "Meanwhile, overly colouring/processing hair to the point it looks fried and unnatural is very ageing, because it looks old and unhealthy. Youthful hair is shiny and vibrant." Dalia advises that, to avoid fried-out hair, women shouldn't colour it more than once a month, using a good conditioning shampoo and conditioner; they should also have regular haircuts. “As for lip colour, if you have vertical creases along your upper lip, a dark lip colour will settle in those crevices within minutes of application. "But if you're wearing a light pink or beige, no-one will see what's going into the cracks. Apply a coat of clear gloss on top to draw light to your lips, which will give your pout a full, youthful, supple appearance,” she adds. Dalia advises women to change their cut, colour and style at least every year.
