YOU might think that as you've aged, you've needed more makeup to cover up 'flaws' - smile lines, frown lines, crow's feet and age spots.

But this is actually counterproductive. Less is always more and it is a good rule of thumb to live by when it comes to applying makeup on more mature skin.

Makeup should embrace your skin, not mask it.

Here are five mistakes you could be making when applying your makeup:

1. Using too much foundation

Try to keep foundation as sheer as possible. Spot correct only where necessary. Apply foundation too heavily and your foundation will sink into the folds of your skin, putting more emphasis on the features you want to cover up in the first place. 

2. Applying too much power 

The 'dewy' look is always going to make you more youthful. Applying too much powder, especially on top of foundation,  won't help you at all. Powder can emphasise wrinkles, especially around the eyes. Instead, try blotting eye concealer and foundation with tissue or blot papers. Try to give the foundation time to set on your skin before blotting to ensure you don't wipe away your product altogether. 

3. Neglecting your brows and lashes 

Thinning eyebrows and sparse lashes are definitely something to avoid as you age because they are such defining features, it's important to embrace the brows you where born with. Make sure you fill in your brows and lashes. Try curling eyelashes to make your eyes look bigger and more awake. 

4. Using too much shimmer

Avoid shimmery eye shadows, they only highlight ageing eyelids. Instead, stick with matte eye shadow or cream formulas. Use eyeliner pencils instead of liquid liners because liquid liners tend to look too harsh on more mature skin. 

As for blush and bronzer, go for cream formulations or tints for a more youthful-looking, dewy finish. 

5. Using the wrong lipstick shade. 

Our natural lip line fades with age, which makes lipstick more prone to bleeding and feathering. Use a clear lip liner to help keep your lip colour in place. Choose a neutral shade of lippy too - something that's not too bright or too dark for your skin tone.