You started wearing glasses
Now that your eyes are behind specs, your peepers will be less noticeable. New Moves: Make your eyes stand out by grooming your brows and filling in sparse spots with a brow powder that matches your hair color. Try Amazing Cosmetics Brow Powder ($15; sephora.com) or Eliza’s Brow Definer ($14; avon.com). Next, choose a shadow that won’t clash with your frames. For instance, offset the intensity of red or green glasses with a natural-looking shadow, such as taupe or pinky brown. Finally, keep your prescription in mind: Lenses to correct nearsightedness make eyes seem smaller, so line lids, curl lashes, and wear mascara to open up eyes. Lenses for farsightedness, on the other hand, make eyes appear larger, so you can skip eyeliner.
You’re sporting a shorter do
When more of your face is on display, your features pop. And new bangs create the illusion of more-defined cheekbones. New Moves: Avoid makeup that’s superdark, such as deep red lipstick or smoky eyeliner. Instead, try a softer palette, like a touch of rosy pink blush and lipstick or gloss. Because your eyes already stand out with shorter hair, don’t go more dramatic than a violet or soft magenta shadow. Try CoverGirl Whipped Shadows in Whipped Amethyst ($5; drugstores) or IsaDora Perfect Eye Shadow in Moor ($8.50; Walgreens). Finish with a coat of black mascara. [pagebreak]
You shed 10 pounds
Dropping weight changes your face’s shape and your skin’s appearance. New Moves: When your face was fuller, you may have used blush or bronzer to contour, slim, and elongate your face. Now that you’re thinner, it’s suitable—and more flattering—to instead swipe blush or bronzer directly onto the apples of your cheeks and diffuse to your hairline like a natural flush. Because fat can fill out—and plump up—sagging skin, wrinkles might also seem more noticeable. The fix: Dust powder only where needed and avoid pancaking areas that have fine lines. Also, select cream formulas, which won’t crease or settle into wrinkles. Try Revlon Cream Blush in Rosy Glow ($10; drugstores) or Nars Cream Eye Shadow in Granada ($20; nars cosmetics.com).
You dyed your hair
New Moves: If you’ve colored your hair red, the burnt amber tones will make your complexion look darker. So choose warmer shades, such as a tan blush, moss green shadow, and peach gloss. For blondes, avoid deep tones, such as wine or plum; the contrast is too harsh. Instead, opt for softer colors like pale pinks and peaches. And darker hair colors can make skin look pale, so try deeper tones, like a rosy brown gloss and blush or a mocha shadow paired with a charcoal liner. Finally, if you naturally go gray, your face may seem drained. To perk up your complexion, choose punchy colors, like apricots, pinks, or corals. Skip jet-black liner, which can be too harsh. Instead, use a softer shade, such as slate or navy. Try Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Navy ($14.50; clinique.com) or Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil in Smoke ($20; bobbibrowncosmetics.com).
