7 beauty habits that are making you look older: ROSIE GREEN explains how your hair and make-up can age you

As fickle creatures, we all crave a change in our beauty when fall arrives. Gone are the beach hair and sun-kissed skin we wanted in spring – now we crave refinement and sophistication. With the #demure look trending, it feels like the right time to strip things back and go for simplicity.

As we age, our skin tone changes, as does the texture of our hair. I’m always shocked when they reach for volumizing products at the hairdresser. I want to tell them, “I think you’re wrong, I have thick hair.” Then I remember when I had thick hair. Just like I had pale skin. And full eyebrows. Not anymore. So take a good look in the mirror. Does that haircut really suit you? Do you need to change your parting? Is that eyeshadow the best color for you now? Ask your hairdresser what they think. Go to a makeup counter (I’d go for a makeup artist’s brand like Bobbi Brown or Charlotte Tilbury) and get their opinion. Or, if you’re really brave, ask a teenager.

Here are seven mistakes I’ve definitely made – and chances are you’ve made them too…

Your lipstick makes your lips look thinner

Trade your drying dark lipstick for a new oil/balm/gloss hybrid. I love Clarins Lip Oil Balm in Light pink (£27, clarins.co.uk). It’s ultra-nourishing and its high shine flatters the mature mouth.

Your base is too heavy

It used to be a trade-off: buy a formula with decent coverage but expect a mask-like effect. Now there’s a new wave of products that even out skin tone, blur pores and absorb shine, all while delivering a natural but polished look. My pick is Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm (£34, vievebeauty.com).

Your liner is too hard

A feline swipe of black eyeliner is a statement look, but it’s much more flattering to apply a defining dark brown shade just on the lash line. Use a soft pencil (my favorite is Jones Road The best pencil in Brown (above, £22, jonesroadbeauty.com), or use a flat, firm brush and apply a chocolate eyeshadow. Diorshow Monocolor in Poncho (above, £32, dior.com) lasts forever.

Your hair color is solid

A block colour rather than a mix of shades can look harsh on an older face. Weaving through different shades, à la Jennifer Aniston (left), is more flattering. As we age, our skin tone changes, often becoming darker, so stylists recommend using lighter and warmer colours to complement this.

Your eyebrows are too short

Full brows look youthful, while thin brows look the opposite. Because we apply makeup face-on in the mirror, we often neglect our outer brows. Define and lengthen them to balance your face with a precision pencil that you can stroke to make them look like individual hairs. I like Chanel’s Stylo Sourcils Haute Précision (below, £35, chanel.com) and NYX Professional Makeup Lift & Snatch Eyebrow Tinting Pen (£11.99, boots.com).

Your nails are too messy

This season, fashion nails are #demure and ladylike. Daisy Kalnina, founder of The GelBottle, says: ‘I’m loving the ’80s and ’90s deep French style trend.’ This involves the white tip curving around the sides of the nail (see below) rather than running straight across, making fingers look longer and leaner. Ask your nail salon for the white Daisy and light pink Dolly GelBottle shades. Find one near you at thegelbottle.com.

Your shadow is too dark

Applying eyeshadow in the crease of your eyelid is a tried and tested trick for giving your eyes beautiful definition. But to open up older eyes, consider applying the colour slightly above the crease and using a medium to light brown shade. Then make sure it’s well blended. Try Elf No Budge Shadow Stick in Copper Chic (£6, elfcosmetics.co.uk ).

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