Once you hit the age of 30, you’ll want to do more than blow out the candles on your birthday cake. Now is the perfect opportunity to revamp your makeup routine and make it more suitable for your age. While you might still be trying to deny the growing crow’s feet around your peepers and the fine lines near your lips, these facial features are becoming a fact of life. As you continue to age, they’ll become more prominent, but there are a few tactics you can use to slow down the process.

“At 30, things are usually not as good as they appear,” Dennis Gross, M.D., told Marie Claire magazine. “What lies beneath – cumulative sun damage, crumbling collagen and elastin [the support beams of still-plump skin], and disappearing blood vessels – is about to emerge as brown spots, wrinkles, and sallow and sagging skin if you don’t take care of it.”

The magazine goes on to state that women account for approximately 92 percent of all cosmetic surgeries, and there are many reasons for this. In general, women tend to show signs of aging sooner than men, which may contribute to this percentage. However, you don’t need to go under the knife to look like you’re 25 again. In this day and age, there are several foundations and concealers specifically designed to help women turn back the clock.

Maintaining your natural glow
Makeup can not only hide fine lines and wrinkles, but help you keep up your natural glow as well. Erika Katz, a beauty writer, recently told MSN that foundation is essential in your 30s for a number of reasons.

“After 30, you need to wear foundation or tinted moisturizer under your makeup because skin begins to lose its natural glow and becomes uneven owing to past sun exposure,” Katz said. “Also, daily night cream and eye cream are nonnegotiable.”

If you’ve never been fond of going heavy on foundation or using cream formulas, consider a loose foundation to maintain your youthful appearance. These cosmetics can also leave your skin feeling silky smooth, light and airy.

Keeping your flaws hidden
As you start to develop more fines lines, TLC states that you may want to stay away from makeup that highlights these features, such as shimmery eyeshadows and blush. Instead, look for matte varieties that can conceal your signs of aging. In addition, try to choose makeup that includes beneficial nutrients and vitamins for your skin – your 30s aren’t a time to experiment with new ingredients that may irritate your beautiful face!

“Use less ‘stuff’ on your skin,” Emma Graves, skincare specialist, told TheBlush.com. “The harsh chemicals found in many products tend to strip the skin of its natural defenses and may interfere with the skin’s ability to repair itself. Worse yet, over zealous exfoliation can make you more susceptible to environmental damage.”

Staying healthy
Taking care of your health inside and out is crucial to maintaining your beauty for longer. Familiarizing yourself with vitamins that can benefit your body can also help you reduce your reliance on foundation and concealer to look flawless. To avoid causing any damage to your skin when applying makeup, consider using your hands or products like the beauty sponge from Beauty Blender.

Margaux Rathbun, the creator of Authentic Self Wellness, recently dished on what she feels is important for beautiful skin. She told TheBlush.com that staying away from refined sugars is important in order to reduce breakouts and blemishes.

In addition, look for foods high in fiber, zinc and vitamins C and E to maintain your complexion. Vegetables and whole grains are full of these nutrients. By taking these tips into consideration, you can make it easier to look stunning in your 30s and beyond!