25 Easy Ways to Look Younger Now

The simplest, fastest, and most effective ways to take off years—in an instant.

April 12, 2010

Photos: Walter Chin, Condé Nast Digital Studio, Franz Walderdorff, David Stesner (2), Patrick Demarchelier, courtesy of Make Up Forever, courtesy of Jo Malone, Thomas Schenk, courtesy of Revlon, Walter Chin, Condé Nast Digital Archive, Donna Trope, Greg Kadel, Courtesy of Cover Girl and Maybelline New York, Carter Smith, Franz Walderdorff, Condé Nast Digital Studio, Franz Walderdorff, Nicolas Moore, Michael Thompson, courtesy of Cover Girl, Carter Smith, Norman Jean Roy, courtesy of Fekkai

1/25

Ever Seen a Baby With Yellow Teeth? Yeah, We Haven't Either.

Whiten yours with strips that show results quickly, like Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips.
2/25

Cut Bangs.

"Full, side-swept bangs hide wrinkles and instantly update your style," says hairstylist Mark Townsend. (OK, don't do it yourself, but ask your stylist to.)

3/25

A Session With a Face Scrub Restores Pinkness to Your Cheeks.

We like Clean & Clear Morning Burst In-Shower Facial with its gentle round beads.
4/25

The Easiest Way to Make Your Face Look Younger?

Three words: Wear less makeup.

5/25

Trust Us, Your Feet Show Just How Many Miles You've Walked in Those Shoes.

Get a pedicure at least once a month, year-round. Or simply exfoliate weekly with a product like Freeman Bare Foot Creamy Pumice Foot Scrub Peppermint & Plum.
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6/25

Add Highlights to Your Hair.

They brighten your complexion, and even blonde hair looks more sprightly with a blend of dark and light shades.

7/25

Swap Your Black Eyeliner for Navy.

One we love: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in 3L. The color "will brighten the whites of your eyes, which tend to yellow as you age," says ophthalmologist Marguerite McDonald.
8/25

Spritz on a Grapefruit Fragrance.

Women who wear them are perceived to be ten years younger. Seriously. We like Jo Malone Grapefruit Cologne.

9/25

Switch Your Part.

"The side that you part your hair on sees the sun the most; this can make it get gray faster," says dermatologist Jeannette Graf. (A change will also give your hair some volume.) Protecting all your hair from UV light with a product like Rene Furterer Protective Summer Fluid spray will help preserve color.
10/25

Embrace Silicone—in Skin-Care Products.

Primers and serums with the ingredient temporarily fill in fine lines. We like Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer.

11/25

Smile a Lot.

"Optimists tend to look better as they age," says Christopher Peterson, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and author of A Primer in Positive Psychology (Oxford University Press).
12/25

Curl Your Lashes.

A great curler, like Tweezerman ProCurl Curler, will really open up your eyes. Clamp it at your lash line, then gradually pump it along the length of your lashes.

13/25

Hide Any Age Spots You Have With Opaque Foundation Dabbed on With a Sponge; Seal It With Translucent Powder.

We love Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Foundation.
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14/25

Disguise Your Wrinkles.

"A few drops of jojoba or rose-hip oil—the kind from the health-food store—will temporarily plump fine lines," says facialist Julia March.

15/25

Double Up on Mascara.

Brush on a lengthening formula, and before it dries, follow with two coats of thickening mascara. The best ones are Cover Girl LashBlast Length Mascara (for lengthening) and Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (for thickening).
16/25

Wear Nail Polish Or a Ring.

Researchers have found that doing so makes your hands look younger.

17/25

Loosen Up.

Hair that's pulled back tightly draws attention to every line on your face.
18/25

Use Mousse.

Formulas with panthenol, like Pantene Pro-V Volume Mousse, bulk up fine hair without weighing it down.

19/25

Warm Up Your Eye Makeup.

Too much eye makeup is aging—but so is none. Choose neutral colors like bronze, copper, and cocoa that aren't overly matte (a light sheen adds radiance). CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Bronze Fire includes two pretty shades.
20/25

Go to Bed an Hour Earlier.

You'll reduce dark circles, perk up sallow skin, and improve your mood. "People who claim they can get by on five hours of sleep a night age more quickly than if they were getting eight or nine hours," says neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta.

21/25

Switch From Lipstick to Soft Pink Or Rose Gloss.

Light, shiny colors, such as CoverGirl WetSlicks AmazeMint in Pink Positive, make lips look fuller.
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22/25

Touch Up Your Grays.

A halo of silver around the hairline will make your skin look dull. Dab a temporary liquid color made for this purpose, such as ColorMark Temporary Liquid Hair Color wand, on gray strands—it dries in just a minute.

23/25

Have More Sex.

Doing it three times a week makes women look up to ten years younger. (A Royal Edinburgh Hospital study proved it.)
24/25

Wash Your Hair With a Clarifying Shampoo.

Products such as Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo will remove dulling buildup and add shine.

25/25

Fill in Your Brows With Shimmer Cream Shadow.

Makeup artist Dick Page swears that it looks more like real hair than pencil or powder does. We like Bobbi Brown Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Brown Metal (for brunettes) and Antique Gold (for blondes and redheads).