Yahoo Lifestyle Kathryn Hahn's Makeup Artist Reveals a Simple Hack to 'Take 10 Years Off' Your Face
Kathryn Hahn is a fresh face in a town known for its fake-it-and-you-'ll-make-it mentality.
Sure, the actress has had a decades-long career in TV (Agatha All Along, anyone?) and movies and has early credits in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Crossing Jordan. She'll star in the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio this March. But off-screen, Hahn bears all and is authentically herself—she rarely wears makeup.
"I rarely wear makeup in my real life. A lot of the roles that I have done recently, I wear little-to-no makeup," Hahn, now 51, told People in 2021, adding she wears less makeup now than she did in her 20s when she had cystic acne.
When Hahn does sport makeup, it's often a fresh, natural aesthetic.
Emmy-nominated makeup artist Fiona Stiles works with Hahn, in addition to Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gabrielle Union and Jessica Chastain. Her resume also creates looks for a who's who of luxury brands, including Lancome, Cartier and Tiffany & Co.
Her keen eye for detail and flawless execution makes her one of the most sought-after makeup artists among A-list brands and Hollywood, but Stiles tells Parade that her favorite secret for a youthful-looking face is something anyone can DIY.
Here, she shares her genius tip, which takes less than five minutes daily.
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The Best Way To Get Youthful Skin, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist
Stiles loves selective, dewy highlights. "Selective dewy highlights make skin feel youthful and fresh," Stiles tells Parade. "Even if you don’t have great skin and need the coverage, adding dewy highlights adds life, light and freshness to the skin."
However—and this is important—the method isn't about obtaining a specific look. The feel is equally, if not more, significant.
"The key is that it should have a feeling of moisture to it, so it’s not just adding a highlight, Stiles says. "In fact, powder highlighter could do the opposite and age you if it isn’t quite right."
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How To Do 'Selective Dewy Highlights'
So what does "quite right" mean? First, apply your makeup. Then, Stiles says to:
Spray a hydrating mist over your face. Stiles notes that the goal is to "bring life back to the skin," especially if you use setting powder or a more full-coverage foundation."
Pretend you're applying hand cream. Stiles suggests putting a little bit of moisturizer into the palms of your hands, just as you would with hand cream. Let it mostly absorb.
Apply. Once the moisturizer is mostly absorbed, Stiles recommends pressing the palms of your hands onto the high points/apples of your cheeks. Take it easy on yourself. "You want it to be the most gentle application of moisture so it doesn’t disturb your makeup or take it off," she stresses.
Press your middle finger along the bridge of your nose. "Having these two areas of highlight on the face creates dimension and light on the face," Stiles explains.
She recommends adding this to your daily makeup routine for the best, most consistent results.
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4 Other Do's and Don'ts for Youthful Skin from a Celeb Makeup Artist
Applying selective dewy highlights is one daily habit that can help your face look younger. However, there are no magic solutions, and a holistic approach will leave your skin saying, "Thank you" (if your largest organ could talk). Some of Stiles' other top tips include:
1. Daily SPF
It's not just dermatologists who are screaming this one from the rooftops. Stiles is right there, adding to the (needed) noise. "Nothing is more youthful looking than even skin, and SPF is your best defense for that. It’s a long-term investment that pays off," she says.
2. Find the right formula foundation for your skin
"It may be different than the one you’ve been using for a long time, but makeup needs to update and change as you age," Stiles says. Embracing your changing skin may also lead you to a serious contemporary upgrade. "New, incredible and innovative formulations are always coming out," Stiles says.
3. Wear bronzer and blush at the same time
Consider them a super-couple. "The warmth combined with a pop of color looks fresh and healthy," Stiles says.
4. Don't over-powder
Applying too much powder can make your skin look flat, heavy and matte, which can age your look, Stiles says. She recommends that people with oily skin powder selectively, which will allow the skin to "still shine through."
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Sources:
Fiona Stiles, celebrity makeup artist
