If you can’t tell whether a foundation has yellow or gray undertones, try holding it up against a white piece of paper or fabric to look for any yellow or gray tones. If you still can’t tell, ask a sales clerk at the store for help. You can even use liquid latex or Elmer’s glue to add texture and wrinkles. [1] X Expert Source Nini Efia YangMakeup Artist Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.

Keep your skin flat as you apply the darker foundation. Use a clean finger to blend the edges of the foundation in well so the transition is seamless.

For the best results, be sure to use a clean sponge to pat on the makeup. Don’t rub it on either, or you won’t get the proper effect. If you need the effect to be very dramatic for a performance in a large theater, use dark and light foundation shades that are more than a couple of shades darker or lighter than your skin tone.

For shading and highlighting your face to appear older, always use matte powders. Shimmery shades won’t look natural. Choose a brown powder for shading that has gray undertones to create the most natural look.

While you should blend out the edges of the contour line so it doesn’t just look like a stripe on your cheek, you should apply it more heavily than you would if you were contouring for every day. That will help it stand out when you’re on stage.

As with the cheek contour, you should blend the edges of the nasolabial fold lines well but still leave the shading dark and pronounced. You can make the nasolabial fold lines appear even deeper by using the matte highlight shade over the top lip and blending it out to the creases. You may also want to add a little of the brown powder to the corners of your mouth, so it looks like it’s starting to droop.

Applying a dusting of the light highlight shade to the bottom part of your chin can help make it look even more angular.

While you can use the same matte brown contour powder that you used on the rest of the face, you may want to opt for a brown with reddish undertones beneath the eye. The skin around the eyes – and the corners of the nose – often gets red as you age so that can help you appear older.

A white brow powder, pencil, or pomade can also work well. If you don’t have a wig to wear, you can also brush some of the powder through your roots to make yourself appear older.

Be sure to use a product designed for use on the tooth. Eyeliners and other makeup may stain your teeth and may not be safe for use in the mouth.