Makeup Mistakes To Avoid If You're In Your 30s

The times, they are a-changing, and so are our complexions. Even ignoring ever-shifting beauty trends, it seems like each new decade of life brings on new skin concerns that require tweaking our routines. For instance, the gulf between the cosmetic techniques of our 20s and 30s can feel surprisingly wide and deep, and if your routine hasn't evolved since age 19, you're probably making some major makeup mistakes.

To optimize and update our beauty practices, Glam spoke exclusively to celebrity makeup artist Kasha Lassien, who has worked with such notable figures as Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri. As evidenced by the work shared on her Instagram and TikTok, Lassien is well-versed in makeup looks for all complexions and age brackets, including clients in their 30s.

"I see beauty as subjective and makeup as a personal routine to pull out your own best features in whatever way you see fit," says Lassien. That means that there is no single right or wrong way to approach cosmetics at any age. Still, Lassien recognizes that some good habits are universal. From not prepping one's skin to not cleaning their makeup brushes enough, "here are a few things that I like to keep in mind when it comes to my clients who are 30+, as well as my own makeup routine," Lassien adds.

While Kasha Lassien rightfully hesitates to call any beauty approach an out-and-out mistake — sometimes, things work better for some than others! — she's passionate about certain fundamental steps. First and foremost, the MUA emphasizes the importance of adequate skincare. "One of the biggest things I have learned is that taking care of your skin is the pathway to what I see as a flawless makeup application," Lassien exclusively tells Glam.

As you get older, this may look a little different than your easy-breezy 20s routine, as your skincare regimen should evolve with your age bracket. For instance, there are some vital skincare habits and ingredients to prioritize in your 30s, from putting a new emphasis on hydration and probiotics to exploring vitamin C serums, retinol, and ceramides. Of course, the specifics of your routine will depend on your skin's unique needs, but Lassien is firm on one point: "Beautiful makeup starts with really good skin prep."

Back when you were playing with the cushy complexion of your teens or 20s, it may have seemed easy to jump straight into a makeup look starting with your foundation or concealer. However, this may not deliver your best results, especially once you hit the changing skin of your 30s. That's why, even beyond your daily skincare ritual, Kasha Lassien suggests doing a little extra preparation before you apply any makeup. This helps create the best base for a smooth, long-lasting look.

"My rule of thumb will always be [to] start with a clean canvas, then building into eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen, lip mask, and then the perfect primer for your skin type before you ever even jump into your complexion products," Lassien exclusively tells Glam. It may sound like a lot, but each step addresses a different skin issue and plays a different role in your revamped, 30s-appropriate routine. As Lassien insists, "This will 1000% change the way your products lay on the skin, how they look on [the] skin, and how long they will wear." In other words, taking the time to prep your skin promotes a more natural, well-blended finish with the longevity to get your makeup through the day.

During the oily-skin era that is puberty, many of us frantically used mattifying powders and blotting papers. In your 30s, though, Kasha Lassien warns that excessive mattifying may accentuate so-called skin flaws and make your complexion look older. "Going too matte can emphasize more texture and make the makeup appear drier and heavier," Lassien explains, adding that this dryness "tends to age the wearer a bit more than you may like."

So, what's the alternative? "Don't underestimate the effects of dewy skin [and] fresh-face makeup," the MUA exclusively tells Glam. "I understand the matte craze, but I also think fresh and dewy skin, skin that appears more hydrated and supple, adds an element of youthfulness to your makeup."

If intensely glossy trends like glass skin seem targeted at a different generation, don't worry: Rather than going full-shimmer, Lassien recommends a hybrid approach that balances matte and shine. "The trick is knowing where to mattify (for most, the T-zone area) and where to allow the shine to stay," she explains, suggesting that you can leave a little glimmer along the high points of the face — such as the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, down the bridge of your nose, and at the cupid's bow. But don't get too carried away. As Lassien also says, "Sometimes less is more!"

Caring for your beauty tools is one of those tasks that always seem to fall to the bottom of a to-do list, but if you're a chronic brush-care procrastinator, it's time to rethink your approach. "Clean your brushes!" Kasha Lassien urges. "Remembering to clean your brushes with fragrance-free soap and water is essential. Over time your brushes will collect bacteria and germs. Not cleaning them can irritate the skin, create breakouts, and cause acne." As you might recall, this interferes with Lassien's number-one beauty philosophy: to prioritize skincare as part of your flawless beauty look.

Lassien further reveals that dirty brushes can affect the smooth application of your makeup products. "You might get less color payoff, or uneven, unblended finishes," the MUA exclusively tells Glam. "However, clean brushes will produce better results." For the budget-conscious and people who've invested in high-quality tools, regular washing can also preserve the integrity of your brushes. "Not cleaning your brushes can shorten their lifespan," says Lassien, noting that with proper care, she's maintained some brushes for more than 10 years.

So, what's the best way to keep your most-used beauty tools fresh and germ-free? "When you clean, opt for fragrance-free soap to minimize any possibility of irritation to the skin," Lassien recommends. "Gently wash only the bristles — careful not to wet the ferrule — in lukewarm water and lay your brushes on a clean, flat surface overnight on a clean towel or paper towel to dry."

Kasha Lassien's 30s-friendly beauty routine comes full circle with a crucial skincare step that will help keep your canvas fresh and smooth for the next application — namely, a thorough cleanse to wash away your previous makeup look. "At the end of the day, you want to remember to completely remove any makeup product from the skin," Lassien exclusively advises Glam.

Lassien goes on to note that makeup wipes may not do the trick on their own. In fact, they might even make your complexion worse. "Makeup wipes tend to leave a residue behind, can clog the pores, and because some may have harsher chemicals, they can irritate the skin," she explains, outlining just a main few reasons why it's time to put down disposable makeup wipes.

If you're married to your wipes, double-cleansing or a second pass with deeper-reaching products may be necessary, but this basically cancels out wipes' one advantage: convenience. In Lassien's expert opinion, you're better off starting with a better cleanser. "Reach for products that are gentle rather than harsh," the MUA suggests. "Try a makeup removal cleanser or — what I love — micellar water and some cotton rounds, which I find to be a lot more effective and gentler on my skin and the environment."