The Secret To Hiding Smile Lines With Makeup

Mark Twain famously said, "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been." And while they are beautiful and natural, when it comes to the impressions left on your face from a happy and joyful life, sometimes you just don't want to see them! 

Smile lines, sometimes referred to as laugh lines, are the wrinkles that appear in the area of our face around the mouth, directly connected to the muscles used to smile (via Healthline). According to Mona Gohara, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, while not visible in your teens and 20s, these lines become more pronounced in your 30s and 40s. They're caused by a loss of "collagen and elastin in the skin," she explained to Good Housekeeping. 

Genetics, sun damage, and even dehydration can contribute to these fine lines that show up around the nose and mouth. Your best defense when it comes to anti-aging is always good skincare, and a healthy diet, but it's important to remember that loss of volume and sagging in the skin is a natural part of aging, and it happens to everyone (via WebMD).Thankfully, professional makeup artists have shared their tried and true secret to hiding these lines with products you already may have at home.

You wouldn't paint your walls or a canvas without priming the surface first, and the same goes for applying makeup. From blurring pores to smoothing skin and adding extra moisture and glow to your complexion, primer creates the perfect base to hold and enhance whatever makeup comes on after it (via Allure). And it's especially important when it comes to hiding smile lines. Professional makeup artist Laura Geller told Good Housekeeping, "The most important thing is to keep the area moist by prepping with a primer to ensure that your makeup doesn't emphasize the creases." Not only that, but primer ensures that you actually use less foundation for coverage, and that is essential in hiding those smile lines (via Byrdie).

After applying primer and letting it set, you're ready for foundation, but always remember, less is more. Celebrity makeup artist to the stars, Fiona Stiles, told InStyle, "The more [foundation] there is on the face, the more product there is to snuggle into creases and lines." Laura Geller takes it one step further by recommending a subtle natural color for lipstick instead of anything dark or intense which would draw attention to the area. She explains, "Instead, line lips with a neutral shade to draw the eye to the shape of the mouth, then top with a soft hue like peach or pink."