Who says it's all down hill after 40? Many of Hollywood's leading ladies reach their career - and beauty - peaks at at 45, 55, even 65. So we asked four beauty experts, who are over 40 themselves, for advice on the cosmetic needs of mature women - like hair styles that shave years off your look, the best makeup shades for older women, and skincare that can reverse aging (really!). Read on to get your biggest age-related questions answered, and look absolutely fabulous at 40 and beyond.

OUR EXPERTS: Rona O'Connor (left), Celebrity Colorist and Co-Owner of Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills. Sandy Linter (middle), acclaimed makeup artist and Lancôme Beauty at Every Age Expert. Luke O'Connor, Suave Celebrity Stylist and Co-Owner of Lukaro Salon Beverly Hills. Dr. Doris Day (not pictured), author of Forget the Facelift and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at NYU Medical Center.

- Melissa Goldberg

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

TIP: WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN
"It's so much easier to prevent the aging process with daily sunscreen use than to try to repair it after the fact," says Dr. Doris Day. For an optimal anti-aging skincare routine to ensure gorgeous skin like Meryl Streep's, Dr. Day recommends looking for products that contain wrinkle-fighting retinoid, anti-oxidant vitamin c, anti-inflammatory niacinamide and skin-soothing caffeine.

Mark Sullivan, WireImage

TIP: YOU CAN REVERSE AGING
Simply using sun protection and avoiding excess ultra violet rays allows your skin to naturally repair itself. An anti-aging skincare routine will amplify results, for skin that looks taut and even like Vanessa Williams'. "Adding dermatologic procedures like chemical peels or laser treatments can then dramatically improve your skin further," says Dr. Day.

Joe Corrigan, Getty Images

TIP: INVEST IN A PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT
Choosing the right doctor-administered treatment depends on your age, and if done correctly, can give spectacularly age-defying results (Exhibit A: Madonna's complexion is better than that of most 30 year olds). In your 20s, Botox prevents aging by freezing muscles from wrinkle-causing motions. For moderate aging, injectibles like Restylane and Juvederm beautifully though temporarily fill volume loss. For older pigmentation damage and wrinkling, the Fractional CO2 laser known as the "Total Fx" is the gold standard for skin resurfacing, with downtime as little as five to seven days, says Dr. Day.

Anita Bugge, WireImage

TIP: TRUST A PROVEN ANTI-AGING CREAM
We asked Dr. Day for her favorite age fighters: "Olay's new Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream contains peptides, which increases collagen production for firmer skin, and niacinamide, which accelerates cell renewal to both treat and reverse past skin care damage. Clinique's Superdefense SPF 25 combines an anti-oxidant punch with full spectrum sun protection, and comes in special formulations for different skin types."

Clinique | Olay

TIP: WEAR NATURAL MAKEUP SHADES
Stick with muted taupes, coffees, creams and blacks to enhance the shape of your eyes, and be wary of high shimmers that can accentuate lines. For a pop of color, choose either your cheeks or lips to highlight – but be careful not to choose a vampy dark lipcolor as it can age you, advises Sandy Linter, Lancôme's Beauty at Every Age Expert.

Leon Bennett, /WireImage.com

TIP: SWITCH TO CREAMIER MAKEUP
Take a cue from Jane Seymour and pay attention to texture, not just color in your products. Lip items should be moist and facial products like foundation and concealer should be creamy instead of thick so they don't migrate into lines. "You have to like the way it feels when it goes on," adds Linter.

Jason Merritt

TIP: KEEP LIPSTICK IN PLACE
For lipstick that lasts like Sophia Loren's, always line with a neutral pencil first, and then fill in your lips to provide a base for color to adhere to. Next, apply a moisturizing lip color that is rich, not runny, to the lip. If you want to add a smidge of gloss, apply only to the center bottom lip so as not to over-gloss, says Linter.

GREG WOOD, AFP/Getty Images

TIP: DON'T SKIMP OUT ON MAKEUP
The biggest cosmetics mistake older women make is to not wear any makeup at all, says Linter. Age draws some of the natural color out of skin, so even a light application can do wonders to refresh and re-engergize a face, a la Christy Brinkley's glowing complexion. "Products have improved drastically over the years – don't be afraid to go to your local beauty counter and experiment!" adds Linter.

Jason Kempin, WireImage

TIP: BANGS MAKE YOU LOOK YOUNGER
"Bangs can make you look younger," says says Luke O'Connor, Suave Celebrity Stylist and co-owner of Lukaro salon in Beverly Hills. "Pick a style that accents your face to soften and bring out your best features." A soft fringe or side swept bangs, like Angela Basset's, are both very youthful.

Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

by Melissa Goldberg

Can you get an infection from borrowing someone's makeup? Does drinking water prevent pimples? Beauty myths abound and StyleList wanted to separate skincare facts from fiction. We brought your toughest beauty questions to top industry experts and they gave us real information you can use to get (and stay) gorgeous today.

Will waxing make facial hair grow back thicker?

NO. Thankfully, this is not true. However, if you have never waxed before, the sun may have naturally lightened your facial hair to a lighter shade. After you wax, you may notice the hair appears a bit darker only because you were accustomed to the lighter shade, says Robin Evans, owner of Robin Evans Skincare in New York.

Is colored mascara acceptable for the office or daytime?

YES. It is acceptable; just make sure you use a very deep shade like navy blue or eggplant. "Bright mascara is only fine if you're 15," says TV's What Not To Wear makeup artist Carmindy. Keep your look classy by skipping the eyeshadow and liner if you choose to experiment with a more colorful mascara.

Will my eyelashes fall out if I don't remove my mascara?

YES. Scary, but true. Mascara can clog your eyelash follicles, which leads to breakage and shedding, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Doris Day. To quickly remove your mascara, hold a cotton ball saturated with oil-free remover over your lashes for a few seconds before gently wiping the mascara off. Never rub!

Will drinking more water really clear up breakouts?

NO. Even though water will improve skin's hydration, acne and breakouts are caused by genetic and environmental factors that result in increased oil production that gets trapped beneath your pores, says Dr. Christine Rodgers, a plastic surgeon in Denver, CO.

Does eating sugar cause wrinkles?

NO. Sugar doesn't directly cause wrinkles, but a poor diet, such as crash-dieting, or fat-free diets can lead to premature wrinkling because of the evaporation of fat cells in the face which can leave you with sagging jowls and dark under eye circles, according to Dr. Audrey Kunin, a Missouri dermatologist and founder of DERMAdoctor.

Do I need to wash my face both morning and night?

YES. Your skin accumulates grime, pollutants and oils that need to be cleansed, you guessed it, twice daily, even if you're not wearing any makeup. The morning wash is more useful for those with oily skin, which produces sebum overnight and causes you to wake up shiny, says Dr. Day.

I heard that mineral makeup is like rubbing rocks on your face. Is this true?

NO. Mineral makeup is a finely milled, gentle product that is brushed onto the skin surface for a flawless and non-harmful application. Do stay away from synthetics and look for all-natural mineral brands like Bare Escentuals for the best results, says Sephora Pro Makeup Artist Sara Biria.

Is the inner wrist the best place to test for the right shade of makeup?

NO. Your inner wrist is the lightest part of your body and can throw off the accuracy of selecting a foundation shade. Instead, test on your jaw line and take your chest color into consideration as well, says Carmindy.

Can I get an infection from borrowing friends' makeup?

YES. Makeup is the perfect home for bacteria to grow in, and you can even get an infection from your own collection, says Dr. Kunin. The only safe products to share are closed, protected items like cosmetics that are dispensed from pumps.

Ever asked yourself the question: Does this lipstick make me look fat? Well, apparently you should be. Your favorite lipstick shade can actually add weight to your face.

"Dark, solid lipsticks can decrease the size of the lips, making the jaw line and lower half of your face look fuller if you already have a round face," says Jane Iredale Makeup Artist Kevin Mendelson. Instead, opt for light to medium glossy shades for fuller lips that better balance out and slenderize your face.

Here, we've got more tips from expert makeup artists on easy ways to shave pounds off your face.

- Melissa Goldberg

Lawrence Lucier, FilmMagic | Jim Spellman, WireImage.com

Neatly tweezed and softly arched eyebrows "give definition to the face, making it look less full and round," says celeb makeup artist Nick Barose. Once you've shaped your brows, brush the hair up and outwards with clear mascara, and fill in sparse spots if necessary with a pencil one shade lighter than your hair color.

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Conceal A Double Chin

Apply a shade three tones deeper than your skin color under your entire chin, stopping just below your jaw line and blending completely into your neck. The darker shade creates the illusion of depth and hides a double chin, says Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of It Cosmetics. For more advanced contouring tricks, try My Sculpted Face Palette, which comes with detailed directions.

It Cosmetics My Sculpted Face Palette, $38. www.itcosmetics.com

My Sculpted Face

The No-Surgery Nose Job

A large or full nose can make anyone look heavier, especially in portrait photos. Cheat definition by blending a deeper contour color along the sides of your nose and highlighting down the center with a lighter shade, says New York Makeup Artist Laura Geller. Try Laura Geller Shade-N-Sculpt.

Laura Geller Shade-N-Sculpt, $38. www.sephora.com

Laura Geller

Lift With Mascara

You can fake a mini eyelift by first curling your lashes and then applying your favorite mascara to the ends of lashes with the tip of the wand pointed upwards, says Stila Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero. This handy little trick creates the illusion of a lift and elongates the face.

PictureQuest

Slenderize With Bronzer

Quick blending with a fluffy blush brush can sculpt a face with slimming definition in seconds. "Apply a neutral tan powder along your cheek bones, up to the temples and into the hairline, and along the jaw line to create dimension," advises Alphonse Weibelt, VP of Brand Development at BeingTRUE. Try BeingTRUE Protective Mineral Foundation.

BeingTRUE Protective Mineral Foundation SPF 17 Powder, $40. www.beingtrue.com

Being True Cosmetics

Make Your Lips Pop

A savvy way to draw attention away from a full neck or cheeks is to accentuate your lips. Try this celeb-loved trick. Lightly line your lips, add a pretty medium shade, and then apply light shimmer powder to your Cupid's Bow (the "v" part of your upper lip) and a dab to the center of your lips, says Achelle Dunaway of e.l.f. Cosmetics.

Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

Avoid Smoky Eyes

Deep, shadowy layers of color set eyes closer together, which exacerbates the look of a full face, says Jane Iredale Makeup Artist Kevin Mendelson. Instead, opt for a "cleaner" look with an emphasis on mascara and subtle eyeliner for definition in order to better balance your face.

Peter Kramer, Getty Images | Brian Ach, WireImage

Highlight Your Center Face

To take the contouring tips to another level, contrast the deeper shades you've outlined your face in with a highlighted center face for a fully chiseled look. Sweep a light shimmer powder over your upper cheek bones, brow bones and the inner corners of your eyes, suggests Cameron Vaught, Lead Makeup Artist of theBalm. Try TheBalm Overshadow in No Money No Honey.

TheBalm Overshadow in No Money No Honey, $14. www.sephora.com

The Balm

Apply Blush The Right Way

"Women usually apply blush in the wrong place. Think of blush as a bustier – it should push the girls – or your cheekbones – up!" says Michael Marcus of Michael Marcus Cosmetics. For a lifting contour, line your brush up with your pupil, then position it right on the apple of your cheek and apply color going straight back to the center of your ear.

Jupiter Images

Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin for just pennies when you follow these beauty recipes. (Not a DIY type? We've got the best store buys too.)

Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub

Ingredients: 2 tbsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin, which gets sticky) or grapeseed oil;
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Rub this mixture onto hands and feet, focusing on calloused areas. Rinse under warm water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.

Store-bought alternative: Best in Glow Body Smoothing Sugar Scrub, $16

Source: Liz Earle, founder of Naturally Active Skincare Liz Earle

Total Beauty

Lavender Bath

Ingredients: 1 cup dried lavender; 2 cups oatmeal; 1/2 cup baking soda

Grind ingredients in a food processor into a smooth, fine powder. Store in a clean, airtight container. To use, pour 1/2 cup into your bath as you fill the tub for a soothing end-ofthe-day treat. (Makes 3 1/2 cups.)

Store-bought alternative: Aveeno Stress Relief Foaming Bath, $7.39, Best in Glow Body Smoothing Sugar Scrub, $16

Source: Janice Cox

Total Beauty

Cucumber-Honey Toner

Ingredients: 1 medium cucumber; 2 tsp honey

Peel and cut up cucumber, then puree pieces in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a bowl. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes. Pour the juice from the bowl into a clean bottle and add honey.

To use, shake bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let dry. Store covered in refrigerator for up to a week. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Store-bought alternative:
Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, $15

Source: National Honey Board

Total Beauty

Green Tea Toner

Ingredients: 4 tsp loose green tea leaf (cut open tea bags if you don't have loose leaves); 1 cup mineral water

Boil the water and steep tea for at least 10 minutes to make concentrated tea. Wait for tea to cool, then pour it into a small spray bottle and refrigerate. Spray toner directly on clean skin and pat it in, or apply it with a cotton ball. Follow with moisturizer. To soothe acne on normal to oily skin types, add 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 2 tsp lemon juice.

Store-bought alternative: Aubrey Organics Green Tea and Gingko Facial Toner, $9.28.

Source: Sharnell's Skincare & Beauty

Total Beauty

Tropical Eye Cream

Ingredients: 2 tbsp grated cocoa butter (find at health food stores); 3 tbsp coconut oil

Mix ingredients in an heat-proof container. Melt in microwave or in a water bath. Pour the melted mixture into a small clean container and allow it to cool completely. To use, apply nightly under your eyes. Makes 3 oz.

Store-bought alternative: Alchimie Forever Superpulse, $69.

Source: Janice Cox

Total Beauty

All-Purpose Olive Oil Moisturizer

Ingredients: 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 cup distilled water; 1 tbsp vitamin E oil; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp avocado oil; 1/2 tsp wheat germ oil; 1 tsp liquid lecithin; 1 tbsp grated beeswax

Dissolve baking soda in the water in a glass measuring cup; set aside. Mix together oils, lecithin and beeswax in another glass cup. Place the cup of oil mixture in a pan of water (about one to two inches of water), making a water bath. Heat on medium until beeswax melts, about eight to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When wax is melted, bring the cup of soda-water mixture almost to boiling in the microwave.

Remove the oil mixture from the bath and slowly add it to the water solution, stirring briskly. Pour lotion into a clean jar with a lid. Let lotion cool completely (it will thicken), then massage all over body and/or face.

Store-bought alternative:
Kiss My Face Olive & Aloe Moisturizer, $10.99.

Source: Janice Cox

Total Beauty

Skin Firming Clay Mask

Ingredients: 1 tbsp filtered water, prepared green tea (for anti-aging benefits) or milk (for sensitive/dry skin); 2 tbsp fine clay powder

Add water and green tea or milk to a small bowl. Gradually add fine clay powder to the liquid, stirring to prevent clumps, until you get a smooth paste. Apply a thick layer of the paste to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and lips. Relax and for 10 to 12 minutes while it dries. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

Store-bought alternative: Aveda Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque, $19.

Source: wholeliving.com

Total Beauty

Get 5 more great natural beauty recipes at TotalBeauty.com.

Total Beauty