Being a preteen is awesome! If you want to look a bit older, though, we totally get that. We have some great tips to share with you, starting with easy ways to update your clothes, hair, and makeup. Then, we'll touch on a few ways to carry yourself more like a teen or young adult.

1

Wear classic clothing styles that fit you well.

  1. Simple, classic pieces make you look polished. Black jeans, collared shirts, button-downs, pea coats, and leggings are just a few examples of classic pieces that always look good. To look older, choose items that fit you well.[1] Try to avoid clothes that are super baggy or too tight.[2]
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8

Update your look with a new hairstyle.

9

Experiment with makeup looks.

  1. Natural-looking makeup looks more youthful than heavy makeup. For example, darker lashes that contrast a bit with your hair color can make you look slightly older, so try applying a thin coat of brown or black mascara to your your top lashes only. [17] You can also:
    • Curl your lashes if you’re not ready to wear mascara yet (or if your parents won’t allow it). Your lashes will look way longer, which emphasizes your eyes.[18]
    • Skip heavy foundation and use a tinted moisturizer instead. Just spread it all over your face with your fingers like regular lotion!
    • Swipe on a little clear or tinted lip gloss. A pretty rose tint can enhance your features.[19]
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How do you do old lady stage makeup?
    Nini Efia Yang
    Nini Efia Yang
    Makeup Artist
    Nini Efia Yang is the Owner of Nini's Epiphany, a San Francisco Bay Area makeup and hair studio. Specializing in bridal makeup with almost 10 years of experience, her work has been featured in Ceremony Magazine, They So Loved, and Wedding Window.
    Nini Efia Yang
    Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    If you would like to create wrinkles, I recommend using liquid latex. This will help you create a different skin texture that you can then apply foundation over. It's a great way to age your face.
  • Question
    How can I look my age (14) without being told by people younger than me that I look eight years old?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Dress according to your age and be confident in who you are. Your personality also can be a big factor as to how people perceive you. If you act young, people will think you are young. If you act mature, people will think you're older.
  • Question
    I'm nearly 14, but people often think I'm 11 or 12 because I'm small and have a baby face. Does anyone know what I can do about this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could try to emphasize your eyebrows, as this is usually what many people take into account when they look at your face, whether they realize it or not. Try getting them tweezed or threaded into a shape that you like, and practice filling them in. However, make sure that the color of the eyebrow product you're using matches your hair color. Filling in eyebrows can be difficult at times, but the end result is well worth it! Make sure not to overdo it with the makeup. Often, people want to look older because they feel they look too young, but end up wearing loads and loads of makeup in an attempt to make up for that.
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References

  1. Kathi Burns, CPO®. Board Certified Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.
  2. https://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/how-to-make-yourself-look-older/
  3. https://www.foundationfairy.com/look-older-makeup-hair-clothes/
  4. Kathi Burns, CPO®. Board Certified Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.
  5. Kathi Burns, CPO®. Board Certified Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.
  6. https://www.nylon.com/life/30-ways-to-make-yourself-look-older-in-30-seconds
  7. https://theessentialman.com/how-to-look-older-men/
  8. https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/how-look-older-than-you-are/
  9. https://alexandriastylebook.com/stylists-daughter-teen-tween-style/

About This Article

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Professional Organizer
This article was co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University. This article has been viewed 120,022 times.
17 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 42
Updated: September 4, 2022
Views: 120,022
Categories: Youth Makeup
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