What makeup technique should a designer use to help an actor appear older?

To help an actor appear older, a designer should focus on highlighting and darkening facial features. This technique involves emphasizing the natural contours of the face by adding shadows to mimic the effects of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Darkening areas around the eyes and mouth gives the illusion of hollows and emphasizes age lines, creating a more mature appearance.

Highlighting certain areas can also enhance features that tend to sag or lose elasticity with age, thereby adding depth and dimension to the makeup application. For example, a bit of highlighting on the cheekbones can suggest a more defined structure, while darkening areas around the jawline can create the effect of a weaker jaw as seen in older adults.

The other makeup techniques, such as applying bright colors, using glitter for sparkle, or covering the face completely, do not contribute to an aged appearance and might instead enliven the face, making it look youthful and vibrant rather than worn and aged.