I’m a 46-year-old pro makeup artist – the common mistakes that are ageing you & 30-second tricks to elongate your eyes

WHEN it comes to makeup, small tweaks can make a world of difference.

And who better to guide us than a seasoned expert with over 25 years of experience as a makeup trainer?

At almost 46, Erica Taylor has seen it all – common habits that can unintentionally age the face and the simple fixes that create a fresher, more lifted look.

The professional makeup artist, known as ‘ericataylor2347’ on TikTok, recently shared a video that has gone viral with over 9.8 million views.

In it, she takes a unique approach: one side of her face is done with common makeup mistakes, while the other shows easy corrections using the exact same foundation, concealer, and primer. 

The results? A striking difference that proves how subtle shifts in makeup placement can completely transform the face.

“This is from real-life experience,” Erica explains in the video.

“So what I did is I tried to do this neatly so you wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, that’s messy.’ The other side is neat. I want to show you common mistakes that age the face.

“In fairness, I use the same exact foundation, concealer, primer, and setting on each side.

“So I just want to show you a few simple fixes that might make a big difference.”

With that, she dives into the first mistake: eyebrow and eyeliner placement.

“If you cut your liner short, your eye’s going to look different – and it’s thick,” she points out. “My mascara is running out.”

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She continues: “We were taught to suck in your cheeks, contour, smile, and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks.

“If your eyebrow is longer, your eye looks longer. If your eyebrow is lower, your eye looks lower. If your liner is short and too thick, your eye looks shorter.”

She then moves on to eyeliner application. 

Erica says: “If you want to elongate with a thin liner, you don’t have to do the lift, but make sure you get to the very end. Otherwise, it will cut your eye short.”

Next, she addresses bronzer and blush placement, demonstrating how lifting these products can create a more youthful effect. 

“Lifting your bronzer above the cheek and your apple higher brings everything up,” she says.

She also highlights common lip liner mistakes by explaining to lift it slightly above the line rather than pulling it down. 

Erica reassures her viewers that even naturally short brows from years of tweezing can be corrected with strategic filling. 

“There are ways to fill it in that look really natural, but that frame will elongate your eye,” she says.

And one final tip? Warming up the face. 

She says: “I took the bronzer and warmed it around the hairline, which gives a more lit-from-within look.”

At the end of the tutorial, Erica encourages her followers to try these techniques for themselves. 

“Small things make a big difference, and they’re very easy fixes,” she says. “Give it a try. Report back. I mean, she’s not the worst – she’s better. She’s a little happier.”

[quote credit=”TikTok comment”]You’re changing my life[/quote]

With over 9.8 million views and counting, it’s clear that people are eager for these small but impactful beauty tips.

Many rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. 

One wrote: “For a person who doesn’t know how to do makeup, you shared some really good advice here!” 

A second added: “I tried this and I got so many compliments and I loved the way I looked!” 

Whilst a third said: “You’re changing my life haha. Thank you.” 

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