Remember when you were a little girl and you couldn't wait to start wearing makeup?

How you'd pocket your mom's lipstick and wait until you got to the bathroom at school to put it on? And, how you logged countless hours in front of the bathroom mirror experimenting with different colors and ways to draw on eyeliner until you hit on just the right combo?

Makeup is transcendent. With it, our possibilities are infinite. A mere sweep of a brush or pat with a sponge can cover our flaws, accentuate our best features and add a little whimsy to any occasion. And, perhaps best of all (especially when you reach a certain age) properly — and strategically — placed shades and formulations can impart the illusion of youth. It's true.

See the makeup tips that erase 10 years now.

Simply swapping a harsh dark color for a subtler one or trading your powder products for creamier versions can make a world of difference in how your (formerly youthful) face appears in the mirror — and to the world. Plus, certain application techniques and tricks of the trade can work to magically give the appearance of lift in the areas where aging faces need it most.

To find out the best ways to use makeup to turn back time (if only until you wash your face at night) we talked to several noted makeup artists, including Nick Barose and Sonia Kashuk, who were only too happy to share their expertise. So, if you're curious to see how some small switches in your regimen can make a big difference, see the makeup tips that erase 10 years now.

Image via Imaxtree

Before
"As you notice lines around your eyes, avoid frosted or shimmery shadows," says New York makeup artist Troy Surratt. "The sparkle highlights wrinkles and crepey, crinkly skin instead of masking."

After
Silky, matte shadows blend into your skin and camouflage fine lines. Sweep "a light shade of champagne or peach -- universally flattering colors -- from lash to brow to brighten the whole eye area," Surratt says. This creates a full, youthful eye. But if puffiness, especially on your lids, is your problem, Surratt suggests you use a medium shade such as taupe on the entire eyelid to add depth and create a natural-looking crease.

Before
Lips get thinner and drier with age. Dark lip liner and matte lipstick draw attention to the fine lines around your lips.

After
"Lipstick usually has a longer wear than gloss," explains celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk, but gloss makes lips look more full. She suggests applying lip color, then topping with gloss for a fresh, youthful shine. If your color strays into lines, use a clear wax lip liner, like DuWop Reverse Lipliner ($19, sephora.com), to keep color from traveling.

Before
Too much of anything is never good -- especially with bright makeup like red lipstick, rosy blush and jewel-toned eyes, which tend to look old, says New York makeup pro Nick Barose.

After
Color is necessary, but keep it sheer and strategic -- don't wear it all over. Example? If you go with a translucent punchy red or petal pink on your cheeks and lips, keep your eyes neutral to balance it out, Kashuk says. The same rule applies if you want to wear a dramatic eye; keep lips and cheeks neutral. Barose advises avoiding pale nude tones on your lips because it can make your skin look grayish. Use pink neutrals and berries instead.

Before
It's tempting to spackle coverage on to even skin tone and hide dark circles or problem spots, but cakey makeup can seep into wrinkles and make them look deeper, Barose says. Yet too little coverage can make you look tired.

After
"Always prep with a moisturizer before applying foundation. The extra bit of moisture helps makeup slide on smoothly and evenly," says Barbie Laurino, a global makeup artist for Laura Mercier.

Ideally, your makeup should allow your natural skin to show through, not blanket it. "To get the lightest, most sheer layer of coverage, use a damp sponge or synthetic brush instead of using your fingers," Kashuk says. These tools control the product so it's not applied too thick. Then, dot concealer on the spots that need extra coverage: under your eyes, around your nose and on any pimples. If you have dark circles under your eyes, avoid yellow-based concealer, which makes skin look green and ashy, Laurino says.