While most of us will never be able to apply our makeup like the Kardashian bunch, we at least can do the basics, right? You might be surprised to learn that you may have been committing some cardinal sins in makeup 101. Learn how to correct these incredibly common makeup mistakes to perfectly enhance your true, natural beauty.
Wearing Waterproof Mascara Everyday
Waterproof mascara is amazing if you're attending a wedding or spending a day at the pool, but it shouldn't be your everyday go-to. The formula that makes it water-resistant will also dry out your lashes. Top that with the extra amount of effort to remove it, you'll be losing more of those lovely lashes than you should be.
Using Expired Makeup
Like any product, makeup has an expiration date, and if you have had products in your drawers for longer than you can remember, just throw it out. Besides not being as effective (we're looking at you, clumpy mascara), expired makeup can also lead to skin irritation and eye infections. To see just how long your makeup lasts, check out this page. Shelf Life Of Your Makeup
Applying Bronzer AllOver
Bronzer is a great way to add a sun-kissed glow to your skin but you're only doing yourself a disservice if you're applying it all over. The easiest way to correctly apply is to make the number "3" on your face.
Using A Brow Pencil
We're not sure why they even make these anymore. Using a pencil to help fill in your eyebrows can leave them looking overdone and unnatural. Instead, use a powder and a small, angled brush and lightly stroke in sparse spots to achieve the perfect, natural shape and look.
Ignoring Your Brows Altogether
We may not all be blessed with bold, beautiful brows like Cara Delevingne. Having a defined brow really helps to make your eyes pop, making them more defined and intense looking. Trust us, a little brow powder can go a long way.
Using The Wrong Primer For Your Foundation
Good for you if your using primer (it works WONDERS for helping to create a smooth surface for your foundation and keeping everything in place longer), but the kind you're using makes a big difference. Check the ingredients in your foundation and match it with a primer that has the same base. For example, if your foundation is water based, you'll want to pair it with a water-based primer, not a silicone-based one.
Not Cleaning Your Brushes
Your brushes can be a playground for bacteria buildup if not cleaned regularly, which can clog pores and lead to unsightly breakouts. About once a month, clean your brushes with a little bit of baby shampoo under lukewarm, running water.
Incorrectly Using Liner For Your Eyeshape
The most common mistake by far is not knowing how to use the correct line width and shape for your eyes. Certain eye shapes can support and are benefitted by thicker lines than others. To find the best line for your eye, check out this page. How To Use Eyeliner For Your Eye Shape
Tracing Lips With Liner
With our constant obsession to get fuller lips, lip liner can be a wonderful tool to amplify your natural lip line. Yet if you only use it to outline your lips, once your lipstick fades (and it will), then that line will be exposed (not cute). Instead, fill in all your lips with the liner, then add lipstick or gloss over that.
Apply Makeup Too Soon (Or Too Late) After Moisturizing
No matter your skin type, it is key to moisturize after washing your face, but it is even more so important before makeup application to ensure you have smooth and flake-free skin. Waiting too long between the two can cause the skin to dry out, but if you apply too soon, the moisturizer can thin out your makeup. Your best window of time between moisturizing and apply makeup is one to ten minutes.
Creating Monotone Skin
Our natural skin has a multiple of different shades, so when you apply foundation all over, you will end up with a washed out face. You don't have to go full out contouring, but using a little bit of blush, bronzer and highlighter will really help bring out your natural beauty.
Incorrectly ApplyingBlush
If you want to avoid the doll/clown look, then don't just circle a little blush on just the apples of your checks. For the best application, smile and apply from the apples along your cheekbone all the way to your temple. Just be careful not to be too heavy-handed.
Creating A Face Mask
NOTHING is worse than having that unsightly ring of makeup that ends promptly at your jawline. A lot of this has to too with using the wrong shade of foundation (aka: not testing properly), and the other is not blending down your face. Make sure to carry a bit of foundation and powder down so that your skin looks even and flawless.
Testing Colors On The Back Of Your Hand
While it is always a good idea to test makeup before purchasing, using the back of your hand isn't the ideal place to do it, the skin there is naturally more red than your face. The best spot to test foundations is right on your jawline. If you are testing lip products, use a tester brush to apply to your lips to see how that shade will work WITH your skin tone, not on it.
Applying In The Wrong Lighting
Have you ever spent time perfecting your makeup in your bathroom only to steal a quick glance in the mirror in your car to see that it wasn't quite as perfect as you thought? Lighting plays a huge affect on the finished product, so try to apply with that in mind. Makeup will always look better with less light, but not always the other way around.
Not Setting Your Makeup
If you're taking the time to apply foundation and concealer, then don’t let those efforts go to waste by not setting it with a finishing powder! A light dusting all over will help to ensure everything stays in place. If you're skipping this step due to dry skin, then look for moisturizing or illumination formulas, or try finishing with a spritz of moisturizing face mist.
Over-Powdering
As important as it is to set your makeup, it is equally important not to overdo it on the powder. Just because it's labeled "translucent" DOES NOT mean it's invisible. Be sure to use a light touch when applying your first layer, and if you're touching up during the day, only use where needed (which will most likely be your t-zone). If you suffer from extra oily skin, be sure to use blotting papers first (or only) as adding more makeup will result in a caky look.
Pumping Your Mascara
Pump, pump it up! Actually no, please don't. Pumping the wand in and out of the tube is only letting more air in, which will dry out the formula even faster and will likely leave your lashes looking spidery, which no one wants.
Using Too Much Foundation
As is our natural tendency, we all seem to believe we have worse skin than we really do and tend to go a bit heavy-handed with applying foundation. Use foundation for the purpose of evening out your skin tone, then use concealer to pinpoint those trouble spots.
Using The Wrong Under-Eye Concealer
If your trying to conceal dark, under eye circles using a shade or two lighter than your foundation isn't going to correct it, and can leave you with reverse raccoon eyes (yikes). In order to properly cover those rings, you'll need to color-correct them by choosing a concealer that has a peach tone to it; that will counteract the blues and purples.