You can possess a vanity full of the most beautiful makeup shades and products from brands that beauty influencers love, but without the right technique tips, those products won’t serve you the way they should.
Makeup mistakes happen. And these mistakes are easier to make than you might think. The simple swipe of an eyeliner that pops off in the wrong direction on your lid can mean the difference between a “lifted” eye look and one that seems to drag your entire face down. Choosing a matte formulation, whether you’re shopping for foundation or lipstick, can also make the skin and lips appear more aged, but a simple swap with a dewy version of that same shade suddenly makes your skin glow and your lips appear more plump.
Subtle changes really can make a difference in your makeup. If you feel like your look hasn’t been as refreshing as you’d like, stop making these four makeup mistakes. Correcting a few common wrongs is all it sometimes takes to get on the right track.
Using Powder Eyeshadow
We hate to disapprove of any one makeup formulation or product. Because the truth is: a powder eyeshadow can be gorgeous. But if you have mature skin that shows signs of aging like fine lines, using a powder can actually accentuate every single line more. Powders tend to settle in lines and they aren’t as easy to blend on mature skin.
A better option is to take advantage of the many beautiful shades of cream shadow available. Apply a primer first to the eyelid so that discoloration is addressed — primer also provides a base for shadows to land more gently and helps your eye makeup last longer. Then, using your finger or a brush, apply a cream shadow and watch how effortlessly it blends. The shadow may feel slightly liquid-y at first, but will dry to a smooth finish.
Not Using Primer
This is the mistake that will affect every single area in which you apply makeup — whether you’re focusing on your foundation, eye shadow, blush, or eyeliner. Primers create a barrier between your makeup and your skin. This is important because most of us have visible pores, fine lines, etc. and applying a foundation or shadow directly on top of the skin just means the makeup will “sink” in and not blend as well as it should. But a primer “blurs” everything just a bit — and you’ll notice your makeup will actually glide on easier and blend more thoroughly. Primers also help your makeup last longer.
Another pro about primers: you can find them in all different formulations. If you have redness in your skin, for example, look for a primer that contains a green tint to neutralize redness. Other primers contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid to add moisture to skin prior to your makeup application. It’s definitely worth incorporating one into your routine.
Using the Wrong Foundation Type
At different ages, our skin can have different needs — for this reason, your makeup products, such as foundation, should change to reflect those needs. You may find that your skin is drier with age. Choosing a foundation that has a matte finish may have worked in your teens and twenties, but that same formula can feel sticky and cling to pores and dry patches when you’re older. Don’t be afraid of changing products. Choosing a foundation that contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other moisturizing ingredients is a good way to keep your skin hydrated while still benefitting from the coverage you want. And if setting your foundation with loose powder is also proving too drying, try a pressed powder or even a setting spray instead.
Your Eyeliner Is Too Dark
Eyeliner is one of the most transformative makeup products. The right application can give you a gorgeous eye lift, but applying a too-dark shade or overloading your bottom lashes and waterline with dark eyeliner can have the opposite effect.
Generally speaking, applying black or brown eyeliner to the bottom waterline will create the illusion of the eyes and face being dragged downward. A thick sweep of black eyeliner on the upper eyelid can also appear harsh, especially if it’s daytime and the rest of your makeup is relatively light and simple, offering little to no balance with the eyes. The easiest way to fix this mistake is to lighten up on your liner color — try a brown or eggplant instead. Concentrate your liner on the upper lid or even the upper eyelid waterline (which is a little makeup artist trick that subtly thickens the lash area but looks super natural). As for the lower waterline, applying a nude eyeliner in this area can actually open up the eye even more. If you feel totally naked without some kind of color on your lower lash line, try sweeping a neutral shadow below the lashes instead of an eyeliner.
Subtle transformations can make a huge difference when it comes to makeup and your makeup routine. A few foundation and eyeliner swaps, a little more gloss and a little less matte on your lips — these are the small changes that will really pay off in your overall look.
