Makeup mistakes are SO easy to make. If you think about it, a swipe of eyeliner in the wrong place can drag the eye downward. A foundation in the wrong shade and tone can make you look pallid or orange. A too-dark brow pencil can give you a more severe look that you weren’t going for. The number of things that can go wrong are numerous — but the effects of makeup can also look magical, so you shouldn’t give up trying.
There are some common makeup blunders that many people make that can make you look older, according to makeup artists. The good news is: you can easily correct these mistakes with a few simple tips.
Mistake: Not Using the Right Application Tools
The way you apply your makeup makes all of the difference when it comes to its outcome. And that often means relying on the right application tools for the job at hand. If you are applying foundation, for example, using just your fingers, or applying concealer straight from the tube and expecting the tube applicator to serve as the right tool for distributing product, you aren’t making use of the many great application tools out there that work better.
Solution: Use Brushes, Sponges, and Your Fingers (When Necessary)
Nothing beats a dampened Beauty Blender sponge or soft-bristle large brush to distribute foundation where you need it on your skin. And all of those eye makeup brushes are not there just for show — an angled brush is best for eyeliner, whereas a brush for smudging helps blend shadow and makes it look flawless. There’s a right tool for every makeup job, and it’s worth it to get to know your tools a little bit better.
Mistake: Not Using Primer
Primer is a makeup artist’s best friend, and it can be your buddy, too. Before applying foundation, concealer, and even eyeshadow, applying a light layer of primer will help create a barrier between your skin and the makeup, while preventing it from becoming streaky. It can also make colors appear more vibrant and help make your makeup last longer.
Solution: Find a Primer For Your Skin Type
There are so many different types of primer, and there’s one out there that’s perfect for your skin type. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or skin with redness, find a primer that makes skin more matte, adds hydration, or even neutralized red tones in the skin. Don’t neglect eyelids, which can show blue tones as we age.
Mistake: Your Makeup is Glittery
A little shimmer is one thing — it can make your eyes and cheeks appear radiant. But glittery makeup is a whole other game. Glitter in your makeup draws the eye in a way that can highlight fine lines and wrinkles. If you would rather not throw a spotlight on skin texture, keeping glitter to a minimum, or doing away with it completely, can help.
Solution: Find Neutral Matte Shades
Neutral, matte shades of eyeshadow always look sophisticated, and they’re much easier to work with than glittery shades. Adding a slightly shimmery highlight to the center corner of eyes may be all that you need to wake up your eyes and help them pop.
Mistake: Blush Placed Too Low
Blush placement is always confusing — and it doesn’t get easier with age. As we age, the “apples of our cheeks” may appear lower than they once did, which is perfectly normal. But the solution is not to drag your blush downward, because this only creates a more downturned and droopy appearance.
Solution: Place Blush a Little Higher
Place a creamy, balm-like blush just a little higher on your cheeks than you’ve been doing. This could be the change that gives your face a nice little lift.
Mistake: Liner On The Bottom Waterline
A lot of women have been wearing eyeliner on their bottom waterline, it’s their signature look, and they aren’t changing it. And to that we say: keep doing what works for you. But if you sense this makeup application could be making your eyes appear smaller, you may be right.
Solution: Move Eyeliner Up To Your Upper Waterline
Instead of placing dark eyeliner on your bottom waterline, gently and carefully apply it to your upper waterline, where it will look incredibly natural and make your lashes look darker and more lush. You can even experiment with placing a nude eyeliner on your bottom waterline to open up the eye more and make it look brighter.
Mistake: Foundation That’s Too Light Or The Wrong Shade
We can’t stress this enough: foundation has to match or come very close to your natural skin color or it will look like a mask. If your foundation is too light, it can look ghostly and emphasize fine lines. A too dark or orange foundation will clash with your neck, hair, and make you look unnatural. It’s better to wear no foundation than one in the wrong shade and tone.
Solution: Have a Professional Evaluate Your Skin Tone
It’s easier than ever to stop into a Sephora or similar store and ask a pro makeup artist to evaluate your skin color and tone. They can do this with a device and help you pick out a shade and tone — cool, warm, or neutral — so that your foundation appears flawless. And always try out your foundation in natural light.
