There’s no denying the transformative power of makeup — nor is there any denying that it’s easy to get wrong. One flick of eyeliner in the wrong spot and your entire look can be compromised. The mistakes can become easier to make as we get older. Sometimes we forget to honor our skin and facial features as they are and may apply old makeup rules to our current skin situation. If you feel like something is a little “off” in your appearance lately, the reason could be as simple as a makeup mistake or two that you’re making. And the good news is that these mistakes are easy to correct.
Not Using Primer
Primer isn’t a new product, but the hype around it is hard to miss these days. No longer considered a fringe makeup product or one only used by professional makeup artists, the secret is out about how primer can blur pores and create a barrier between your skin and foundation and concealer. If your mature skin is on the dry side, you can even purchase a hydrating primer that infuses your skin with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Apply it and then layer foundation and concealer on top of your primed skin. This extra steps helps your makeup last longer and can prevent streaks and cakey buildup.
Applying Too-Dark Eyeshadow
Your eyeshadow doesn’t have to be dark and dramatic to make a statement. In fact, if you experiment with more neutral taupes or lighter shades on your lid, you may find that your eye area looks so much more refreshed and awake than when you use dark colors. Another mistake you should avoid: don’t apply dark eyeshadow below your bottom eyelashes. This can close off the eye and look harsh, especially during the day.
Not Blending Well
Blending your foundation, concealer, blush, and eyeshadow is key to ensuring you don’t leave harsh lines on your face that can age you. Whether you opt to blend with a damp makeup sponge, makeup brushes, or your fingers is your choice — but be sure you spend the last few minutes of your makeup routine blending well. Give your skin a spritz of makeup setting spray to seal the deal for hours.
Applying Dark Eyeliner to Your Bottom Waterline
Applying black or brown eyeliner to your bottom waterline can instantly close up your eyes and make them look smaller. It can even draw attention to dark circles and other discoloration around your eyes because it can appear too harsh. A better way to approach the bottom waterline is by using a nude eyeliner in this area (white can also work, but it can appear a little too bright and obvious). Nude eyeliner brightens your eyes and makes them appear larger and more awake.
Applying eyeliner too thick by the inner corner
A winged or slightly winged eyeliner look can open up the eye area and look stunning. But when you’re applying your liner, take caution not to make the line by the inner corner of your eye too thick. Doing so can close off the eye and make it appear smaller.
The solution is to modify your technique by starting off with a very thin line near the inner corner of your eye and gradually thickening it as you reach the outer corner of your eye. If you want to add a little drama with a wing or upward flick of liner, be our guest.
Not setting concealer with powder
Once you apply your color corrector and concealer, don’t just let it sit there. Doing so can eventually lead to makeup falling into the crevices of fine lines and pores and settling there.
Here’s where setting your concealer with translucent or pressed powder becomes important. A light dusting of powder will help ensure your makeup has longevity. Tap the product onto skin using a makeup brush.
Mistake: Applying eyeshadow to naked lids
Ever notice that your eyelids are a spot on your face that can contain quite a bit of discoloration? When you apply eye makeup directly on top of naked lids without priming them first, you are not canceling out any blueness or redness on the lid and your look won’t be what you envisioned. Not to mention: you may find that a few hours later your eyeshadow and eyeliner have shifted if your lids became oily over the course of the day.
Apply an eye primer to your eyelids before you apply a stitch of makeup. This helps create a beautiful base by canceling out blue and red tones and helping makeup glide on, appear more pigmented, and stay put.
Overdoing the eyebrows
Remember back a few years when beauty experts and celebs couldn’t get enough of a really, really bold brow? Brows will never not be a focal point of a look — after all, they frame the face and can change your makeup look drastically. But intense brows that are too dark or too arched are now considered outdated because they draw too much attention away from your overall look.
Instead of focusing on creating a whole new brow for yourself, make the most of what you have by filling in sparse areas with a pencil that is your brow color or slightly darker. Set it in place with a brow gel. And don’t feel like they have to be SO perfect. A natural brow isn’t just on-trend, it’s also youthful.
Placing blush too low on the face
Blush can be a tricky makeup product to get just right. When applied too low on the cheeks it can actually drag the face downward and look more aging.
Start off by placing your blush a little higher than might feel normal to you. Blend it outward toward your hairline and avoid concentrating it too close to your nose, as this can also be aging. And make sure you’re choosing shades that aren’t too dark or too warm or cool for your skin tone.
Not Giving Eyeliner a Little Flick
Don’t just follow the natural line of your upper eyelid, try giving your eyeliner a little flick at the outer corner of your eye to lift your eyes and your entire face. Locate the last lash on the outer corner of your upper eyelid and start your eyeliner wing at this point, flicking it upward, outward, and into a small triangle shape.
Be sure to apply eyeshadow primer to your lids before applying eyeliner so that your winged eyeliner stays in place and doesn’t streak.
These mistakes are so common, but also easy to correct so that you can make the most of your unique features.
